666-The Mark of the Beast

[Steve Billiter]

The traditional interpretation of this verse has come under attack by SDA theologians and of course the Papacy

Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that has 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.

If anyone does not know what this verse mans and wants to know, keep reading!

Is now under direct attack from the papacy, and theologians from our own church. Does anyone wonder why?

Ordeal of the Sifting Time.--Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out--the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place.

None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. . . . The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy (Letter 55, 1886). {7BC 911.6}

I accept your challenge. I would like to offer my article at http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/666.htm in response. I personally have Lucius Ferraris' Prompta Bibliotheca, 1858 Paris edition, a Catholic theological encyclopedia, in which the title VICARIUS FILII DEI appears in volume 5, column 1828, under "PAPA" (Pope), "Article II." I have scanned the item and it appears in my article. Prompta Bibliotheca, according to the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia, is "a veritable encyclopedia of religious knowledge" and "will ever remain a precious mine of information" and is quoted frequently as an authoritative Catholic source.

Vicarius Filii Dei also appeared repeatedly in Catholic canon law for hundreds of years (Anselm's, Cardinal Deusdedit's, and Gratian's Decretum also known as Concordia Discordantium Canonum), in quotes of the Donation of Constantine which contained the title and was considered authentic by the Church for many hundreds of years, having been cited by as many as 10 Popes as proof of their temporal authority. One 1879 edition of Corpus Juris Canonici containing VICARIUS FILII DEI is presented in my article.

In "Crossing The Threshold of Hope", by Pope John Paul II: First Chapter: "The Pope": A Scandal and a Mystery, page 3, you will find:

"The Pope is considered the man on earth who represents the Son of God, who "takes the place" of the Second Person of the omnipotent God of the Trinity".

If you directly translate "represents the Son of God" into Latin, the official language of the Church, you get "Vicarius Filii Dei".

In my article I present the above and other evidence to show conclusively that VICARIUS FILII DEI is not a fraud, and that it was indeed used by the Catholic Church for well over 600 years. In fairness, I have included a link to your article from mine so that my readers can see a Catholic viewpoint on the matter. If you are so sure that VICARIUS FILII DEI is a fabrication, then I challenge you, in reciprocal fairness, to include a link to my article from yours to show the historical evidence to your readership.

(I have posted this email to you on my initial web index page and will be happy to append any response of yours to it.)

Respectfully,

Michael Scheifler

[pnattmbtc]

What's the SDA Bible Commentary say regarding 666? (I don't know. I'm curious).

[John317]

...I personally have Lucius Ferraris' Prompta Bibliotheca, 1858 Paris edition, a Catholic theological encyclopedia, in which the title VICARIUS FILII DEI appears in volume 5, column 1828, under "PAPA" (Pope), "Article II." I have scanned the item and it appears in my article. Prompta Bibliotheca, according to the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia, is "a veritable encyclopedia of religious knowledge" and "will ever remain a precious mine of information" and is quoted frequently as an authoritative Catholic source.

Vicarius Filii Dei also appeared repeatedly in Catholic canon law for hundreds of years (Anselm's, Cardinal Deusdedit's, and Gratian's Decretum also known as Concordia Discordantium Canonum), in quotes of the Donation of Constantine which contained the title and was considered authentic by the Church for many hundreds of years, having been cited by as many as 10 Popes as proof of their temporal authority. One 1879 edition of Corpus Juris Canonici containing VICARIUS FILII DEI is presented in my article.

In "Crossing The Threshold of Hope", by Pope John Paul II: First Chapter: "The Pope": A Scandal and a Mystery, page 3, you will find:

"The Pope is considered the man on earth who represents the Son of God, who "takes the place" of the Second Person of the omnipotent God of the Trinity".

If you directly translate "represents the Son of God" into Latin, the official language of the Church, you get "Vicarius Filii Dei"...

Respectfully,

Michael Scheifler

If this is all true, it is very important information. I will be sure to check it out thoroughly.

[John317]

What's the SDA Bible Commentary say regarding 666? (I don't know. I'm curious).

It concludes a long commentary on the history and significance of the number 666 with the words, "Whether the inscription Vicarius Filii Dei appears on the tiara or the mitre is really beside the point. The title is admittedly applied to the pope, and that is sufficient for the purposes of the prophecy." On Rev. 13: 18.

The above was published in the SDA Bible Commentary in 1955.

[Guest]

Excellent

[karl]

From another thread that, I think, inspired this one.

What do we lose by not using the 666 to prove the identity of the little-horn power? I think that the evidence is so strong without it, that we don't need to use it at this time. Also, is it possible that the relationship between the 666 and the papacy will be made more clear to us in the future?

It's probably best to admit that there is a problem with the proof regarding the tiara and then explain that there's no doubt that one of the pope's titles is "Vicar of the Son of God." I would show that the 666 is just one among about 11 identifying marks, and that together-- apart from the 666-- they prove the identity of the little-power power.

I agree, J317. "I think that the evidence is so strong without it [666], that we don't need to use it at this time." Let's think about this in love for those in the Catholic church. If it is extremely difficult for them, using common sources, to verify what we say about 666 and its relation to the tiara, some of them are likely to throw out the entire concept because they have been unable to verify this one statement out of all we present to them.

Also, I believe we ought to identify the papacy as the main manifestation of antichrist since the fourth century AD, but not as THE antichrist. The Bible says there are many antichrists.

Little stuff like this can make a big difference to a Catholic who has trusted the pope as the infallible mouthpiece of God his whole life.

[jasd]

QR frame:

Would that all Xtians exhibit such fervency in proclaiming the name of Gd. Are Xtians, or are they not – sons of the living Gd?

Does not the .Org embrace the fact that Xtians ought to represent the Son of Gd?

Re 666: I’m surprised that some of those who most rail against proof-texting should become so enamored of a narrow interpretation of Writ – as to fail to practice their oft-recurring admonition to exegete by context.

There are two passages in Writ that address 666 – one directly and one not so directly – both referencing gold. (what do y’all know about monatomic gold?)

The above stated, that is not to say that a Black Pope, or equivalent, could/would not sometime future seize control of the RCC. When that happens, there is small likelihood

that the other .orgs will escape.

The foregoing is stated bearing in mind the prophecies which indicate that Rome (and the Church) will fall to Islam – sooner, rather than later.

Moreover, antichrist is found in Writ to be used as multiples...

(the number of EGW is also 666)

Say what!? --Pogo

[John317]

(the number of EGW is also 666)

Please show how this is. I have heard of it but would like to see how it is done.

The number 666 is meaningless by itself. It is just one of about 11 identifying marks of the little-horn power. The prophecy requires that this power fulfill all of them, and there is only one which does this.

[jasd]

Oh, John17, you've seen it posted on these boards as often as I.

One might wanna oughta first be certain of the 'identity' of the "little-horn power", yes? before getting ahead of the exposition, which includes wresting the book of Daniel...

Oh, okay, it's an old saw - yet, a true saw, yes?

[Robert]

This isn't that complicated. First, as you guys know, the book of Revelation is highly symbolic. Secondly, you can't always take it literally.

So here's why I understand it to mean:

In the Bible the number 7 stands for perfection. For example, before the fall the Sabbath of creation symbolized God's perfect and complete work. He didn't need to rest because He wasn't tired. He rested because nothing could be added to His perfect and sinless creation. His rest was eternal, until the fall....

But my point is that the number 7 in the Bible symbolizes perfection while 6 is imperfection.

You are either perfect "in Christ", hence 777, or you imperfect by your attempts to gain heaven. Hence 666.

All legalistic systems are symbolically 666. Yes, especially the papacy.

[phkrause]

This isn't that complicated. First, as you guys know, the book of Revelation is highly symbolic. Secondly, you can't always take it literally.

So here's why I understand it to mean:

In the Bible the number 7 stands for perfection. For example, before the fall the Sabbath of creation symbolized God's perfect and complete work. He didn't need to rest because He wasn't tired. He rested because nothing could be added to His perfect and sinless creation. His rest was eternal, until the fall....

But my point is that the number 7 in the Bible symbolizes perfection while 6 is imperfection.

You are either perfect "in Christ", hence 777, or you imperfect by your attempts to gain heaven. Hence 666.

All legalistic systems are symbolically 666. Yes, especially the papacy.

Robert you make a very good point.

I've thought about that and it seems that 777 represents the Holy Godhead and the 666 represents the unholy Godhead. Have also heard this from a few professors that go to my SS class. I think this is a very interesting thought and makes sense.

pk