Mark of the Beast

The number 666 is quite popular within satanic/occult culture today. It is often put to use in a "blasphemous" context of t-shirts, band logos, and dark arts display in general. However, what is absolutely baffling about this is, such individuals typically stand in complete opposition to the Bible. Yet, the Bible is what made 666 evil in the first place (Revelation 13:18). And it is here we come across the very common and confusing mentality of modernized commercial occultism⁠⁠—an inconsistent position void of any substance. 

Aside from The Egyptian Book of the Dead, The Odyssey, and many other esoteric sources that could be listed, the Bible reveals itself to be quite a large body of satanic occult literature; sources of magic, witchcraft, and necromancy making their way⁠—oddly enough⁠—into the hands of Christians for some reason (as Christianity is in direct contrast to the Biblical content).

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:18)

Firstly, there is a Greek textual variant in this passage. In papyrus 115 the number is actually 616 (χις), which is completely different. Thus, it is all a matter of which Greek reading one goes with. Dogmatically speaking, the concept is left ambiguous.

Additionally, this number¹ is usually associated with "the Antichrist," a character foreign to the book of Revelation. The Antichrist is mentioned in 1 John 2:18, but nothing textually demands that the beast of Revelation 13 is this same exact character. So, the entire context frequently tacked onto the number is without justification as well. 

- Robert Anthony

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Endnote:

1. The number of course being equated with the mark (Revelation 13:16-17).