Here is wisdom: Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred, three score and six. Revelation 13:18
The number 666 is a scary combination, even for people who don’t believe the Bible or who have no interest in spiritual things. Most people will refuse to accept that number on their house, on their license plate, or just about anywhere else that relates to themselves. It’s no secret to the world that the number of the beast, or the antichrist, of the Revelation is 666, and nobody wants to be associated with him, even for superstitious reasons. The antichrist has a bad reputation, and for a very good reason. The fact that he will subject and virtually enslave the world during his reign does not appeal to anybody, at least not now. What most people don’t realize is that during the tribulation period, when the common sense of the Christians is removed via the rapture, almost everybody will be glad to let the antichrist control them. It is too early, of course, to look for somebody who fits the description of the antichrist. But we should still take some warnings from the number of his name.
Our text tells us that 666 is the number of a man. Because the number 6 in the Bible is symbolic of man, the number 666 is three times symbolic of man. In the tribulation period, the antichrist will be offering his own false version of salvation. But that will be just a continuation of most of the doctrine of religion around us today. Contrary to the Gospel’s message of man’s utter ruin, religion teaches that man is able to save himself with good works, that man is not a lost and helpless soul, that repentance is to be replaced by a better self-esteem. And that is the first pillar of the antichrist’s false gospel.
Abraham declared that God would provide Himself a Lamb, and God did just that in the offering of His Son for our sins. As the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Lord Jesus is God’s remedy for our sin. But that will not be the message from the antichrist, nor is it the message from today’s religion. In addition to the good works and proper attitude, and a high self-esteem, the message from religion is that baptism, assorted ordinances, and lots of money contributed to the church’s coffers, is the way to God’s favour. This message is a mockery of God’s declaration that the precious blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin. It is a rejection of God’s remedy.
In the days of the antichrist, people will be told to turn to the beast for his protection. They will be persuaded to trust a liar, to place their confidence in the man who will be the world’s greatest deceiver, to commit their eternal welfare to one who has done nothing to deal with their sins. Instead of taking the responsibility of trusting a loving and able Saviour, mankind will trust a man who will pretend to be God and will draw attention to himself. Such deceivers are among us today, and are having great success.
The message of the antichrist, as proclaimed in the number of his name, is to refute the glorious gospel of Christ. Let us make sure we keep the message of the Gospel pure and powerful. -Jim MacIntosh