666: Daily Thoughts from Revelation (Revelation 13:11-18)

666 is the sum of the first 36 natural numbers ( i.e. 1 + 2 + 3 + … + 34 + 35 + 36 = 666), and thus it is a triangular number. The number 36 = 15 + 21; 15, 21, and 36 are also triangular numbers; and 152 + 212 = 225 + 441 = 666. In base 10, 666 is a repdigit (and therefore a palindromic number) and a Smith number. A prime reciprocal magic square based on 1/149 in base 10 has a magic total of 666. The prime factorization of 666 is 2 • 32 • 37. Also, 666 is the sum of squares of first seven primes: first seven primes: . The Roman numeral for 666, DCLXVI, has exactly one occurrence of all symbols whose value is less than 1000 in decreasing order (D = 500, C = 100, L = 50, X = 10, V = 5, I = 1). [see article] Get all that?

To add to the confusion, in the Greek texts of Revelation there are some that read the number in verse 18 as 616, not 666. We know the number has symbolic meaning, since our text says so, but we’re not sure what that meaning implies in total, except that it is the number of a man, or simply “man”. We may anticipate that it will become crystal clear in the great tribulation.

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.  (Revelation 13:11-18 ESV)

A poor attempt at emulating the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Satan raises up the first beast (the antichrist) and the second beast (later called the false prophet).  They make a horrifying trinity whose goal is to enslave the entire world. This is why God views them as beasts.

This second beast, the false prophet, seeks to win worship for the first beast by doing miracles.  These “signs” deceive the people of earth into thinking the beast is divine.  He even is able to make an inanimate image of the beast come alive and speak.  It says he is “allowed” to do this, suggesting that God permits it. No one can purchase or sell without a mark of the beast on their hand or forehead.

This makes it easier to tell who is sold out to the beast and who isn’t, and those who aren’t will not be allowed to purchase food.  They will have to find alternate ways to survive and the vast majority of those who refuse the mark will be believers.  Believers are here told to recognize the mark of the beast by the number 666.  A day is coming in which persecution of believers will reach its greatest climax.

The ESV Study Bible note is interesting:

A second beast rose out of the earth to enlist worshipers for the first beast through lying words and miracles. Later called the “false prophet” (16:13; 19:20), this beast wields power through deceptive words. In John’s day the imperial cult in Asia fostered “worship” of the empire and the emperor as divine savior and lawgiver. The abuse of religious devotion to manipulate thoughtless allegiance to the state is an ageless phenomenon.

Yes, Satan uses the same tricks over and over. There have been many “beasts” he has raised up, but these last two will take the cake. What a dreadful time it will be!