Why Are We So Anxious About 666 But Do Not Worry About Our Bad Way of Life?

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

One day, a woman showed to me a depiction in a pen, and asked me inquisitively, “Is this not the sign of satan’s number, 666”? Somebody told her that it was. I smilingly replied, “This pen is nice, I don’t think so”. That incident stimulated me to write this article. Thanks to her.

There is a joke that the devils are annoyed with humans because we blame them excessively. Frequently, in the Bible camps, many express their wish that Adam and Eve had not eaten the forbidden fruit. They ruefully ask why God didn’t thwart Adam and Eve. I used to jokingly respond, if we were there, we might have eaten even the leaves, the branches and the entire tree. These words used to evoke laughter. To a great extent, we misapprehend evil. Apparently, there is a mystery about evil. I don’t have all the answers. But, we have certain wrong notions of evil.

I used to be deeply engrossed in ruminating about 666. Seemingly, it’s the number many dread. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, there are theologians who are not apprehensive about it. For them, it is not something which will occur in the future, but it had already happened. In fact, reading the book of Revelation with only futurist perspective is one of our limitations. Revelation does not indeed record only about the future. The writer, John, compared the spiteful rulers of his day with the beasts and dragons. This style of writing was prevalent in other ancient writings. We learn that John borrowed the ideas from them. However, my intention is not to expound how we should read the book of revelation. But, considering that Revelation 13 is about a brutal ruler in Rome in the past (In verse 1, seven heads signify seven hills – Rome is a city of seven hills), these group of theologians are not actually bothered.

Though Revelation 13 talks about an episode in the past, it has been argued that this particular verse (18) which mentions 666 is a futurist one. Some strongly assert and promulgate that it is unmistakably about a future episode. I don’t intend to dig out the meaning of 666 and make it crystal clear here. Whether it had happened or yet to transpire my concern and question is why we are so fretful. As I deeply ponder, I realize that it stems from the fact that our idea of evil is flawed. Many youngsters often bemoan that if Eve and Adam had not committed sin, we would be enjoying today. The problem lies here.

We think that we do evil deeds because we are tempted by satan. One logical question needs to be asked: If there is no satan or devil and no temptation, could we commit sin or do evil things? Yes, we are not machines. We normally think and say that we are specially created by God and consider that Lucifer and the fallen angels are awful. We think as though Lucifer and the fallen angels were not specially created. We ask lot of questions about God allowing satan to tempt and attack us, but we hardly contemplate and question why we are like the fallen angels in thinking and doing evil. We hate satan. We don’t want evil. But, why do we always desire good and do evil? Why do we always hate evil and think evil? And sadly, we think the devil is responsible for it. This is one of the biggest problems of Christians. We intensely wish Adam and Eve had not eaten the forbidden fruit, but we do not feel sorry that we have been living wicked life all these years. This is our problem.

We have been producing evils relentlessly and we see only the evil of satan. We blame satan for our evil actions. If ungodly people talk about evil, it is not wrong in saying that it’s a discussion about evil by evil beings. Evil was not created. It is not a substance which can be created. Lucifer was a good being. Disobedience breeds evil. When we disobey, evil is generated. We greatly disobey God and we think if there is no temptation or satan, we would be good. This is farcical.

Evil things cannot create any good thing. Evil produces evil. It leads to destruction. Our bad life and actions will ruin us. But if we are Godly, He will be with us, protect us and guide us. So, why do we worry about 666? Evil things come from our heart (Matthew 15:19). Jesus said this. At times, some people try to chase all the devils away from a house or colony or village, and amusingly, thereafter, they think that they would be good or free from evil. I’m not arguing that chasing evil spirit is wrong. I don’t deny the existence of evil spirit, but the belief that if evil spirits are chased out we would be from evil is a fallacy. For an ‘evil box’ is in ‘human heart’. Why do we dread so much about satan who can torture us but do not worry about our evil deeds which rebel God and demolish us? If God relents from helping us, satan could torment us. Thus, ultimately trouble and agony is caused by us.

I think it’s reasonable to worry about our evil actions more than the number 666. Our inability to live a good life and do good deeds is as problematic as the presence of evil on earth. The wish that ‘if evil does not exist, life would be good’, is like wishing, ‘If I do not exist, I would be good’. We often do the evil things which we don’t want. “We question why Lucifer was proud and conceive evil thoughts in heaven: Lucifer might ask why humans are like me”. When we watch a football match, we dislike the team or the players who are unruly and undisciplined. We even detest our favorite players when they are rude in the field and play rough game. Like we want them to be gentle, polite and cool in the football ground, if we have that same intensity of desire to change our bad habits and qualities, I believe we would become better human beings.  

Cigarette is not good for health; smoking cigarette kills. But, cigarette is not evil. Many surmise that if satan does not exist, we would be good: It is like a dirty man wanting his neighbor to maintain cleanliness.

Liba Hopeson