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What does 666 mean?

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Regarding the number 666, people have various thoughts. We can understand the number 666 as meaning the antichrist. However, there is a difference in what each person thinks in each era, and since there are various interpretations in interpreting the Bible, heresy quarrels may occur. This is because, in relation to 666, there are difficult words to understand: the name of the beast, the number of the name, the number of the beast, and the number of a person. Therefore, there are not many pastors who preach on this subject easily in churches today.

 

1. Bible verses about the beast associated with 666

 

Revelation 13:17-18 『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 his. 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.”

 

Many churchgoers thought that 666 was the Nero of the early Christian era, so obsessed with the concept of numbers. They say that literally the number 666 represents a person's name. It was a Greek way of adding the values of letters in a name. In particular, Nero is known as a representative dictator who persecuted Christians. Of course, if you look at the emperors who persecuted Christians in the Roman Empire, in addition to Nero, about 10 other emperors, including Domitian, ruthlessly persecuted Christians.

In the past, people said that 666 is a verichip, a barcode. Verichip is an abbreviation for a verification chip, and is a kind of RFID chip that is a radio frequency generator. It is injected into the human body through a syringe, and genetic information or unique number that can identify an individual is basically stored.

And a "barcode" is a code created by combining black and white bars of different thicknesses designed to be read by a computer. It is usually a labeling method consisting of a bar and a number below it on the product packaging. By assigning a specific code to a product, efficient product management is possible, and the price is low, so it is widely used. Therefore, it is difficult to think that the verichip or barcode is only a means for the national authority to manage health care and economic activities, and it is difficult to think that it has power in itself.

The beast is well explained in Revelation 13. Two beasts appear. It is written that the first beast comes up from the sea, and the second beast comes up from the earth. What is the identity of these beasts?

 

(First Beast)

In Revelation 13:1-10, there is a morphological explanation of the first beast. It represents the shape of the head. Ten horns and seven heads, and on their horns ten crowns, and on their heads a crown of blasphemies. As for the structural expression of the body, it looks like a leopard overall, but the feet are like those of a bear, and the mouth is like the mouth of a lion. In Daniel 7:3, Daniel spoke of the four nations as beasts, Greece as a leopard, Media and Persia as a bear, Babylon as a lion, and Rome as a terrifying beast with ten horns. Therefore, "The Antichrist is like a leopard, like a bear, like a lion" means that he has all the powers of the Greek, Persian, and Roman powers and has all the world power, and he persecutes Christians with his talent and power.

It is a story about the power of the beast. There is a scene where the dragon gives him power. “And the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.” One of his head was bruised, and it appeared to be dead, but the deadly wound was healed. It is said that the whole earth follows and worships the beast and also worships the dragon. The beast was given a mouth that spoke loud and blasphemous words, and authority was given to work for forty-two months. The beast blasphemes God, fights against the saints and overcomes them, and is given authority over every tribe, people, tongue, and nation. is to worship

In reality, a representative of the dragon with powerful authority will exist on this earth. This beast is a clever and powerful force that has the characteristics of the four nations that have been persecuting God's people and opposing God so far. So, what is the identity of this terrifying force?

The dragon symbolizes Satan. The horns symbolize the power of the state. And the first beast symbolizes dictatorships that have the power to oppress Christians. In other words, Satan empowers dictatorships to spiritually oppress Christianity. The form of the first beast can be related to the beast mentioned in Daniel 7-8. The fourth beast in Daniel's vision is a beast with ten horns, symbolizing the Roman Empire. At that time, the Roman Empire persecuted Christianity and drove many Christians to death. The sea symbolizes worlds that are always in turbulence. It symbolizes the countries and powers that appear in the world. However, this public power does not occur only in one country, but appears as a global phenomenon. Dictators appeared from time to time, and they persecuted Christians. They will soon be Anti-Greek.

Already, American public authorities have a law that prevents them from sharing Jesus Christ with others. Most Muslim countries in the Middle East and Asian countries prohibit preaching of Jesus. In the Corona era, there have been cases of controlling church worship. This case is different from the persecution of Christians by public authorities, but it shows that under certain circumstances the power of public authorities can be exerted on religion.

The first beast means public power, and it can be expanded from national public power to global public power. Conflicts around the world are intensifying due to issues such as religion, human rights, racism, and war. But religious unions in the guise of peace can make Christianity difficult. Witnessing Jesus is a worldwide obstacle that can be encountered. This is because the “Christian truth that there is no salvation except through Jesus” can be distorted into the form that there is salvation in all religions, and propagating other religions can be approached in the form of religious oppression.

The goal of the first beast is to persecute Christians and prevent the preaching of the gospel to all the peoples under Jesus Christ when he ascended into heaven. Who does that? In the name of the first beast, Satan is acting through national power or a global organization. A few years ago, few would have predicted that the coronavirus would spread worldwide. However, it can be recognized that, due to the corona virus, the functioning of the state is shifting in a stronger direction. If a global crisis stronger than the corona virus comes, not only the strengthening of national functions, but also the role of international organizations may be more powerful.

 

(Second Beast)

The second beast is described in Revelation 13:11-18. There are also two horns morphologically, and it is said that they are horns like that of a lamb. The second beast exercises all the powers of the first beast and compels people to worship the first beast. Those who worshiped were healed of their deadly wounds. The second beast causes fire to come down from heaven and works miracles. He causes all to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and no one can buy or sell except those who have this mark. This is the name of the beast, or the number of its name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

The Bible says that the second beast will come up from the earth. The earth represents the prison, that is, Satan and the Antichrist under his control. The spirit of the Antichrist is at work in the hearts of false religious leaders and their deceived followers. They receive power from Satan and pretend to be angels of light. The last days induce Satan's servants of false religions to collude with power to cooperate with public authorities. They are hiding under the protection of public authorities, and through the experience of the Holy Spirit, they raise the mystery and lead unregenerate believers in the wrong direction.

False religious leaders instill false gospels and induce them to purify themselves. Every day they check whether they are sinning or not, and they make an effort to purify themselves. Satan's purpose is to use false religionists to trick Christians into apostasy and make them his servants. It means that those who are not written in the Lamb's book of life and those who are not born again will betray God and become children of Satan.

In particular, all who live by the law will receive this mark. The right hand means power. Those who have the mark of the Antichrist on their right hand will come under the control of the Antichrist. Likewise, the forehead also expresses the heart, so that they become children of the Antichrist. That is, those who are under the law are those who have received the mark of the Antichrist.

“No one is allowed to buy or sell except those who have this mark, and this mark is the name of the beast or the number of its name.” People only think about buying and selling in this world. Trading means about eternal life. In other words, those who are in Satan cannot find eternal life, have no hope of eternal life, and cannot buy eternal life without price, so they become spiritually dead.

Those who are in Satan are those who keep trying to achieve their righteousness in this world. The end times are when the time when people can freely buy the word of eternal life is gone. False religious leaders will receive money and sell false gospels only to those who follow them. Such experiences already existed in the Middle Ages. The last time will be the age of hunger for the Word of God. Fake gospels abound. They say that you will be saved through faith in Jesus, but keep the law and do it. Although the Bible says that Jesus' death took away all the sins of the world, their old self did not die, but confessed their sins daily and demanded the blood of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is the one who guards the heart. However, there is something that scatters the human mind. It will be the chaotic dark culture of this world and the development of computers. When the Holy Spirit leaves, the activity of the Antichrist will begin. The Holy Spirit is blocking this, but when the Holy Spirit leaves, apostasy to God occurs. So, the word of life disappears, and only the words of the Bible (the law) seen through the eyes of the world remain, and the word of God is bought and sold with money.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

 

3. Those who worship the beast (Satan, Antichrist)

 

Humans are born in a prison of sin. Therefore, they are children of the devil from birth, and have already received the seal of 666. However, because Jesus Christ was born, died on the cross, and resurrected, the saints in Christ were set free from 666 and were sealed as God's people. 666 in the book of Revelation means children of the devil, not God's people. Therefore, Satan intends to deceive many who claim to become God's people and turn them into Satan's children. It will depend on whether people have the Spirit of Antichrist or the Spirit of Christ in their hearts. The spirit of the Antichrist is none other than the self (old man) who is tainted with greed that promotes his own righteousness. The old self is those who followed Satan because they wanted to become like God.

Each person has a being who thinks of himself as “self”. The Bible tells us to deny ourselves from the flesh and be reborn as a spirit body. It is to be born again of water and the Spirit. In the water, your physical body will die with Jesus Christ, and you will be reborn as a spiritual body with the resurrected Jesus Christ. The fleshly self becomes a worshiper of the Antichrist.

In Matthew 24:10, it says, “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” It is said that many of the Christians will apostate. We see that there are two kinds of faith. In Revelation 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

It means that all who are not written in the Lamb's book of life betray God. Those who are written in the Lamb's book of life are those who have been born again and those who have been chosen. Those who came to church for some reason and decided to believe in Jesus were not born again, but those who died together with the Lamb who died on the cross are those who are born again.

However, the Bible says that believers in Jesus are the called, and there are many who are called, but few who are chosen. It can be said that these chosen ones are the ones who have come of faith from heaven, as mentioned in Galatians 3:23. These are the ones who are born from heaven. In 1 John 5:18, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”

In Matthew 24:15, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)”

What should we realize? We must know what the Prophet Daniel was referring to as "the abomination of destruction." Jesus came to this world and died on the cross to atone for all sinners. So, all the sacrifices mentioned in the Old Testament were abolished. The forgiveness of sins through the death of Jesus was accomplished once and for all. He realizes that he has departed from God, repents, and those who die with Jesus are freed from all sins. We must believe in the forgiveness of all sins of the past, present and future.

However, if we do not believe in what Jesus accomplished, we do not believe in Jesus, and we are those who did not die with Jesus. God had promised the Israelites a land flowing with milk and honey when they entered the land of Canaan, but no one believed it except for two out of about two million people. Likewise, most church people today say they believe in the words of this promise of Jesus, but their actions do not bear fruit. It is said that there are still many people who have to repent of their sins and live a church life entangled in the law. The abomination of perdition means “those who believe that they have become holy by believing in Jesus, but still believe that they must become holy through the law.” Satan is in the background of that heart.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The Thessalonian church people were thinking that Jesus would come again soon. That is why the Apostle Paul wrote this letter in such a hurry. The son of perdition spoken of by the Apostle Paul is the abomination of perdition spoken of in the Gospel of Matthew. When the abomination of destruction occurs, there is apostasy from God.

Before Jesus returns, the apostasy takes place in tribulation. But before the tribulation, the true born-again brides of Christ will be raptured and become partakers of the public wedding feast. Those who remain on this earth and enter the tribulation will realize that the rapture has already passed, and will try to be purified and be saved no matter what. At this time, the two witnesses mentioned in the book of Revelation will appear and preach the truth. He says that unless you die with Jesus Christ, you cannot be saved. In other words, even if you give up in tribulation and die, hold on to Jesus Christ.

There are two kinds of people here too. Those who risk their lives in tribulation to keep their faith and those who try to purify themselves. In Daniel 12:10, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Most people make every effort to purify themselves in the last days.

In the book of Revelation, countless people come out wearing white robes, and an angel asks John. Do you know who these are? The angels say that they are people who come out of tribulation. During the tribulation, they say they believe in Jesus, but there are many spiritually dead, poor and needy. So they enter the tribulation, and only when they enter the tribulation do they realize that they had a false belief and seek Jesus Christ.

『When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)』

Holy places most people refer to church buildings, but to the spirits of the saints. Those crucified with Jesus Christ are those who are in Jesus Christ, and they are holy. However, many of those who believe in sanctification still find their sins through the law and ask for the blood of Jesus to wash away their sins. Those who depend on the law are not really holy. We must realize that Satan is demanding the blood of Jesus from behind people. Those who think they are God's people believe that they have been made holy, but they believe that they need the blood of Jesus to be forgiven of their sins every day, and they observe legal events and festivals.

『Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.』

Those who are in Judea are all those who adhere to the law. Acid means Mount Zion. In Psalm 2:6, “et have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” The one who says “I” is God. My King is Jesus Christ. The mountain means Jesus. That is why those who believe in the law should give up on the law and achieve righteousness through Jesus Christ. The Bible says that there is no way of salvation except through Jesus Christ. Although there may be tribulation, it is a message to realize that only through Jesus Christ is the way to salvation, and to break free from all laws.

『Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.』 Those who have are those who have realized that there is no need for a temple. The saints are the temple. So, the saints are not to have the law. The word from the word house uses the same word as the temple in 2 Kings 12:11. 『And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD,” Malachi 3:10 also says, “Bring ye all the tites into the storehouse, that there may be meat.” in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

『Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.』 Those who work in the fields are the sowers. It means to understand God's will in times of tribulation and not to turn back. The outer garment represents the law. There is a story of Lot's wife, who looked back and was destroyed. And because the people who had left Egypt wanted to return to Egypt from the wilderness, God prevented them from entering Canaan. They all died in the wilderness.

『And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!』 In times of tribulation, there will be those who realize the meaning of the gospel. That person is that are with child. So that's when it gets difficult. 『that give suck.』 It means that excruciating pain will follow. Those who are breastfed are those who make them grow with the gospel. Hebrews 5:12-13 says, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of impartiality: for he is a babe.

『But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.』 The subjects Jesus spoke these words to were the legalists. Whether it's winter or the Sabbath, they are those who have become hardened like winter because they are obsessed with the law, and pray for them to break free from the legal thought that they must keep the Sabbath.

Today, there are many things that people think they should keep the law, such as tithing, keeping the Sabbath (Sunday must be kept in the same concept as the Sabbath), and keeping various festivals. Those who try to keep the law will go into tribulation before the Second Coming of Jesus. Those who want to keep the law will be judged if they fail to keep even one law given by God. So, they must give up the law and come into the gospel of the grace of Christ to be saved. The gospel of grace is to die on the cross with Jesus to the law.