[218 words]
The number 666 is ominous. It strikes fear and trepidation into many. People do not want to be associated with it, like the high school cross-country runner in Lexington, Kentucky. Codie Thacker refused to wear the number tag in the regionals and forfeited her chance to qualify for the state meet. She said, “I didn’t want to risk my relationship with God.”
While I admire her faith, courage and commitment, she is following and believing a myth which has been falsely taught for a long time. In Revelation 13:11, a beast comes out of the earth showing its human origin. It has horns like a lamb—an innocent look. This is religious Rome in the first century which promoted emperor worship. The number of the beast is 666. The original states it is the number of man (kind), not a man. The article “a” is not in the original. This again merely shows the beast is of human origin. Man(kind) (humans) fall short of God’s 7, perfection. If you live in a house or apartment with that number, or wear that number in a race, you do not run the risk of ruining your relationship with God. All humans carry that number metaphorically because we fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).
Rick Laing
Highland Village church of Christ
Austin,TX