The Mark of the Beast is mentioned in the Book of Revelation of the Christian Bible. Revelation 13:17 states: "... no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or name of the beast, or the number of his name." The next verse tells us that the Number of the Beast is 666. In Revelation 14:9-12, the third angel warns of wrath and retribution to all those who bear this mark on their heads or hands. In the King James Version, Revelation 13:18 reads: Here is wisdom: let him who hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred three score and six. The number 666, which supposedly represents the name of the Antichrist, is another source of controversy. There are various theories about the meaning of this verse, and there have been many attempts to show that a person is the Antichrist by relating his name to the number 666. One interpretation is simply that 666 represents humankind in general because of the special significance that the number has in the Bible. Six is known as an "imperfect number" because it is one short of seven, the "perfect number" (seven days in the week, seven tongues of flame, seven spiritual gifts...). So three (the number of the Trinity) sixes is seen as extremely imperfect. Therefore, 666 represents imperfect man, while 777 represents God. A more radical interpretation is that 666 is actually some kind of code based on the letters of someone's name. This sparks great public interest since it seems to provide some way to identify the antichrist. Numerologists like to devise clever ways of assigning numbers to letters so that the letters of a name will add up to this symbolic number. Probably the best-known scheme has A=100, B=101, and so on. With this code, the name "HITLER" adds up to 666. While these ideas are intriguing, they usually require many odd preconditions (you have to start with 100, you cannot include the first name) and work in a few languages only (in Spanish, for example, "HITLER" adds up to 668.) ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_the_Beast_(numerology) )

Revelation is one of the more interesting and controversial books of the NT. It is full of both symbolic and literal prophecy. I won't repeat previous answers, because the scripture he quotes is the same that I would have used - it's a good answer it will help to read it too. Disclaimer: These are my personal views based on my own limited study and should be taken with an eye to the answers of others and a personal, prayerful search in the scripture yourself. I believe that the number (666) is symbolic, and I think that most would agree. It not necessarily to be taken to literally mean that the number 666 will be tatooed on people's foreheads or hands. I believe that the literal is that there will be some mark, or other device, put in people's heads or in the hand (which would include the forearm). The other literal is that this device or mark will be required to freely live in the society that is ruled by the anti-christ. It is also a device of persecution used to sort the believer from the unbeliever, as a true believer will suffer physical death and severe persecution instead of submitting to the beast. Further, and perhaps even more importantly, by having the authority to issue such a requirement in the global marketplace, it would serve as a marker for identifing the true anti-christ. Although interesting, this is not something that I have spent a lot of time on. When the time comes the Holy Spirit and Christ will be here for the believer, and we will be empowered to whatever degree necessary to stand firm in our faith. These things will not be fully revealed until it's time. I am not being fatalistic or telling you that these prophecies are not understandable, but simply that the end is intentionally left a bit mysterious and be careful of someone who says that they have a definative answer to all of it.

There are many interpretations and you can see them all on this link. While most manuscripts of the Bible read six-hundred-sixty-six or 666 for the Number of the Beast in Revelation 13:18, some early manuscripts contain 616 instead. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_of_the_beast In May 2005 it was reported that scholars at Oxford University using advanced imaging techniques had been able to read previously illegible portions of an early (third century) version of the Book of Revelation, part of its Oxyrhynchus collection of papyri. The fragment gives the Number of the Beast as 616. Scholars now believe the number in question has very little to do with the devil. It was actually a complicated numerical riddle in Greek, meant to represent someone's name. "It's a number puzzle — the majority opinion seems to be that it refers to [the Roman emperor] Nero." Alternative spellings of his name, Neron and Nero, can explain the presence of both 666 and 616 in the records, since dropping the last 'n' changes its numerical value from 666 to 616 ('n' representing 50). The Jewish view The number 666 is considered a mystical and holy number. 6 represents the six directions (up, down, north, south, east, west). Six is considered God's number (see Names of God in Judaism) since it is the numeric value of Vav. It also refers to creation, since the world was created in 6 days. Side notes Fear of the number 666 is known "Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia". U.S. Highway 666, "the Highway of the Beast," was renumbered in 2003 after controversy over the supposed reference to the Biblical beast. The first Apple Computer, the Apple I was sold for $666.66. The numbers on a roulette table (1 to 36) sum to 666. The anti-impotence drug Viagra has a molecular weight of 666.7 g/mol.

The number 6 indicates imperfection, and that fact that it is repeated three times is emphasis. It means a total failure to reach God's standards.

666x3=1998 the birth date of the beast nothing more. The formula is in the # total some is 666 6 is presented 3 times their for if you multiply the whole by the repetition you have 1998.

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six. Revelation 13:18

Somebody has probably said what i have to say but...what the hell!! 666 is not going to be the official number placed on mans heads and hands, if it were people would realise that the bible was right and just rebel against the government. Now talks are of microchips and barcodes are around and everyone has an idea of what it is i dont think that would be an option either. 666 is the symbol of the unholy trinity: Antichrist (king, ruler) The beast (kingdom or country) False prohpet (religion on which the laws are set) The bible written in a context of symbolic imagery or prophetic imagery as other people may say it. it is not to be read formally or literally just as jesus said in his teaching: "they look but cannot see, they listen but cannot hear for if they looked and seen, listened and heard they would turn and i would heal them" That was said after he was question about teaching in parables. Its the same with revelation. People read about seven headed dragons with ten horns while other people see as seven continents with ten rulers. 666 is a mark and it is a number of man. The mark is the soul disbelief and arrogance to god and in a world of sin the seal of God is the faith with Jesus It says that people "recieve" the mark not forced to wear it or forced to believe but "recieve". The mark is the belief in the system that has turned from God and show no faith nor compassion and everything God stands for, but man "recieves" the Mark they asked for. Jesus said for eternal life is to "believe in the one that he has sent" and even the seal of God is the mark that people have lived for god and for his works. Now the 666 number is mans number and whoever does not have the number cannot buy, sell and work. there are heaps of numbers on us such as: Tax File Number ABN Number Bank Account Number Credit Card Number Social security number etc You'll find it difficult to buy sell and work without these numbers today but there is way though through cash in hand and then you'll probably get caught for tax evasion. You cant even get welfare without a number. So what mark are you willing to wear? are willing to break free from these numbers? Think about it.... im a bit tired so it probably made no sense, my computer crashed half way through and now i am re-writing it again. Thats the basis of it

Note: question was changed. Original question asked "if the number of the beast was 666 or 616"? The following answer, answered that specific question. A bit of a trick question. 616 is thought by some to be the original number of the Beast (a fragment of a papyrus was discovered in 2005 - the debate is over ancient Greek numerology). At this present day, 666 is what the majority consider as the number of the Beast (based on the Book Of Revelations). I still consider 666 to be correct but 616 may be proven as the original number. What I don't understand is if it was 616, why it changed to 666.

The antichrist is already in this world. He will make himself known real soon. All of the things that are happening in this world, all have to do with the coming of Christ. The antichrist will come and decieve many people. He is totally against Christ, and will mock Him in many different ways. The antichrist will get some to believe that he is the son of God, and everything will appear to be ok, and peaceful. This during the tribulation times which I believe last for 7yrs. There will be peace, and then destruction will follow. The mark of the beast is implanted in those who choose to follow the antichrist. There will not be any other chance for them to make it into heaven after they accept the mark of the beast. For those who choose Christ amongst all of the pressure, will be persecuted. Which many christians are being persecuted now in many different countries. They will be killed very cruelly because of their faith in God.

i am the antichrist. my name is damien and i have 666 tattooed on my head >:D

Is it social conformity to secular doctrine that states that man can and does exist apart from God? Is it the language of fear that interlaces most social exchanges bewteen individuals? Is it allegience of people to the kingdom of this world where people are valued based on how much money they make, how much social status they have, how attractive and intelligent they are, how politically correct and liberal their views are? Is it those who hold the belief that they are "good people" when the bible says that none is righteous? Out of these which is most plausible and why?

When gas prices reach 6.66 all hell will break loose.

I think the mark of the beast is this: Mondex Verichip.

Is it social conformity to secular doctrine that states that man can and does exist apart from God? Is it the language of fear that interlaces most social exchanges bewteen individuals? Is it allegience of people to the kingdom of this world where people are valued based on how much money they make, how much social status they have, how attractive and intelligent they are, how politically correct and liberal their views are? Is it those who hold the belief that they are "good people" when the bible says that none is righteous? Out of these which is most plausible and why?

It's cryptic, in the same manner that Jesus spoke in parable, this is also said in parable... Think along the lines: Is it social conformity to secular doctrine that states that man can and does exist apart from God? Is it the language of fear that interlaces most social exchanges bewteen individuals? Is it allegience of people to the kingdom of this world where people are valued based on how much money they make, how much social status they have, how attractive and intelligent they are, how politically correct and liberal their views are? Is it those who hold the belief that they are "good people" when the bible says that none is righteous? Out of these which is most plausible and why?

The mark of the beast is not a chip or a tattoo of 666. If that were the case everyone would know and run far away from such a thing. The mark will come when satan is sent down to earth by Micheal the Archangel. The world will be trying to put the one world gov. together and almost get it. But it starts to fall apart. The antichrist will then step up and fix it. He will come in peacefully and prosperously and do miracles in front of man. And will want to be worshipped. If you worship the antichrist then you have just accepted the mark of the beast in our forhead (brain) if you go about doing his work the you have the mark in your hand (heard the term right-hand-man).

666

Not really sure, but my guess is When antichrist dude comes, and makes it manditory to go to church on Sunday, ur gonna have a choice...worship the "antichrists day"...or worship on SATURDAY the Sabbath day.......Its gonna be all up to that 1 decision you make, which day you worship. "Remember the sabbath day" why does it state "REMEMBER"...and "I will know you are my people, and I am your God"....It was changed to SUNday...for no real reason, its not the day of worship...Not for Christians at least. But its not in play now...but people I do say, when that time comes around...read your bibles, and listen closely to all it says about saturday worship.

wearing crocs

The book of Revalations was written by a group of people who beleived that the world was going to end.They wrote it while hiding out in a cave...the reason being, the Romans were in power. The whole of Revalations is just a secret message for all the Jewish nations/communitys that were under Rome at the time- simply put; 'The Roman empire WILL fall and we WILL rise up and reclaim everything we lost...there is hope'. The mark of the beast has just as much to do with barcodes as puppies have to do with computer science! I don't really know what it meant back then (unless I try looking it up(!!!) really hard on the net) but it was very unlikely to be that.

The ' beast'is an earthly organization...at present it is the U.N. The' mark' is obedience to ITS demands...rather than being obedient to Jesus. World governments will give their ' power' to the beast to eliminate religion...worldwide... (Revelation 17:17) For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, yes, to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished.

No such thing! Dec. 14