Who was 666?

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Its the answer to 222×3 or 333×2 hehe yes 666 ill say it again 666 hehe ill have to post 666 on my window to keep the bible thumpers at bay.If they still come to my door ill answer and say I am legion I am many I am 666.

King Nero the ruler at the time of Jesus Christ was represented by the numbers 666, according to Hebrew numerology.

King Nero the ruler at the time of Jesus Christ was represented by the numbers 666, according to Hebrew numerology.

I know many dislike my faith and like to jump on me whenever I post anything here but ArrantPariah asked an open question and I thought I would provide an answer based on what Witnesses' believe from our study of the bible. If you do not agree with this answer then please leave it alone and move on. With that said it would be good to first identify "the beast" of Revelation 13 because it relates to the number 666.

The Bible book of Daniel explains the meaning of the symbolic beast from Revelation. Chapter 7 contains a vivid picture of “four huge beasts” — a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a fearsome beast with big teeth of iron. (Daniel 7:2-7) Daniel tells us that these beasts represent “kings,” or political kingdoms, that rule in succession over vast empires. — Daniel 7:17, 23.



Regarding the beast of Revelation 13:1, 2, The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible points out that it “combines in itself the joint characteristics of the four beasts of Daniel’s vision . . . Accordingly, this first beast [of Revelation] represents the combined forces of all political rule opposed to God in the world.” This observation is confirmed by Revelation 13:7, which says of the beast: “Authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.”

The identity of "the beast" is none other than human governments. Why does the Bible use beasts as symbols of human rulership? For at least two reasons. First, because of the beastly record of bloodshed that governments have accrued over the centuries. Historians Will and Ariel Durant wrote, “War is one of the constants of history, and has not diminished with civilization or democracy.” How true that “man has dominated man to his injury”! (Ecclesiastes 8:9) The second reason is that “the dragon [Satan] gave to the beast its power and its throne and great authority.” (Revelation 12:9; 13:2) Accordingly, human rulership is a product of the Devil, thus reflecting his beastly, dragon-like personality. — John 8:44; Ephesians 6:12.

This does not mean that every human ruler is a direct tool of Satan. Human governments serve as “God’s minister” by bringing structure to human society otherwise chaos and anarchy would rule. Some leaders have even protected fundamental human rights such as the right to practice religion. Yet, because of the Devil’s influence, no human or human institution has ever been able to bring lasting peace and security to the people. — John 12:31.

So then what is this "number [that] stands for the name of someone"? The Amplified Bible puts it, “a human number.” This expression could not refer to an individual human, for Satan — not any man — has authority over the beast. (Luke 4:5, 6; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 13:2, 18) Rather, the beast’s having “a human number,” or mark, suggests that it is a human entity, not spirit or demon, and that it therefore manifests certain human traits. What might they be? The Bible answers, saying: “All [humans] have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) The beast’s having “a human number,” therefore, indicates that governments reflect the fallen human condition, the mark of sin and imperfection.

History shows this to be true. “Every civilization that has ever existed has ultimately collapsed,” said former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. “History is a tale of efforts that failed, of aspirations that weren’t realized . . . So, as a historian, one has to live with a sense of the inevitability of tragedy.” Kissinger’s honest appraisal testifies to this fundamental Bible truth: “To earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” — Jeremiah 10:23.

Now that we have identified the beast and discerned how God views it, we are in a position to examine the final part of our puzzle: the number six, and why it is written in triple digits (that is, 666, or 600 plus 60 plus 6).

In the Scriptures certain numbers have symbolic significance. The number seven, for example, is often used to symbolize that which is complete, or perfect, in God’s eyes. For example, God’s creative week comprises seven ‘days,’ or extended time periods, during which God completely accomplishes his creative purpose regarding the earth. (Genesis 1:3–2:3) God’s “sayings” are like silver that has been “clarified seven times,” thus perfectly refined. (Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5, 6) The leper Naaman was told to bathe seven times in the Jordan River, after which he was completely healed.—2 Kings 5:10, 14.

By contrast six is one number short of seven. In your view is six a fitting symbol of something imperfect, or defective, in God’s eyes? Yes! 1 Chronicles 20:6, 7 tells us, "And there came to be war again at Gath, when there happened to be a man of extraordinary size whose fingers and toes were in sixes, twenty-four; and he, too, had been born to the Reph′a·im. And he kept taunting Israel. Finally Jon′a·than the son of Shim′e·a the brother of David struck him down."

Six repeated three times as 666 powerfully stresses humanity's imperfection. Simply put 666 is “a human number". Thus, the beast’s record, its “human number,” and the number 666 itself all point to one unmistakable conclusion — humanities gross shortcoming and failure in the eyes of Jehovah. As Romans 3:23 puts it, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

The portrayal of the beast’s deficiencies calls to mind what was said about King Belshazzar of ancient Babylon. Through Daniel, Jehovah said to that ruler: “You have been weighed in the balances [judged] and have been found deficient.” That very night Belshazzar was killed, and the mighty Babylonian Empire fell. (Daniel 5:27, 30) Likewise, God’s judgment of the political beast and of those with its mark spells the end of that entity and its supporters. In this instance, however, God will eradicate not just one political system but every trace of human rule. (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 19:19, 20)

Immediately after disclosing the number 666, Revelation 14:1 mentions 144,000 followers of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who have his name and the name of his Father, Jehovah, written on their foreheads. These names identify the bearers as belonging to Jehovah and to his Son, about whom they proudly bear witness. Likewise, those having the mark of the beast proclaim their servitude to the beast. Thus, the mark, whether on the right hand or on the forehead, figuratively speaking, is a symbol that identifies its bearer as one who gives worshipful support to the beastlike political systems of this world. Those having the mark give to “Caesar” that which rightly belongs to God. (Luke 20:25; Revelation 13:4, 8; 14:1) How? By giving worshipful honor to the political state, its symbols, and its military might, to which they look for hope and salvation. Any worship that they render the true God is merely lip service.

In contrast, the Bible urges us: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.” (Psalm 146:3, 4) Those who heed that wise counsel are not disillusioned when governments fail to deliver on their promises or when charismatic leaders fall from grace.—Proverbs 1:33.

This does not mean that true Christians sit back and do nothing about mankind’s plight. On the contrary, they actively proclaim the one government that will solve mankind’s problems — God’s Kingdom, which they represent. — Matthew 24:14. This is the kingdom, or government, I am telling people about. It is the same government Jesus spoke about when on earth. Jesus made God’s Kingdom the main theme of his preaching or witnessing work. (Luke 4:43; Revelation 1:5)

In his model prayer, sometimes called the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught his followers to pray for that Kingdom, or government, to come and for God’s will to be done here on earth. (Matthew 6:9, 10) The Kingdom is a government that will rule over the entire earth, not from some earthly capital, but from heaven. Hence, Jesus called it “the kingdom of the heavens.”—Matthew 11:12.

Who better suited to be King of that Kingdom than Jesus Christ, the one who died for his future subjects? (Isaiah 9:6, 7; John 3:16) Soon this perfect Ruler, now a mighty spirit person, will hurl the beast, its kings, and its armies into “the fiery lake that burns with sulphur,” a symbol of complete destruction. But that is not all. Jesus will also get rid of Satan, something that no human could ever do. — Revelation 11:15; 19:16, 19-21; 20:2, 10.

God’s Kingdom will bring peace to all its obedient subjects. (Psalm 37:11, 29; 46:8, 9) Sorrow, pain, and death will be no more. (Revelation 21:3, 4)

And what of mankind? Eventually man's number - 666 - will transform into 7... perfection.

I spoke to a random Jehovah’s Witness the other day and mentioned that I’m a rare Aspie whose mind goes from one end of the spectrum to the other. I mentioned that I’ve had out of body experiences and I’ve seen my spirit. (Rare, but it happens) He and she went on to tell me I must be possessed by the devil.

Religion is an extension of one’s belief. Faith and belief are instincts, a part of our thought process, animal attributes.

Even Ducks experience faith and belief. Humans have learnt to express their thoughts and instincts in a different manner, we can talk.
Religion is ancient mindedness, it’s time we moved on. The only way mankind will be at peace is when our faith is in ourselves and each other.

I’m blown away at how we still in 2012, carry the same thoughts as people did 2000 years ago. They believed that the world was flat. They also believed that thoughts were created from the heart, and not our brain as we all know today.

I’m sorry but I’m with science, I believe in my experiences and fact. Even Quantum Physics accepts the idea of a spirit, they call it “The Observer”.

Thank god for science.

Yes they do, watch "What the Bleep do we Know” The scientist say so many times through-out this award winning documentary about Atoms and string theory.

It’s complicated. Quantum Physic’s “The Observer Affect” Protons and light seem to react with a mind of their own, as if they had free will.
If we have a spirit, it must be made of something.
First we have to believe that it exist, then try and understand how it works, something I haven’t stopped thinking about for over twenty years now.
Dave Albert, is he the old chap with thinning White Hair?

No they had no bible with them. They seemed like nice people, even gave me the latest "Awake” about doomsday before trying to convert me.