666

[Reformationist]

Probably during end times is when one should concern oneself with things that add up to the number of the beast; particularly in the global politics arena.

While I don't advocate any superstitious application of the number 666, I would point out that we have been living in the "end times" for 2000 years.

The point of discussion about the number of the beast should be how it relates to what God is revealing to us in the Book of Revelation. 666 does not refer to some future ruler in the geopolitical arena.

Remember people, the Left Behind book series is a fictional series.

God bless

 

[brotherChristian]

While I don't advocate any superstitious application of the number 666, I would point out that we have been living in the "end times" for 2000 years.

The point of discussion about the number of the beast should be how it relates to what God is revealing to us in the Book of Revelation. 666 does not refer to some future ruler in the geopolitical arena.

Remember people, the Left Behind book series is a fictional series.

God bless

I don't recall ever quoting or citing the Left Behind series. While certainly entertaining it is nothing but supposition; often incorrect supposition IMHO.

Saying the 'end times' has been upon us since the resurrection is really just semantics, so I concede your point. I'm not even about to get into a pre/post trib debate here (nor anywhere for that matter); but it just doesn't seem to me as though the events of Revelation are unfolding presently, so I'm not freaking out about 666 or any combination thereof.

Say, does anyone remember in the 80's when some folks were saying that Reagan was the Antichrist because his first middle and last names all had 6 letters and because during the attempted assassination Brady was mortally wounded but lived?

 

[Reformationist]

I don't recall ever quoting or citing the Left Behind series.

Umm...I am not aware that I claimed you did. My reference to the LB series was more a tongue in cheek jab at how serious some people take that work of fiction. No offense intended.

I'm not even about to get into a pre/post trib debate here (nor anywhere for that matter); but it just doesn't seem to me as though the events of Revelation are unfolding presently, so I'm not freaking out about 666 or any combination thereof.

Just for the record, I don't desire a pre/post trib debate either so I think your approach is rather sensible.

Say, does anyone remember in the 80's when some folks were saying that Reagan was the Antichrist because his first middle and last names all had 6 letters and because during the attempted assassination Brady was mortally wounded but lived?

LOL! A little. I was a child of the 80's so a lot of the political happenings are a bit fuzzy.

God bless

 

[Lynn73]

is that numer even in Revelation? I can't remember

Re 13:18 - Show Context 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.

A score is 20, three score is 60. Six hundred sixty six.

And no, I'm not superstitious. But it is going to be the number of the beast.

 

[Lisa0315]

But 600 x 66 is not equal to 666. However, 600 + 60 + 6 does add up; which I guess makes sense as war, idolotry and sin are associated with the beast. But that again is gleaned through a rudimentary formula, not the written number 666; so there really is no biblical foundation for avoiding the number as it stands alone.

Probably during end times is when one should concern oneself with things that add up to the number of the beast; particularly in the global politics arena.

Why do you think that the number is 600 times 66? I always thought it was 666 as in Six Hundred Sixty Six.

 

[brotherChristian]

Why do you think that the number is 600 times 66? I always thought it was 666 as in Six Hundred Sixty Six.

You misunderstood, I wasn't saying the beastie's number is 600 x 66. You mentioned that the number 600 appears in the KJV 66 times; that would be 600, 66 times, or 600 x 66, which doesn't add up to 666 so it seems not to be pertinent.

However, the other formula you mentioned, the one with war and sin, does seem important. I'm glad you brought it up, because it reveals to me that there may be something God is telling us about sin and evil.

 

[Everlastinglife]

Are you superstious about this number? I know people who have ordered extra food to change the price when they are charged $6.66

We face a defeated enemy, nothing to fear.

 

[Lisa0315]

You misunderstood, I wasn't saying the beastie's number is 600 x 66. You mentioned that the number 600 appears in the KJV 66 times; that would be 600, 66 times, or 600 x 66, which doesn't add up to 666 so it seems not to be pertinent.

However, the other formula you mentioned, the one with war and sin, does seem important. I'm glad you brought it up, because it reveals to me that there may be something God is telling us about sin and evil.

I don't think that the appearance of 600 sixty six times in the Bible is mathematical. Instead, it appears to be God's signature. Kind of like those little threads on our dollars that prove authenticity. You might be surprised to know that other numbers have significant meanings as well. We all know 3 and 7, but all numbers have other meanings. It is not any kind of secret code. It is just a part of the Hebrew culture. Children's names were counted. When John said to count the number of a man, it was not as mysterious as it sounds today. It was common practice. You see in the Hebrew alphabet, (among others), their alphabet also serves as their numerical system. They do not have separate characters for numbers like we do.

Here is another interesting thing I learned. (I am citing this from memory so bear with any mistakes. Most of this I learned when I attended the Dead Sea Scrolls tour) The letter Tav or Tau in Hebrew is the last letter of their most ancient alphabet. So, when we read, "I am the Alpha and Omega", it is really, I am the Aleph and the Tav. The aleph is symbolized by the head of an ox and means strength. The Tav was used as a signature for those who could not sign their name, just like our X. It was considered a holy symbol and means "promise" or "contract". So, Jesus is the beginning and the end, but He is also the Strength and the Promise!

I don't quite recall this part, but somewhere in one of the OT prophecy books, it speaks of the remnant being sealed. This has never been verified through scholarship, but it is generally believed that the tav was the symbol used to seal the remnant. Guess what the picture symbol is for Tav? It is a cross!

Early Christians understood the significance of the tav and began using the sign of the cross to identify themselves to other believers. They would draw a tav in the dirt and this eventually led to the making the sign of the cross that we are familiar with today. The Jewish religious leaders were so offended by this that they eliminated tav from their alphabet.