on 03.08.2002 14:57, Philip Stortz at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > i wonder what he > thinks of control data corp., i have some of their old manuals that list > an address at "666", honest they do!
Hi All, Much of the confusion about this and other things in the Bible has to do with the well-intentioned effort to maintain the sanctity of the Book without a proper understanding of the context(s) in which it was written. A major contributing factor was the long stretch of general illiteracy between the times of the editors and the 'modern' era, making the original language all but incomprehensible to the average reader, translation a major task, and exegesis a full time vocation. If I may ramble a bit, one example of this is the meaning of '666'. To most people, the beginning and end of their understanding of it is the 'mark of the beast' reference in the Book of Revelation in the Christian New Testament. However, it is no accident that this book is also referred to as the Apocalypse. Now, an apocalypse is a recognized literary genre that treats current events and their 'logical' consequences [often political] in a symbolic manner and places them 'some time in the future' as a major blow to the status quo [Harlan Ellison might describe it as the mother of speculative fiction ;-) ] resulting in the birth of a 'new age'. The reader of the first century CE would readily recognize the symbolism of '666' as being established in that culture for at least 3 millennia--if not earlier--and signifying 'one who has attained worldly knowledge' [think '18 year old high school senior'] but has not achieved the neXt step [sic] of wisdom through experience nor revelation. By way of further example: 1) the 'age of reason' is often reckoned at 6+1=7 2) the 'age of initiation', 6+6+1=13 [alternatively 7+7=14] 3) even socially, the typical age of a 'debutante', 6+6+6+1=19 Please, before you agree or disagree with the above, do the research. I've offered no links because, oddly enough, there is very little of worth in this area on the internet; libraries, bookstores, and universities are still the best resources. Also, allow me to add that the above remarks are in no way intended to impugn nor calumniate the veracity nor sanctity of the Bible nor its Source; they are only offered humbly as a means to better appreciate its Message. To bring this back on topic, kind of, sort of: Raise your hand if you think Steve Jobs is fully aware of the symbols associated with the 'marque of the apple' [sic], not to mention the controversy and publicity they generate 8^) Peace, paul -- Paul F. Henegan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -- SuperMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | Service & Replacement Parts [EMAIL PROTECTED] | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> SuperMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/supermacs/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/supermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
