Revelation 13:18

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 Isaiah 666.

A. The number is important, not the name. See the introduction to this chapter for some of the ways this number has been explained.

B. Since seven is the number of the sacred and divine completeness, then six represents doom, failure to achieve, incompleteness, and imperfection.

C. In some of the writings of the early church fathers, Jesus is given the number “888” to symbolize that Jesus goes as far beyond perfection as this beast falls short of it.

D. This verse has been twisted, distorted, and perverted in so many whys. It should not surprise us to hear John say, “Here is wisdom.” This tells us, this will not be easy. It will take some extra care and study to determine what is intended here.

E. The number given is the number of a man. The text does NOT say it is the number of a name. Most of the schemes devised, center around seeking to give this man a name or title and find a number equivalent to the name.

F. Of course, you have already seen one problem. With so many different suggested answers to this puzzle, which one is correct? Because there are several possible solutions, we realize it becomes a matter of opinion. I must, therefore, reject all of these suggested answers.

G. NOTE: Here are some observations that must be considered.

1. The number is not needed to identify the beast. We have a very clear picture of who this beast is. See the comments in verses 11-17. The beast is the great religious power that unites itself with the civil government to persecute Christians.

2. Like most other numbers in Revelation, the meaning is not literal, but symbolic. We tend to associate some numbers with certain concepts or ideas. The number “13” is unlucky and the number “7” is lucky. Many hotels do not have a 13 th floor because guests would not stay there, feeling it would be bad luck for them.

3. The proper view of this verse requires wisdom and understanding, not a spiritual calculator.

4. While this is the only time the number 666 is used in the book, it is not the only time the number 6 is used. The number 6 is used three times. It is used in connection with the seals, trumpets, and will be used again with the plagues that will be poured out. Each time the number 6 is used, we are approaching the end of all things.

5. If you combine together the 6 th seal, 6 th trumpet, and 6 th plague - 666 - you will have a clearer image of the meaning here.

a. The sixth seal shows the end of all physical things on the earth. Those who have not obeyed God seek to flee in terror and beg for death. (6:12-17)

b. The sixth trumpet warns those who are not spiritually minded of the terrible condition in which they will find themselves at the second coming of Christ. (9:13-21; 11:12-14)

c. The sixth plague teaches that God will gather together all the non-Christians. It will be a time of great sorrow. (16:12-16)

H. Here is my conclusion on this matter. The number “6” represents, failure and doom. The combined effect of the seal, trumpet and plague discussed above show that the beast will be totally, completely destroyed at the second coming of Christ. The beast will be powerless when Christ comes. The “battle of Armageddon” will be the final defeat, the last gasp. The beast will be defeated. The number proves it. 6 = failure. 6 = doom. 6 = imperfection. Combine them together and you have the complete, total, and utter defeat of this beast, which has done so much harm to God’s people.