1164: The Monster, Nero // Spiritual Lessons from the Time of Nero 22 (Eric Ludy)
This is the twenty-second installment in Eric’s series entitled Spiritual Lessons from the Time of Nero. In this episode he once again returns to the unsavory topic of Emperor Nero. Nero was a man who behaved like a beast and this similitude has triggered many speculations and prognostications regarding his potential puzzle-like fit with the terrible “Therion” mentioned in the book of Revelation by the Apostle John. The Greek word “therion” translates to “wild animal, beast, or feral creature.” And that was exactly what Nero was. But, could it possibly be that John was referring to Nero when he wrote about the “Beast” in the book of Revelation? Futurists say, “No way!” While Preterists shout, “Look at the facts! It’s obvious that John was talking about Nero!” May we prove strong enough as a church to not allow an evil man who persecuted the church two thousand years ago to persecute us again today by becoming the center of a divisive debate.