The Number of the Beast, 666

In verses 16 and 17, we see the means by which the second beast carefully and exclusively distinguishes between those who will worship the beast and those who will not so that they might be identified and killed. He forces all men of every class and category of society to receive the mark of the beast either in their right hand or in the forehead, two places that are prominent and easily seen. The word mark means, “an impress made by a stamp” like a brand used on slaves and cattle. Men will become the slaves of the beast and will somehow carry the identifying mark of their slavery.

To enforce the worship of the beast and to make life impossible without his worship, men cannot buy or sell without this mark. Because of the decree to worship the beast and be branded with his mark, multitudes of believers will be killed directly because they do not have the mark and refuse to receive it or because they starve to death since they cannot buy or sell. Some will survive, however, by living off the land or because other believers who have food share with those who do not.

What will the mark be like? Verse 17 answers this for us. It is the name of the beast or his number. This number is defined in verse 18 as 666. This is the name or number of the first beast and is one of the options for the mark, either his name or his number. This will not be just a number or identification mark on a plastic card. This will be on the person himself.

Some have considered the number to represent one of the Roman Emperors. Others throughout the centuries have tried, using the number 666, to identify antichrist as some current historical figure of their day like Hitler, Mussolini or even Napoleon. Some have thought it stood for the word “Latin” telling us he would be a Roman. All of these simply show the endless speculations that have occupied the minds of students but are of very little worth to the student of this book.

The best solution is the simplest one. First, John uses numbers symbolically and especially the number seven. In Scripture, seven is the number of perfection, eight is the number of that which is new, three is the number of the Godhead and six is the number of man. Though the beast claims to be God, he is not. He is only a man, indeed, an evil and demonically controlled man. He is far short of the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The three sixes may refer to the satanic trinity, Satan or the dragon, seeking to replace the Father, the beast seeking to replace the Lord Jesus Christ, and the false prophet, seeking to replace the Holy Spirit. However, they all fall infinitely short of the triune Godhead. No matter how far we carry the number 666 mathematically as 666666666 it never becomes seven. It always falls short. The point is that this man and his system can never do that which God has promised. He promises peace but brings war; life but brings death; freedom but brings slavery; happiness but brings misery.

In a time of blasphemy, apostasy, and gross satanic activity, let us thank God that we have the blessed hope of the rapture (Titus 2:13). However, let us not forget our responsibility to be involved in the propagation of the gospel of Christ, the only hope for the world.