Posted on 06/02/2006 4:09:08 AM PDT by Pharmboy
"Let anyone with understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a person. Its number is six hundred sixty-six." (Revelation 13:16-18, New Revised Standard Version)
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The number 666 -- the "number of the beast," according to the Book of Revelation -- conjures devilish images for many, so forecasts of evil, even doom, are rampant regarding dates or places where the number occurs, including next Tuesday, June 6, or 6-6-06.
Fears of 666, long believed to be the dreaded mark of Satan, are based on a "widespread misinterpretation" of the chapter in Revelation -- appropriately, chapter 13 -- in which the number is discussed, according to a University at Buffalo expert on the origins, nature and meaning of cults, superstitions and cultural identities.
Phillips Stevens, Jr., Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology, explains that "like most superstitions, the avoidance of the numbers 13 and 666 are examples of magical thinking.
"People everywhere believe that things associated with other things, through actual contact or just some similarity, have causal relationships, even over space and time," Stevens says. "Things associated with good events or great people can bring good fortune; things associated with failure, disastrous events or evil people carry some of that negativity with them."
And, like many superstitions, the one regarding 666 is based on incorrect data: the "beast" referred to in the chapter is not Satan, but, in fact, several other entities.
"Revelation is a complex and confusing book, and is rarely read closely by lay people. Biblical scholars have pointed out that there are several 'beasts,' in Chapter 13 and elsewhere, and they all refer variously to Rome, Roman emperors and Roman cults of god- and emperor-worship," Stevens says.
"Revelation" author, John of Patmos, traditionally believed to be St. John the Apostle, was writing to other persecuted Christians in code, according to Stevens, so "many of the strange elements in 'Revelation' signify events, people or institutions familiar to first-century Christians.
"The mark of the beast, 666, signifies those in thrall to the emperor and thus opposed to Christianity, and is most probably the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew letters for Nero," Stevens says.
The First and Second Letters of John use the term "Antichrist" to denote lapsed Christians. Over subsequent centuries, the legend developed that the "end times" would be foreshadowed by the arrival of the Antichrist, an evil figure commissioned by Satan to prepare the world for his coming.
"Many perceived enemies of Christianity have been labeled the Antichrist, and Nero was one of the first," Stevens says, adding that there is an ever-growing, ever-changing list of persons considered the Antichrist that features "a long string of mostly historical figures -- Saladin was on the list, as was Hitler, and Saddam Hussein. The list varies according to who compiles it. Early Reformation-era Protestants had some popes on their list."
Chapter 13 in Revelation declares that the Antichrist was empowered by Satan, who is described as a dragon.
"So, although 'the beast' is not Satan, in Christian tradition 'the mark of the beast' was authorized by Satan," Stevens says. "And so, like that other Christian superstition, Friday the 13th -- from the Last Supper, where there were 13 people at the table, and the Crucifixion occurred the next day, a Friday -- 666 has become a strong taboo, avoided because of its negative association."
Generations have shunned the number to the point that it is erased or changed if and when it appears, Stevens notes. Authorities have re-numbered various U.S. highways previously numbered 666, and the town of Bel Air, Calif., changed the 666 street number of the house that President Ronald Reagan purchased upon leaving Washington, D.C.
Beyond mere superstition, many others believe conspiracy theories that have cropped up regarding the number 666, Stevens adds.
"They believe the sinister number 666 is encoded in our nation's banking system, in our medical and governmental records, and in our very identity, in personal documents and in UPC bar codes -- this latter is evidence of the fulfillment of Revelation prophecy," he says.
No surprise, then, that someone has found a way to make money off all these fears: coming soon is a remake of the 1976 horror film, "The Omen," the story of a modern-day birth of an Antichrist figure in the form of an evil boy named Damien (the original starred Gregory Peck and Lee Remick). Producers have scheduled the movie's release date for -- when else? -- next Tuesday, June 6, 2006.
Perhaps tickets should be sold for $6.66?
I warned my daughter about this before I moved to Kentucky. Her best friend is getting married on June 6, at 6 PM, and she's going to be the Maid of Honor in the ceremony. Is this a good time for "The Twilight Zone" music, or what?
You are of course completely entitled to your own opinion. You also ignore the phenomenon of free will. 911 was the exercised free will of the attackers. We also cannot know the mind of God. It say's very clearly in the Bible Your thought are not my thoughts... I personally believe that God has daily input into my life. In fact without HIS will, I believe that every atom and molecule in the universe would simply fly apart. And certainly, speaking as a teacher of history, there is a grand plan being followed....there is NO such thing as accidental history. Stuff doesn't just happen. Biblical prophesy is being brought to pass nearly every day. In fact, I think history is winding down. You should check THIS site out: RAPTURE READY?
'666'? Is that screen handle still available?
When I was 6 years old (in my 6th life) I was living on the sixth floor of an apartment building located at 66 Some Street. Does that count?
Depends what your previous 5 lives were...
On April 5th this year, I think it was, a co-worker sent us an e-mail with the revelation of truly Biblical proportions stating that 04/05/06 (he might have included the hours of the day in this, like 02:03, I don't remember) was the only time in history this number combination would occur. Well, d'uh, the cat, revolting as usual, replied immediately, so is 04/06/06 and 04/07/06 too!
A Collection of Numbers of the Beast
666 Number of the beast
668 Neighbor of the beast
660 Approximate number of the beast
DCLXVI Roman numeral of the beast
666.0000 Number of the high-precision beast
0.666 Number of the millibeast
1/666 Common denominator of the beast
666[-/(-1)] Imaginary number of the beast
1010011010 Binary number of the beast
29A Hexidecimal number of the beast
-666 Negative number of the beast
00666 Zip code of the beast
$665.95 Retail price of the beast
$699.25 Price of the beast plus 5% state sales tax
$769.95 Price of the beast with all accessories and replacements
$656.66 Wal-Mart price of the beast
$646.66 Next week's Wal-Mart price of the beast
$333.00 After-Christmas sale price of the beast
$222.00 Going-out of business liquidation price of the beast
Phillips 666 Gasoline of the beast
Route 666 Way of the beast
665 Older brother of the beast
667 Younger brother of the beast
666 UP Soft drink of the beast
666lb cap Weight limit of the beast
666 F Oven temperature for cooking roast "beast"
666k Retirement plan of the beast
666 mg Recommended minimum daily requirement of the beast
6.66% 5-year CD rate at First Beast of Hell, $666 minimum deposit
20/666 Vision of the beast
1-800-666-6666 Toll-free number of the beast
999 Australian number of the beast
6"X 6"X 6" Lumber of the beast
66.6 GHZ Computer processor of the beast
666i BMW of the beast
666-66-6666 Social security number of the beast
6/6/66 Birth date of the beast
666.AC.com URL of the beast
IAM 666 License plate number of the beast
Formula 666 All-purpose cleaner of the beast
666 calories Diet of the beast
969 Dyslexic number of the beast
WD-666 Spray lubricant of the beast
66.6 MHz FM radio station of the beast
666 KHz AM radio station of the beast
Chanel No. 666 The beast's favorite perfume
666% What the beast gives in his game
Some are good and some are brilliant. Thanks.
And, since we so often agree, you must be a genius.
Bwaha, so was I-- still get weird looks and comments.
Hey, as long as the entire wedding party and all the guests (and the celebrant) aren't dressed entirely in black with black shoe polish coated hair, it can't be all that bad. ;')
My great-niece will be 3 on June 6.
There seems to be no end of ignorant PhD's.
The number is clearly in Scripture. There are mysteries enough associated with it. And there's some contention it should be 616.
However, as we see the Mark of The Beast unfold before our eyes . . .
the immigration laws of both houses REQUIRE a FEDERAL national ID number for every American citizen or else they will not be able to have a job. The law seems to require biometric data--either eye scans or finger prints.
It's interesting that Scripture says that The Mark of The Beast--the satan incarnate world ruler--or cohort--will require all world wide to bear the mark or they will not be able to buy or sell anything.
The immigration law takes another big step in that direction.
The frog in the water is getting warmer.
Scripture says with the mark--evidently the SLAG chip implant--the individual will be rejected by God. Without it, the individual may have to--as Christ hints at--give up his earthly life to gain eternal life in Christ.
Hey, the Hellions only do the evil that ordinary humans don't want to do. :-)
On Tuesday, I intend to go out and eat at a local diner. You order the vegetables by their number in the menu and my favorite, squash casserole, is #6. I'm planning to go and order three servings:666!
I refuse to be tested.....Also I cant see that one religion is right, when there are people like Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Shintos who make up the majority of people who follow religion. the Judeo Christian tradition pales in comparison.... I believe there is/was a supreme entity....but I dont see his/her/its hand in our everyday affairs.
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