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What do you think about the "Bible Code" idea, working with numbers to find hidden messages?
What is your opinion on the "Bible Code" thing going on? I read a book about it a few years ago and it's pretty interesting. But is it playing with numerology?
Some people are using computers to scan the Bible, and are coming up with all sorts of claims that there are hidden messages and information (codes) in it. For example, a person might use his computer to see what 666 might be, by asking the computer what is the 6th word in the Book of Revelation, and the 60th word of that Book, and the 600th word of that Book. If I counted right, the 6th word is which; the 60th word is he; and the 600th word is Ephesus. So is that a secret message telling us that the antichrist will rise up out of the city of Ephesus? No. That is not following II Timothy 2:14-18, which says, Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. What the Bible SAYS is SURE, but counting the numbers of words to arrive at an answer is not sure at all, and will only lead to striving about things to no profit.
Paul warned about men keeping the letter of the law, but not the spirit of it. II Corinthians 3:6 says, Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. If it is suddenly more important to find the hidden messages in the Bible, then people will quit paying attention to what the Bible actually says for them to do, and will just start putting certain numbers together. That is what the superstitious person and the gambler does with numbers. That is not spiritual, but carnal and devilish.