Number of the Beast

The number of the beast is 666 by William Blake.
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The Number of the Beast is a concept from the Book of Revelation of the New Testament of the Christian Bible, relating to the figure of "The Beast". The number is 666 in most manuscripts of the New Testament, and in modern translations and critical editions of the Greek text. Although Irenaeus (2nd century AD) affirmed the number to be 666 and reported several scribal errors of the number, there is still doubt by some theologians about the original reading, as some recently-discovered 3rd century early manuscripts of Revelation read 616. This topic is a source of contention for many church groups and theologians.[1] Most scholars contend that the number 666 is a code for the Roman Emperor Nero.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Contents

Bible

666

The Number of the Beast is described in the Book of Revelation 13:17–18. The original Greek reads:

17 καὶ ἵνα μή τις δύνηται ἀγοράσαι ἢ πωλῆσαι εἰ μὴ ὁ ἔχων τὸ χάραγμα, τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου ἢ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ. 18 ὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν· ὁ ἔχων νοῦν ψηφισάτω τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ θηρίου, ἀριθμὸς γὰρ ἀνθρώπου ἐστίν· καὶ ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτοῦ ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ.[8]

The number is the final 3 words (transliterated: hexakósioi hexēkonta héx), meaning "six hundred sixty-six".

The King James Version of the Bible translates:[9]

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. 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.

In the Old Testament, both 1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13 state that Solomon collected "six hundred threescore and six" talents of gold each year.[10] John's reference to "wisdom" and "understanding" might also point toward Proverbs 1 and 2, where understanding, discernment, wisdom and insight are explained and advised by King Solomon. In the Greek manuscripts, the number is rendered in Greek numerical form as χξϛʹ,[11] or sometimes literally as ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ, hexakósioi hexēkonta héx, "six hundred and sixty-six".[10][12]

Scholars such as Dr. Ellen Aitken, Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies at McGill University, have speculated that the reference to this passage was a way of speaking in code about then contemporary figures whom it would have been politically dangerous to criticize openly.

Most scholars believe that 666 refers to Roman Emperor Nero[3][5][13] (whose name, written in Aramaic, can be valued at 666, using the Hebrew numerology of gematria), a manner of speaking against the emperor without the Roman authorities knowing. Also "Nero Caesar" in the Hebrew alphabet is נרון קסר NRWN QSR, which when used as numbers represent 50 200 6 50 100 60 200, which add to 666.

Some commentators, not only the contemporary but also some ancient ones like Andreas of Caesarea or Origen, reflect an alternative attitude on textual matters of Revelation, in that they accept more than one reading when they know more.[14] For example the Greek νοείν, as in "ὁ ἔχων νοῦν ψηφισάτω", has been suggested to mean "read between the lines", "penetrate below the surface" by Cuthbert Hamilton Turner as a means to indirectly reference Roman power.[15]

There are several interpretations-translations for the meaning of the phrase "Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast" where the peculiar Greek word ψηφισάτω (psefisato) is used. Possible translations include not only "to count", "to reckon" but also "to vote" or "to decide".[16]

616

The early Church father Irenaeus knew several occurrences of the 616-variant but regarded them as a scribal error and affirmed that the number 666 stood "in all the most approved and ancient copies" and is attested by "those men who saw John face to face".[17] This testimony of Irenaeus is very important, because he was a disciple of Polycarp who according to his followers was a disciple of a certain John, a figure often associated with the evangelist.

Red arrow points to χιϛʹ (616) in P115 deciphered in May 2005.

In May 2005, it was reported that scholars at Oxford University using advanced imaging techniques[18] had been able to read previously illegible portions of the earliest known record of the Book of Revelation (a 1,700 year old papyrus), from the Oxyrhynchus site, Papyrus 115 or P115, dating one century after Irenaeus. The fragment gives the Number of the Beast as 616 (χ ι ϛ), rather than the majority text 666 (χ ξ ϛ).[1] The other early witness Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C) has it written in full: ἑξακόσιοι δέκα ἕξ, hexakosiai deka hex (lit. "six hundred sixteen").[19]

Significantly, P115 aligns with Codex Alexandrinus (A) and Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C) which are generally regarded as providing the best testimony to Revelation. Thus, P115 has superior testimony to that of P47 which aligns with Codex Sinaiticus and together form the second-best witness to the Book of Revelation. This has led some scholars to conclude that 616 is the original number of the beast.[20][21]

Dr. Paul Lewes in his book, A Key to Christian Origins (1932) wrote:

"The figure 616 is given in one of the two best manuscripts, C (Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus, Paris), by the Latin version of Tyconius (DCXVI, ed. Souter in the Journal of Theology, SE, April 1913), and by an ancient Armenian version (ed. Conybaere, 1907). Irenaeus knew about it [the 616 reading], but did not adopt it (Haer. v.30,3), Jerome adopted it (De Monogramm., ed. Dom G Morin in the Rev. Benedictine, 1903). It is probably original. The number 666 has been substituted for 616 either by analogy with 888, the [Greek] number of Jesus (Deissmann), or because it is a triangular number, the sum of the first 36 numbers (1+2+3+4+5+6...+36 = 666)".[22]

Professor David C. Parker, Professor of New Testament Textual Criticism and Paleography at the University of Birmingham, thinks that 616, although less memorable than 666, is the original.[23] Dr. Ellen Aitken said: "Scholars have argued for a long time over this, and it now seems that 616 was the original number of the beast. It's probably about 100 years before any other version."[24]

Interpretations

Name of a future leader

Among futurists, the book of Revelation is an apocalyptic book, meaning that it focuses on "the end of time" or "the end of an age". Therefore, the number 666 encodes the letters of someone's name who is yet to be identified, but is commonly referred to as the Beast (Rev. 13:18), or the Antichrist (1 John 2:22).

Name of a past leader

Gematria

In Greek and Hebrew gematria, every letter has a corresponding number. Summing these numbers gives a numeric value to a word or name.

so that no one can buy or to sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let him who has understanding reckon the number of the beast, for it is a human number, its number is six hundred and sixty-six.

– Rev. 13:17–18 (RSV)

The use of gematria to determine "the number of his name" often places the person in question in contemporary with the 1st-century writer of the book of Revelation, which is examined below. Other uses of gematria have been projected onto modern leaders, and even non-human entities, such as the abbreviation for "world wide web", "www", which in the Hebrew alphabet is ווו , and in Hebrew the letter ו (waw) used as a number means 6.

Roman emperors

The hypothesis that 666 or 616 is a code for a Roman emperor seems to have historical support. The emperors were noted for their oppression of Jews and Christians. Both communities were known to use numerology, codes and symbols (such as the Ichthys) when living under Roman rule to avoid persecution. The Greek term χάραγμα (charagma, "mark" in Revelation 13:16) was most commonly used for imprints on documents or coins. Charagma is well attested to have been an imperial seal of the Roman Empire used on official documents during the 1st and 2nd centuries.[25] Those who worshipped the emperor received a certificate or mark of approval – χάραγμα (charagma), the same word used in Revelation 13:16. Furthermore, in the reign of Emperor Decius (249–251 AD), those who did not possess the certificate of sacrifice (libellus) to Caesar could not pursue trades, a prohibition that conceivably goes back to Nero, reminding one of Revelation 13:17.[26]

The emperor in general

The German Protestant theologian Gustav Adolf Deissmann dismissed any Hebrew gematria and stated that in "solving the apocalyptic numbers 616 and 666, occuring in a Greek book, it is not only not unfeasible to start from the Greek alphabet, it is in fact the most obvious thing to do."[27] Deissmann posited that 616 is the older secret number with which the Jews branded the imperial cult, and that 666 may be a "Christian adaptation of the Jewish number to bring it into (subordinate) harmony with 888 (= Ἰησοῦς, Jesus)".[28] Deissmann theorized that the original number 616 stood for "Caesar God" (Καῖσαρ θεὁς, Kaisar theós), with Caesar denoting the Roman emperor in general.[29]

In Greek, Kaisar theós yields 616:

Κ α ι σς α ρ θ ε ο σς TOTAL
20 1 10 200 1 100 9 5 70 200 616
Nero
Bust of Nero at Musei Capitolini, Rome

Most scholars believe that 666 refers to the Roman Emperor Nero.[3] According to a passage in the Annals by Tacitus, Nero was responsible for some especially vicious attacks on Christians in Rome. The Book of Revelation was written after Nero committed suicide, but many people thought that he had not died and had come out of hiding in the East to lead this new wave of persecution against Christians in the late 1st century.[2][5] The Greek spelling, "Nerōn Kaisar", transliterates into Hebrew as "נרון קסר" or nrwn qsr. This Hebrew spelling is attested in a scroll from Murabba'at dated to "the second year of emperor Nero." [30] Adding the corresponding values yields 666, as shown:

Resh (ר) Samech (ס) Qof (ק) Noon (נ) Vav (ו) Resh (ר) Noon (נ) TOTAL
200 60 100 50 6 200 50 666

By contrast, the Latin title for Nero is spelled simply Nerō Caesar, which transliterates to "נרו קסר" or nrv qsr and has a value of 616, which may explain that variation.[31]

Resh (ר) Samech (ס) Qof (ק) Vav (ו) Resh (ר) Noon (נ) TOTAL
200 60 100 6 200 50 616

Robert Graves suggested that DCLXVI, 666 in Roman numerals, is an abbreviation for the titulus to the Antichrist which reads: Domitius Caesar Legatos Xti Violenter Interfecit, or "The Emperor Domitius (i.e. Nero) violently killed the envoys of Christ".[32]

Caligula

David C. Parker, professor of New Testament Textual Criticism and Paleography at the University of Birmingham said that the correct number, 616, refers to the emperor Caligula.[1] Caligula's attempt to erect his statue in the Temple in Jerusalem may have inspired the author of Revelation to speak against the Roman Emperor. In Hebrew, Gaius Caligula Caesar is גסקלגסקסר (gsqlgs qsr). Adding the values yields 616.

Resh Samech Qof Samech Gimmel Lamed Qof Samech Gimmel TOTAL
200 60 100 60 3 30 100 60 3 616

In Greek, "Gaios Kaisar" also yields 616

Γ α ι ο σς Κ α ι σς α ρ TOTAL
3 1 10 70 200 20 1 10 200 1 100 616
Domitian

The German Protestant theologian Ethelbert Stauffer, arguing that gematria had been the most popular form of numerology not only among Jews but also in the Graeco-Roman world (Pergamon, Pompeii),[33] conceived a Greek gematrical procedure to explain the number 666. Judging from the precise information that the Book of Revelation gives about the person behind the number 666,[34] Stauffer concluded that the "beast" can in general only refer to a Roman emperor and argued that this Emperor must be Domitian, because he had reigned during the proposed time of origin of the Apocalypse and supposedly was called "The Beast" as a "secret derisive nickname" by Romans, Greek, Christians and Jews.[35] Stauffer computed the Number of the Beast using the short form of Domitian's five titles and names A KAI ΔOMET ΣEB ΓE, as derived from the abbreviations on coins and inscriptions.[36] Domitian's official title in Latin was Imperator Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus. This was rendered as Autokrator Kaisar Dometianos Sebastos Germanikos for his Greek-speaking subjects. And in turn, for their coins, this abbreviated to A.KAI.DOMET.SEB.GE which totals 666 in Greek gematria.

Α Κ Α Ι Δ Ο M Ε Τ Σ Ε Β Γ E TOTAL
1 20 1 10 4 70 40 5 300 200 5 2 3 5 666

Papacy

Some Protestant Bible commentators have equated the "beast" of Revelation chapter 13 with the Papacy.[37] To this end, the letters of an alleged title of the Pope, Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of The Son of God), are summed to total 666 in Roman numerals. The earliest extant record of a Protestant writer on this subject is Andreas Helwig in 1612 in his work Antichristus Romanus. The title was contained in the Donation of Constantine[38], a forged document purportedly issued by Emperor Constantine the Great, by which large privileges and rich possessions were conferred on the pope and the Roman Church.[39] This title was never an official title of the Pope, but the forged document containing the title was cited by Pope Leo IX in 1054 in claiming supremacy over the Patriarch of Constantinople. [40] This interpretation requires disregarding letters that had no numerical value for the Romans (such as the A, R and S in VICARIVS).

V I C A R I V S F I L I I D E I TOTAL
5 1 100 0 0 1 5 0 0 1 50 1 1 500 0 1 666

Some Seventh-day Adventists believe that the "mark of the beast" (but not the number 666) refers to a future, universal, legally enforced Sunday-worship. "Those who reject God's memorial of creatorship — the Bible Sabbath — choosing to worship and honor Sunday in the full knowledge that it is not God's appointed day of worship, will receive the 'mark of the beast.'"[41] "The Sunday Sabbath is purely a child of the Papacy. It is the mark of the beast."[42]

Some fundamentalists believe that the mark of the beast refers to the practice of making the sign of the cross, common to many branches of Christianity including Roman Catholicism.

Martin Luther held that the mark of the beast was the tonsured haircut worn by Roman Catholic clergy.[43] He wrote in a footnote to Rev 13:15–18: "Spirit means / that it is active / and not a dead image / but that it has its rights and offices in its womb. These are six hundred and sixty and six years. So long the earthly papacy remains."

During the Reformation, Martin Luther noted that Benediktos added up to 666 in Greek gematria, and he thought it might refer to a Pope named Benedict or to Benedictine monks.

Β Ε Ν Ε Δ Ι Κ Τ Ο Σ TOTAL
2 5 50 5 4 10 20 300 70 200 666

Luther has many comments and theories against the papacy in the footnotes to his translation of the Book of Revelation.

Lateinos, Euanthas, Teitan

Irenaeus suggested that the number indicates that the beast is the sum of all apostasy committed over the course of six thousand years.[44] Irenaeus suggested that 666 might refer to Lateinos (The ancient Greek word for "Latin man"), Euanthas or Teitan. Irenaeus wrote:

It is not through a want of names containing the number of that name that I say this, but on account of the fear of God, and zeal for the truth: for the name Evanthas (ΕΥΑΝΘΑΣ) contains the required number, but I make no allegation regarding it. Then also Lateinos (ΛΑΤΕΙΝΟΣ) has the number six hundred and sixty-six; and it is a very probable [solution], this being the name of the last kingdom [of the four seen by Daniel]. For the Latins are they who at present bear rule: I will not, however, make any boast over this [coincidence]. Teitan too, (ΤΕΙΤΑΝ, the first syllable being written with the two Greek vowels ε and ι, among all the names which are found among us, is rather worthy of credit. For it has in itself the predicted number, and is composed of six letters, each syllable containing three letters; and [the word itself] is ancient, and removed from ordinary use; for among our kings we find none bearing this name Titan, nor have any of the idols which are worshiped in public among the Greeks and barbarians this appellation. Among many persons, too, this name is accounted divine, so that even the sun is termed "Titan" by those who do now possess [the rule]. This word, too, contains a certain outward appearance of vengeance, and of one inflicting merited punishment because he (Antichrist) pretends that he vindicates the oppressed. And besides this, it is an ancient name, one worthy of credit, of royal dignity, and still further, a name belonging to a tyrant. Inasmuch, then, as this name "Titan" has so much to recommend it, there is a strong degree of probability, that from among the many [names suggested], we infer, that perchance he who is to come shall be called "Titan."[45]

L A T E I N O S TOTAL
30 1 300 5 10 50 70 200 666
T E I T A N TOTAL
300 5 10 300 1 50 666
E U A N TH A S TOTAL
5 400 1 50 9 1 200 666

Muhammad

Some researchers have reportedly found the number of the Beast in the Greek word Maometis. Christians in the Middle Ages believed that Muhammad was the Antichrist and that 666 fitted his name (Maometis).[46] In Quia Maior, the encyclical calling for the Fifth Crusade, Pope Innocent III identifies Muhammad with the beast of Revelation. A leading exponent of the Maometis interpretation was Charles Walmesley, the Roman Catholic bishop of Rama. He observed that the name Muhammad was spelt Maometis or Moametis by Euthymius Zygabenus and the Greek historians Zonaras and Cedrenus.[47][48] Other proponents include Charles Montagu, Gilbert Genebrard, Francois Feuardent, and Rene Massuet.[47] Maometis in Greek gematria totals 666:

M A O M E T I S TOTAL
40 1 70 40 5 300 10 200 666

Other suggested names

Mark of commerce

Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or on the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

– Rev. 13:16–17 (RSV)

Futurist Christian eschatology typically holds that the rise of a supranational currency could be a hallmark of the End Times.[50] Under this view, the prophetic statements in Revelation 13:16–17 are taken to imply that the one way in which the Antichrist will acquire and exercise power over the Earth during the period of the Tribulation is via hegemonic control of said supranational currency. This power would be acquired by "The Beast" (θηριον) performing miracles[51] and subsequently requiring all people to receive the Mark of the Beast (χάραγμα branded mark, character, coin or money[52]) in their right hands or foreheads (i.e. a place on the body where its absence would be conspicuous) in order to buy or sell, making survival for those on the run (i.e. opposers of the religio-economic hegemony) much more difficult.[53]

Religious difficulties with a supranational currency currently exist (see World currency – Political difficulties). According to the Futurist view, to overcome the extant difficulties the Antichrist will use forced religious syncretism[54] (i.e. in the name of counterterrorism and world economic stability) to enable the creation of the supranational currency.

The Number of the Beast – 666

A meaning of the number 666, according to Futurist Christian eschatology may be that the number 666 would be a significant number that all currency would be based upon. Exact interpretations of this vary widely, and many refer to nascent technologies. For example:

The Number of the Man – 666

A meaning of the number 666, according to the Bible may be that the number 666 would represent the unsaved. With the world broken into 3 parts. (1) those who are not concerned with the word of God. (2) those who claim to love God, but God says I know you not. (3) those who God elected and loved before the earth was created[57][58][59][60][61]

Other views

Alternative views to the Christian Futurist one exist. Some who take a historical view of the Book of Revelation identify the Mark of the Beast with the stamped image of the emperor's head on every coin of the Roman Empire: the stamp on the hand or in the mind of all, without which no one could buy or sell.[62][63]

New Testament scholar Craig C. Hill, a Methodist, says, "It is far more probable that the mark symbolizes the all-embracing economic power of Rome, who's very coinage bore the emperor's image and conveyed his claims to divinity (e.g., by including the sun's rays in the ruler's portrait). It had become increasingly difficult for Christians to function in a world in which public life, including the economic life of the trade guilds, required participation in idolatry."[64] A similar view is offered by Lutheran scholar Craig R. Koester. "As sales were made, people used coins that bore the images of Rome's gods and emperors. Thus each transaction that used such coins was a reminder that people were advancing themselves economically by relying on political powers that did not recognize the true God."[65]

The verse is also seen as making a pointed ironical contrast with the Jewish institution of tefillin – bible texts worn bound to the arm and the forehead during daily prayer.[63] Instead of binding their allegiance to God to their arm and head, the place is instead taken with people's allegiance to The Beast.

Kabbalah

In Kabbalistic Judaism the number 666 represents the creation and perfection of the world. The world was created in 6 days, and there are 6 cardinal directions (North, South, East, West, Up, Down). 6 is also the numerical value of one of the letters of God's name.[66]

Other interpretations

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that The Beast for which 666 stands symbolizes many unified governments, harmonizing with the symbolic depiction of past governments (denoted as "kings") in the Book of Daniel as wild beasts. The Beast is said to have "a human number" in that the governments that the beast symbolizes are all of a human origin, they aren't made up of spirit or demon entities. Furthermore, the number 666 "itself all point to one unmistakable conclusion—gross shortcoming and failure in the eyes of Jehovah." thus imperfection (7 is used by God in many ways to indicate perfection such as days in the week, hence 6 is the number of imperfection, falling short of 7).[67]

Aleister Crowley (1875–1947) claimed that he was The Beast prophesied in the Book of Revelation and took the name "Το μεγα θηριον" (To Mega Therion),[68] Greek for "The Great Beast", which adds up to 666 by isopsephy, the Greek form of gematria.[6][69]

In the writings of the Bahá'í Faith, `Abdu'l-Bahá states that the numerical value given to the beast referred to the year[70] when the Umayyad ruler Muawiyah I, who opposed the Imamate, took office as Caliph in 661 AD – see also the scholarly accepted year of birth of Jesus about 666 years before as well as the concept of Mawali who were non-Arab Muslims but not treated as other Muslims – who continued to pay the tax required of nonbelievers and were excluded from government and the military, and thus bore a social "mark".[71]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The Other Number of the Beast". Centre for the Study of Ancient Documents. http://www.csad.ox.ac.uk/POxy/beast616.htm. Retrieved 2006-06-23. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fearful hope, Paul S. Boyer
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Book of Revelation, Catherine A. Cory
  4. ↑ Revelation, Alan John Philip Garrow
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Catholic Youth Bible, 1699". Books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=SnORJqkR7qsC&pg=RA7-PT1423. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Just, Felix (2002-02-02). "666: The Number of the Beast". http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/666.htm#Academic. Retrieved 2006-06-06. 
  7. ↑ Hillers, D.R. (1963). "Revelation 13:18 and a Scroll from Murabba'at". Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 170: 65. doi:10.2307/1355990. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-097X(196304)170%3C65%3AR1AASF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-H. Retrieved 2006-08-07.  Note: website requires subscription.The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Ed. Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1990. 1009
  8. ↑ Revelation in the Greek New Testament at Internet Sacred Text Archive
  9. ↑ "Revelation 13:17–18". King James Version of the Bible. Bible Gateway. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2013:17-18;&version=9;. Retrieved 2006-06-22. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "biblegateway666". Bible Gateway. http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=666&qs_version=31;. Retrieved 2009-08-03. 
  11. ↑ "Revelation 13:18". Stephanus New Testament. Bible Gateway. http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2013:18;&version=69;. Retrieved 2006-06-22. 
  12. ↑ "Revelation 13:18" (JPEG). Codex Alexandrinus. Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts. http://csntm.org/Manuscripts/GA%2002/GA02_132b.jpg. Retrieved 2006-06-22. 
  13. ↑ Some Recently Published NT Papyri from Oxyrhynchus: An Overview and Preliminary Assessment by Peter M. Head, Tyndale Bulletin 51 (2000), pp. 1–16 http://www.tyndale.cam.ac.uk/Tyndale/staff/Head/NTOxyPap.htm#_ftn39
  14. ↑ Wasserman, Tommy (2008-12-05). "SBL Boston, Hernández on Andrew of Caesarea as Textual-Critic". Evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com. http://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com/2008/12/sbl-boston-hernndez-on-andrew-of.html. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  15. ↑ Elliott, James Keith. The Language and Style of the Gospel of Mark: An Edition of C.H. Turner's "Notes on Marcan Usage" Together with Other Comparable Studies, Cuthbert Hamilton Turner Published by BRILL, 1993 ISBN 9004097678 9789004097674 [1]
  16. ↑ The Revelation of St. John the Divine self-interpreted - Thomas Whittaker page 226
  17. ↑ Irenaeus. "Book V, Chapter XXX". Adversus Haereses. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.ix.vii.xxxi.html. Retrieved 2009-03-01. 
  18. ↑ "Papyrus Reveals New Clues to Ancient World". News.nationalgeographic.com. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/04/0425_050425_papyrus.html. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  19. ↑ Herman C. Hoskier, Concerning the Text of the Apocalypse, vol. 2, p. 364.
  20. ↑ Philip W Comfort and David P Barrett, The Text of the Earliest New Testament Greek Manuscripts,(Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers Incorporated, 2001)
  21. ↑ "CJO - Abstract - A new Oxyrhynchus Papyrus of Revelation: P115 (P. Oxy. 4499)". Journals.cambridge.org. 2000-09-08. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=23497. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  22. ↑ Dr. Paul Lewes, A Key to Christian Origins (Watts & Co., London, 1932, p. 140
  23. ↑ Anderson, Tom (2005-05-01). "Revelation! 666 is not the number of the beast (it's a devilish 616)". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/revelation-666-is-not-the-number-of-the-beast-its-a-devilish-616-526779.html. Retrieved 2009-03-01. 
  24. ↑ "Beast's real mark devalued to '616'". Religionnewsblog.com. 2005-05-04. http://www.religionnewsblog.com/11134/beasts-real-mark-devalued-to-616. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  25. ↑ "Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Mark of the Beast". Biblestudytools.com. http://www.biblestudytools.com/Dictionaries/BakersEvangelicalDictionary/bed.cgi?number=T462. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  26. ↑ Martin Pate and Calvin B. Haynes, Doomsday Delusions, 41–42
  27. ↑ Deissmann GA. 1910. Light from the Ancient East. New York/London: Hodder and Stoughton. 277.
  28. ↑ Deissmann 2010, 277 (1). See also above (Lewes 1932, 140). However, Deissmann offers no source on his theory that the number 616 was used by the Jews as a secret protest against the Roman emperor.
  29. ↑ Deissmann 2010, 277 (1), 348 (3).
  30. ↑ D.R. Hillers "Revelation 13:18 and A Scroll from Muraba'at." Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, No. 170 (Apr., 1963).
  31. ↑ "Nero as the Antichrist". Penelope.uchicago.edu. http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/gladiators/nero.html. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  32. ↑ Graves, Robert (1948). The White Goddess. 
  33. ↑ According to Stauffer (1947) the terminus technicus ψηφίζειν clearly emphasizes the gematrical interpretation. Gematria was also used in an "often-cited old-Christian Apocalypse that is doubtlessly connected with Apocalypse 13,18 and that probably goes back to a secret sign in Johannean times, Orac. Sibyll. I, 324-331."
  34. ↑ 1. He has power over all nations, 2. his likeness is worshipped all over the world, 3. his name appears on official signatures, 4. he prosecutes Christianity for its denial to worship his likeness and accept the signing with his name.
  35. ↑ E. Stauffer. Coniectanea Neotestamentica XI in honorem Antonii Fridrichsen sexagenarii. Lund 1947.
  36. ↑ Aυτοκράτωρ (A = 1); KAIσαρ (KAI = 20 + 1 + 10 = 31); ΔOMETιανός ( ΔOMET = 4 + 70 + 40 + 5 + 300 = 419); ΣEBαστός (ΣEB = 200 + 5 + 2 = 207); ΓEρμανικός (ΓE = 3 + 5 = 8). This results in A KAI ΔOMET ΣEB ΓE (gematrially: 1 + 31 + 419 + 207 + 8 = 666), making Domitian the Beast. In: E. Stauffer. Christus und die Caesaren. Historische Skizzen. 6th extended edition. Hamburg 1964.
  37. ↑ Halley, H.H., Halley's Bible Handbook, Zondervan Publishing house, 1978, p. 726
  38. ↑ "CONSTITUTUM CONSTANTINI (Donation of Constantine)". The Latin Library. http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/donation.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01. 
  39. ↑  "Donation of Constantine". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913. 
  40. ↑ "Donation of Constantine". Catholic Encyclopedia. 1913. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Donation_of_Constantine. Retrieved 2010-09-01. 
  41. ↑ Seventh-day Adventists Believe (2nd ed). Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. p. 196. 
  42. ↑ Advent Review, Vol. I, No. 2, August, 1850.
  43. ↑ Plass, Ewald Martin. What Luther Says: An Anthology‎, St. Louis: Concordia. p. 1141.
  44. ↑ Irenaeus. "Book V, Chapter XXIX". Adversus Haereses. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/irenaeus/advhaer5.txt. Retrieved 2006-06-23. 
  45. ↑ "Against Heresies, by Irenæus, Book 5, chapter 30, paragraph 3". Newadvent.org. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103530.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  46. ↑ "ANTICHRIST - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". Internationalstandardbible.com. 2007-07-06. http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/A/antichrist.html. Retrieved 2010-07-17. 
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 The contribution of British writers ... - Google Books. Books.google.ca. 1983. ISBN 9783161444975. http://books.google.ca/books?id=UUmpvt3hM7cC&pg=PA89. Retrieved 2010-07-17. 
  48. ↑ The general history of the Christian ... - Google Books. Books.google.ca. 1820. http://books.google.ca/books?id=Z8kPAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA342. Retrieved 2010-07-17. 
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 Henry A. Sanders (1918) "The Number of the Beast in Revelation", Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 37, No. 1/2. (1918), pp. 95-99 (Subscription required for JSTOR link.)
  50. ↑ Campbell, Charlie H. (2009-07-14). ""A One World Monetary System" - Author & Pastor Charlie H. Campbell". 1peter315.blogspot.com. http://1peter315.blogspot.com/2009/07/one-world-monetary-system.html. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  51. ↑ "Revelation 13:13-17". Biblegateway.com. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2013:13-17&version=NIV;CEV;MSG;AMP;ESV. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  52. ↑ Unabridged Greek-English Lexicon, definition
  53. ↑ ""Here Comes the Beast (Revelation 13:1–18)". Bible.org. http://bible.org/seriespage/here-comes-beast-revelation-131-18. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  54. ↑ "Verse-by-Verse Commentary by Dr. Grant C. Richison". Versebyversecommentary.com. 1998-12-31. http://versebyversecommentary.com/1998/12/31/revelation-1311-18/. Retrieved 2010-08-11. 
  55. ↑ Scheeres, Julia (2003). "When Cash Is Only Skin Deep". Wired News. wired.com. http://wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,61357,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_2. Retrieved 2003-11-25. 
  56. ↑ Watkins, Terry (1999). "What about barcodes and 666: The Mark of the Beast?". http://www.av1611.org/666/barcode.html. Retrieved 2006-06-22. 
  57. ↑ Predestination and Justification: Two Theological Loci (Sixteenth Century Essays and Studies).
  58. ↑ How much is left of the old doctrines?: a book for the people By Washington Gladden
  59. ↑ The Epistle to the Romans in Greek and English: with an analysis and exegetical commentary By Samuel Hulbeart Turner
  60. ↑ Romans 9,
  61. ↑ Ephesians 1
  62. ↑ e.g. Tony Robinson, The Doomsday Code, Channel 4, 16 September 2006
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 Paul Spilsbury (2002), The throne, the lamb & the dragon: A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation, InterVarsity Press; p.99
  64. ↑ Craig C. Hill (2002), In God's Time: The Bible and the Future, Eerdmans; p. 124
  65. ↑ Craig R. Koester (2001), Revelation and the End of All Things, Eerdmans; p. 132
  66. ↑ "Six Six Six « Ask The Rabbi « Ohr Somayach". Ohr.edu. http://ohr.edu/ask_db/ask_main.php/277/Q1/. Retrieved 2010-07-17. 
  67. ↑ "Identifying the Wild Beast and Its Mark". The Watchtower. 2004-04-01. http://www.watchtower.org/e/20040401/article_02.htm. Retrieved 2006-06-29. 
  68. ↑ Carroll, Robert Todd (2003). The Skeptic's Dictionary (Aleister Crowley). Wiley. ISBN 0-471-27242-6
  69. ↑ Crowley, Aleister. The Magical Diaries of Aleister Crowley (Tunisia 1923), Skinner, Stephan (editor). Samuel Weiser. ISBN 0-87728-856-9
  70. ↑ Research Department of the Universal House of Justice (1986-01-07). "Interpretation of Biblical Verses". Bahá'í Library. http://bahai-library.com/uhj_interpretation_biblical_verses. Retrieved 2007-05-16. 
  71. ↑ "Student Resources, Chapter 12: The First Global Civilization: The Rise and Spread of Islam, The Arab Empire of the Umayyads - Converts and "People of the Book"". Occawlonline.pearsoned.com. http://occawlonline.pearsoned.com/bookbind/pubbooks/stearns_awl/chapter12/objectives/deluxe-content.html. Retrieved 2010-08-11.