You may be wondering, what does this have to do with anything...Well, that is a good question. It may have nothing to do with anything, but there are a couple of things to look at: "Ancients were adept at the use of symbolic numbers, of which Revelation includes several (e.g., 7:4-8)."[2] Could this be another use of a symbolic number that could be "calculated" (see 13:18). From the figurative number symbolism, we can gain that the root of "666" is "36" of which the root is "8". Additionally, "666" is a fairly unique triangular number in that not many (between 100 and 1000) are "doubly" triangular.

So, what's so special about "8"? Many have attributed this to Nero. In Ancient Greek and Hebrew the number of the letter in the alphabet was used to represent that letter and vice versa. So, for example our letter "e" would be five. When "Nero Caesar" was spelled out in Hebrew (at least one varient), the numbers equal "666". Using the same number system in Greek apparently shows "Nero" and "he killed his mother" to the same number.

Also of significance is the parallel nature of 13:18 "This calls for wisdom" and 17:9 "This calls for a mind of wisdom". This would appear that with the context of 17:9-11 and 13:18, that we are to be looking for a re-incarnation of Nero. But, don't go jumping to conclusions, there is still some other important detail to look at.

First, no where else does John use this "gematria". Why would he use it their?

Secondly, we are told that "no one knows the day or the hour". Why should we speculate on a man who would bring the marking signs of the beast?

While gematria seems really interesting to the Mathmetician, it seems that we have gone a little bit overboard on our exploration.

Let's take an alternate (sane person's) interpretation: Seven (throughout revelation) signified completeness. Six signifies one less than completeness. We are created in God's own image, but we are not created God. This would give us man's number. Man is near completion. Without God, man will never be complete. However, in the end, Christ comes to conquer man, not a specific person, but the human nature.

Whatever, you believe "666" to represent, let me represent one important fact of the book of Revelation. John says that "wisdom" is required. This is not smartness or some form of geniusness. Wisdom is God-given. You will not find the answer unless the Lord sees fit to giving it to you. He will not give it to you unless you need it. John may have originally written to an audience that needed that information, to which God revealed it. Some have interpreted this as a code message. Others have said that we will never understand and still some give an easy interpretation of a number that is nearly complete.

So, let me give you one more number game. Man's number is "666" with the addition of 1 Father, 1 Son, and 1 Holy Spirit, we are given the number "777". Am I saying that we are made God by receiving God? NO! What I am saying that we can be brought into a state of completion through the gift of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives. We will only see the Father through the Son. The Father is the last one that is given to us. He will not be revealed to us until the Son is in us. Therefore, we are not complete until we have all in our lives. Do you have Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? Jesus is standing at the door and knocking. If you hear his voice today he has promised you that when you that when you open that door, he will come in and eat with you, and you with him (3:20). Dining with someone in Biblical times represented a very close relationship. You didn't just eat with anyone. Jesus wants to be your family. Invite him in today. If this is what you desire, you can pray this prayer: