The Infamous 666
It is no mystery that numbers hold significant meanings in the Bible. The most hyped number of all is 666. It has become commonplace and is often mocked in a poor attempt at humor. Much confusion surrounds this number. Why is this the case? Let's turn to a passage from the book of Revelation where this unique number originated.
- And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
- And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
- And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
- Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Note: Just for quick clarification, a score is equal to twenty, therefore threescore equals sixty. Other versions simply write out 666 in numerical form.
We see in these passages that the number is related to something greater than itself. It is the number of a man. If we recall, it is also the number of all men. In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we see that God created man on the sixth day along with all living things that walk upon the earth. If we combine that number with the perfection of the Trinity, we get the most unholy of numbers.
So where does that leave us? Not too helpful. In all actually it is quite ambiguous. Let's take another look at verses 17 and 18 of Revelation chapter 13...
- And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
- Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Three things are obvious here. Every man who wishes to buy or sell (does that leave anybody out?) must have one of three things: the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name (as worded in the KJV). The third point of interest is in verse 18; "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast". So being the case that we all would like to be wise, and it is possible to calculate the number, there is much calculating going on as many false prophets are arising. Who knows, maybe someone has it right, but there is a lot of finger pointing going on. Let's see what Jesus Christ has to say about false prophets.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
So we see that at first glance a false prophet seems to be harmless, but in fact might be dangerous. Not to say that all who are wrong about a future prediction have evil in their hearts. Most are just deceived themselves. It is he who is at the root of the deception which is to blame, none other than the deceiver himself: Satan.
- Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
- Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
- But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
- Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
If you are questioning a teaching or a piece of doctrine you should be able discern the truth through patience, prayer and God's Word. So, with all said, beware of what you wish for, it just might happen. The only safe thing to say is that when the Antichrist (who's number is 666) is positively identified it will most likely be Satan himself incarnate. If you are still interested in this number please pursue some of the following links. Be sure to keep a cool head. This is a very interesting number indeed! One last verse to send you on your way:
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
The Mark of the Beast:
Trade Mark: A Translation Study of Revelation 13:15-17
http://www.ridingthebeast.com/trade_mark.pdf
ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPH - the Mark of the Beast
http://members.aol.com/gklentprs/warning.html
Shopping with 666
http://www.discover.net/~ajgood/ch1p1.html
Applied Digital Solutions - Feature Story - Thermo Life
http://www.adsx.com//images/Generator1.html
Applied Digital Solutions - Feature Story - VeriChip
http://www.adsx.com/VeriChip/verichip.html
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/oct2000/
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/oct2000/
Warning: 666 Is Coming
http://www.av1611.org/666.html
Mark of The Beast - the good new ministry and missions outreach
http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/thegoodnews/beast.htm
The Antichrist:
Bible Study - The Antichrist
http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/anchrist.htm
"The Antichrist" (by Lawrence M. Nelson)
http://www.biblerevelations.org/antichrist/theantichrist.htm
Alphabetics Bible Code Reveals >>Man of Sin<<
http://www.greaterthings.com/Books/ManofSin/index.html
The Number of The Beast:
Daily Bible Study - The Mysterious "666"
http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/sixsix.htm
666 - THE MARK OF THE BEAST?
http://www.av1611.org/666/
666
http://religion-cults.com/antichrist/666.htm
Calculating who the Beast of Revelation is:
666, The Number of the Beast
http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/666.htm
New Testament Greek Alphabet
http://www.666beast.com/
666
http://www.666man.net/
The Number Itself & Mathematical Properties of:
Number 666
http://pages.globetrotter.net/sdesr/nu666.htm
666: The Number of the Beast
http://www.yk.rim.or.jp/~elieshoh/666.htm
The Number of the Beast
http://users.aol.com/s6sj7gt/mike666.htm
References Cited
Summary of verse references (in Canonical order):
- Matthew 7:15; 15:11-14; 24:11
- 1 John 2:18
- Revelation 13:15-18
Full text of verses with references only (in order of reference, all quoted from the KJV):
- And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
- And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
- And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
- Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
- And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
- Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
- Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
- Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
- But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
- Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
Original document available at:
http://www.RidingTheBeast.com/articles/infamous/
Copyright © 2003-2008 RidingTheBeast.com