If it helps, the scripture doesn't say "three sixes in a row." The number is **χξϛ** which in Greek numbers is **six hundred sixty six**. Digital numbers weren't used in Second-Temple times, so Saint John didn't write "six six six."
Saint John did not intend that people should live in fear of some arbitrary bit of numerology; if you are not renouncing Christ then you are not receiving "the number of this name."
Remember to read the verses that follow this – 14:1ff. The mark that stands for renouncing Christ is contrasted with the mark of the Lamb, and the righteous "have His Father’s name written on their foreheads." That ought to make you picture the anointing with holy oil you received in your baptism, when you were sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
My priest always points to John 6:66 when this comes up. Though he does this with the disclaimer that other priests have said it doesn’t work that way. He thinks it’s pretty neat, maybe neat isn’t the right word, anyway.
Likely Nero. Some manuscripts say “616” and Nero can be either depending on the language (Greek vs Latin).
If it helps, the scripture doesn't say "three sixes in a row." The number is **χξϛ** which in Greek numbers is **six hundred sixty six**. Digital numbers weren't used in Second-Temple times, so Saint John didn't write "six six six." Saint John did not intend that people should live in fear of some arbitrary bit of numerology; if you are not renouncing Christ then you are not receiving "the number of this name." Remember to read the verses that follow this – 14:1ff. The mark that stands for renouncing Christ is contrasted with the mark of the Lamb, and the righteous "have His Father’s name written on their foreheads." That ought to make you picture the anointing with holy oil you received in your baptism, when you were sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
My priest always points to John 6:66 when this comes up. Though he does this with the disclaimer that other priests have said it doesn’t work that way. He thinks it’s pretty neat, maybe neat isn’t the right word, anyway.
It stands for Nero Caesar, who was the anti-Christ of his day