If seven is the perfect number, then I would argue that he uses the number 666 to stand for that which is evil and that which is opposed to God.

So I don't understand the 666 to refer to a particular individual who fits that number.

Instead, I think John is saying, this beast is not 777.

It doesn't represent goodness and beauty and truth, but it's 666.

It represents that which is evil, that which is opposed to God.

Welcome to the Crossway podcast, a show where we sit down with authors each week for thoughtful

interviews about the Bible, theology, church history, and the Christian life.

I'm Matt Tully, and today I'm talking with Tom Shreiner.

Tom is the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, an associate dean

of the School

of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He's also the author of a number of books and biblical commentaries, including one on the

Book of Revelation in Crossway's ESV Expository Commentary Series.

Today, Tom and I discuss the book of Revelation.

He reflects on the best way to approach the book when studying it for the first time,

explains what the mark of the beast is really all about, and offer some words of counsel and encouragement for pastors,

hesitant to preach through Revelation in their churches. Let's get started. Well, Tom, thank you so much for joining us today on the Crossway podcast.

Matt, it's great to be with you today.

So I think if we're all honest, most of us Christians would probably not know what to do with

the Book of Revelation.

I think for many of us, it feels pretty overwhelming maybe at times or confusing or just hard to really get into.

Before someone were to start digging into Revelation for the first time, what would you want that person to keep in mind?

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