Number of the Beast

The number of the beast is 666 by William Blake.

The Number of the Beast (Greek: Ἀριθμὸς τοῦ θηρίου, Arithmos tou Thēriou) is a term in the Book of Revelation, of the New Testament, that is associated with the Beast of Revelation in chapter 13.[1] In most manuscripts of the New Testament and in English translations of the Bible, the number of the beast is 666. Papyrus 115 (which is the oldest preserved manuscript of the Revelation as of 2017), as well as other ancient sources like Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus, give the Number of the Beast as 616 (χιϛ), not 666;[2][3] critical editions of the Greek text, such as the Novum Testamentum Graece, note 616 as a variant.[4]

Revelation 13:18

666

The Number of the beast is described in the passage of Revelation 13:15–18. The actual number is only mentioned once, in verse 18. In the Greek manuscripts, the Book of Revelation is titled The Apocalypse of John where this number is rendered in Greek numerical form as χξϛ,[5][6] or sometimes literally as ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ, hexakósioi hexēkonta héx, "six hundred and sixty-six".[7][8] There are several interpretations-translations for the meaning of the phrase "Here is Wisdom, Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast" where the peculiar Greek word ψηφισάτω (psephisato) is used. Possible translations include not only "to count", "to reckon" but also "to vote" or "to decide".[9]

In the Textus Receptus, derived from Byzantine text-type manuscripts, the number 666 is represented by the final 3 letters χξϛ.

17καὶ ἵνα μή τις δύνηται ἀγοράσαι ἢ πωλῆσαι εἰ μὴ ὁ ἔχων τὸ χάραγμα, τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου ἢ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ. 18Ὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν· ὁ ἔχων τὸν νοῦν ψηφισάτω τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ θηρίου· ἀριθμὸς γὰρ ἀνθρώπου ἐστί· καὶ ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτοῦ χξϛʹ.[10]

The last letter of the Greek alphabet is not the equivalent of the English letter "Z", but "Omega".[11] The Greek letter stigma ligature (ϛ) represents the number 6.

In the Novum Testamentum Graece, the number is represented by the final three words, ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ, meaning "six hundred sixty-six":

17καὶ ἵνα μή τις δύνηται ἀγοράσαι ἢ πωλῆσαι εἰ μὴ ὁ ἔχων τὸ χάραγμα, τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου ἢ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ. 18ὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν· ὁ ἔχων νοῦν ψηφισάτω τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ θηρίου, ἀριθμὸς γὰρ ἀνθρώπου ἐστίν· καὶ ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτοῦ ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ.[12]

616

Although Irenaeus (2nd century AD) affirmed the number to be 666 and reported several scribal errors of the number, theologians have doubts about the traditional reading[13] because of the appearance of the figure 616 in the Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C; Paris - one of the four great uncial codices), as well as in the Latin version of Tyconius (DCXVI, ed. Souter in the Journal of Theology, SE, April 1913), and in an ancient Armenian version (ed. Conybeare, 1907). Irenaeus knew about the 616 reading, but did not adopt it (Haer. v.30,3). In the 380s, correcting the existing Latin-language version of the New Testament (commonly referred to as the Vetus Latina), Jerome retained "666".[14][15]

Fragment from Papyrus 115 (P115) of Revelation in the 66th vol. of the Oxyrhynchus series (P. Oxy. 4499).[16] Has the number of the beast as χιϛ, 616.

Around 2005, a fragment from Papyrus 115, taken from the Oxyrhynchus site, was discovered at the Oxford University's Ashmolean Museum. It gave the beast's number as 616 χιϛʹ. This fragment is the oldest manuscript (about 1,700 years old) of Revelation 13 found as of 2017.[2][3] Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus, known before the P115 finding but dating to after it, has 616 written in full: ἑξακόσιοι δέκα ἕξ, hexakosioi deka hex (lit. "six hundred and sixteen").[17]

Papyrus 115 and Ephraemi Rescriptus have led some scholars to regard 616 as the original number of the beast.[18] According to Paul Louis, "The number 666 has been substituted for 616 either by analogy with 888, the [Greek] number of Jesus (Gustav Adolf Deissmann), or because it is a triangular number, the sum of the first 36 numbers (1+2+3+4+5+6+...+36 = 666)"[19]

Interpretations

Interpreting the identity and the number of the beast usually falls into three categories:[1]

  1. Using gematria to calculate the number of a world leader’s name, in order to match it with the number of the beast.
  2. Associating the number of the beast as the duration of the beast’s reign
  3. Corresponding symbolism for the Antichrist and antichristian power.

Identification by gematria

In Greek isopsephy and Hebrew gematria, every letter has a corresponding numeric value. Summing these numbers gives a numeric value to a word or name. The use of isopsephy to calculate "the number of the beast" is used in many of the below interpretations.

Nero

Bust of Nero at Musei Capitolini, Rome

Preterist theologians typically support the numerical interpretation that 666 is the equivalent of the name and title, Nero Caesar (Roman Emperor from 54-68).[20][21][22][23][24][25] (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 NRON QSR, which when used as numbers represent 50 200 6 50 100 60 200, which add to 666.

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.[26] 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.[27]

Preterists argue that Revelation was written before the destruction of the Temple, with Nero exiling John to Patmos.[28] Most scholars, however, argue it was written after Nero committed suicide in AD 68. The Catholic Encyclopedia has noted that Revelation was "written during the latter part of the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian, probably in A.D. 95 or 96".[29]

Additional Protestant scholars are in agreement.[30] Because some believe Revelation 13 speaks of a future prophetic event, "All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8 NKJV), some have argued that the interpretation of Nero meeting the fulfillment is an impossibility if Revelation was written around 30 years after the death of Nero.[31][32][33] However, rumors circulated that Nero had not really died and would return to power.[34]

It has also been suggested that the numerical reference to Nero was a code to imply but not directly point out emperor Domitian,[35][36] whose style of rulership resembled that of Nero and who put the people of Asia (Lydia), whom the Book of Revelation was primarily addressed to at the time, under heavy taxation.[37] The popular Nero Redivivus legend stating that Nero would return to life can also be noted; "After Nero's suicide in AD 68, there was a widespread belief, especially in the eastern provinces, that he was not dead and somehow would return (Suetonius, LVII; Tacitus, Histories II.8; Dio, LXVI.19.3). Suetonius (XL) relates how court astrologers had predicted Nero's fall but that he would have power in the east. And, indeed, at least three false claimants did present themselves as Nero redivivus (resurrected)."[38]

An Aramaic scroll from Wadi Murabba'at, dated to "the second year of Emperor Nero", refers to him by his name and title.[39] In Hebrew it is Nron Qsr (Pronounced "Nerōn Kaisar"). In Latin it is Nro Qsr (Pronounced "Nerō Kaisar").

Nron Qsr

The Greek version of the name and title transliterates into Hebrew as נרון קסר, and yields a numerical value of 666,[39] as shown:

Resh (ר) Samekh (ס) Qoph (ק) Nun (נ) Vav (ו) Resh (ר) Nun (נ) Sum
200 60 100 50 6 200 50 666
Nro Qsr

The Latin version of the name drops the second Nun (נ), so that it appears as Nro and transliterates into Hebrew as נרו קסר, yielding 616:[20]

Resh (ר) Samekh (ס) Qoph (ק) Vav (ו) Resh (ר) Nun (נ) Sum
200 60 100 6 200 50 616

Muhammad

Gematria has also been used with the word Maometis (Greek: Μαομέτις); which scholars have described as a dubiously obscure Latinisation of a Greek transliteration of the Arabic name Muhammad. In Quia Maior, the encyclical calling for the Fifth Crusade, Pope Innocent III identifies Muhammad with the beast of Revelation, although later popes did not. Euthymius Zygabenus and Zonaras wrote the name as "Maometh" and Cedrenus wrote the name "Mouchoumet" none of which is the "Maometis" in question. A leading exponent of the Maometis interpretation was Charles Walmesley, the Roman Catholic bishop of Rama.[40] Other proponents include Gilbert Genebrard, Francois Feuardent, and Rene Massuet, 16-17th-Century Catholic theologians.[41] Maometis in Greek numerals totals 666:

Mu Alpha Omicron Mu Epsilon Tau Iota Sigma TOTAL
40 1 70 40 5 300 10 200 666

In the 1923 book The Number And Names Of The Apocalyptic Beasts, David Thom rejects "Maometis" as a valid translation, observing that "of the seven different ways in which Muhammad’s name is written in Euthymius and the Byzantine historians, not one is the orthography in question". None of the given spellings add up to 666 under Greek gematria.[42]

Mark of the Beast

Coin showing Nero distributing charity to a citizen. c. 64–66

The Classical Greek word charagma (χάραγμα), translated as mark (of the beast) in Revelation 13:16 can also mean any mark engraved, imprinted, or branded; stamped money, document or coin.[43][44]

Preterist view

A common preterist view of the Mark of the Beast (focusing on the past) is 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.[45] New Testament scholar Craig C. Hill says, "It is far more probable that the mark symbolizes the all-embracing economic power of Rome, whose 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."[46]

Adela Yarbro Collins further denotes that the refusal to use Roman coins resulted in the condition where "no man might buy or sell" (Rev.13:17).[47]

A similar view is offered by 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."[48]

In 66, when Nero was emperor—about the time some scholars say Revelation was written—the Jews revolted against Rome and coined their own money.

The passage is also seen as an antithetical parallelism to the Jewish institution of tefillin – Hebrew Bible texts worn bound to the arm and the forehead during daily prayer. Instead of binding their allegiance to God to their arm and head, the place is instead taken with people's allegiance to the beast.[45]

Idealist view

Idealism, also known as the allegorical or symbolic approach, is an interpretation of the book of Revelation that sees the imagery of the book as non-literal symbols.[49]

The idealist perspective on the number of the beast rejects gematria, envisioning the number not as a code to be broken, but a symbol to be understood. Idealists would contend that because there are so many names that can come to 666 and that most systems require converting names to other languages or adding titles when convenient, it has been impossible to come to a consensus. Given that numbers are used figuratively throughout the book of Revelation, idealists interpret this number figuratively as well. The common suggestion is that because seven is a number of completeness and is associated with the divine, that six is incomplete and the three sixes are "inherently incomplete".[50] The number is therefore suggestive that the Dragon and his beasts are completely inadequate. Another suggestion is that this number represents an individual's incomplete or immature spiritual state.[51]

Futurist view

A futurist view of the Mark of the Beast is that the rise of a supranational currency (for example, the euro) could be a hallmark of the End Times and that the mark of the beast will be a sign on the forehead or on the right hand.[52] Futurists (focused on the future) believe that the revelation addresses primarily the Second Coming of Christ and similar events at the time's end (1:7; 19:11-16; 22:11-12). Although many do find truth in these general assertions, this view does not take into account all historical views. (Ch. 2-5; 12:5-16).[53]

Religious difficulties with a world currency currently exist. 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 currency. Some interpret the mark as a requirement for all commerce to mean that the mark might actually be an object with the function of a credit card, such as RFID microchip implants.[55] In Christianity, some believe the implantation of chips may be the imprinting of the Mark of the Beast, prophesied to be a requirement for all trade,[56] and a precursor to the events of the second half of the Book of Revelation.[57][58]

Historicist view

Historicists believe Revelation articulates a full range of the history of the Christian church, from John's day to the Second Coming of Christ. The author (John) alludes to Daniel 2:28 and 45; Daniel's vision (Daniel 2) uses symbols giving a sequence of future events in history, from the Babylonian empire, through Medo-Persian period, Greece and Rome continuing until the end of the current civilization. This apocalyptic volume builds on Daniel's approach focusing on major points of Christian history: the cross of Christ (Rev. 5:6,9,12); the Second Coming (Rev. 14:14-16; 19:11-16); the 1,000 years in heaven (Rev. 20:4-6); the third advent of Christ to earth along with His loyal followers and the destruction of Satan and those who refused Christ (20:7-15); and the creation of a new heavens and a new earth where death, sorrow, and sin cease and God dwells with His people (Rev. 21:1-8, 22-27; 22:1-5). The book of Daniel is divided into two parts--the historical narrative of the captivity of Judah and the prophecies pointing to both promised Messiah and the events of the end of the world. Attention to the text of Revelation aids the student of Bible prophecy by showing how the Apostle John and Jesus intended us to interpret Bible apocalyptic literature as found in Daniel.[59]

Seventh-day Adventists taking this view believe that the Mark of the Beast (but not the number 666) refers to a future, universal, legally enforced Sunday-sacredness. "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.'"[60] "The Sunday Sabbath is purely a child of the Papacy. It is the mark of the beast."[61]

Numerical significance

Bahá'i

In the writings of the Bahá'í Faith, `Abdu'l-Bahá states that the numerical value given to the beast referred to the year[62] when the Umayyad ruler Muawiyah I, who opposed the Imamate, according to the beliefs of Shia Islam, 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".[63]

Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the beast identified by the number 666 represents the world's unified governments in opposition to God. The beast is said to have "a human number" in that the represented governments are of a human origin rather than spirit entities. The number 666 is said to identify "gross shortcoming and failure in the eyes of Jehovah," in contrast to the number 7, which is seen as symbolizing perfection.[64]

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.[65]

Fear and superstition

Some avoid the number 666 out of superstition. Irrational fear of the number is called hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia, though the word is mainly used humorously because of its length.[66] This word is derived from Ancient Greek roots ἑξακόσιοι [hexakósioi, "six hundred"], ἑξήκοντα [hexékonta, "sixty"], and ἕξ [héx, "six"]; literally meaning "fear of six hundred sixty-six".

In 1989, Nancy and Ronald Wilson Reagan, when moving to their home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles after the 1988 election, had its address—666 St. Cloud Road—changed to 668 St. Cloud Road.[67][68]

In 2003, U. S. Route 666 in New Mexico was changed to U. S. Route 491. A New Mexico spokesperson stated, "The devil's out of here, and we say goodbye and good riddance."[69]

The phobia has been a motif in various horror films such as The Omen and its 2006 remake. The number of the beast also appears in other films such as Pulp Fiction, The Doom Generation, End of Days, Bedazzled and The Phantom of the Opera.

Some women expressed concern about giving birth on June 6, 2006 (6/6/06).[70]

In November 2013, Codie Thacker, a cross-country runner at Whitley County High School in Williamsburg, Kentucky, refused to run in her Kentucky High School Athletic Association regional meet, forfeiting a chance at qualifying for the state championships, when her coach drew bib number 666.[71]

The Siemens ACS-64 locomotives of Amtrak are numbered 600 to 665 and 667 to 670, leaving out the number 666.

Most semi-conductor processors produced in the early days of personal computers also avoided the number 666, while being a progressive stage in the development of processor speed many processors such as the intel Pentium 3 were clocked at 667mhz instead of the natural 666 MHz.

In 2015, US Representative Joe Barton had the number of a legislative bill he had introduced changed from 666 to 702 because "the original bill number carried many different negative connotations", according to a spokesperson.[72]

In 2017 Papua New Guinea church leaders were concerned by newspaper reports that the Governor-General had been requested to sign 666 writs for an upcoming election. They were reassured by the Electoral Commissioner that the number merely reflected 6 copies of each writ for 111 electorates.[73]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Beale 1999, p. 718
  2. 1 2 Stewart 2011, pp. 40–1
  3. 1 2 "Papyrus Reveals New Clues to Ancient World". News.nationalgeographic.com. Archived from the original on 2008-01-10. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  4. ↑ Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle and Aland, 1991, footnote to verse 13:18 of Revelation, page 659: "-σιοι δέκα ἕξ" as found in C [C=Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus]; for English see Metzger's Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, note on verse 13:18 of Revelation, page 750: "the numeral 616 was also read ..."
  5. ↑ Aland, Kurt (1983). The Greek New Testament (Third ed.). Stuttgart: United Bible Societies. p. 892. ISBN 3-438-05111-7.
  6. ↑ "Revelation 13:18". Stephanus New Testament. Bible Gateway. Retrieved 22 June 2006.
  7. ↑ "Revelation 13:18". Westcott-Hort New Testament. Bible Gateway. Retrieved 22 June 2006.
  8. ↑ "Revelation 13:18". Codex Alexandrinus. Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts. Archived from the original (JPEG) on 23 March 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2006.
  9. ↑ Samuel Fuller, The Revelation of St. John the Divine self-interpreted, page 226
  10. ↑ Textus Receptus Greek NT (edition Stephanus, 1550): Revelation 13:17 and 18
  11. ↑ Black, Matthew (1983). The Greek New Testament. Stuttgart: United Bible Society. p. 203. ISBN 3-438-051117.
  12. ↑ "Revelation in the 26th/27th edition of the Novum Testamentum Graece". Sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  13. ↑ Anderson, Tom (1 May 2005). "Revelation! 666 is not the number of the beast (it's a devilish 616)". The Independent. London. Retrieved 1 March 2009. '[...] 616 refers to the Emperor Caligula.'
  14. ↑ De Monogramm., ed. Dom G. Morin in Revue Bénédictine, 1903
  15. ↑ See http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/04z/z_0347-0420__Hieronymus__Divina_Bibliotheca_58_Beati_Joannis_Apocalypsis__MLT.pdf.html - "Qui habet intellectum c(om)putet numerum bestiae. Numerus enim hominis est, et numerus ejus sexcenti sexaginta sex." Compare the Vulgate version: "qui habet intellectum conputet numerum bestiae numerus enim hominis est et numerus eius est sescenti sexaginta sex" at http://www.latinvulgate.com/lv/verse.aspx?t=1&b=27&c=13
  16. ↑ Parker 2009, p. 73
  17. ↑ Hoskier, Herman C. (1929). Concerning the Text of the Apocalypse: A complete conspectus of all authorities (vol. 2 ed.). p. 364.
  18. ↑ Philip W Comfort and David P Barrett, The Text of the Earliest New Testament Greek Manuscripts, (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers Incorporated, 2001)
  19. ↑ Paul Louis Couchoud, A Key to Christian Origins Watts & Co., London, 1932, p. 140
  20. 1 2 Cory 2006, p. 61
  21. ↑ Garrow 1997, p. 86
  22. ↑ sources, translated from the original languages with critical use of all the ancient (2005). The Catholic youth Bible: New American Bible including the revised Psalms and the revised New Testament (Rev. ed.). Winona, Minn.: Saint Mary's Press. ISBN 978-0-88489-798-9.
  23. ↑ Just, Felix (2 February 2002). "666: The Number of the Beast". Retrieved 6 June 2006.
  24. ↑ Hillers, D.R. (1963). "Revelation 13:18 and a Scroll from Murabba'at". Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research. 170 (170): 65. JSTOR 1355990. doi:10.2307/1355990. 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
  25. ↑ 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
  26. ↑ Elwell 1996, p. 462
  27. ↑ Haines 1995, pp. 41–2
  28. ↑ Robinson, J. (1976). Before Jerusalem fell
  29. ↑ Peter M. J. Stravinskas; Russell B. Shaw (1998), Peter M. J. Stravinskas, ed., Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia, Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, p. 861, ISBN 978-0879736699
  30. ↑ Hegel's grand synthesis: a study of being, thought, and history By Daniel Berthold-Bond p. 118, notes in consensus that Revelation was written around 95 AD
  31. ↑ Understanding the book of revelation by dr. terri lewis - He along with other scholars note that Revelation was written about 95 AD.
  32. ↑ Your Study of the New Testament Made Easier Part 2: Acts Through Revelation, By David J. Ridges p. 409 - states "The book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John about AD 95"
  33. ↑ The New York Times guide to essential knowledge, By The New York Times p. 73
  34. ↑ Harpers Bible Commentary, ed. James L. Mays (Harper Collins: San Francisco:1988), 1300
  35. ↑ An introduction to the New Testament and the origins of Christianity By Delbert Royce Burkett, p.510. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  36. ↑ Encyclopedia of prophecy By Geoffrey Ashe, p.204. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  37. ↑ From every people and nation: the book of Revelation in intercultural perspective, p.193. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  38. ↑ "Nero as the Antichrist". Penelope.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  39. 1 2 Hillers, D. R. (1963). Revelation 13:18 and A Scroll from Murabba'at. BASOR, 170. p. 65.
  40. ↑ The Gentleman's Magazine, Volume 10. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  41. ↑ The contribution of British writers ... - Google Books. Books.google.ca. 1983. ISBN 978-3-16-144497-5. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  42. ↑ Thom, David (1848), The Number and Names of the Apocalyptic Beasts: With an Explanation and Application in Two Parts. Part 1. The Number and Names, Part 1, H.K. Lewis, p. 197
  43. ↑ Tufts university digital library, greek to english lexicon .
  44. ↑ Greek lexicon, from Strong's Greek Library by James Strong (1890) χάραγμα
  45. 1 2 Paul Spilsbury (2002), The throne, the lamb & the dragon: A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation, InterVarsity Press; p. 99
  46. ↑ Craig C. Hill (2002), In God's Time: The Bible and the Future, Eerdmans; p. 124
  47. ↑ "Collins, 1984, p. 126: Adela Yarbro Collins: "The juxtaposition of buying and selling with the mark of the beast refers to the fact that Roman coins normally bore the image and name of the current emperor. "The inability to buy or sell would then be the result of the refusal to use Roman coins."
  48. ↑ Craig R. Koester (2001), Revelation and the End of All Things, Eerdmans; p. 132
  49. ↑ Stan Campbell; James S. Bell (2001). The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Book of Revelation. Alpha Books. pp. 212–213. ISBN 978-0028642383.
  50. ↑ Beale, Gregory K. (1999). The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 722. ISBN 080282174X. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  51. ↑ Chang Soppe, Seok Lyun (2014). God's Mystery That Is Christ. Westbow Press. ISBN 1490815945.
  52. ↑ "Here Comes the Beast (Revelation 13:1–18)". Bible.org. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  53. ↑ Andrews Study Bible. p. 1659.
  54. ↑ "Verse-by-Verse Commentary by Dr. Grant C. Richison". Versebyversecommentary.com. 31 December 1998. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  55. ↑ Scheeres, Julia (25 November 2003). "When Cash Is Only Skin Deep". Wired News. wired.com. Retrieved 25 November 2003.
  56. ↑ "Revelation 14:9-11". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  57. ↑ Albrecht, Katherine; McIntyre, Liz (31 January 2006). The Spychips Threat: Why Christians Should Resist RFID and Electronic Surveillance. Nelson Current. ISBN 9781418551759. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  58. ↑ Baard, Mark (6 June 2006). "RFID: Sign of the (End) Times?". Wired.com. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  59. ↑ Dybdahl, jon (2010). Andrews Study Bible. Berrien Springs: Sutherland House. p. 1659. LCCN 2010924514.
  60. ↑ Seventh-day Adventists Believe (2nd ed). Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. 2005. p. 196.
  61. ↑ "Advent Review, Vol. I, No. 2, August, 1850". christiansermonsandmusicvideos.com.
  62. ↑ Research Department of the Universal House of Justice (7 January 1986). "Interpretation of Biblical Verses". Bahá'í Library. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
  63. ↑ "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. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  64. ↑ "Identifying the Wild Beast and Its Mark". The Watchtower. 1 April 2004. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
  65. ↑ "Six Six Six " Ask The Rabbi " Ohr Somayach". Ohr.edu. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  66. ↑ Kottler, Jeffrey; Chen, David. Stress Management and Prevention: Applications to Daily Life. Cengage Learning. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-495-11785-8.
  67. ↑ "THE REAGANS: First Family Easing Into Private Life". Los Angeles Times. Nov 19, 1988.
  68. ↑ Ni, Ching-Ching (May 21, 2011). "In Arcadia real estate, 4 is a negative number". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-05-21. Supporters say changing building numbers isn't such an unusual thing. After all, they say, when President Reagan left office, he and Nancy took up residence at 666 St. Cloud Road in Bel-Air but had the address changed to 668 to avoid the 'number of the beast.'
  69. ↑ Linthicum, Leslie (July 31, 2003). "It's Now US 491, Not US 666". Albuquerque Journal.
  70. ↑ Allen-Mills, Tony (April 30, 2006). "Mothers expect Damien on 6/6/06". London: The Sunday Times.
  71. ↑ "Whitley County Cross Country Runner Refuses To Run After Being Assigned "666" Number". Lexington, Kentucky: WLEX-TV. November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  72. ↑ Barron-Lopez, Laura (February 2, 2015). "Republican avoids apocalyptic 666". The Hill.
  73. ↑ Eric Tlozek (3 April 2017), PNG's electoral commissioner reassures church leaders on 666 writs, abc news

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