The “Mark Of The Beast” And The Number “666?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “I was wondering what you could tell me about the meaning of the number 666 and the mark of the beast. I know Revelation is apocalyptic and symbolic, so the meaning of this is not microchips, bar codes, etc.”
Regarding the “mark of the beast” and the “number 666,” this writer fully understands that there are several “views” regarding these two subjects, and would be amiss to adamantly state that the following “view,” is the only view. As in every interpretation presented, we should always have the “readiness of mind” (as the noble Bereans) to “search the scriptures daily” to “see whether these things are so” (Acts 17:11). With this understanding in mind, let us proceed with this short study.
The phrase, “mark of the beast,” refers to the terms “beast” as used in Revelation 13:15, and “mark” in the latter portion of Revelation 13:16. In this verse, the text states, “….to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.” As God had “sealed” His people unto Himself (Revelation 7:3; Revelation 9:4; Revelation 14:1), and promised to write His name in the foreheads of the victors (Revelation 3:12; Revelation 22:4), so the beast imitates this by requiring all to indicate their allegiance to him by a mark upon their right hand or forehead.
It is highly possible that the language employed here is used metaphorically of the loyalty and devotion to the Roman emperor in mind, deed, or service. It is best to think of the “mark” as the stamp of paganism impressed upon the character and conduct of idolaters, and followers of the world’s evil influences.
As we look at the number 666 in Revelation 13:18, note that the reader is exhorted to “count the number of the beast,” which focuses attention on the “number” and its significance, not on a particular individual. According to E.W. Bullinger in his book entitled, “Number In Scripture” (Kregel Publications, 1967), p. 150, the number “six” is derived by (1) adding 4 plus 2 (man’s world and his enmity or opposition to God); or (2) adding 5 plus 1 (the grace of God made of none effect by man’s addition to it, or perversion, or corruption of it); or (3) it is 7 minus 1 (man’s coming short of spiritual perfection). Therefore, “6” is the number of imperfection; the human number; the number of man that is destitute of God, without Christ.
When John writes, “it is the number of a man,” he is simply stating that the number represents that which is human – a human number. As we’ve already pointed out, the number “six” symbolizes the imperfect – that which is human and destined to fail. To the Jews, the number “six” was an omen or symbol of dread and doom, so when it was tripled (666), it represented the “completeness” of doom and failure. Looking at the above evidence, this writer concludes that the number “666” stands for the complete and total failure of all human systems and efforts antagonistic to God and Christ – all are doomed to ultimate and complete defeat and failure.