The number of the beast – 666.

The mere sight of this number is enough to make most uneasy. Widely known as the number of the beast, even among non-Christians, it is often feared and even revered. But what does it really stand for?

The Bible clearly states that the number of the beast is the number of a man and will be a associated with the final antichrist before Christ’s return.

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.

[Rev 13:16-18 KJV]

The Bible states that the spirit of the antichrist has been in the world for a long time and that there were indeed many antichrists already. But the one noted in Revelation will be the culmination of all evil. Where previous antichrists managed to rule large empires (e.g. Nero) or cause distress and chaos over large parts of the world (e.g. Hitler), the one noted in Revelation will actually succeed in ruling over the entire world. His influence will be so vast that not a single person will be able to trade if he/she does not carry his mark.

There’s been some debate about this mark being physical or spiritual. But had it been spiritual only, it would not be possible to restrict business in the way the Bible describes. And for any sceptics out there, the past year or two should prove how quickly things can change. And how eagerly governments across the world have acted to push mandates on people to either get jabbed or risk their freedom of movement or jobs. Add to that the advancements in technology, the growing popularity of cryptocurrency and the decline in businesses using cash, and you’ll realise that, for the first time in history, it’s actually possible to implement a system as described in the Bible. In Sweden, for example, it’s been possible for a while now to get your COVID-19 vaccine status placed on a microchip and implanted in your body ( https://www.newsweek.com/people-get-microchips-implanted-that-include-vaccine-records-amid-new-covid-restrictions-1655916 ). And people are requesting this out of their own free will for convenience’s sake. Am I implying that this is the mark? By no means. But it does highlight a few things:
1) The technology exists.
2) People have become slaves to convenience.
3) Many people will comply easily with government mandates, even at the cost of bodily autonomy.

There’s a lot that can still be said about the mark and the antichrist, but for now, let’s have a look at the number.

What does the Bible say about the number 6?

It is the number of a man.

In the Bible, the number 6 symbolizes man. God created man on the 6’th day.

It is the number of hardship and human endeavour.

Man was told to labour for 6 days of the week and only rest on the 7’th.
Hebrew slaves had to serve for 6 years, and be set free on the 7’th.
The land could be farmed for 6 years, but it had to be rested in the 7’th.

It is the number of incompleteness and imperfection.

The number in the Bible that symbolizes completeness and perfection, is 7. 6 always falls short of 7 and that is pretty much the story of Satan’s life. Satan tries to mimic God every chance he gets. That’s why the final antichrist will work with a false prophet and serve Satan, to create their own unholy trinity. Furthermore, it is repeated 3 times. Three is another number that represents completeness in the Bible. So what this number represents, is complete imperfection, complete inadequacy and, ultimately, complete hardship and failure.

Numeric values of names.

It is entirely possible that the number 666 could occur in some way in the actual name of the antichrist. There are numeric associations to Hebrew and Greek characters. Some used this to point to Nero as the antichrist of Revelation. And by doing so, claim that most of Revelation had already been fulfilled and that we are now living in the Millennium Kingdom (God help us).

Although there is little question that the spirit of the antichrist was at work in Nero, the Bible depicts the final antichrist as having a level of control and power over the entire world that simply was not possible before. We need to read the book of Revelation as a whole. And there are just too many descriptions and details that cannot be attributed to Nero, Hitler or any other antichrist type the world has already seen. Which past ruler has exercised control over buying and selling across the entire world? When did he appear to die and return from the dead? When has there ever been two witnesses proclaiming Christ to the entire world, with the power to stop rainfall, turn water to blood and smite the earth with pestilence as they deemed fit? When have these two witnesses been killed by the antichrist, after which the entire world sent presents in celebration of their death, only for them to be resurrected 3 and a half days later? These are just a few examples of events and people that will be on the scene when the final antichrist is in play.

We don’t know in what way this number will represent the antichrist of Revelation. Perhaps it will be the numeric value of his name. Perhaps he’ll associate the number with himself in some other way. But what we do know for sure, is that anyone familiar with Revelation won’t have any doubt when this man is revealed.

A choice.

I used to think that, when this finally happens, people would feel suppressed and outraged at the thought of being branded like a cow and forced to worship someone in order to earn a living or buy something. But given the events of the last two years, I see this playing out differently. I think that the end times will see a society who trust in themselves and their creations so much that they believe they’ll have no need of God. A charming, well-spoken and confident leader with promises of building a Utopia free from financial worries or wars, so that each human’s focus could be on living their best lives, would be welcomed with open arms. And if this charismatic leader should put a few systems in place, say, one currency for ease of trade in the global society we live in, perhaps one set of laws to make governance ‘fair’ and consistent across all countries, I don’t foresee much push back. By the time his true colours are revealed and he insists on being worshipped by marking yourself with something reflecting allegiance to him, I’m pretty sure most will accept it gladly as a proud way to show gratitude and respect to the man who made such an easy life possible. And should this mark be an implant that could make travel, business and social affairs more convenient, is a little worship and allegiance really that much to ask? I don’t see outrage at these ideas. I see the majority of society complying quite happily. And once this suggestion becomes a mandate and the mandate law, those who wake up will be the minority and face true hardship and rejection.

It’s tragic, yet this is what so many people will choose freely. And it will be a choice. As God said that no salvation will be given to those who accept the mark, we can be assured that it won’t be something a person could be made to take by force, or tricked into. Everyone who choose to receive that mark will know that it is an act of allegiance to that ruler. The fact that life will be unbearable without it, won’t make it any less of a choice. Martyrdom is nothing new for Christians. But never before has there been a point of no return for any sin committed. Think of Peter denying that he was a disciple of Jesus at the crucifixion. Even though he sinned in fear for his life, Jesus forgave him. This act of betrayal didn’t seal his fate. But with the mark of the beast, the Bible states that the person accepting it, will be lost.

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

[Rev 14:9-11 KJV]

God is giving you the chance today to ensure your safety and salvation. His punishment is not meant for His children. We often think of the antichrist of Revelation as the ultimate enemy of God. But this is rather short sighted. He is not capable of fighting God. The antichrist is the first of God’s punishments of man. God will finally give the people of earth over to their choices. And He won’t intervene in the same way He had done during Satan’s previous attempts to destroy mankind. Yet, even while God punishes, He’ll be looking to save souls not yet given completely to darkness, by sending His messengers to continue to spread the Gospel.

Conclusion.

This number is nothing to fear. It is pitiful. It is the symbol of society’s final attempt to rid itself of a loving, all-powerful God, only to find itself serving a malignant god whose fate is already sealed. Don’t brand yourself with the number of failure, loss and defeat. Take the seal of the precious blood of Christ instead, His Holy Spirit. And avoid this man-made Satan-led nightmare altogether.