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Revelation 13:17, “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
The word for "mark" used here is charagma or brand. In ancient writings, generally known as the Papyri, charagma is always connected with the Emperor, and sometimes contains his name and effigy, along with the year of his reign. It was necessary for buying and selling. It is found on all sorts of documents, making them valid; and there are many on "bills of sale." Charagmais therefore the official seal; and this brand will be received by the great majority rather than suffer the torture of a violent death.
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”
Now, the words here imply that the calculation is possible but difficult. The task is generally undertaken on the assumption that the problem is to be solved by Gematria, in other words, by reckoning (after the manner of the Hebrews and Greeks, who had not Arabic numerals) a letter as being put for the corresponding number for which it stood. But this is enumeration, not computation; and the vast number of names which have been thus formed forbid us either to increase the number, or to select from it. We believe the clue is to be found in the statement that it is "man's number."
Now, three is the Divine number. Seven is the number of the Spirit. Eight is the Dominical number, and so on. But Six (with its multiples) is peculiarly man's number. It is first mentioned in connection with man, for man was created on the sixth day. Six, therefore, is to man what the "hall-mark" is to silver. It is man's hall-mark; stamping everything which it is used in connection with as pertaining to man. The great defiers of God have been so stamped this way. Goliath was six cubits in height, his spear's head weighed six shekels, and he had six pieces of armor.
Nebuchadnezzar's Image was sixty cubits in height, and six cubits wide; and six instruments of music summoned its worshipers.
The number 666 has, moreover, another remarkable property. It is marked by the triple concentration or essence of six, being the sum of all the numbers which make up the square of six. The square of six is 36; and if you add, 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8, etc., all the way up to 36, it equals 666.
But the great significance of this number is seen when we remember that the secret symbol of the great ancient Pagan mysteries was SSS or 666; and that even today it is the secret connecting link between them and their revival in Spiritism and Theosophy which aim at the union of all religions in one.
The number 666 is expressed in the Greek by the following letters. The first “Chi”, pronounced “KEE” stands for 600, the second, “Xi”, pronounced “ZEE”, for 60, and the third, “Stigma” for 6. Now, the Stigma is not a real letter, but was a mark invented by the Greeks to represent 6. They called it stigma, and it is not without significance that, as associated with man, the word has come to be used in a bad sense.
Stigma is a sign usually made on the body, especially on the forehead and hands, by branding or puncturing, such as on slaves, soldiers, and so on. It was especially used as a symbol of the god whom they served (Leviticus 19:28; Leviticus 21:5; and Deuteronomy 14:1), and was supposed to be protective. This explains the use of the word in Galatians 6:17. The Apostle Paul regarded his wounds and scars received in the service of his Lord and God as not only being marks of his servitude, but marks implying that he was under God's protection. (Also take a look at Isaiah 49:16, Ezekiel 9:4, Exodus 13:9-16). Therefore he says, beware how you trouble me! (this explains why he uses the word "for") Take a look also at Revelation 14:1; Revelation 7:2; and Revelation 9:4.
Food for thought...Chi=600, Xi=60, stigma=6. “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).
Greek and Hebrew do not have separate numbering systems. Each letter of the Alphabet has a numerical value, so that numbers are written with letters. "Six hundred threescore and six,"
is written in the New Testament Greek with the letters, Chi, Xi, and Stigma. The Greek Chi-Xi-Stigma is Six Hundred, Sixty and Six. It is also an acrostic abbreviation for the crucifix. Acrostic means that each of the number/letters is the initial letter of a word or phrase. Like an Acronym. The three Greek letters of the acrostic, in Revelation 13:18, need to be deciphered. Each letter is an initial in the cryptic abbreviation. The number 666, besides being the number of the Beast, is also an acronym describing an idol (abomination) or image of the Beast. Scripture says this image would be given a spirit (Revelation 13:15).
600 = Chi = khee = Christos = Christ; 60 = Xi = ksee = xulon = cross; +6 = Stigma = st = Stigma = pierced, puncturing, nailed through the hands.
Therefore, 666 = Christ-cross-pierced (image of Christ on cross = crucifix)
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
