666 IS TO BE COUNTED
REVELATION 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 three score and six.
The command from God is to COUNT and to do such, one must desire wisdom and be walking in a measure of it. The one with WISDOM will also have UNDERSTANDING. This wise person will obviously need to know WHAT HAS TO BE COUNTED. The verb count in the Greek means to explain by computing from the use of pebbles in enumeration or ballot counting.
We see, with a little digging into the Greek, that this number 666 is three separate and different letters:-
Chi (600) + Xi (60) + Stigma (6) = 666.
Likewise in the Hebrew:- Mem (600) + Samech (60) + Vau (6) = 666.
The 3-letter groups cannot be pronounced as a word as they are selected letters of the alphabet to communicate certain numbers. (Study Course Lessons # 17 & # 34 cover Bible numbers and their meanings).
The letters of the ROMAN ALPHABET that are used as numbers are these:-
I = 1; V = 5; X = 10; L = 50; C = 100; D = 500. ( M = 1000 was added at a much later date ).
VICLXVI is how 666 would be written with this alphabet. Other languages have different hieroglyphics to denote the Aramaic expression seen as 666. So why all the fuss which we have seen over the one format of 666" ?
Without the understanding that the last book of the Bible gives concerning The Revelation of Jesus Christ, one can easily major on the revelation of the ANTI-CHRIST . The balance is that Jesus Christ will be unveiled (and, remember, He is in us). To this end the veil of our flesh must be removed so that the seal of God can be readily seen in our foreheads (i.e. the place of one’s thinking followed by actions)
There are many pictures SIGNifying (see Rev.1:1) what needs to be dealt with in our walk.
THE NAME IS THE NATURE ...and the MARK is the VISION - just as we are expected to press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The NUMBER gives the breakdown because it can be counted.
The mark, name and number belong to a beast, yet the beast is called a man because it shares the same number! We can but conclude that it will be manifest in a man who has a beastlike nature.
We see a mind completely taken over by what is programmed into it through various means. A beast-nature looks after only its own interests, without any apparent restraints. Observe this in the world of sex, drugs, amusement and accumulation of wealth (things!). There are certain moves by the New Age, World Government planners to introduce new schemes and horrors to bring all men to be subservient to their rule and desire.
REVELATION 13:16 + 17. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free or bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 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 ALTERNATIVE NAME - JESUS = 888
REVELATION 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Sion, and with Him an hundred and forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.
Notice that the first verse of the chapter following the 666 business, commences with an ‘AND’ thus linking the two thoughts together. Here we are shown the alternative NAME for our foreheads. Which name do we carry - which nature or thinking do we have in our minds ? Counting this number will expose the subtle encroaching of the ‘animal-man, beast-like’ reasoning that, if it remains unchecked, will nullify ‘the mind of Christ’ that is in us.
The image of the beast is NOT an idol any more than the image of Christ is one. The beast-nature is always against Father-God’s nature. Anti-Christ simply means instead of Christ.
Let us research the counting of this number a little further . . .
ROMAN letters used in counting, when they themselves are added up, total 666. (Remember the M=1000 was not among the original letters used.).....this shows the influence ‘Rome’ has had and still has upon our lives.
The GEMATRIA of certain words in the Greek language that have a total value of 666, are very challenging . . .
EUPORIA = WEALTH (found in Acts 19:25) shows that the number of the beast displays a love and reliance upon money and possessions. Such is anti what Christ has decreed.
PARADOSIS = TRADITION (Found many times in the New Testament) is therefore a strong attribute of the ANTI-CHRIST BEAST NATURE. Tradition in the New Testament is mentioned far more times in a negative sense than in a positive one.
DIASPORAS = SCATTERED (Found in I Peter 1:1). It depicts an attitude that keeps God’s people scattered or separated, which is certainly not what Jesus prayed for in John 17.
APOLLUMATHA = WE PERISH (Found in Luke 8:24). This word shows the absence of faith in the abiding presence of Jesus Christ: it is ‘the save my flesh’ principle coming to the fore.
These are attributes of a common nature that need to be removed from our walk . The ‘mark’ is not something that is going to come forth, but rather is already in us because of the ‘fallen’ nature. Jesus, via the Cross, has provided sufficient power and anointing for the pressing away from the mark of the beast nature towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ-Jesus. This, our target-mark, is a full release of Father’s nature in us which will swallow up the ‘kingdoms of the world’ hiding in our thinking. One writer has found that this phrase the kingdoms of this world has a gematria of 2 x 666. Also, the merchants of the earth = 666, which hits a little closer to home!
There are numerous other phrases, etc., that carry the same content of nature which is shown in the understanding of counting. Here are just a few:-
Rev.13:2 And the dragon....down to ...great authority has a value of 666 x 12.
Rev.13:16 And he causeth...down to...their foreheads has a gematria of 666 x 40
Rev.13:17 and that no man...down to ...number of his name equals 666 x 16.
II Thess.2:3 and that man of sin...down to ...son of perdition similarly equals 666 x 6.
II Thess.2:8 then shall that Wicked....down to ...working of Satan totals 666 x 13.
Look at the number 36 = 6 x 6 = fully man and very carnal! The numbers 1 through 36 when added up equals 666. The nature of the beast is visible whenever we see a man, Christian or otherwise, operating in the carnal, self-centered, self-preserving nature that a beast or animal does.
The word MARK in the Greek is STIGMA and it is a word used in branding a slave. Slaves were marked mostly in their right hand or, we are told, occasionally on their foreheads. For us, we need to be sure we know whether this mark is external, which we have the will-power to refuse, or is it internal which requires an application of the Word to divide between soulish and spiritual thinking ?
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:-
a] A person refusing to take an external mark or number while inside they have beliefs and attitudes that are basically anti-Christ. Does this one have the mark of the beast ?
b] Should we be afraid of such a mark ? If our trust is fully in the Lord Jesus Christ, fear will swallowed up by His love. Those walking in obedience to the Living Word will hardly give thought to these marks and numbers. The issue is not to deny Christ. He is Lord, He is our supply and He is our life. In Him we live, and move and have our being... ..right?
IT COMES DOWN TO THIS: YOU ARE ‘MARKED’ UNTIL YOU ARE ‘SEALED.’
If you have the mark and the attitude that goes along with it, you will not find it easy to buy the truth. Traditional thinking will cause you to be unteachable. You know how it goes! My mind is made up, please do not confuse me with the truth!! Truth comes by Jesus, Who is Truth. Truth is bought with commitment and a desire to obey the Living Word. Check up on your reactions to prevailing situations in your life!
The RIGHT HAND in the Bible speaks (in a general sense) of blessing, authority and achievement. The right hand of fellowship from God comes through love and obedience because of that love which we have for Him.
The seal of God in our forehead is the mind of Christ, which we have, but need to see released.§