The Meaning Of 666 In The Bible

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The End Times is probably the most fascinating, puzzling, and fearsome Bible prophecy. The world is now inundated by torrents of disaster, famine, disease, deluge, and threats of nuclear holocaust, oftentimes happening at the same time. And in our somber moments, we begin to ponder if we are indeed in Earth’s last days. 

In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation says that this set of numbers is the mark of the beast, or the Antichrist. We also get unsettled when this time comes because we would not be able to buy food, work, or do business without this beastly mark.

Are we really in our last days, as mentioned in the Bible? Or are they just imagery and not real? Are these numbers important to my Christian life and my salvation?

What Is The Meaning Of 666 In The Bible?

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Matthew 12:30

Since the start of creation, there has been a constant battle between good and evil—between God and Satan. In the Book of Revelation of the New Testament by the apostle John, the number 666[1] is the “mark of the beast”—the opponent of Jesus Christ and the antithesis of God. 

As written in the scriptures, Satan, the Beast (Anti-Christ), and the False Prophet form an alliance that goes against God and the Christian church and will lure humanity into the kingdom of darkness and eventually into hell. Dr. Roger Barrier, author and pastor, refers to the three entities as the “unholy trinity.” In contrast, the perfection of God is manifest in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

It is important to note that the Beast and the False Prophet will arrive during the 7-year tribulation period after the Rapture. The Bible clearly illustrates and enumerates the events that led to the end of the world as we know it. In discussing end-times prophecy and identifying the meaning of 666, it is important to clarify the role of the entities involved in the last days.

Satan

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks in his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

— John 8:44

Satan is the leading angel banished from heaven by God because of his rebellion and disobedience to the Creator. Lucifer, Satan’s other name, took with him a multitude of angels as his loyal minions, and their only mission was to deceive humanity and lead them into his dark realms. Together with the coming Antichrist and the False Prophet, they will soon establish a unified religious, economic, and social state that will subjugate the earth and its people, influence world leaders, and more.

a man with a demon mask and meaning of 666 in the bible

The Beast Or The Antichrist

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that Antichrist is coming, many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.

— 1 John 2:18

The Antichrist will appear as a powerful leader who claims to be God or sent by God. He will be a mighty world leader and will be able to control all of humanity and its ways of life. In John’s day in the past, representations of the Beast were harassing the believers.

In recent times, some have referred to the number of the Beast as specific people, such as the Roman emperor Nero Caesar, Adolf Hitler, and King Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled the Babylonian Empire. Others suggest that if you write Nero Caesar in Hebrew, the letters will have a value of 666. It is erroneous to presume the Antichrist’s identity with finality before the Tribulation arrives, as this cataclysmic event is still to happen after the Rapture.

The False Prophet

He will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:4

The false prophet that is referred to in Revelation is the culmination and greatest of all the false teachers. He or she would be a powerful religious leader who would work together with the Beast in the deception and ruin of mankind under the headship of Satan.

This man is portrayed as one who performs miraculous signs and deceives people, leading them to worship the Antichrist. It is believed that this deceiver will promote acceptance and allegiance to the Antichrist’s regime by enforcing the mark of the beast upon individuals, which may include a literal mark on their bodies or a symbol of allegiance.

Also called the “Man of Lawlessness,” as depicted in 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2, the final identification of this deceiver is only clarified during the Tribulation period.

Why Is 666 Called The Mark Of The Beast?

Dear children, this is the last hour, and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

1 John 2:18

The number six conveys imperfection, as it was on the sixth day when God created manhis creation that “falls short” of his glory. In contrast, the number sixty-six means balance and harmony in numerology. But seven has always been associated in the Bible with the perfection of God.

Thus, the number 666 represents all the evil that will be unleashed upon mankind on Earth. Aside from apocalyptic events, famines, and disasters, people cannot survive if they don’t possess the mark of 666. Satan is set to finally blackmail humanity into his dark kingdom so that you cannot buy and sell food, things, and services unless you capitulate to him, accept the mark, and give him reverence over God.

Many people today allude to the number 666 as a symbol for many things, like electronic references or the like. But the Bible says that the Beast, whose name has the numerical value of 666, will only arrive during the Tribulation period after the Rapture. It shall also surface from the sea with seven heads and ten horns.

Since these events found in Revelation have not yet taken place, there is still no Beast or Number 666 that we should be concerned about. Any references to these at the present moment, in reality, are merely myths or hearsay and have no meaning.

Where Is 666 In The Bible?

Also, it causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, 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 13:16–18

The number 666 is found in Revelation 13. It is the mark of the beast that signifies evil and imperfection. Throughout the scriptures, we can unravel the meaning of the number 666 as the symbol of Satan and his evil interlude with humanity in the imperfection of man’s number six. Another translation reads: “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 threescores and six.”

As we approach the end of time, when God’s wrath unfolds, we must examine ourselves to see if we possess distorted and unholy numbers in our hearts. In the pursuit of our mundane lives, we might be revering Satan and the things of this world rather than our Creator.

How To Understand 666?

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

The Book of Revelation is filled with imagery, symbolism, and literal representations all at the same time. Identifying the mark of the beast, or Number 666, requires wisdom and unswerving faith in unveiling its practical and spiritual contexts. The Bible exhorts people who have understanding and insight to “calculate the number of the beast.”

Prayer, Bible Reading, And Hearing God’s Word

So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17

Faith in God is of utmost importance before we can truly understand God’s revelations and meaning. Prayer, Bible study, and hearing God’s Word in the church are essential elements to cultivate in order to harness and flourish our faith and identity in Christ. When we remain faithful, we gain wisdom from above to discern the message of the Lord as we explore the Bible and understand the meaning of 666, especially in the Book of Revelation.

It is important to note that the primary focus of the Bible, including the Book of Revelation, is Jesus Christ, the Lord, and the Word made flesh. For Christians, the ultimate answer to the mysteries and prophecies lies in the Lord Jesus, who holds the key to interpreting the future events described in Revelation.

As Christians, we are called to diligently seek understanding through prayer, Bible reading, and hearing God’s Word in order to gain insight into the symbolism and significance behind the number 666 and its implications in relation to the coming days.

The Guidance Of The Holy Spirit

But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

John 16:13 

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He gave us the Holy Spirit to indwell us, not only to give us joy in our daily lives but also to guide us in our search for the truth in all things. The Holy Spirit is the beacon of wisdom who will clarify our inquiries if we implore his help and meditate on his presence.

Does 666 Matter Today?

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

— 2 Peter 3:9

Whether the number 666 is a real mark that would be written on our bodies or a symbol of something else, the set of numbers clearly represents evil—a companion and cohort of Satan.

When we witness and analyze the events that are happening in the world around us, there is indeed a great correlation between these events and the verses and prophecies written in the Bible, especially in the Book of Revelation.

The Bible says that the last days will become harder and more evil. As food and other resources are becoming scarcer and unholy practices are replacing piety, mankind is easily tempted to forsake God and cling to the urgent satisfaction of our physical needs rather than the spiritual. As we approach the End Times, we are somehow prone to selling our souls to the devil by getting the mark of the beast just to be able to buy food and survive.

star sign denoting evil and meaning of 666 in the bible

Conclusion

The Beast, together with the False Prophet, will soon arrive as minions of Satan to deceive humanity in his final push for world dominance and to ruin us in hell. The Earth is careening towards Armageddon, but “the end is not yet.” Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come (Matthew 24:42).

As Christians, we long for the day of salvation. Until then, there will be terrible and horrific days ahead. Why wait until the tribulation, where we will experience so much anguish and pain, before we repent and turn to God? Today, Jesus invites us to accept his gracious gift of eternal life and secure our place in heaven.

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