Antichrist 666

"Here is a puzzle that calls for careful thought to solve it.  Let those who are able, interpret this code: the numerical values of the letters of his name add to 666!" Revelation 13:18

If there has been one mysterious verse in prophecy that has captured the minds and imaginations of thousands of Bible students, scholars and teachers throughout the centuries, it is the prediction of a coming Antichrist and his number 666!  When God hides the meaning no man can know it, but when His hand is removed all men can see it, if they desire.

God has revealed a straight-forward warning through His prophet John.  God is "declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done," Isaiah 46:10.  

The English language is one of the most widely used tongues around the globe.  However, at the writing of Revelation the English dialect and its alphabetic symbols were yet to be created.  Nonetheless, God could look through the portals of time to the 21st century, knowing full details including Antichrist's name and the letter values that would add to 666.  

By God's design, more Scriptures have been printed and distributed in English than any other language, and by this tongue His prophetic warnings ("the testimony of Jesus Christ," Revelation 1:1-2) and the gospel of the kingdom will reach around the globe, then the end would come (Matthew 24:14).  

The cryptogram is skillfully woven into the verse itself, and the mysterious code is found in the final number: 666.  What do we find?  The repeating or multiples of 6 is clue to the alphabetical values which would be used to decipher this ancient secret. To break the code, one must assign to the 26 letters in the English alphabet accumulative values in multiples of 6 starting with A: 1X6, then B: 2X6, then C: 3X6, etc.).  

Here's how the values would be designated:

A = 6                         N = 84

B = 12                       O = 90

C = 18                       P = 96

 D = 24                       Q = 102

 E = 30                       R = 108

 F = 36                       S = 114

 G = 42                       T = 120

 H = 48                       U = 126

 I = 54                        V = 132

 J = 60                       W = 138

K = 66                        X = 144

L = 72                        Y = 150

M = 78                        Z = 156

The following name is given as an example.  The letters of this last name add up to 666.

                                                                                L      72

                                                                                U    126

                                                                                S    114

                                                                                T    120

                                                                                I       54

                                                                                G      42

                                                                                E      30

                                                                                R    108

                                                                                       666

The alphabetic values are understood.  The potential candidate must also fulfill the ethnic, political and religious criteria as found in the Bible for the identity of Antichrist. For an example, see here.

Here is how prophecy portrays his rise to power, according to Revelation 13:3-8:  “One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound [nuclear attack from Russia], but the fatal wound had been healed [through demonic miracles]. “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?”  The beast [Antichrist] was given a mouth [by Satan] to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months [1,260 days]… He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.”  Lucifer will give Antichrist and his political stronghold “his power and his throne and great authority” through many deceitful miracles.  Men, women and children will feel compelled to worship him.  His supernatural awakening and rise to power will be an overwhelming temptation to the masses: “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness,” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).

Antichrist (meaning, "opposing-messiah") has not yet taken his role, and will not do so until Satan delivers him to the masses.  Over the course of time, Antichrist's identity will become clear as the latter days come upon us and the appointed time spoken of by the prophets begins. God will judge Antichrist's wrongs.  Vengeance is His alone. 

Catholic Views of the End-Times

Catholic end-time doctrine, as recorded on the internet, may offer Bible students insight into the rise of a future pope---and Antichrist, outside of Rome, possibly from the country of France:

In the book, The Keys Of This Blood, published back in1990 by Dr. Malachi Martin, theologian, former Jesuit and professor at the Vatican's Pontificate Biblical Institute and devote Catholic, the author wrote that John Paul II (before his death) foresaw great disaster looming on the horizon, and that Russia would be the primary instigator of tragedy.  Furthermore, that John Paul "is waiting ... for an event that will fission human history, splitting the immediate past from the oncoming future.  It will be an event on public view in the skies, in the oceans, and on the continental landmasses of this planet. It will particularly involve our human sun, which every day lights up and shines upon the valleys, the mountains and the plains of this earth for our eyes.  But on the day of this event, it will not appear merely as the master star of our so-called solar system.  Rather, it will be seen as the circumambient glory of the Woman [whom Catholicism interprets to be the Virgin Mary] whom the apostle describes as 'clothed with the sun' and giving birth to 'a child who will rule the nations with a scepter of iron' ... his ministry as the Servant of the Grand Design will then begin ... he claim[s] the authority and the duty to advise, admonish and exhort all men, regardless of creed, race or ideology, on their duties to God and their due place in God's Grand Design for the society of nations," pages 639, 641.

Dr. Martin continues, "The Fatima message... predicts that a catastrophic change will shortly shatter any plans or designs that men may have established.  This is the era of the Fatima... This is why John Paul is waiting.  God must first intervene, before John Paul's ministry to all men can start. In [his] outlook, therefore, the Grand Design of which he is the nominated Servant is the design of divine providence to recall men to the values that derive on from belief, from religion and from divine revelation.  His is an unpleasant message and, for the moment, a thankless job.  He has to warn his contemporaries of his conviction that human catastrophe on a world scale--according to his information--is impending," pages 656-657.

Because of John Paul's own Marian vision in exact repetition of the miraculous vision recorded to have occurred at the hamlet of Fatima in Portugal, on October 13, 1917, Dr. Martin wrote that John Paul  "turned more and more intently to prayer.  Prayer, especially, to Mary as the geopolitical hope ... of the world.  Because, he was now sure, Mary had saved him from intended death in St. Peter's Square that May 13--the official feast day of Mary as Our Lady of Fatima," (page 626).  He believed that Mary had called him to a great mission.  Although John Paul, when he was alive, believed he was to be the "child who [would] rule the nations" and to lead the society of nations, he did not fulfill his vision as the moral and spiritual leader of mankind.  Such work will be given to another, in his time, and with him the great errors of Catholic paganism which include the pope's infallibility, purgatory, the Eucharist, the rosary, the worship of the dead, worship of Mary, plus other cultic religious activities that are contrary to the Word of God.  

However, Pope John Paul's relentless pursuit in worldwide travel and public addresses, and his outspoken devotion to Mary, brought the Papacy and Marian worship to the forefront of minds everywhere.  As a government, the Holy See has gained greater world influence through John Paul's untiring efforts--a cause he believed was worthy of his busy traveling schedule.  

It is regretful that any human being--pope, priest, minister or rabbi--would blaspheme the Scriptural identity of the "child" in Revelation 12, who could be no other than the divine Jesus Christ himself--the true Savior and ruler of mankind.

The Catholic Prophecy from St. Malachy

According to Catholic sources, St. Malachy, (d. 1148) Irish Bishop and Seer, produced an accurate list of future popes which began with Pope Celestine II in the year 1143. His list consists of a single line which gives a clue to the characteristics of each pope. From this list of 112 popes there are to be just two (2) more after Pope John Paul II, who passed away on April 2, 2005.  According to Catholic sources, his predictions regarding the popes have been accurate regarding the identifying characteristics. St. Malachy doesn't give any predictions or information about what happens after the last  pope. According to some other Catholic seers, we will have arrived at the end times.  The current pope, Benedict XVI, is the 111th pope.  According to many sources, Malachy made only 111 predictions so that John Paul II's successor, "Gloria Olivae" [current Pope Benedict XVI] should be the final pope. It appears the Benedictines devised pope 112 to dissociate their order from the "Beast".  The last pope is to reign, "in extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman, who will feed the sheep through many tribulations, at the term of which the city of seven hills (Rome) will be destroyed, and the formidable Judge will judge the people. The End."  Is the 112th pope the Antichrist foretold in prophecy?  The author of this website believes it is very likely.  This 867 year old prophecy will very shortly either come true or prove to be a fraud. Up to this point, it has been deadly accurate.  To see the list leading up to the possible last pope, click here. Also: Benedict XVI Is the Second-to-Last Pope, Says Irish Prophet Malachy, September 5, 2009.

What does Bible Prophecy Predict?

Indeed, disaster on a worldwide scale is impending (Matthew 24:6-8) and the Russian Bear will be one of the key instigators of human tragedy--destroying three countries in Western Europe (Daniel 7:5, 8).  However, these predictions were penned over 2,000 years ago in the prophecies of Daniel, and again hinted in the book of Revelation, and are not new or divine divinations received from the Virgin Mary.  

Demonic apparitions often speak sacred words to engage the religious heart of man, but only for the purposes of deception.  Demons even speak of Jesus and His love, but then add to this devotion to the immaculate heart of Mary, spiritualism and many other deceptions.  These ghostly images, as seen by thousands from all faiths and nationalities in hundreds of locations around the globe, in the end promote goddess worship and perilous teachings.  Her words, although sweet to the ear, contradict the clear teachings of Holy Writ.  The people of God must know the testimony of Jesus, for truth will be mixed with error.  In the last days, error will be adored and the truth of God's Word ignored, and the whole world will wonder after the beast.  

The Papal Antichrist, highly intelligent and artful in words and conversation (Daniel 7:20; Ezekiel 28:1-10, will no doubt call for a return to conservative values which will intrigue the religious masses around the globe.  Many individuals long for the right to life and a nation of people who live by Christian ideals and the Ten Commandments.  Nevertheless, Antichrist's heart will be against the Holy Covenant (Daniel 11:28) as given to God's people at Mt. Sinai, and Sunday laws will likely be enacted that will require first day observance as the Sabbath.  Protestant America may be among the first to join in this crusade of change, stretching arm across the ocean to clasp hands with Rome. 

No matter the terrible state of affairs worldwide, Christianity cannot be legislated or demanded of others, but must of necessity be voluntary.  The great commission says to teach, not demand.  Jesus did not use government to promote the kingdom of God, but government used and abused Jesus.  Government must not be used to establish a worldwide religion or preside over religious conviction.  The Dark Ages attest to the evils of Christianity backed by laws and the state. 

However, Satan will stir up international strife and will unleash nuclear disasters.  This, with nature's wrath, will bring mankind--Jew and Gentile alike--to the brink of annihilation;  then the world will be taken captive (Revelation 13:8) by Satanic visions and miracles.  The Queen of Heaven will be exalted as Queen Esther was at Purim when she saved the Jews of old, and the worldwide demonic deception will overtake the planet.  On the heels of church and state intervention may come the required reverence of idols (Revelation 13:14-15) and the worship of demons who seemingly bring them to life (Revelation 9:20), even though prophecy warns in advance that idols of gold, silver and stone neither see, nor hear, nor walk.  

These new laws will place the lives of Jews and Christians of various faiths at risk who hold to the Ten Commandments (Revelation 12:17).  The seventh day Sabbath was given as a gift by God to all mankind in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:2-3), and included in the Ten Commandments written by the hand of God in stone (Exodus 20:8-11), declared unalterable and valid until the end of the age by Jesus Himself (Matthew 5:17-18), and seen as the standard by which all of mankind will be judged in the final days at the parting of the veil into the Most Holy on the Day of Atonement (Revelation 11:19).

In summary... there is a Catholic teaching that before the great climax of human history a righteous Pope will first rule the world, turning many to Christianity, followed by an evil Pope or Antichrist who would emerge to fulfill the apocalyptic predictions of Revelation.  

Of course, this teaching is not found in God's prophetic Word but in tradition.  The Bible reveals that only one man will rule the world other than Christ; that he would at first "come in [Christ's] name," declaring that Jesus "is Christ" (Matthew 24:5), but at the end of his days would enter onto the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) and declare himself "God".  His abomination will be complete, and God's patience exhausted.  He is the Wicked One.  

Views from Other Sources

In Jewish commentaries, the legendary name given to the antichrist is Armilus.  It is written...

"This Armilus will deceive the whole world into believing he is God and will reign over the whole world. He will come with ten kings and together they will fight over Jerusalem...Armilus will banish Israel 'to the wilderness' and it will be a time of unprecedented distress for Israel; there will be increasing famine, and the Gentiles will expel the Jews from their lands, and they will hide in caves and towers...God will war against the host of Armilus...and there will be a great deliverance for Israel and the kingdom of Heaven will spread over all the earth." (Encyclopedia Judaica)

In the book, Search of Temple Treasures by Randall Price, he wrote, "Other references further describe Armilus as arising from the Roman empire, having miraculous powers, and being born to a stone statue of a virgin (which is why he is called "the son of stone"). It is also interesting that he makes this statue "the chief of all idolatry" with the result that "all the Gentiles will bow down to her, burn incense and pour out libations to her."

More details about Jewish belief in Armilus online: The End of History—Messiah Conspiracy, The False Messiah Armilus Equals Antichrist

Men of Faith in the Past Who Believed a Pope Would Someday Become Antichrist

These faithful men of faith from times past all held the doctrine that the Church of Rome and the Pope is the Antichrist prophesied in Scripture.

From the Reformation

Huss, Wycliffe, Luther, Melancthon, Zwingli, Calvin, Beza, Bucer, Knox, Ferrar, Hooper, Latimer, Ridley, Cranmer, Ussher, Firth, Barnes, Philpot, Becon, Turner, Cartwright, Barrow, Jewel, Coverdale, Lord Cobham, Hooker, Ainsworth, Dent, Foxe, Fulke, Bradford, Bullinger, Rogers, Hutchinson, Whitgift, Sir Francis Drake and a host of others.

Post-Reformation Personalities

Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Henry Vane, Brightman, Milton, Beard, Baxter, Bishop Newton, John Bunyan, Fleming, Wesley, Matthew Henry, Jonathan Edwards, Gill, Clarke, Trapp, Brown, Toplady, Pool, Clarkson, Swimmock, Brooks, Chamock, Sibbs, Goodwin, Owen, Hall, Cunningham, Manton, Smith, Adams, Perkins, Gilpin, Field, Durham, Willet, Rainolds, Cotton, Gauge, Burroughs, Carter, Ames, Bridge, Marshall, Potter, Thomas Fuller, Twisse, Keith, Hales, Chalmers, Spurgeon, Wylie, Elliott, Cumming, Goode, Ryle, Candlish, Albert Bames, Wordsworth, Birks, Hislop, A. J. Gordon often called the Father of Fundamentalism, Moody, Hudson Taylor, Guinness, Salmond, Dinsdale Young, Horn, Close, T. T. Shields, Kensit, Baron Porceli and a host of others.

Other Sources:

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