Almost - A Discussion of 666

No one ever gets any joy out of "almost" completing something. "I almost finished high school" or "I almost passed my driving test" aren't words that you hear people say with pride.

"Almost" is one of the most tragic words in existence, and is one that I believe is wrapped up in the symbolism of Revelation 13:15-18.

Any number of things may come to mind when the number 666 is mentioned. Just this summer, people were talking about the end of the world and all sorts of things around June 6 (6/6/06). A scary, end times movie was even released on that day, no doubt to take advantage of the hysteria. So what does this number really mean, and how does it apply to Christians today?

Background

The Book of Revelation is highly symbolic, which can be plainly seen in the extravagant imagery of the book. Of course, the very first verse tells us that the message to follow was "signified," or made known by signs or symbols, to the apostle John. Therefore, the symbols and visions pictured in the book should be taken figuratively, unless the context dictates otherwise. So when you talk about numbers in the book, as with trumpets, beasts, and other things, you're dealing with symbols.

Revelation was written during a time of intense persecution toward Christians by the Roman government, and so the use of symbols was an expedient to communicate to those who were suffering, while at the same time concealing the messages from the persecutors.

That said, learning just a few details about Jewish apocalyptic numerology goes a long way in helping to understand this book.

In Revelation 13, we read vivid imagery of a dragon, representing Satan (Rev. 12:9), and two beasts representing the Roman emperor, and some type of group or committee setup to enforce false religion by means of emperor worship throughout the empire. We read that this second beast causes those who refuse to worship the first beast to be killed, and that to be able to buy or sell in the marketplace one must have the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:15-17). This mark is symbolized by 666 (Rev. 13:18).

Numbers

A brief discussion of the meaning of 666 is best started off with the meaning of the number 7. To the Hebrews and early Christians, the number 7 was the most sacred number. It represented perfection and completeness. When Jesus said we should forgive our brother up to "seventy times seven," he intends for us to forgive him completely every time (Matt. 18:22). Revelation is filled with the usage of this number, speaking of Seven Spirits, seven churches, seven lamp-stands, and seven stars that all carry the idea of perfection and completeness.

So if 7 represents perfection and completeness, what does 6 mean? In one word: Almost. Six was imperfect, incomplete, and just shy of 7. "It had the ability to be great but failed to measure up." (Summers, p. 24) It came close to perfection but ultimately fell short. Because of its failure to live up to the perfect 7, the number 6 was an evil number. The number 666, therefore, represents failure, imperfection, and evil raised to a very high power.

The Big Picture

To paint the big picture, Christians during that time were tempted and persecuted beyond what any of us can even imagine. Their lives and that of their families were threatened for refusing to deny Christ and worship the beast. Among those persecuted, there were some who remained strong and faithful, and gave their lives for Christ, and have a crown of life waiting for them (Rev. 2:10). There were also those who gave in, who denied Christ, and gave up the faith. It's saddening to think of how close they came, yet lost that precious crown. Christians should take this to heart, and "fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Heb. 4:1). Let us not meet God at the judgment having almost obeyed His will.

References

Summers, Ray (1951), Worthy is the Lamb (Broadman and Holman: Nashville, TN).