Others have suggested that the number 666 will only serve as a confirming equation after the Church has already solved the mystery. But this certainly seems rather anti-climatic. For if this is the case, what is the real purpose of this passage? Why is there such a strong command to discern this number?
There are other problems with this method as well. The oldest Biblical fragment that contains this passage, the Oxyrhynchus Papyri LVI 4499 does not have the number 666. Instead it has the number 616.
Figure 1 The newest volume of Oxyrhynchus (P.Oxy. LVI 4499). The earliest known witness to this particular section of the Book of Revelation (late third / early fourth century). The number—chi (hexakosiai - 600), iota (deka -10), stigma (hex - 6)—is in the third line of the fragment.
In his Against Heresies, Ireneaus mentions that he was aware of several texts of the Book of Revelation that contained the number 616 rather than 666. Irenaeus claimed that the presence of 616 was due to a scribal error. 1 Nevertheless, from this record, we know that the Oxyrhynchus fragment is more than a mere anomaly. Apparently the number 616 was commonly accepted in certain quarters of the early Church. Also, Irenaeus does not mention this one variant reading, but rather “various readings”—plural. Even in the early Church, there was more than one variant. Manuscript evidence also provides us with at least one early text where the number 665 is found instead of either 666 or 616. 2
Could it be possible that certain scribes viewed what were thought to be three Greek letters (Chi Xi Stigma), when in reality these were three squiggles or foreign symbols. Perhaps that is the reason they could not make up their minds as to which of the Greek letters these resemble?
One thing we know for certain, whatever this Gematriatic “number” is, it must also correlate with what we know about the Name of the Beast—its blasphemous anti-Yahweh and anti-Christ creed. If you accept all the evidence I presented regarding Islam being the Antichrist, then this symbol must be understood by the language of Islam—Arabic.
THROUGH EASTERN EYES—IT’S AN ISLAMIC CREED
As a former Muslim, I first noticed when reading these passages that they closely mirror certain customs of my people, who put badges on their foreheads and arms with blasphemous declarations scrawled on them with these very symbols. In fact they wear these badges with identical symbols in every Muslim demonstration or gathering. They do this in obedience to the Qur’an which spoke of the end days regarding the “beast of the earth” and how this beast will mark all Muslims on the forehead in order to distinguish them from non-Muslims. (Qur’an 27:82) This piece of information led me to believe that Islam is the missing link to this prophetic puzzle. Yet I needed to examine the text as far back as I could go. I expected to find an Islamic declaration of some sort. As soon as I began to examine the Codex Vaticanus (AD 350) Greek text of the Book of Revelation, I immediately noticed that the supposed Greek letters (Chi Xi Stigma) that are used to translate to the number 666 very much resemble the most common creed of Islam Bismillah (or Basmalah), written in Arabic. Bismillah literally means “In the Name of Allah,” and is followed by the symbol of crossed swords, which is used universally throughout the Muslim world to signify Islam.
The Basmalah is as follows:
bismi-llahi ar-rahmani ar-rahTmi
Keep in mind that Arabic is from right to left, let’s look at each word:
Bismi (Name of)
llah (Allah)
Only the first two words (Bism, Allah ) are necessary to constitute the Basmalah. Al-Rahman and Al-Raheem are generally added.
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 2 is from the Codex Vaticanus, A.D. 350 Bismillah (In the name of Allah) is clearly visible. The word “Allah” is at an upward angle and the two swords are clear. Allah written in an upward fashion should not be an issue. It is common since in many Islamic badges, banners, or coins such words are written sideways or would follow a circle of the crescent and such.
Image 3 is a coin from the Umayyad Muslim era with the word ‘Allah’ vertically as seen on the right, vertical ‘Allah’ can be seen on the left side of the coin, and is identical to what was written in Codex Vaticanus seen above the middle word in image 2, or the word seen in image 4.
Image 5
Image 6
Image 7
Arabic in Persian Script In the name of Allah (Bismillah) Most Gracious Most Merciful
Image 4, Bismillah with the word Allah is adjusted horizontally as Arabic would read.
Image 5 on the top line, we have arranged the actual words (from right to left) Bism (In the name of), then Allah followed by the crossed swords of Islam, taken from an Islamic emblem. Below them are the Greek letters Chi Xi Stigma. Notice the striking similarities between the letters, words, and symbols. Of course, the clearest resemblances are the name Allah and the Jihad symbol.
Image 6 Here we have placed the Greek Xi exactly as it appears in the Codex Vatanicus Manuscript next to a flipped Allah.
Image 5 to be compared with image 4, from right to left, the first word “Bism.”
Bismillah (In the name of Allah,) is the most commonly used phrase throughout all of Islamadom, even more than the declaration of faith itself—the Shahadatan. It is written or recited at the beginning of every letter, every ceremony, every speech, every sacred recitation, every Qur’anic chapter, and before the slaughter of any animal.
In light of this, is it possible that the Apostle John, while receiving his divine revelation, did not see Greek letters, but instead was supernaturally shown Arabic words and an Islamic symbol, which he then faithfully recorded?
Could it be that years after John recorded these images; scribes commissioned to copy the text were unable to recognize the foreign words and symbols and thus thought them to be Greek letters? Might this be why some texts record them differently?
Remember, the Biblical requirement that the Name and the symbol (mark) both fulfill the same meaning—the Name of Blasphemy, or the name of Allah. While the Name of the Beast is also the Name of Blasphemy, so this mark is a similarly blasphemous name and slogan—that of the god that will be worshipped by the final Antichrist Empire. If this is so, how would the English translation of Revelation 13:18 read?
First let’s look at how the translators have dealt with the verse. More than likely, it was transliterated word for word, and then ascribed the interpretation most logical for its context:
Hode
here
Esti
is
Sophia
wisdom
Echo
let him that
Nous
understanding
Psephizo
count/decide/reckon
Arithmos
the number/multitude
Therion
of the beast
Gar
for
Esti
it is
Arithmos
the number/multitude
Anthropos
of a man
Kai
and
Autos
his
Arithmos
number/multitude
Chi xi stigma
666 (Revelation 13:18)
Now consider the alternate translation that the Allah Theory could produce. The Greek word Psephizo, translated above as “count,” can also quite naturally mean “reckon” or “to decide.” Likewise, the Greek word Arithmos, translated above as “number” can also mean “an indefinite number or multitude,” “multitude” in the case of more than one, such as a multitude of people. With this in mind, consider the following translation, as it makes very good sense:
“Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding reckon (or decide, discern) the multitude of the beast, for it is the multitude of a man [that is, Mohammed and or the Mahdi-Antichrist] and his multitude [are identified through the following] ‘In the Name of Allah and the two swords (or Jihad).’”
In fact, at leas
t one translation has used a similar construct. The Restoration Scriptures True Name Edition, a commonly used Messianic Bible Version has translated this verse as: “And that no man might buy, or sell, except he had the mark, or the name of the beast, in their right hand, even the multitude who have his name.” (Revelation 13:17) These are a multitude of (Muslim) followers of a man (the Mahdi/Antichrist).
Reading the Messianic Restoration Bible makes very good sense. It seems to employ inductive application more accurately. The usage of “multitude” for people is in fact supported throughout Scripture. Compare this possible translation with the following passage concerning the multitude of the Beast: “And he Says unto me, the waters which thou saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” (Revelation 17:15)
The whore sitting on the beast controls the “multitudes,” which are peoples and nations who are part of the Beast Empire. Beyond this, according to the Book of Daniel, these “multitudes” will worship “a god of fortresses”—or more clearly, a god of war. Surely this is the best description that could be used to describe Allah, the god of Islam. Regarding Antichrist and his multitude (followers) Ezekiel also confirms, “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, Says the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 31:18)
Likewise, I am not surprised then to see many similarities between the symbols of the various Islamic Jihad groups and the symbols I have just highlighted as the identifying names and symbols of the Beast. The following banner of Islam is nothing new. It even includes the Shahadatan, which meets both requirements from the Bible for a mark and a name. The two swords with the Shahadatan have also been the mark of Islamic Jihad throughout the ages including Arabia where it originated from.
Hamas Emblem
As an interesting piece of trivia, even in lyrics of the rock-and-roll song Bohemian Rhapsody, “Bismillah” is used in connection with Beelzebub (Ba’al of the flies, or Lord of the flies). Beelzebub, according to Scripture, is another name for Satan. The lyrics of this song are:
But I’m just a poor boy and nobody loves me
He’s just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come easy go - will you let me go
Bismillah! No - we will not let you go - let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go - let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go - let me go
Will not let you go - let me go (never)
Never let you go - let me go
Never let me go
No, no, no, no, no, no, no -
Oh mama mia, mama mia, mama mia let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me…
Freddy Mercury, the author of this song, a homosexual and a Zoroastrian, adopted Bismillah from his Iranian heritage. But it is certainly interesting that he tied it to Satan and not Allah. In the song, Satan (Beelzebub) has assigned to him a devil that will not let him go.
Muslims do believe, in accordance with their prophet Mohammed that a devil is assigned to them and even has dwelt in every Muslim. Abu Tha’labah al-Khushani said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘The Jinn [devils] are of three types: a types that has wings, and they fly through the air; a type that looks like snakes and dogs; and a type that stops for a rest then resumes its journey.’“3 Allah’s Apostle said: “There is none amongst you with whom is not a legion from amongst the Jinn (devil). They (the Companions) said: Allah’s Apostle with you too? Thereupon he said: Yes, but Allah helps me against him and so I am safe from his hand and he does not command me but for good.”4
In the film Kingdom of Heaven, Saladin (Salahuddin) wears on his arms the badge of Islam “Bismillah,” with the words Al-Rahman Al-Rahim (most compassionate most merciful). The director of the movie was a stickler for historical accuracy. Muslims used to wear this symbol as a badge of identification. If one is looking for a literal name, “Bism” actually means “name.” If we are looking for the name for this Satan, “Allah” is definitely one—it fits both a creed and a literal name. Why must we spend endless hours trying to use some strange Hebrew numerology to try to figure out if someone’s name equals 666 when we already have a perfect fulfillment of the Mark of the Beast right before us?
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Unlocking The Mark Of The Beast
FIRST TEST THE SPIRITS
So what’s the danger in taking the mark? What is the problem of accepting Allah and Mohammed into your heart? Well, it’s eternal damnation. The choice is yours. If you are Muslim, this is your chance to come to Christ and be saved before this marking takes place.
Am I spreading fear? Sure I am. The same way that I scare my teenage children when I tell them that promiscuous sex can cause them to get AIDS. A monogamous marriage can save them from a lot of hell. Islam offers a deadly chalice filled with blasphemy. Muslims claim that faith in God requires us to utter the formula, “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His messenger.” First of all, the phrase has a major problem—the word “Allah.” The notion that Allah simply means “god” is an utter lie that is easy to refute. Allah can never simply mean “god”, even if it evolved from common usage in Arabic. Allah is the name of a deity just as Jehovah is a name of a different deity. The Arabic word for God is “Al-Ilah” (The God) or “Al-Rab” (The Lord). The fact that Allah is a name can be seen in viewing the most common phrase that is used by Muslims: “Bismillah” or “BismAllah”, which means “In the Name of Allah.” In many English Qur’ans, it is at the beginning of every chapter translated falsely as, “In the Name of God.” To test my claim here, that Allah can never mean God; the next time you run into a Muslim, ask him what must you do to convert to Islam. He will be elated of course, then will quickly respond: “Just utter the creed, there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His messenger.” Then ask him what “Allah” means. He will gladly say “God.” Then ask him, “If Allah simply means God, why then insist that I declare that ‘There is no God but Allah?’ Why cannot I simply say, ‘There is no God but God?’ Why must I utter this creed in Arabic?” Tell him that you insist in only uttering the phrase, “There is no God but God” He will insist that this is not acceptable for an Islamic conversion. Ask him, “Why? Doesn’t Allah after all simply mean God? Isn’t that what you just said? Checkmate—Jesus style.
Christians have no problem when one says of an evil person, “his God is the devil,” or, “David Koresh’s God must have been the devil.” Dare a Westerner to tell a “moderate” Muslim “Osama Bin Laden’s Allah is the devil.” Try it, but before you do, make sure you have your foot on the accelerator.
If the God Allah and the God Jehovah were the same, why all the Jihad expansion and wars against Christian nations, forcing people to choose the creed or the blade? Allah is the name of an imposter. Do not drink from his chalice, but partake from the cup of Christ. Make sure that your name is registered in the Book of Life.
THE MARK
The Greek word charagma, used for “mark” means “a stamp, an imprinted mark” (Strong’s 5480). So a follower of the Antichrist will have a stamp on some sort of material as a badge to be placed on the forehead or arm. In John’s time, the use for “charagma” was reserved for slaves in what was called a badge of servitude” (Strong’s 5482). So it’s a badge that declares slavery and ownership by the master and followers use it to demonstrate allegiance to this master. This would fit with Islam since according to Islamic theology, Muslims are “slaves of Allah.” Islam is the religion of submission.
These followers have an option to either place this badge of servitude on the foreheads or the arms. Western analysts think that the mark is placed on the hand. This is not necessarily the only spot. We know from the Greek word dexios, which could also be translated “right side”, “right arm” or “right shoulder”.
To become a Muslim (literally means submitter), one must confess the Shahadatan declaration to demonstrate allegiance and servitude to Allah and Mohammed. This submission is always c
ombined with commitment to fight the world: “Men, do you know what you are pledging yourselves to in swearing allegiance to this man? ‘Yes. In swearing allegiance to him we are pledging to wage war against all mankind’” (Ishaq: 204). “We are steadfast trusting Him. We have a Prophet by whom we will conquer all men” (Ishaq: 471). “In faith I do not fear the army of fate. He gave us the blood of their best men to drink when we led our army against them. We are a great army with a pungent smell. And we attack continuously, wherever our enemy is found” (Ishaq: 574).
This mentality can be observed in many of the arm badges and headbands they wear. These items contain Islamic mottos, creeds, words, and symbols which fulfill Scripture’s mandate. Often on the forehead the bands worn read: “No god but Allah, Mohammed is his messenger.” Another favorite is the crescent of Islam included with “The Islamic Organization.” These all fulfill the blasphemous nature of the Mark of the Beast.
ISLAM FORCES THE BADGE ON FOREHEADS
Amazingly, and in keeping perfectly with what the Bible predicted so long ago regarding the beast and his mark, the badge is in fact an Islamic commandment from the prophet himself: “Allah will save a man from my nation above all creation on Judgment Day. In front of him will be laid 99 registers for his sins. Every register is as long as the eye can see. Then he is asked, ‘Do you deny any of these?’ Then he says, ‘No O Lord.’ Then he is asked, ‘Do you have any excuse?’ He responds, ‘No Lord,’ Then he is told, ‘You have but one good deed and there will be no condemnation for you today’. A badge is brought forth. Scrolled across it are the words: ‘No God but Allah, and Mohammed is His messenger.’ Then he is asked to bring forth his deeds. He asks, O Lord, what is this badge that is with these registers?’ He is told, ‘You will receive no condemnation.’ The deeds are put on one hand, and the badge in the other. Then the registers will float and the badge will outweigh the registers” (Tirmuthi 2639).
God's War on Terror: Islam, Prophecy and the Bible Page 46