His number is 666
The mark of the first beast is associated to the identity of the Antichrist and is connected to the number 666.
This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666 (Revelation 13:18).
Many people have spent a great deal of time and energy trying to determine the identity of the Antichrist by inventing various ways of calculating his number. However, as we have seen in our study, if we have a scriptural question our first recourse should always be to search the Scripture for the answer. This passage even provides a clue to where we may find the answer. It says, [t]his calls for wisdom, and where is wisdom obtained? The Bible reveals that wisdom comes from God - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God (James 1:5). Therefore, let us turn to the Scripture and ask God to show us how to identify the Antichrist.
Remember when we were studying 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Paul told us the man of lawlessness would be revealed when he goes into the temple and declares himself to be God. Therefore, Paul is saying the Antichrist will be revealed at the abomination that causes desolation. Now, we may suspect that this world leader is the Antichrist before the abomination that causes desolation, but we will not be certain until the abomination that causes desolation. At that time, Paul says, we will know the identity of the Antichrist. So, what is the significance of the number 666 in Revelation?
The Scripture says, [e]very matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.8 Paul is one witness and he writes that the Antichrist will be revealed at the abomination that causes desolation. Isaiah is the second witness and he wrote of the same event. He describes what will happen in the temple in Jerusalem when the Antichrist declares that he is God. Now, lets read how Isaiah describes what happens next.
Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying his enemies all they deserve (Isaiah 66:6).
According to Isaiah, this will happen in Jerusalem at the time of the abomination that causes desolation. The Antichrist and his armies will have surrounded the holy city9 and the Antichrist has come to the Jewish temple. Then he will cause the sacrifice and offering to cease and he will set up the abomination that causes desolation.10 When he performs this detestable act, it is very likely that the Jewish priests will become infuriated and resist him and his army. Jesus told us this would be a time of unprecedented tribulation and persecution, worse than anything since the beginning of creation. Anyone who does not accept and submit to the Antichrist will be slaughtered during the Great Tribulation.11 The uproar from the city and the noise from the temple! will be the sound of the Great Tribulation. As we can see Isaiah 66:6 describes what will happen in Jerusalem and the temple at the time the Antichrist is revealed. Therefore, 66:6 of Isaiah points us to the identity of the Antichrist and when his identity will be known.
John also provided another clue when he said, the number of the beast, is man's number. The system of numbers used to identify the chapters and verses in the Bible where placed there by man after the Bible was canonized, they are not part of the original text. Therefore the 66:6 of Isaiah, is mans number and the biblical answer to the Revelation mystery of the number 666. Isaiah 66:6 reveals when the Antichrist will be known.
Richard H Perry
