666 Explained
Among those nearest to the teachings of the Apostle John was Irenaeus (130-202AD). Irenaeus was a student of Polycarp (69-156AD), who was himself a student of the Apostle John. Irenaeus said the antichrist would be Latinos or the Latin Man. Against Heresies, book 5, chapter 30, section 3
Many have tried to apply the number of the beast to English or German names. A major problem is that these languages do not use their letters for their numbering systems. This means the “antichrist” is not the Kaiser, Adolph Hitler, or Henry Kissinger. And, the beast must be “Roman” and a successor to the fallen Roman Empire.
Further descriptions in the remaining chapters of The Revelation help to identify the number or name. A person who “takes” this mark will incur the wrath of God and will be tormented with fire and sulfur.
9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If any one worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also shall drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of his anger, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever; and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” Revelation 14: 9-11
2 So the first angel went and poured his bowl on the earth, and foul and evil sores came upon the men who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image Revelation 16:2
20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur Revelation 19:20
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom judgment was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Revelation 20:4
Determining the Numbers
In 663 AD, Pope Vitalian required the EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE LATIN TONGUE in the offices of DIVINE WORSHIP throughout Christendom. Thus Latin, Greek, or Hebrew are certainly the best choices for determining the number of the beast.
Historicist over the centuries have put forth four solutions for this number. They all identify the beast out of the earth.
Lateinos (Latin man)
Romiti (Roman man)
Dux Cleri (Head of the Clergy)
Vicarius Filli Dei (Vicar of the Son of God)
In Greek = Lateinos (Latin Man)
| L | equals | 30 |
| A | equals | 1 |
| T | equals | 300 |
| E | equals | 5 |
| I | equals | 10 |
| N | equals | 50 |
| O | equals | 70 |
| S | equals | 200 |
| total | 666 |
In Hebrew = Romiti (Roman Man)
HEBREW Values
| Resh (R) | equals | 200 |
| Mem (m) | equals | 40 |
| Tav (t) | equals | 400 |
| Cholam Vav (o) | equals | 6 |
| Yod (y) | equals | 10 |
| total | 666 |
Latin Titles
FYI: Not every Latin letter has a numeric value
Dux Cleri (Head of the Clergy)
| D | equals | 500 |
| U | equals | 5 |
| X | equals | 10 |
| C | equals | 100 |
| L | equals | 50 |
| I | equals | 1 |
| total | 666 |
Pope’s Title– Vicar of the Son of God or God’s Son
