What is this mysterious mark? and how does the number 666 fit in?
But before we can identify what 666 is, We need to remind ourselves to know who the "BEAST IS".. So we will start with the mark of the beast.
What do you think the mark of the beast is? Most people think that it is 666., but that's not what the bible says.You will see 10 clues that identify the mark.. Does the Bible say the mark of the beast is 666? Revelation 13:16-18 says,( K.J.V.)(16) He causes all,both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave to receive a mark "IN" their right hand, or "IN" their foreheads.(17) And that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.(18) Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding, Calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man; HIS number is 666. Notice the number of the beast is different than the mark. The "FIRST" "CLUE", is six hundred sixty six is the number of the beast's name and not his mark.
Lets find out from the bible, what a beast symbolizes in Bible prophecy ? Daniel 7:17 & 23. (17) Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which arise out of the earth.(23) The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces..
Beasts in bible prophecy represent kingdoms.Even today, modern nations use animals as national symbols. The U.S.A. uses the eagle, Canada the beaver, and Great Britain the lion.. God used beasts in prophecy to represent nations that would influence his people and last day events. "THE SECOND CLUE" is the two beasts of Revelation chapter 13 represents two powerful kingdoms that form an image and command the world to worship it or be starved and killed. Notice the six details the bible gives for the mark of the beast,lets look at Revelation 13:1, and verses 11-18..
(1) Revelation 13:1&11 reveal there are two beasts in Revelation chapter 13. (2) Revelation 13: 14, reveals Lamb like beast makes an image to the first beast.. (3) Revelation 13:15, reveals Image worship is commanded.. (4) Revelation 13:15.reveals those who refuse to worship are threatened with death.(5)Revelation 13:16, reveals this is a worldwide event, "ALL" are included.
(6) Revelation 13:18, reveals the number 666 is connected to this false worship.Did you know there was another bible story that shows forced image worship, Yep, Daniel 3:1-6, says,, Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits.. then a herald cried aloud; To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages.. you shall fall down and worship the gold image that king Nebuchadnezzar has set up; And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.. Both Daniel chapter 3 and Revelation chapter 13 tell of powerful kings who set up images and command the world or be killed. The story in Daniel chapter 3 is prophetic and sheds light on the mark of the beast. Notice how Daniel chapter 3 and Revelation chapter 13 parallel each other.(1) Daniel 3:1, reveals Nebuchadnezzar is king of the powerful Babylonian kingdom. (2) Daniel 3:1 reveals he made an image.. (3) Daniel 3:4-5 reveals everyone is commanded to worship the image. (4) Daniel 3:6 reveals those who refuse are threatened with death.. (5) Daniel 3:2-3, reveals this command is for "ALL" peoples, nations, and languages..(6). Daniel 3:1 reveals the sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,, image is false worship. compare these 6 points with the 6 points in Revelation chapter 13.
In part two we will go deeper into the mark of the beast and 666.