"666"

Introduction

I did not include this information in the chapter on numerology in our book THE CLOCK OF THE AGES for two reasons: because its complexity might frustrate many of our visitors and because its simplicity might frustrate others.  It goes without saying that all truths of the Scriptures--other than the truth that Jesus saves--are outside the comprehension of the unregenerated soul; however, even for the believer relying upon the Holy Spirit, the number 666 can be complicated because it is a large number with many facets, if for no other reason.  However, for those who persevere, the understanding is there and very simple to see after the understanding is given.  But this simplicity can be unacceptable to those who are wrestling with the concept in hopes of finding some key to uncovering the identity of the "beast" before it is time for him to be revealed.  (For more on my understanding of the beast and the Church, click here and go to booklet 4, chapter thirteen, of our on-line book THE CLOCK OF THE AGES.  Use the "back" button on your browser to return to this page.)

• The number 6 is the number of man, the descendants of fallen Adam.
• The number 60 is the product of 6 x 10.  Since 10 is the measure of man's responsibility to God and to his fellow man (We're given the tithe or the tenth part with which to support our efforts. The Ten Commandments help guide us in our efforts. If God had found only ten righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah, trying to keep His commandments, He would have spared the cities, etc.), then 60 is the full spiritual responsibility of man to the law of God.  
• The number 600 is the product of 6 x 100.  Since 100 indicates a fullness of productivity.  (The Spirit-filled will bear fruit a hundred fold [Luke 8:8].   We can give nothing to Christ but that he will return it a hundred fold in this life [Mark 10:30].  At 100 years of age, Abraham bore Isaac, his ultimate fruit [Gen. 17:17; Rom. 4:19], etc.) then 600 represents the full productivity of man spiritually; i.e., the very most that he can do for God.  
  

Adding the numbers we have:

   6  (i.e., the number of man)

  60 (i.e., the full spiritual responsibility of man)

600 (i.e., the full spiritual productivity of man)

=        666 (i.e., the full spiritual responsibility and productivity of man--the spiritual number that only Christ, Who liked to be known as the Son of Man, can fulfill.

We can also find 666 by combining the numbers in this fashion. 

         6 (i.e., the number of man)

+     60 (i.e., the full spiritual responsibility of man)

=     66* (i.e., the full spiritual responsibility of man, especially as to the dispensing of the Word of God to mankind--the spiritual number that only Christ,  the Word of God--could fulfill. Isn't it interesting that The Word is one of our Lord's titles and that the Canon New Testament that He brought to man and validated with His own blood has 66 books in it?)

+    600 (i.e., the full spiritual productivity of man)

=    666**  (i.e., the full spiritual responsibility and productivity of man--once again, the spiritual number that only Christ, the Word of God incarnate, can fulfill.)

So, if Christ is the only One who can legitimately fulfill the spiritual number of "666" why is it given in the Book of Revelation to represent the man of sin?   I told you that my answer would frustrate those looking for a mysterious key that would identify the beast, for I see it is as simply another way of saying that Satan will once again be trying to counterfeit Christ Jesus.  We've already seen that by riding the white horse of Revelation 6:2, Satan is trying to counterfeit the True Christ of Revelation 19:11.  And this interpretation would agree with the deceitful character of Daniel 9:27 who will make a pact with many of the Jews, only to break it.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many [?Many Israelites? The word translated "covenant" is the same word used for the covenant that God had made with Abraham.] for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

And this is nothing new for Satan for as we can see in Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians, he loves to counterfeiter the things of God.

II Corinthians 11:13-14
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

_________________________________________________________________________________

*This understanding agrees with the use of the number 66 in the Genesis 46:26.

(Genesis 46:26)
All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;

In this verse the 66 souls that came out with Jacob (later named Israel) were representative of Israel who was given the privilege and responsibility of revealing God's Word to the world, but failed.  Eventually, Christ had to take this commission from them and give it to His New Testament Church of which He is the Head.  (The use of threescore and six in Leviticus 12 escapes me.)

**This understanding agrees with the use of the number 666 in the following passages.

(I Kings 10:14 cf. II Chronicles 9:13)
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,

In the Bible Solomon is presented as a type of the Christ of the Kingdom Age Who, as we've already pointed out, is the only one who actually satisfies the spiritual meaning of the number 666.  This verse points forward to the Kingdom Age when all of the world will be ruled by King Jesus; and as with Solomon, the Gentile world powers will pay Christ tribute.

Ezra 2:1, 13a
1Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city…
13a The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six...

Adonikam means "the Lord is raised."   Prophetically, The 666 children of Adonikam are representative of the Israelites at the end time that will see their Messiah coming in the clouds and realize that He is the risen Christ that they refuse to recognize throughout their dispersion among the Gentiles.