Question

Greetings from my family. Let me write to you first this year. I am current with you monthly publication: "Meditate on These Things" The comment on "Pre-Marital Sex in August issue is very much at the point. I so much cherish all the advices on the issue. I wish many brethren will read and learn from the wise counsel advice on the issue; which has become rampant even within the brotherhood in Christ.

Bro. Sharp, I want you to comment on Rev. 13:11-18. The number "666" in verse 18 is in focus. It is popularly known as the "mark of the beast" Pentecostal preachers interpret the passage verses 17 & 18 literally, and frighten their members that the mark is literal and is even happening or fulfilling now. Early last week a friend showed to me a religious publication. On its front page they wrote "Obama passes 666 bill into Law". Explaining further, the writer said the bill is a health bill will come into effect in 2013. That only those with the mark 666 on their forehead will access health care. That it starts from America and spread to other parts of the world, because all world leaders including my country Nigeria President are in the same evil society.

However I explained to my friend that it is all false alarm. That the number "666" is no literal rather figurative which refers to evils and wickedness of Catholicism at the early days of Christianity.

I need further explanation. So please comment elaborately on the number "666" mark of the beast (Rev. 13:17-18). I expect it in this months meditate on these things.

Answer
Keith Sharp

Thanks for writing. It is good to hear from you. I hope you and your family are well.

Revelation is a much abused book. The book was addressed to seven congregations in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern Turkey) that existed at the time John the apostle wrote the book (Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). John wrote for the purpose of encouraging them to be faithful to Christ despite the severe persecution they were about to endure (Revelation 2:10; 14:12-13). I do not see how a message about the President of the United States, a nation which did not even exist until almost 1700 years after John wrote Revelation, would encourage first century Christians in the Roman Empire to faithfulness.

Furthermore, the inspired apostle states seven times that the primary prophecies of the book were to be fulfilled soon after he wrote (Revelation 1:1, 3; 3:11; 22:6-7; 10, 12, 20). The angel who revealed the message to John commanded him, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand" (Revelation 2:10). In contrast, when Daniel was shown a vision pertaining to the kingdoms of Persia and Greece (Macedonia, that of Alexander the Great and his successors, Daniel 8:20-22), a period of around 400 years, the angel commanded Daniel, "Therefore seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future" (Daniel 8:26). Are we to believe that, while a vision to be fulfilled in 400 years must be sealed up because it is so far in the future, one that is to be fulfilled about 1916 years after it was revealed was not to be sealed, because the time was "at hand"?

The false claim you are encountering is just another example of men ignoring what the book of Revelation itself says about its own prophecies and asserting a meaning they want it to have. What evidence from the Scriptures is there that the number 666 has anything whatsoever to do with 21st century politics?

You are certainly correct in insisting that "666" is to be taken figuratively, or, perhaps more specifically, symbolically. Revelation is a type of literature common in the ancient Middle East called "apocalyptic." In such literature words and numbers symbolize things familiar to the readers. They became word pictures that were to be read as we would view a story in a movie theater. Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah of the Old Testament prophets wrote in this style.

This is not just an assertion without proof. In Daniel two, the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream symbolized ancient world empires (Babylon, Persia, Greece/Macedonia, and Rome), and Daniel explains this symbolism. John also repeatedly peels back his symbolism to reveal he is using symbols and to explain what they symbolize. For example, of the great harlot of chapter seventeen, John explains, "And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth" (Revelation 17:18). I do not see how Rome of the day of the apostle John could be more plainly identified.

Another key to interpret the symbols is to see how Old Testament prophets, particularly Daniel, used these same symbols. Thus we are letting scripture interpret scripture. the Holy Spirit Himself through the word He revealed is explaining the symbols.

In chapter twelve John introduces the "great dragon" and plainly identifies him as "that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan" (Revelation 12:9). He is the chief enemy of the "male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron" (verse 5). This of course is Christ. Before the conflict even begins, the apostle assures his reader of the outcome.

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.' (Revelation 12:10-11)

Then John introduces the cast of characters whom Satan uses to war against Christ and His saints. In Revelation 13:1-7 he describes a fearsome beast rising out of the sea to whom it was granted "to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (verse 7). This can be none other than pagan Rome. This beast ruled the world of John's day.

Then the inspired writer (Revelation 13:11) describes "another beast coming up out of the earth" (the world of unbelievers - verse 12 and 14), "and he had two horns like a lamb" (Christ - chapter five) "and spoke like a dragon" (Satan - Revelation 12:9). This is paganism, which is always called "the false prophet" in the remainder of Revelation (16:13; 19:20; 20:10). Paganism gave legitimacy to the blasphemous claims of the Caesars to be gods (Revelation 13:12).

Now the number seven is used biblically to represent perfection. "The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6). Six falls just short of seven, failure. Six three times over is great failure, spectacular failure. Satan, the Caesars, and paganism which supported the ungodly claims of the Caesars, would fail utterly and spectatcularly in their war against Christ and His saints.

There is a great lesson for us, but it has nothing to do with government funded health care. Christ still rules the nations with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:11-16). Satan and all his allies will suffer spectacular defeat. "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Hi are called, chosen, and faithful" (Revelation 17:14).

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death (Revelation 12:10-11)

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, 'Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them' (Revelation 14:12-13).

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10)

Instead of ringing our hands worrying about political events of this ungodly world, we must rest our confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. He still rules the nations with a rod of iron. His faithful saints will be victorious over the world. To Him be the glory, throughout all ages, forever and ever, amen!