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Copyright © 1997, All rights reserved.
The 666 talents of gold are worth an awful lot, not just in terms of money but in terms of theological meaning–at least worth a lot more than most modern Evangelical commentators would think.
In Revelation 13:18 we are told that the number of the beast is a number “of man,” that is 666. Now, many commentators and preachers are willing to look at this number for symbolic meaning; and to figure it out, they rightly go to the rest of Scripture. Six is one short of seven, which is generally understood to stand for perfection in the Bible. From Genesis 1, the number six is especially pregnant with implications for this passage since, on the sixth day, both man and beast were created. This, in turn, ties into the book of Daniel where four empires are pictured an image of a man in the second chapter but as four beasts in the seventh. Naturally, the beasts of Daniel are especially relevant to Revelation, but there is even more of a correlation since Nebuchadnezzar was turned into a beast at the height of his pride (4:28-33).
All of this is fine but, for reasons that will hopefully become clear, it is not enough. The number in the text is 666, not just six. One can say that it is simply the number repeated thrice (though the text does not literally repeat the number), but the actual number 666 does come up elsewhere in the Old Testament. It is mentioned twice in reference to the same event in Solomon’s life as recorded in 1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13. Both authors found it worth noting that Solomon collected 666 talents of gold in revenue one year. The text does not say what year it was or whether or not this was the greatest amount of gold that he ever received in a year. Both texts “just happen” to mention the fact, without giving any explanation as to why it is worth mentioning. Most modern evangelicals would probably say that the verse means that Solomon collected a lot of gold, but the authors didn’t write that Solomon collected “a lot” of gold. Rather they wrote a specific weight.
The structure of these almost identical chapters mentioning the quantity of gold is worth noting. First, the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon and is impressed (1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12). Then we are told of the 666 talents, and a description of the rest of his wealth and glory is given (1 Kings 10:14-22; 2 Chronicles 9:13-21). Then his greatness is reiterated, with emphasis on the revenues he collected (1 Kings 10:23-25; 2 Chronicles 9:22-24). Finally, we are told that Solomon collects horses and chariots (1 Kings 10:26-29; 2 Chronicles 9:25-28). In other words, he sins, by doing what a king in Israel is never supposed to do (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). At this point, 2 Chronicles 9 closes with Solomon’s death and the next chapter shows the kingdom ripped apart. In 1 King’s, however, the chapter ends with Solomon’s sins regarding horses and chariots. The next chapter shows him collecting foreign wives (also forbidden in Deuteronomy 17:17) and finally worshipping false gods.
In short, both chapters show us God’s Anointed falling into outright apostasy. It is significant that the kingdom split because Rehoboam refused to lighten the load in taxes and forced labor which his father had put on the people (1 Kings 12:1ff; 2 Chronicles 10:1ff). Solomon’s latter reign was not a happy time. He had become a beast.
And, in telling us of the height of his power and glory, both texts mentioned that Solomon brought in 666 talents of gold one year. Then he slid into sin.
There is no reason to doubt that Revelation 13:18 is building on 1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13. Simply the fact that the number is not used anywhere else in Scripture, guarantees that any Biblically literate first-century person reading or hearing John’s epistle from Patmos would immediately turn to those passages. Where else could he go?
But this has radical implications (radical as far as modern evangelical Bible scholarship is concerned anyway). It means that Old Testament readers were supposed to do the same sort of theological work with 1 Kings 10:14 and 2 Chronicles 9:13, that modern evangelical commentators do with Revelation 13:18. They were supposed to consider Genesis 1 and the meaning of the number six. After the book of Daniel was written, they were supposed to link the story of Solomon with Nebuchadnezzar and the four empire-beasts. This was not such a far stretch since the Babylonian emperor Cyrus was declared to be the Lord’s “Anointed” (Isaiah 45:1), that is the Messiah or Christ. Thus, the line of Gentile world rulers inherited the status of Solomon and became beasts when they persecuted Israel, falling from ProtoChrists to AntiChrists. Furthermore, Old Testament readers were supposed to see numerical correlations–such as the fact that Nebuchadnezzar’s graven image is sixty cubits tall and six cubits across (Daniel 3:1).
In any case, all this brief essay is actually saying is “all Scripture is exhaled by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If God is omniscient and if the Bible is His Word then every detail in it matters a great deal. God could have told us whether or not there was life on other planets, or he could have given us a great many theological formulas so that we wouldn’t have so many theological debates among Bible believers about doctrinal statements. But instead He told us that Solomon collected 666 talents of gold.
The end of the matter is: Throughout all future history God wants every Christian to know that Solomon collected 666 talents of gold, just as he wants us to know that the sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur (1 Chronicles 1:28), that the church in Corinth was next to the synagogue (Acts 18:7), and that the Israelites were not to make a baldness between their eyes for the sake of the dead (Deuteronomy 14:1). I have discussed Solomon’s 666 talents of gold and not the other passages because I have little-to-no idea how they can possibly be “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” I had help from the Apostle John regarding Solomon’s gold, but it goes without saying that the other passages are just as meaningful. It would be an insult to the Holy Spirit to claim that, or to act as if He inspired His messengers to write things for us that don’t matter.
Copyright © 1997, All rights reserved.
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Blessed be your observation.
The bible, in the book of the Revelation to John tells us: ‘let him that hath wisdom and understanding reckon the number of the beast for it is the number of a man’ and his number is six hundred and threescore six. The words ‘wisdom’ and ‘understanding’ refer God’s mercifully graced readers to Solomon. The number 666 being the number of a man, refers to Solomon, who had much wisdom and understanding. Sadly, he fell away to worshipping false gods….taking the ‘star of chemosh’ as his seal. The six pointed star, more commonly known as a hex-agram or the ‘seal of solomon’ adorns the flag of Israel today, as well as being a mark of ritual for various secret societies including the ‘free’ masons. It never was nor is it today, the star of David, solomon’s earthly father.
It is no longer a secret what the mark of the beast is, and who the beast and it’s little horn are as well!
http://straitwaytruth.com/artman/publish/article_109.shtml
http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/sixpointedstar.html
http://watch.pair.com/solomon.html
http://www.revisionisthistory.org/talmudtruth.html
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/09/297062.shtml
Blessings in Yahshua, Jesus Christ be upon you dear readers.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:01 am
mitch robinson indeed speaks the truth with regard to the seal….and links his documentation…the best is http://www.watch pair.com/solomon.html…. this speaks of thomas plantard St Clair as being the most likely candidate for the post of antichrist…well worth the big read that it is…cheers
June 17th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Peace defense.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I believe that I am at the very least one of a number of PROTOCHRISTS – like Ronald Wilson Reagan because I have 6 letters in each one of my names and I am no longer a victim but I am a victor like my middle name suggests. People call me Eddie Murphy and laugh at me because I am not as rich as him; but that does not bother me as long as they’re laughing! I aspire to be the KING OF COMEDY – SO AS TO MAKE AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN LAUGH! LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE! HUMOR IS THE BEST THERAPY! I AM IN THE FBI FULL-BLOODED IRISH AND CIA – CATHOLIC IRISH ALCOHOLIC!
August 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I wish to make clear that I may not agree with all information at the links posted, and wish as well to emphasize that those who think they work in secret are indeed well found out….they and their devious machinations will bear much good fruit for our heavenly Father whether or not they can believe it. I prefer to steer clear of too much speculation, as there are many solid facts by which to identify those our Master, Yahshua, speaks about. The last ‘beast’ is, just like the first beast, the Roman army, a mighty military machine and the whole world wonders even now, “who can wage war with it?” The beast and it’s little horn, (USA military industrial complex & counterfeit Israel) are being woefully misled. Even the toy technologies shared with them will betray them upon seeing Yahshua and His army approach in the Heavens! America has fallen far from what was once blessed upon her! And may the Hand of Yahweh smite the entertainment and other media industry whores whose constant onslaught against the innocent fills a blistering cup of His wrath just for her. Throw it down now, Father!
“Whoever seeks to save his life shall lose it, he who would give up his life for My sake, shall save it!”
Serving Yahweh is not about sharing the easy truths, but sharing the uneasy ones as well. Even the world loves what is it’s own. True love can be, and often is, tough love.
This is why your Father in Heaven is shortening the days, lest no flesh remain alive upon the earth!
Rejoice in the hour of tribulation, for you were forewarned….and must be prepared. Let no one take the oil in your lamp, be happy that your Savior does not delay but is coming right on time! In fact He Himself implores us to pray continually that our Father send His Son soon!
Yahweh is sending you a little help, His children.
Blessings in Yahshua, Jesus Christ,
Mitch Robinson
February 24th, 2010 at 3:07 am
Fear of GOD is the beginning of “wisdom” & “understanding” is to keep away from evil. Solomon had wisdom & understanding but did he fulfill the above requirements of wisdom & understanding ? As a king of Israel did he not have the knowledge of the Commandments given to Mosses & of that spoken by the Prophets? Guess, he got bitten by the “pussy” bug, prevalent today. Man is indeed a fool to have rejected GOD over them & instead choose to rule himself. Look at the present state of the so called Israel & the world today. Seeing is believing. The seal of solomon is also known as the sign of vishnu, of the many Avatars of the Hindu pantheon of gods. “The prince of the power of air”. Along with the gold, peacock & monkeys, his ships also brought the “ingredients” for his pagan temples from India.
March 28th, 2010 at 7:59 am
I labored on the fact that Solomon, in all of his Wisdom and Knowledge, fell so far from God. I believe God is teaching us that Wisdon and Understanding is given to us to keep ourselves from evil, but a good heart (mercy, compassion and love for others) is the other, maybe main, ingredient to be pleasing to God. We can have all of the Wisdom and Understanding that God is willing to share, but if we neglect the mercy and truth side of it, we will fall. The Bible says that Solomon’s heart was not right, yet his father, David’s heart was right with God. David had a man sent to the front line so that he could have the man’s wife. This was a sin before God, however, it is easy to see when reading Psalms, that David loves and trusts the Lord with all of his heart and soul. Proverbs, on the other hand, has great Wisdom and teaching, but seems to lack the humbleness that, I believe, is the main ingredient that God is looking for.
Having said that, I, also want Christ to come and end the evil that is growing strong in the world, but I pray that God opens the eyes and ears of every man and woman before coming. Remember what Paul wrote:
Hebrew 10
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[e] says the Lord.[f] And again, “The LORD will judge His people.”[g] 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
April 24th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
(Revelation 13:18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six Hundred Threescore and Six.
(1 Kings 10:14) Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was Six Hundred Threescore and Six talents of gold.
King Solomon (the beast) has influenced more people to oppose the teachings of Christ than any other man that has ever lived. Solomon (being the son of David) was thought by many to be the Messiah and lived about 1,000 years before Christ came in the flesh. He is the beast that was, and is not, and yet is through his pillars of law and temple that God cast out of His sight. According to scripture Solomon hired masons to build a temple which God cast out of His sight for Solomon’s apostasy (by the worshipping of other gods). Solomon’s temple (which no longer stands) is what the “established” church itself is built upon but this is not the true church. The true church according to the new testament is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22, 23) and not a temple made with men’s hands (John 2:19-21). He is also the new tabernacle “made without hands” (Hebrews 9:11). Without the pillars of law that Solomon set up (which stand for strength and establishment) the “established” church could not exist and the body of Christ (of course) can not be established through the beast’s pillars of law. There is no place in scripture that tells us that God told Solomon to set up these pillars. The old Testament tells us “But Solomon was building his own house” (1 Kings 7:1). This is where he set up the pillars of “his” law not God’s. God’s law is “spiritual” according to Romans chapter 7 verse 14 and this is the whole law that Christ came to fulfill (Matthew 5:17). Christ otherwise abolished the law of commandments contained in ordinances (Ephesians 2:15), blotting out the handwriting of ordinances against us (Colossians 2:14). Therefore, the law that is “used” to pay law enforcers and also to make judges of law and lawyers rich is not justified by God and Christ but by the beast and the dragon (the devil that gave the beast his power). Jesus said (concerning lawyers) (Luke 11:46) And he said, Woe unto you also ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers . And Paul plainly spoke against the judges in (Romans 2:1-3) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doeth the same things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shall escape the judgment of God? Law keepers manipulate the law for their own gain (to get paid) and in doing so serve Satan and the beast for money.
(Revelation 17:8) The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.