All:

There seems to be a misconception even re the Christian understanding of "666."  It has nothing to do with dates or calendars.  Let me offer some edification so at least everyone will know what it really means when we talk about "666" and the "number of the beast."

In speaking of "the beast" (Anti-Christ), we find the following in Revelation 13:18:

"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."

The way that the "number of a man" is determined is to take the person's full name, convert it into Hebrew, translate the Hebrew letters into their number equivalents (each Hebrew letter is also a number), and then add the numbers.  This is how "the number of a man" is determined.

Of course, using this method, more than one (and possibly many) people will end up with names that "add up" to 666.  However, by knowing the other attributes that the Anti-Christ will have, it will be easy to determine who he is.  [N.B.  There is a computer in Israel that spends its entire time doing this calculation for every person born in the Western world, since that is where the Anti-Christ will be from.]

However, keep in mind that Scripture also tells us that "For there will arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, in so much that, if it were possible, they shall deceive even the very elect."

Imagine a person coming along – a public figure (possibly a politician, or socio-political figure) who is widely admired and respected – who is able to reproduce the "signs and wonders" (i.e., miracles) performed by Christ during His ministry: turning water into wine, healing the sick, controlling the weather, even raising the dead.  Most people - even many otherwise devout, “sign-following” Christians ("the very elect") - would see – and, indeed, will see - this person as "divine," if not Christ Himself.  In this regard, it is important to remember that the devil - who is, of course, actually the most powerful angel, Lucifer - "can quote Scripture when it suits his purposes" and can also do "signs ands wonders" - and he can empower his minions to do likewise.  This is why there will be “false Christs, and false prophets” (plural), and why so many people will be “taken in” by them, even knowing the Scripture and the warnings.

Anyway, when "666" is discussed in social circles, etc., you will now know that it has nothing whatsoever to do with dates, calendars, etc., but is simply the number of the Anti-Christ, as determined by converting his name into Hebrew, translating the Hebrew letters into their number equivalents, and then adding the numbers.

Peace.

Bill:

The problem with the Preterist view is that we now know that the dating is, in fact, incorrect.  A majority of New Testament scholars (whether Christian, Jewish, atheist or other) believe that the Revelation, written by John during his self-imposed exile on Patmos, was written around 90 A.D.  This is based on historical evidence (Josephus and other early Christian scholars).  Thus, in order for the Preterist view to hold, they would be "early dating" the Revelation.

6/6/6 THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST !!

Finally nothing bad happened ....

maani wrote: Bill: The problem with the Preterist view is that we now know that the dating is, in fact, incorrect.  A majority of New Testament scholars (whether Christian, Jewish, atheist or other) believe that the Revelation, written by John during his self-imposed exile on Patmos, was written around 90 A.D.  This is based on historical evidence (Josephus and other early Christian scholars).  Thus, in order for the Preterist view to hold, they would be "early dating" the Revelation. There are also many other reasons why Revelation is not likely to have been written prior to the fall of Jerusalem, and the final diaspora, in 90 A.D.  However, that would require a scholarly discussion of the New Testament, and specifically the Revelation, which we do not have time for now.   Peace.

The first point to consider in favor of the early date is the fact that John was told that he "must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings" in Revelation 10:11. Now, if Revelation was written in AD 95-96, John would have been over 90 years old and it would have been very difficult for him to travel to the various "nations and…many kings" and preach. However, with Revelation written earlier, John would have been in his mid 60's and at that age, his traveling would have been more feasible.

Additionally, the only time where there were seven Asian churches was the early AD 60s. In his letter to the church of Philadelphia, he writes
10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

This can be very reasonably interpreted as referring the first persecutions of Christians by Nero, which were soon to begin.

Also, the book refrences the Temple of Jerusalem.

Revelation 11:1-2, "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."

Note the similarities to the Gospel of Luke

24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Blacksword:

You asked: “Doesn't 666 equate to WWW in Hebrew?”

The answer is…sort of.  That is, it may be that “w” is the letter equivalent of the number 6.  But that is not how the “number of a man” is determined.  it is the adding up of the numbers represented by all the letters in the full name that must add to 666.  This means taking someone’s full name at birth, translating it into Hebrew, converting the Hebrew letters into their number equivalents, and adding up all of those numbers.

You then comment: “We shall not be able to buy or sell without the mark, right?  Does that mean the Internet is the Antichrist and unless we are all on line we'll not be able to trade in the Antichrists kingdom on Earth?...It is said that all UPC barcodes contain the number 666.  Is the barcode the mark of the Antichrist?”

The Scripture is clear concerning the “mark”:

“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead.  And that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Rev. 13:16-17)

Thus, neither the Internet nor the UPC bar code can be the “mark,” since it is not “on their right hand or on their forehead.  The mark is clearly a “branding” of some sort (or perhaps the scar left by the insertion of a microchip?...)  And it is something that the Antichrist will require everyone (no matter how wealthy or poor) to have if they want to transact business of any type – from buying a container of milk to trading stocks. [N.B.  The UPC barcode does have a “version” of “666”: the first, middle and last “numbers” represented in the barcode are all “6.”)

This is why refusing the “mark of the beast” is one’s last opportunity to choose which “side” their on: Jesus’ or Satan’s.  Once a person accepts the “mark,” there is no turning back; there is no further opportunity to accept Christ.  It is the final choice to accept Christ and live “off the grid” - trusting in His promises to provide for your needs - or rejecting Christ completely, and accepting life under Satan’s terms.

Note that I am not making a moral judgment here.  I am simply explaining this issue from the Christian point of view.  As always, you are free to accept or reject it, and I love you no less.

Peace.