This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666 (Rev 13:18).
I'd like to suggest another possible interpretation. The number of the Beast (i.e. Antichrist) may well be a diabolical parody of the Trinity. The number is a multiple of 3. And it's bigger and better!
As Vern Poythress documents, theological counterfeiting is a major theme in Revelation:
The various explanations for 666 I have heard over the years go like this:
ReplyDeleteThe number 7 is a number pertaining to perfection/divinity. The number 6 symbolizes humanity falling short of perfection/divinity. The x3 symbolizes the trinity. The repeating of 6x3 is symbolizing a man claiming divinity.
Another theory is the mark of the beast is a microchip everyone will receive in their forehead or right hand. The microchip will contain an 18 digit number. This number will replace all bank accounts, passports and social security numbers. It was in the news recently that the government in Sweden is trialing testing micro chipping people.