What Does 666 Mean? The Bible’s answer According to the last book in the Bible, 666 is the number, or name, of the wild beast with seven heads and ten horns that comes out of the sea.
Somehow, the number 666 is a clue to the identity of the beast. Revelation 13 also mentions the “ mark of the beast ” (verses 16–17), and popular thought often links 666 with the mark; however, the mark of the beast and 666 appear to be two different things. The mark of the beast is something people must receive in order to buy and sell.
Calculating that mark requires some insight: “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666” (Revelation 13:18, NKJV). The exercise of the second beast’s authority results in worship of the first beast (Revelation 13:12), just as predicted (Revelation 13:8).
The meaning of 666 is a mystery as well. Some speculated that there was a connection to June 6, 2006—06/06/06. However, in Revelation chapter 13, the number 666 identifies a person, not a date. Revelation 13:18 tells us, “This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number.
What does Revelation chapter 13 mean? How are 7 heads, 10 horns, and political governments involved? Why do the Bible beasts of Revelation have authority and power?
A while ago, some thought it was a stamp or tattoo of the number 666. More recently, people thought it might be a bar code. Now a popular speculation is that the mark of the beast will be an implanted microchip that allows people to access their digital currency. But we honestly have no way of knowing what form the mark of the beast will take.
To use a complicated methodology to arrive at 666 does not seem trustworthy. There are also at least three reasons to reject the idea that Nero was the Antichrist. First, the Bible describes the Antichrist being defeated at the second coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:11–21). Nero died by suicide.
Numbers in the Bible may be literal or symbolic. Find out the significance of the number 7 in the Bible, the Biblical meaning of 12 and of 40. What is gematria?
