What does Revelation 13:18 mean?
Speculation about the meaning of the number 666, the number of the beast, has been intriguing but futile. Some individuals have assigned a numeric value to the letters of the alphabet and applied the values to names. Political figures, popes, and dictators have been subject to such a numeric system. It's important to remember that there are only so many numerals—only ten, in fact—and only so many letters in any given alphabet. Given enough time and creativity, almost any name can be connected or manipulated into some connection with 666.Other possibilities abound. Some are more obscure, and unlikely, than others. Ezra 2:13 gives the number of descendants of Adonikam as 666. Because "Adonikam" means "the lord who rises up" or "lord of the enemy," a few interpreters suggest the beast who rises from the earth will bear the name Adonikam. The mathematical value of 6x6x6 is 216, leading some to believe that this number, not "six hundred and sixty six" will be the "number of the name" of the beast.
In reality, no one knows exactly what 666 means. We can only draw on basic concepts to understand some of its implications. For example, 6 is one short of 7, which is the biblical number of perfection. The number 6 represents imperfection and is therefore man's number. God is perfectly holy—thrice holy—as the seraphim of Isaiah's vision proclaim. They called to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 6:3). Repeating this three times emphasizes its absolute nature. By contrast, imperfect man is unholy, unholy, unholy: 6-6-6.
Revelation 13:11–18 focuses on the second beast of this chapter, the last of seven major figures described in this part of Revelation. This figure is most often labelled as the ''False Prophet.'' While the first beast came from the sea, this one comes from the land. The earth is often equated with Israel, leading many to believe the False Prophet will be ethnically Jewish. The second beast poses as a lamb but speaks like a dragon. It's possible to identify this beast, rather than the first, as the ''antichrist'' because every reference to antichrist or the spirit of antichrist in the New Testament has a religious context (1 John 4:1, 3, 6; 2 John 1:7). Whereas the first beast is a political ruler, the second beast is a religious figure who deceives many. This passage also introduces the controversial and ominous ''mark of the beast.''
This chapter exposes two evil men, ''beasts'' who serve the Devil. The first beast arises from the sea, presumably the Mediterranean. The second beast arises from the land, possibly Israel. The first beast dominates the final form of the Roman Empire and sets himself up as a god to be worshiped. This first figure is the one most often labelled as ''Antichrist.'' The second beast acts as prophet, priest, and king in Israel. As such, he imitates Christ, but he is a False Prophet. This corrupted religious leader sets up an image of the first beast in the temple and commands everyone to worship it. The false prophet executes those who refuse to worship the image. Further, he causes everyone to receive the name or the number of the first beast on the right hand or on the forehead. Without this identifying mark, no one can buy or sell. The number of the beast is 666.
