The number “666” is perhaps the Bible’s most controversial. But should it be? Let’s notice how the “scary” number is not what it is made out to be and consider its meaning in context…

A few years ago you may remember there was a big ‘hubbub’ made about June 6, 2006.  What was so special about that particular 6th of June?  Other than D-Day – nothing. But because it was 2006 (thus making the date: 6/6/06), this once typical day received an extra bit of attention.

Hysterical people proclaimed the day would doom us all with “bad luck” (there is no such thing) or “punishment from God” (that’s not how that works). How silly: After all, the date was not 6/6/6 (as in June six, of the year six), instead it is 6/6/06 (as in June six, of the year two thousand six).  Despite what the fear-mongers would have you believe, even if the end of the world (or any other “bad” thing) was going to coincide with 6/6/06, the end of the world would have been about two thousand years too late!

As is the case with every other false religious idea, if people would just read the Bible they would have a clearer idea of what the number “666” is all about.  Sadly though, most (if not all) of those who would tout doom related to 666, wouldn’t even know where to find it in the Bible.  They might know it’s in the book of Revelation, but where, and in what context it is specifically found, is probably unbeknownst to them.

As June 6, 2006 approached, there were many people who feared the end of the world was nearing. Their reasoning? Since 666 is the number of the devil, June 6, 2006 (or: 6/6/06) must be the date of the devil.  Silly, yes. But it speaks to the truth that most people in the world do not understand the number 666. Most see it as a “boogeyman number.” If you don’t think so, watch someone buy an milkshake should their Chic-Fil-A combo turn out to cost $6.66.

So what does the Bible say about this “oogidy-boogidy” number?  Itis found in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation:

       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 (Revelation 13:15-18 KJV).

In order to understand what the writer, John, is referring to, a few things concerning the passage must be understood.

UNDERSTANDING “666”

  First of all, it must be stated that this passage can be understood.  Though that may sound very basic, keep in mind that one of the biggest misconceptions concerning the Bible is that it is a book that cannot be easily comprehended.  The problem with that idea is: Why would God spend century after century inspiring men to write a book that could not be understood anyway?  Sheer logic tells us that the book ought to be understandable.

Though it is in the context of miraculous gifts, the statement Paul makes is still applicable: “…God is not the author of confusion… (1 Corinthians 14:33)” God does not seek to confuse us.  The reason there is so much confusion concerning, not just Revelation, but all of the Bible, is because man has allowed himself to be confused.  If one would read the Bible with an open, cognizant mind he would find the Bible, including the book of Revelation, to be easily understood.

Second, the reader must be aware that the book of Revelation was written in a particular style.  The Bible contains sections of history, but it is not just a history book. Likewise does it contain great sections of Poetry, others of law and others of Prophesy. But it is neither a poetry book, nor just a book of Law.  Instead, the Bible contains many different styles of writing.

Revelation, in particular, is written in what is called “apocalyptic style.” That is, it was written with the use of symbols.  John wrote the book while in forced-exile on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9).  Because of this, any letter he sent out would have been “screened” by Roman authorities.  Imagine if John had sent a letter that plainly detailed, among other things, the destruction of the Roman Empire and the continued prospering of Christianity.  Would you have let that letter get out, if you were the Romans? Obviously, a more cryptic style of writing was needed.   John used an “apocalyptic” (the word literally means: to uncover) style, heavy on symbols, as a way to get his message out.  To the Roman, the words are mere gibberish.  To the Christian, they contain a message of hope and ultimate victory in Christ.  Are those coded messages sometimes difficult to decipher? Yes.  But can they be deciphered? Yes!

Many of the false teachers that preach today are nothing more than fear mongers, preying on the ill-informed, hoping to tell a tale of apocalyptic doom, in the hopes of taking money and gathering power for themselves.  In reality, the Bible is a book that can be easily understood. And once studied, the reader will find that the number 666 is not all it’s hyped up to be.

So with it established that this passage (Revelation 13:15-18) can be understood, and having a better sense of the passage’s particular style, consider also:  It must be understood that Revelation was written for a specific purpose, and that purpose was not to tell of some destroyer of the world 2,000 years in the future.

The purpose of the book was to encourage persecuted Christians to remain faithful to the Lord, in spite of death and other adversities.  Since John wrote in apocalyptic language, and since his purpose was to write about those enemies that sought to destroy the church, it stands to reason that John would write about the church’s primary enemy of that time: The Roman Empire.

Perhaps the biggest, and most damaging misunderstanding about the book of Revelation, is the idea that it is filled with prophesy concerning the present day (which is why that 666 [or, June 6, 2006] nonsense was such a big deal a few years ago).  It makes more sense, however, to assume that the book focuses primarily on subjects to which the original (i.e. first century) audience could relate.

If John had written about the number of the beast (666), and had intended for it not to be understood for thousands of years, what value would that be to his original audience? Obviously, none. There must, therefore, be a 1st century explanation for it.

It is interesting to note how the King James translation adds one simple word to the original Greek text, and in doing so, makes the verse much more confusing:

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 (Revelation 13:8).

In the original language, John simply says “…for it is the number of man…” Note, he did not say, as the KJV words it, “it is the number of a man…”  Only by reading the KJV would one get the indication that John is talking about a specific person (hence, the “a”). Instead, it becomes clear in the Greek that he is talking about a number that represents something about man, not the name of a man.

So what does “666” mean?

As already noted, the book of Revelation uses symbolism to convey its messages.  One symbol is the use of numbers. Often in the book, the number seven is used to convey the idea of being complete (or perfect), for example, the seven churches, the seven horns, seven eyes, and seven spirits. Six, would then represent that which is less than perfect — or, imperfect. When compared to God, that which is imperfect is doomed to fail.

It is even said, that to the Jews, the number six was an omen of failure. Throughout the book of Revelation, a number appearing three times was used to indicate a totality of something.  It could also be noted that God is used in the book in the form of the number 7 (not 777, by the way). With “7” being a number of perfection, and “Six” a number of imperfection, the meaning of “666” starts to take focus.

It could be an expression of mans total imperfection in view of the Holy God.  Or, it could be man’s attempt to try to imitate God (and His three-part nature).  The former explanation seems more likely, since John has already pointed out that it represents a quality about a person. Therefore 666 represents the certain ultimate failure of all people who challenge God or attack His people.

What kind of person would seek to destroy God? Obviously it would be someone so arrogant as to place themselves in the position of God. Thus, the “6” appearing three times — man’s doomed-to-fail attempt at a Trinity, perhaps.   Put simply, “666” is not a sign that we should look for; nor is it some secret code that, if uttered, will make the devil appear in your room, ala Bloody Mary.  It is merely a representation of anyone who would try to destroy God, or defeat God’s people.

In the end, anyone who would try to bring down God will fail. 666 is not a number of fear, rather it is a number of assurance that God (and those who stand with Him) is going to win. It is not a number referring to the end of time, but rather a number referring to the futility of all those who stand against God and fight against his church.

 CONCLUSION

 Oh how many misunderstand God’s book, specifically Revelation!  And oh how many misunderstand the number 666!

Again, observe someone at your local fast-food place: When their total rings up at $6.66, see if they don’t order an extra Dr. Pepper, just to alter the total.  As if eating a sandwich that cost $6.66 would end up choking them, or contain bird-flu, or some other superstition.  It’s all a bunch of nonsense.

To the first-century Christian, the number 666 represented hope, not doom. Hope, because all of our enemies have been deemed “doomed to fail.” The enemies of God may puff themselves up and try to be God, but they will not overpower God.  For someone to read 666 as an omen for one’s own destruction, would imply he was on the wrong side of God’s judgment.

To the twenty-first century Christian, the number means the same thing.  Looking to the past we see the Roman Empire, which persecuted first-century Christians, ultimately was defeated.  So too will all others who posses the character of the number 666.  Does it mean impending doom is upon us? Not unless you’re fighting against God; fight for Him, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.