They tell us nothing about the meaning of the number of the Beast. These and similar interpretations are just observations. Nebuchadnezzar’s statue in Daniel was 60 cubits tall, six cubits wide, and six musical instruments summoned the worshipers. Goliath was six cubits tall, his spear’s head weighed six shekels, and he had six pieces of armor. For instance, it first appears in the Bible in verse “18,” which is 6+6+6. People have made all kinds of speculations about this number. One of the most perplexing aspects of the Beast and his mark is the infamous number 666 (Revelation 13:18). All the money in the world won’t be enough to buy bread without the mark of the Beast. Unlike the government-issued ration cards from World War II, this system will be permanent under the Beast’s reign. Those without the seal will not be permitted to purchase what they need, causing them to die from exposure, starvation, or illness. Those without the mark will be deemed traitors and boycotted by the commercial system the Beast controls. So the Beast will use a charagma to identify those who are loyal to him. The mark (Greek charagma) refers to the Roman use of a seal connected with the emperor, which conveyed official sanction.

In a world controlled by Satan, the mark of the Beast will wield absolute power. In yet another counterfeiting attempt, this marking will be a demonic substitute for the seal God’s angels placed on the 144,000 Jewish evangelists in Revelation 7:3. He will require every man, woman, and child to bear a seal on their hand or forehead to signify their allegiance to the Antichrist. While the mark of the Beast is often associated with the Antichrist, the False Prophet will be the driving force behind it. The False Prophet Will Consolidate Power Through the Mark of the Beast The image will be a signal for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. When the Antichrist’s followers erect this façade in Jerusalem, Jesus’ disciples will know the Great Tribulation is about to begin. I believe this image is that “abomination of desolation” Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:15. The media will carry the content of the image’s speeches in the news it will become a focal point of every person’s day. I can imagine people gathering at this location every day to hear what the image has to say. No matter the specifics, the image will seem to be alive. Some say it will “speak” through ventriloquism others say a computer chip will power it, similar to the way our cars and smart speakers “talk” to us today. But its ability to talk will deceive people into believing it is alive. Satan cannot give life, so the image will not come alive. Somehow, the False Prophet will empower it to speak. It will serve as a gathering place for the Antichrist’s worshippers. Although Scripture does not give details about the image, it probably will be a large structure, not just an effigy on a coin or some similar symbol.

I believe he will place it in the most sacred portion of the newly built Jewish temple. Holding ultimate earthly authority over spiritual matters, the False Prophet will oversee the construction of an idol for worshiping the Antichrist.

666 bible verse