I still have about 16 hours in the day to be wrong about this, as I'm writing at 0754 EST, but I think a lot of the excitement over today is a little silly.
I've read through the Bible 3 complete times in the last 4 years. I've spent a good amount of time studying Bible prophesy, specifically end times prophesy. I'd like to think that I have at least a little qualification to discuss this issue.
The number 666 is referenced in the book of Revelation (note that it is not Revelation(s) as some people call it; it is one complete revelation not a plural amount of revelations. I can always tell how familiar somebody is with the book by which name they call it). The specific verse is Revelation 13:18:
Rev 13:18 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. (KJV) Other versions actually list the number 666. I have been using the New King James lately in my study, but I prefer to use the KJV when I write because I have no worries about copyright infringement.
Revelation 13 speaks about two beasts. the first beast, discussed in verses 1-8, is commonly called the anti-Christ. Anti doesn't necessarily mean against; but "in place of". This person will probably be received as the Messiah by an unbelieving world. The second beast, discussed in verses 11-18, is called the False Prophet.
Verse 17 speaks of 3 things that are required to buy and sell. 666 is commonly called the "Mark of the Beast", but if you look at the actual text, it speaks of 3 things:
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Rev 13:17 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.
The mark, the name, and the number. The mark of the beast is not the number of the best according to this verse.
This passage of the Bible also speaks of a specific person who will come along at a specific time. If you tattoo 666 on your forehead or right hand today, it is NOT the mark of the beast, it is only a stupid tattoo of a number. You'll look like an idiot and probably freak a lot of people out (especially the people who are already freaked out by today's calendar date), but you won't be declaring allegiance to the beast. The time will come though when you may have to make that choice.
All of that aside, you may find it interesting that Revelation 13 is not the only place in the Bible that the 666 occurs. It appears in 2 other places in the Old Testament. It appears in 1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13:
1Ki 10:14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
2Ch 9:13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;
666 was Solomon's annual salary, at least for 1 year. I've found in my studies that everything in the Bible is explained elsewhere in the Bible, although I honestly am not able to figure out what Solomon's paycheck has to do with the number of the beast. I'm sure one day it will all be made clear, however.
Until the Beast steps up, my conclusion is that 666 is just a number. I would buy a house with the street address of 666. It wouldn't bother me one bit. Let's not spend our time getting worked up over a silly number while it is only a number.
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