When do signifcant numbers cross the line to numerology?

I admit I did not read the entire article that thoroughly. Kind of browsed it. From what I remember the author certainly pointed to early gnosticism as an excuse for John's use of numbers in a "hidden" way. Not just in Revelation, but also in his Gospel (if I recall correctly).

My concern was that after the author's initial background assessment, he began to point to the papacy as the answer to this "riddle" after rejecting Nero as a viable alternative. My only point really was to show that there are a number of authors with different views on who the beast may be.

 

El_Guero, agreed. I am not defending numerology - Biblical or otherwise. The original question was at what point significance crosses the line to superstition. Not a large outpouring of response to the question, but the small sampling seems to indicate three possible responses.

1. Some believe all numbers in Scripture are coincidental. No significance other than the obvious fact of their insertion in the text.

2. Some believe there is significance to a number, but only if the Bible defines the significance. Perhaps the 666 in Revelation is an example.

3. Some believe there is a significance with some numbers although we may not have it defined by Scripture and therefore may never understand it. An example could be the numbers 40 or 3 or 12 (i.e. 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 24 elders in Revelation).

By the way, that last example is a big coincidence IMO if you hold to number 1 or number 2 above.

Again, I am not defending numerology in any form. Simply asking where the line is crossed.