The Meaning of Numbers: The Number 666
As anyone who is a new student of Scripture quickly learns, the meaning of six hundred sixty six (666) is derived from the number and mark of the Beast Power discussed in the book of Revelation.
The number 666 symbolizes the perfection of man's overall system that is separated from God and under the constant influence of Satan the devil. Six in the Bible represents, by itself, incompleteness or imperfection, as it is one less than seven (which symbolizes completeness). Man's system on earth is made up of three parts, each represented by a six in the numeric 666.
The first six of the number 666 means the perfectly false religions of man under Satan's lead. The devil is the god of this world, and allowed to deceive mankind, until the return of Jesus Christ (2Corinthians 4:3 - 4). The second six is for the deceived false governments of this world. The third six of 666 is symbolic of mankind's self-centered economic system.
The number 666 represents the world and all that it does to appease and gratify human nature. The book of 1John (written by the apostle John who also wrote Revelation) contains an often-overlooked set of three verses that uses a subtle form of 6. This hidden form of six, found in the total times the word 'world' is used, warns believers to separate themselves from man's system which is soon to die (John 2:15 - 17).
Appearances of the number six-hundred sixty-six
In order to show that the book of Revelation was inspired, Ireneaus (120 - 202 AD), an early church apologist, noted that he had consulted the 'most approved and ancient copies' of Revelation for verification of this mystical numeric.
How is the number 666 related to wealth?
King Solomon, after assuming the throne of Israel upon his father David's death, soon became wealthy. Although money streamed to him due to the heavy taxation of the Israelites (see 1Kings 4:24), it was the gold that came to him through a variety of other ways that made him the richest man alive. Every year he received 666 talents of gold (1Kings 10:14 - 15), a figured confirmed by the first century historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 8, Chapter 7).
More info on Biblical Meaning of 666
Three people in the Bible stand out as special adversaries of God and his people. They are Goliath the giant who fought King David, King Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian Empire and the End Time Antichrist. Each, in one way or another, has the mark of this special numeric.
Goliath, who fought David when he was quite young, had a height of 6 cubits, had 6 pieces of armor, and his spear's head weighed 600 shekels of iron (1Samuel 17:4 - 7). Nebuchadnezzar, the great King of Babylon, set up a "golden image" in the plain of Dura. He commanded all who he ruled over to worship it or else be thrown into a furnace of fire. The idol was 60 cubits high and 6 cubits wide (Daniel 3:1). The last special adversary is the Antichrist, whose name numbers to 666 (Revelation 13:18).