666 - The Number of the Beast - The Number of Solomon?

In this video I look at the meaning of the number of the beast: 666.

Twitter: @johnbhiggins

Coinbase

| How to Learn to Read the Bible as Literary Art |

| Literary Structure |

| Genesis |

| Transcription |
Greg Beale has a great article on The Gospel Coalition Blog about Why Is the Number of the Beast 666 in Revelation 13:18. I wholeheartedly agree with everything he says there but think that there is a layer that's missing.
Whenever you are interpreting a text, you should always look to the closest connections first. The number "666" occurs with three people: Solomon (1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13), the returned exiles (Ezra 2:13), and the beast (Rev. 13:18).
Given how specific and rare this number is, it seems that John is alluding to one of the two of these OT references and I believe the allusion is to Solomon's 666.
1 Kings 10:14 states,
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold
This may seem unconnected to the beast in Revelation, but when you discover the purpose and the placement of this text in the book of Kings, layers are opened up in Revelation.
Up to 1 Kings 10:14, Solomon has been a paradigmatic king: he built God's temple, he prayed for wisdom instead of wealth, and he included gentiles in both the construction of the temple and in the teaching of wisdom.
But 1 Kings 10:14 starts a sequence of three paragraphs that detail Solomon's violation of the three laws of kingship given in Deuteronomy 17:14-20: don't accumulate much gold, horses (for warfare), or many wives. Thus 666 is the pivot between the man of the highest wisdom and deepest folly; indeed the deepest folly because he had the highest wisdom. Solomon, the son of David, embodies the best and the worst of humanity.
666 in Revelation
When we look at the beast in Revelation, along with those who are aligned with the beast (those who follow the beast of earth, the other beast, the harlot, etc.) commit the same three sins. As evil kings, the beast the woman and false prophet, multiply horses for warfare (Rev. 19:19), committing sexual immorality with the kings of the earth (Rev. 18:3), and make themselves wealthy on gold (Rev. 19:19).
But the point of John's identification of the beast's number as 666 is not just that they commit the same sins as a paradigmatic fallen king, Solomon, but that evil is so evil because it is the corruption of the good.
As one interpretation of Babylon holds, Babylon the harlot is Jerusalem, not (or not just) Rome. Much like Matthew's characterization of Israel as Egypt (The Art of Genius), John is communicating that the holiest city has become the harlot city, killing God's king.
This Calls for Wisdom
Now before John tells us that the number of the beast is 666 he says, "This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast..." Why do we need wisdom and understanding for this number?
Perhaps because the identification is so counter intuitive. If Hitler was the beast, that would not need wisdom. But if the beast were compared to a man of the highest reputation and righteousness, that would require wisdom. Nero would make sense, Solomon needs wisdom.
This is John's warning that the beast is not a foreign, nefarious creature, but could be us.

[jamesbarringer]

I figured this out myself years ago, brought it up in a men's bible study, and also found few people bought into it. But this explanation is outstanding. Solomon served as King of Israel, and himself led Israel at it's apex. He himself planted the seeds for Israel's fall while leading it to it's highest heights.

[DavidKlassen-sn]

Appreciated the make you think comments!

[NGC-catseye]

I know this video is 3 years old but, I’m a 1st time viewer.

What is sad is that my only experience with Solomon as 666 is through conspiracy channels. So it was refreshing to see the theological side presented here.

Thank you 🙏 (my faith in humanity has been restored) 🎉

[MatthewNimegeers]

We think of Solomon as dead, but all live to God. Explore Psalm 73, Asaph's psalm after Solomon's inaugural psalm. Consider that Solomon's name is mentioned as the 666th name in the Bible. There are things about Solomon that the mainstream has missed for a very long time and is now coming to light. This is because scripture in the mind of God is beyond all time.

[lisagrow]

I thank you for sharing this. I saw this a few years back myself in studying and when I went to share it or question it with anyone, it wasn't received well. I appreciate your revelation. Thank you and God Bless!!

[WilliamFAlmeida]

This channel is goood! You need to be getting way more attention!

[kylec]

Yes! 666 IS a reference to King Solomon. The Bible says it is the "number of man" or a "human number" The Greek word is the general word for "mankind" (anthropos) and not the word used for a particular man (andros), so we shouldn't go look for a specific identity I don't think. "Man" in Revelation always means "Jewish". Hence it is a Jewish number, as you pointed out, from 1 Kings 10:14. Deuteronomy 17 is the Law against multiplying gold, woman, horses and Solomon violated this . Later on he lost his kingdom due to his sin. Just so, the High Priest in the 1st century lost their rule as the "kings of the land" when the apostatized, hence are connected with Solomon's sin. As Solomon lost his kingdom when the northern tribes rebelled after his death, so the Land Beast (Rome) lost his kingdom permanently when Jerusalem was destroyed.

[KH-topr]

The Bible truly is art!! Such a book. So deep and complex, and so powerful and active. It accomplishes true work in us. Amazing the things we get to discover.

[rosebud]

In keeping with what Scripture reveals about itself on the topic of Solomon:

The Queen of the South shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
-- Matthew 12:42

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
-- Matthew 6:28-29

[yeahyeahyeah]

First time watcher, subbed. Very good! I do love the Bible and the breaking down of all the Words God has left for us. What a gift to explore, love and know HIS WORD!! ❤

[WanaruaMusic]

Wow! I never saw it this way. This makes a lot of sense. A lot of names can add up to 666. I don't think God in all his wisdom would just give us a clue that easy to find and still say we need wisdom 🤔. But this... Yes! This needs wisdom. The Beast could actually be us. Look at how the world is exalting self. When this matures and humanity has reached the pick of self love, there is no evil he won't do. 🤯
God bless you Sir for this share... 🙏🏽

[kenmcclellan]

There is something else about the number. Draw a pyramid of three equal circles. Now circle it. Can you see the three 6s dancing? Watch the skies. When three lights surround the Sun, we're in trouble!

[charliebrownfootball]

Thank you for sharing. I agree completely. You left out the 6 lions on each side of the 6 steps leading up to the throne. I think the key is the three 6`s leading to Solomon`s throne. It is in the throne of Solomon and God`s promises concerning that throne that reveal the mystery. The beast that once was, now is not and will rise up out of hell and go to perdition, That`s my humble view.

[RealXFool]

Is this true that 666th name mentioned in the bible is Solomon?
1.Adam 2.Eve etc.. ?

[Landis_Grant]

King Solomon was a gross idolater. If he hadn’t written the Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes, one would doubt that he was saved.

[immerdar]

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

[michaela.kelley]

Adonakim. His number is literally 666. The history Channel had a show called "ancient aliens". On this show they had a bunch of episodes about the " ADONAKI" that is the same word minus an m. That's not a coincidence

[onthehorns]

Very good. I assumed that 666 was only mentioned in Revelation 13, i'm glad you brought these other references into view.

[zhongshunli]

Awesome video with amazing insight.
BTW, there was a minor error at 1:06. 1 Kings 10:14, not 14:10.

[k.g.]

This puts a whole new possible perspective on Rabbi Solomon Judas (Rav Shlomo Yehuda) that some are claiming to be the Yanuka spoken of in the Zohar who will be a prodigy that will memorize the Torah as well as all the dark sentences of the Zohar and kabbalah learning. He is Spanish and Syrian and married.