"Six is legitimate when it leads to seven; it represents man on the first evening of his existence entering into the celebration of God's creative power. The glory of the creature is right if it leads to the glory of God. Six hundred sixty-six, however, represents the refusal of man to proceed to seven, to give glory to God as Creator and Redeemer. It represents man's fixation with himself, man seeking glory in himself and his own creations. It speaks of the fullness of creation and all creative powers without God-- the practice of the absence of God. It demonstrates that unregenerate man is persistently evil. The beasts of Rev. 13 represent man exercising his sovereignty apart from God, man conformed to the image of the beast rather than to the image of God. Man apart from God becomes bestial, demonic. . . .
   "The mark of the beast, then, is a rejection of the sovereignty of God-- the Sabbath principle which is designed to encourage man to seek his dignity not in himself or in nature, but in communion with God and participation in God's rest. It is the Sabbath which distinguishes between the creature and the Creator, which reveals who deserves worship and who man's dependence. Six hundred sixty-six by contrast is the symbol of the worship of the creature rather than the Creator." [From a book written by Professor Beatrice Neall and quoted in God Cares, Vol. 2, p. 415.]
   Notice that "666" is "the number of man[kind]" (see Rev. 13:18). Man is made of three parts: 1) mental, 2) physical, and 3) spiritual. The "natural man" (see 1 Cor. 2:14) does not understand or have an interest in "the things of the Spirit of God." In this unconverted, unregenerate state, mankind is merely "666", and of course, in a "lost" condition without God. He only seeks worship to himself, and has no passion for his Creator-- worshipping the creature instead of the Creator. Yes, "666" applies to both beasts of Revelation, Chapter 13-- the first beast which comes up out of the sea, and the second "lamb-like beast" which comes up from the earth. It is also true of "the image of the beast" which is a copy or replica of the "first beast", having been "created" by the second lamb-like beast.

General Conference Sabbath School Lessons:

Thursday June 6, 2002
THE MARK AND NUMBER OF THE BEAST

The number of the beast. The mark, the name, and the number of the beast are closely related (Rev. 13:17). Many suggestions have been made to explain the meaning of 666. Here we must be very careful. The Bible does not say that the number is the added numerical value of the letters of a name. Some see in the meaning of 666 a symbol of humanity separated from God. Humans were created on the sixth day, and the number can stand as a symbol for humanity without divine rest (the seventh day). Humans have claimed ultimate independence from God (the cause of their fall), and even now they do not want to find rest in Christ.

Over the years, numerous Bible students have come up with various explanations for the 666. Some found significance in the fact that if you added up the number of letters in the name of a former president of the United States, Ronald Wilson Reagan, it came to 666; others saw meaning in that, years ago, all the buses in Jerusalem had 666 on their license plates. This is futile speculation that adds nothing toward understanding truth. The important point is that God's Word has given us enough information to know what the key issues are and who the players will be in the last days, even if we do not know all the details for now, such as the precise meaning of 666.

Friday June 7, 2002
FURTHER STUDY

Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of the Son of God). Since the Reformation, this papal title has been used to calculate the number 666. But there are several questions that should make us cautious. First, it is not clear that this title is an official one. Second, there is no clear indication in Revelation 13 that the number is based on the numerical value of the letters of a name. The phrase "it is the number of a man" (vs. 18, NIV) could be translated "it is the number of [humanity]"; that is, of humans separated from God. Third, those who insist in counting the numerical value of letters confront the problem of deciding which language will be used. Because the text does not identify any language, the selection of a particular one will be somewhat arbitrary. At the present time, the symbolism of intensified rebellion, six used three times, and total independence from God seem to be the best option. Time will reveal the full meaning of the symbol.