ACC ~ Revelation 13 v18

OVERVIEW:

The name of antichrist is not given in the divine book. Time and experience will reveal the significance of the name to the sober-minded (ANDREW OF CAESAREA). However, the number 666 suggests completion and perfection, for the world was finished in six days (BEDE). Indeed, as the stories of Noah and the image of Nebuchadnezzar indicate, this evil man will concentrate in himself all apostasy, wickedness and deception so that shut up in him, all apostate power may be cast into the lake of fire (IRENAEUS). Attempts at the name may be made, however, according to Greek calculation (PRIMASIUS). Although many shameful names and titles correspond to the number (OECUMENIUS), “Titan” is especially probable because the antichrist will be fierce and will claim for himself royal dignity (IRENAEUS). Since the antichrist will usurp the honor due to God alone and will deny the true Christ, the names “Antemos” and “Arnoume” are also appropriate (PRIMASIUS). The antichrist is, in any case, shameless and will revel in being called names of wickedness.

13:18 | The Number of the Beast

ALL APOSTASY AND WICKEDNESS IS CONCENTRATED. IRENAEUS: There is in this beast, when he comes, a recapitulation made of all sorts of iniquity and of every deceit, in order that all apostate power, flowing into and being shut up in him, may be sent into the furnace of fire. Fittingly, therefore, shall his name possess the number 666, since he sums up in his own person all the commixture of wickedness that took place previous to the deluge, due to the apostasy of the angels. For Noah was six hundred years old when the deluge came upon the earth, sweeping away the rebellious world, for the sake of that most infamous generation that lived in the times of Noah. And [antichrist] also sums up every error of devised idols since the flood, together with the slaying of the prophets and the cutting off of the just. For that image that was set up by Nebuchadnezzar had indeed a height of sixty cubits, while the breadth was six cubits; on account of which Ananias, Azarias and Misael, when they did not worship it, were cast into a furnace of fire, pointing out prophetically, by what happened to them, the wrath against the righteous that shall arise towards the [time of the] end. For that image, taken as a whole, was a prefiguring of this man’s coming, decreeing that he should undoubtedly himself alone be worshiped by all people. Thus, then, the six hundred years of Noah, in whose time the deluge occurred because of the apostasy, and the number of the cubits of the image for which these just men were sent into the fiery furnace, do indicate the number of the name of that man in whom is concentrated the whole apostasy of six thousand years, and unrighteousness, and wickedness and false prophecy, and deception. AGAINST HERESIES 5.29.2.

THE NAME OF ANTICHRIST. IRENAEUS: It is therefore more certain and less hazardous to await the fulfilment of the prophecy than to be making surmises and casting about for any names that may present themselves, inasmuch as many names can be found possessing the number mentioned; and the same question will, after all, remain unsolved. For if there are many names found possessing this number, it will be asked which among them shall the coming man bear. It is not through a want of names containing the number of that name that I say this, but on account of the fear of God, and zeal for the truth. For the name Euanthas (ΕΥΑΝΘΑΣ) contains the required number, but I make no allegation regarding it. Then also Lateinos (ΛΑΤΕΙΝΟΣ) has the number 666; and it is a very probable [solution], this being the name of the last kingdom [of the four seen by Daniel]. For the Latins are they who at present bear rule; I will not, however, make any boast over this [coincidence]. Teitan (ΤΕΙΤΑΝ, the first syllable being written with the two Greek vowels ε and ι) too, among all the names that are found among us, is rather worthy of credit. For it has in itself the predicted number and is composed of six letters, each syllable containing three letters; and [the word itself] is ancient and removed from ordinary use; for among our kings we find none bearing this name Titan, nor have any of the idols that are worshiped in public among the Greeks and barbarians this appellation. Among many persons, too, this name is accounted divine, so that even the sun is termed “Titan” by those who do now possess [the rule]. This word, too, contains a certain outward appearance of vengeance and of one inflicting merited punishment because he (antichrist) pretends that he vindicates the oppressed. And besides this, it is an ancient name, one worthy of credit, of royal dignity, and still further, a name belonging to a tyrant. Inasmuch, then, as this name Titan has so much to recommend it, there is a strong degree of probability, that from among the many [names suggested], we infer that perchance he who is to come shall be called “Titan.” We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of antichrist; for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it would have been announced by the one who beheld the apocalyptic vision. AGAINST THE HERESIES 5.30.3.

THE ANTICHRIST WILL REJOICE TO BE CALLED SHAMEFUL NAMES. OECUMENIUS: “This calls for wisdom.” Let anyone search for the name of the beast and through this search let him find it. For it says, I will not speak of a reckoning that is strange and unusual, nor will I present a name that is secret and unclear, but I will give a calculation that is oft-used and known to people, which adds up to 666. While to be sure this number signifies also many other names, both proper names as well as titles, it signifies also these following. Among the proper names it can render “Lampetis,” and “Benedict” and “Titan.” “Titan” is written with an iota, but it can be written with a diphthong. For if “Teitan” is derived from τεῖσις [stretching]—the verb is τείνω and the future is τενω—then it is correctly written with the diphthong, even as Φθείρω is from Φθερῶ and σπείρῶ is from σπερῶ. Among the titles, the number can render ὁ νικητής [the Conqueror]—for perhaps he named himself this when he warred against the three horns or three kings and rooted them out. See what Daniel says about them in his eighth vision: “I considered his horns (that is, those of the fourth beast) and behold, there came up among them another little horn, and three of the former horns were rooted out before it; and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking haughty things.” And then there are also these titles, ὁ ἐπίσαλος [Unstable], κακός ὁδηγός [Evil Guide], άληθής βλαβερός [Truly Harmful], πάλαι βάσκανος [Ancient Slanderer], άμνὸς ἂδικος [Unjust Lamb]. Perhaps he was called these names by those who opposed him. But this one will not be at all ashamed to be called these things; he will rather even rejoice in such appellations, since he is not ashamed even to call himself such things. Rebuking such wicked and vile choices, the wise apostle says, “Whose glory is in their shame.” Therefore, since many names have been found, anyone who wishes has the right to bestow a more suitable name on the accursed. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.14-18.

DISHONOR AND DENIAL GIVE THEIR NAME TO THE ANTICHRIST. PRIMASIUS: This calls for wisdom. Whoever has understanding, let him reckon the number of the beast, for the number of the beast, it says, is that of a man. Let us reckon the number that is to be received, so that in the number we might also learn the name and the mark. And the number, it says, is 666, which we will reckon according to the Greek, especially since he was writing to Asia and said according to the manner of their own language, “I am the alpha and the omega.” Having already described as much as he could the fraudulence of the adversarial party by which the devil attempts to usurp for himself the honor of deity that he does not merit, so that he might exhibit the antichrist who is the opposite to divine honor, he instructs us to investigate the character of the beast, whether by the mark or by the number of his name, that is, of the will and the work of that most wicked beast. The name is ΑΝΤΕΜΟΣ, which, if you compute the numbers that correspond to these Greek letters, fulfills the number 666 (I + L + CCC + V + XL + LXX + CC). This name is interpreted as “contrary to honor,” and so he is said to be contrary to that honor that belongs to God alone, and for this reason he is said to be inept, insolent and inconstant, for no honor pertains to him, but only anathema. And so through the number a name is found and from the name a number is computed, and from the interpretation of this name the character of his works is learned. There is another name that gives the sum of the same number and that might rightfully be advanced, and that is ΑPΝΟΥΜΕ, which also renders 666 (I + C + L + LXX + CCCC + XL + V). The interpretation of this is “I deny.” And it is not surprising that the antichrist is worthy of this name, that is, of denial, since the name of belief is proper to Christ, as he himself indicated, saying, “This is the work of God, that you be-lieve in him whom he has sent,” and also, “You believe in God, believe also in me.” And so, whether one would speak of ΑΝΤΕΜΟΣ, that is, “contrary to honor,” or ΑPΝΟΥΜΕ, that is, “I deny,” either can aptly refer to the antichrist, so that as through two parts of speech, that of the name and that of the word itself, both the character of his person and the severity of his work is suggested. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.18.

IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO KNOW THE NAME. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: For the sober-minded, time and experience will reveal the actual significance of the number and the truth of whatever has been written about it. For, were it necessary, as some of the teachers say, that such a name be clearly known, the seer would have revealed it. But the divine grace did not consent that the name of the destroyer be noted in the divine book. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.18.

THIS SEDUCER KING WILL EXACT A TAX. BEDE: Another interpretation: Who is unaware that the number six, the number of days in which the world was created, is symbolic of a completed work? Or, that this number whether in simple form or multiplied by ten or by a hundred signifies the fruit of the same perfection to be thirtyfold, sixtyfold or a hundredfold? “Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents.” Therefore, this seductor tyrant will attempt to exact for himself that tax that is rightfully due and paid to the true king. EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 13.18.