The Design of Scripture
The Number Six Hundred Sixty-Six
We, after all this time, have now arrived at the number that is second to none in popularity. The number six hundred sixty-six is well known in our culture, regardless of whether one holds deep religious views or not. We might begin with a comment that perhaps is obvious to some and not so obvious to others. This number is not '666' but rather six hundred and sixty-six. In the Greek text of Hitgalut 13:18, the number 666 is represented with a value based upon gematria. It is simply written with three Greek letters, the Chi = 600, the XI = 60, and the no longer used Stigma = 6. This is important because there has been much clamour over possible antichrist candidates based upon something or someone containing three 'sixes' rather than the number 666. I remember hearing about the three 'w's of the world wide web as pointing to the true beast of Hitgalut 13. This is based upon the 6th Hebrew letter of vav being articulated as a 'w' by many. Or Ronald Wilson Reagan's name containing three sixes. But we must keep in mind that this is not what the scriptures are saying.
Higalut 13:17-18
"And that no man might buy or sell, except he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 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."
We are told in verse 18 that "him who hath understanding, let him 'count' the number of the beast". The Greek word used here implies more than simply counting up numerical values. The word psephizo means to 'calculate' or to 'formulate'. It is used in Luke 14:28 to speak of 'counting' the cost of building a tower. The word means very much the same in Hebrew. The word is tzor, and means to 'compress from all directions', to 'form', or to 'shape'.
Obviously, this number is made up of a lot of sixes. We have already seen that the number six is the number of man, and so it is no coincidence that this number is also called the 'number of a man'. This is a very important insight, for it is my opinion that the very nature of the 'antichrist' is that he has successfully convinced religious men to substitute the ways of God with the ways of man. Combine this with the revelation that this number is also the 'name' of the beast and you have some important information about him. In the Hebrew, the word 'name' or shem, speaks of authority, which also brings us to the same conclusion about the nature of the mashiach tachat, or the 'instead of' christ. What will happen someday soon is the physical manifestation of an antichrist spirit that has been with mankind from the beginning. Yochanan mentions this spirit in his 1st epistle.
Yochanan 4:3-4
"And every spirit that confesses not that Yeshua‘ the Messiah is come in the flesh is not of ’Elohiym; and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, of which ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is IN THE WORLD. Ye are of ’Elohiym, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
When Yochanan wrote his epistle, the 'spirit' of this beast was already in the world. What he has been doing up to now 'in the spirit', will soon manifest itself as a person. Those who will follow this beast in the last of the latter days will be those who have already been 'conditioned' spiritually to set aside the commandments of the God of Israel and replace them with man's. This is due to further insight given to us in other places in scripture where we are told that this same anti-messiah will be the 'wicked one' who is the 'mystery of iniquity' or the 'lawless one' (read this 'toraless one' ) (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8).
The number 'six' is stamped all over this wicked one. The number 'six' is prolific in the Chaldean and Egyptian mysteries. This number used to be the 6th letter of the Greek alphabet. It was called the stigma and was represented by, for all intents and purposes, a small 's'. This letter represented the Egyptian goddess Isis. Isis was one of the three names of the Egyptian 'trinity' that shows up on the communion wafer used in many churches in the last eighteen centuries, i.e. IHS or Isis, Horus and Seb. The idea I discussed earlier concerning this antichrist being the 'instead of' Messiah can also be seen in the numerical value of the true Messiah as opposed to the false messiah. The first letter of the three Greek letters used to construct the number of the beast is taken from the first letter of 'christ' in Greek. The last letter is taken from the last letter of the word 'christ' in Greek as well. The letter that lies on the inside is what makes the difference. Utilizing the exact same gematria is seen in several instances in scripture. The Hebrew gematria for Messiah and serpent is 358. The gematria for 'the Anointed one' and 'satan' is 364. The gematria for 'the Son' and 'Lucifer' is 75. The gematria of the 'head of the corner' is 666.
This beast is very sly and will present himself as the true Messiah in any way that he can, except one. This wicked one will not follow God and will not obey His commandments. His purpose is to 'build' an 'instead of' Christ and to create a universally accepted savior. This man will be responsible for replacing the traditions of God with his own traditions. In the Greek, his own 'traditions' is paradosis = 666. Many times he will use wealth as the greatest motivator (wealth = euporia = 666). Many believe that this antimessiah will come from the Roman empire. Could it be just a coincidence that the numerical system used by the Romans adds up to 666? D=500, C=100, L=50, X=10, V=5, and the I=1.
In my humble opinion, the number of this man and beast will be relatively simple to calculate once he is out of obscurity. Remember, he will epitomize and take 'upon the flesh' of that spirit of lawless (Torahless) doctrine that pervades religious organizations. He will deceive all those who unknowingly follow him. He will have no regard for the laws and commandments of the God of Israel, but will use His name and claim that Jesus is the Christ.
Mattityahu 24:4-5
"And Yeshua‘ answered and said unto them, Take heed that no MAN deceive you. For many shall come IN MY NAME, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
This verse is commonly taught to be synonymous with other statements relating to false Christs and prophets. But the structure of this verse speaks no such thing. The context is clear. Yeshua‘ is speaking, and states the base nature of these people. They will speak in His 'authority' and they will proclaim that Yeshua‘ is the Christ, but they are deceivers. Take heed.
Shalom Alecheim!