What did ellen white mean when she said 666 was "made up"?
WHAT DID ELLEN WHITE MEAN WHEN SHE SAID 666 WAS "MADE UP"?
Have you noticed that whenever 666 is discussed, we never bring up Ellen White? Originally, I believed that it was because Ellen White never referred to 666, however, this is not the case. Ellen White made one reference to 666, and once you read this quote, you will see why it's rarely quoted by our preachers and teachers.
"I saw all that “would not receive the mark of the Beast, and of his Image, in their foreheads or in their hands,” could not buy or sell. [Revelation 13:15-17.] I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up; [Revelation 13:18.] and that it was the Beast that changed the Sabbath, and the Image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope's, and not God's Sabbath." WLF p. 19
Number of the Image Beast?
Traditional Adventist theology erroneously teaches that the number of the Beast is the number of the first Beast (the Papacy). And because we have traditionally believed that the number relates to the Papacy, it has led us to mistakenly attribute the number of the Beast to the number of a Pope's title. While this is understandable, we as Seventh-day Adventists must see that, although the Mark of the Beast refers to the first Beast, the number of the Beast refers to the second Beast. We know this to be true because, in the above quotation, Ellen White identifies the Image Beast when she says, "Image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope's, and not God's Sabbath."
If you are not convinced Ellen White calls the United States the Image Beast, then the following quotation should suffice:
"Here is the only hope of God’s people—the unerring word of Jehovah that there would be a remnant only in this trying time who would keep the word of Christ’s patience, who would not worship the beast, papal Rome, or his image (Protestants who are represented by the image beast with lamb-like pretensions but speaks as a dragon)." Ms 16, 1884
Here, she attributes the Image Beast with Lamb-like traits. Obviously, this represents the second Beast of Revelation 13 and contradicts the popular stance that the number 666 refers to the first Beast.
Now It's starting to make sense why Ellen White spoke very little in regards to 666. I believe Ellen White didn't want our movement bogged down with non-salvific debates. Uriah Smith and many others would later proclaim this number to be the number of the Pope and although it appears Ellen White may have had a different view on this number she remained mostly silent on this subject so as to not cause dissension and debate among our members. However, it should be noted that Ellen White referred to 666 as the number of the United States of America, not the Papacy.
The number of the Image Beast or Babylon?
If you are paying close attention to this study, you should recall that, in a previous study, I declared 666 was the number of Babylon the Great. However, as we just read, Ellen White said it's the number of the United States. While this may seem like a conflict, it makes perfect sense once we understand that America is the power that fuels spiritual Babylon.
Remember, Revelation 13:11 reveals the rising of the United States when it says, "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."
As Adventists, we understand that this refers to the rising of the United States. However, what we also must understand is that it is under the dispensation of this nation that Babylon the Great is established. Thus when we see that under the reign of the US, the Beast is revived and the Dragon is speaking, we can see that the union of the Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet occurs during the reign of the United States. Thus, we see that the number of the Image Beast is the number of Babylon because the Image Beast is the power that establishes Babylon in the last days.
A Made-up Number?
When Ellen wrote that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up, I initially thought she made a big mistake. It sounded like she was saying that John the Revelator simply concocted a number and used that number to refer to the Man of Sin. However, thanks be to God, that I realized this was not how Ellen White used the phrase “made up.” Let me show you another example of her usage of this phrase.
“While Jesus had been ministering in the Sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was finished.” EW p. 280
Clearly, Ellen White was not suggesting that God fabricated the subjects of His kingdom; she is simply saying that the formation of these subjects was complete. Now, we can see that when Ellen White wrote, the number 666 was made up, that she saw 666 as a succession. This succession reveals that 666 did not always exist, but by her time was established.
John, the Revelator lived during Pagan Rome, the first 6.
Martin Luther lived during Papal Rome, the second 6.
Ellen White lived during the United States of America, the third and final 6. And thus, 666 was established in her time. Therefore, we understand that by the mid 1800's the number of the Image Beast was made up.
Have you noticed that whenever 666 is discussed, we never bring up Ellen White? Originally, I believed that it was because Ellen White never referred to 666, however, this is not the case. Ellen White made one reference to 666, and once you read this quote, you will see why it's rarely quoted by our preachers and teachers.
"I saw all that “would not receive the mark of the Beast, and of his Image, in their foreheads or in their hands,” could not buy or sell. [Revelation 13:15-17.] I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up; [Revelation 13:18.] and that it was the Beast that changed the Sabbath, and the Image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope's, and not God's Sabbath." WLF p. 19
Number of the Image Beast?
Traditional Adventist theology erroneously teaches that the number of the Beast is the number of the first Beast (the Papacy). And because we have traditionally believed that the number relates to the Papacy, it has led us to mistakenly attribute the number of the Beast to the number of a Pope's title. While this is understandable, we as Seventh-day Adventists must see that, although the Mark of the Beast refers to the first Beast, the number of the Beast refers to the second Beast. We know this to be true because, in the above quotation, Ellen White identifies the Image Beast when she says, "Image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope's, and not God's Sabbath."
If you are not convinced Ellen White calls the United States the Image Beast, then the following quotation should suffice:
"Here is the only hope of God’s people—the unerring word of Jehovah that there would be a remnant only in this trying time who would keep the word of Christ’s patience, who would not worship the beast, papal Rome, or his image (Protestants who are represented by the image beast with lamb-like pretensions but speaks as a dragon)." Ms 16, 1884
Here, she attributes the Image Beast with Lamb-like traits. Obviously, this represents the second Beast of Revelation 13 and contradicts the popular stance that the number 666 refers to the first Beast.
Now It's starting to make sense why Ellen White spoke very little in regards to 666. I believe Ellen White didn't want our movement bogged down with non-salvific debates. Uriah Smith and many others would later proclaim this number to be the number of the Pope and although it appears Ellen White may have had a different view on this number she remained mostly silent on this subject so as to not cause dissension and debate among our members. However, it should be noted that Ellen White referred to 666 as the number of the United States of America, not the Papacy.
The number of the Image Beast or Babylon?
If you are paying close attention to this study, you should recall that, in a previous study, I declared 666 was the number of Babylon the Great. However, as we just read, Ellen White said it's the number of the United States. While this may seem like a conflict, it makes perfect sense once we understand that America is the power that fuels spiritual Babylon.
Remember, Revelation 13:11 reveals the rising of the United States when it says, "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."
As Adventists, we understand that this refers to the rising of the United States. However, what we also must understand is that it is under the dispensation of this nation that Babylon the Great is established. Thus when we see that under the reign of the US, the Beast is revived and the Dragon is speaking, we can see that the union of the Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet occurs during the reign of the United States. Thus, we see that the number of the Image Beast is the number of Babylon because the Image Beast is the power that establishes Babylon in the last days.
A Made-up Number?
When Ellen wrote that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up, I initially thought she made a big mistake. It sounded like she was saying that John the Revelator simply concocted a number and used that number to refer to the Man of Sin. However, thanks be to God, that I realized this was not how Ellen White used the phrase “made up.” Let me show you another example of her usage of this phrase.
“While Jesus had been ministering in the Sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was finished.” EW p. 280
Clearly, Ellen White was not suggesting that God fabricated the subjects of His kingdom; she is simply saying that the formation of these subjects was complete. Now, we can see that when Ellen White wrote, the number 666 was made up, that she saw 666 as a succession. This succession reveals that 666 did not always exist, but by her time was established.
John, the Revelator lived during Pagan Rome, the first 6.
Martin Luther lived during Papal Rome, the second 6.
Ellen White lived during the United States of America, the third and final 6. And thus, 666 was established in her time. Therefore, we understand that by the mid 1800's the number of the Image Beast was made up.
Have you noticed that whenever 666 is discussed, we never bring up Ellen White? Originally, I believed that it was because Ellen White never referred to 666, however, this is not the case. Ellen White made one reference to 666, and once you read this quote, you will see why it's rarely quoted by our preachers and teachers.
"I saw all that “would not receive the mark of the Beast, and of his Image, in their foreheads or in their hands,” could not buy or sell. [Revelation 13:15-17.] I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up; [Revelation 13:18.] and that it was the Beast that changed the Sabbath, and the Image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope's, and not God's Sabbath." WLF p. 19
Number of the Image Beast?
Traditional Adventist theology erroneously teaches that the number of the Beast is the number of the first Beast (the Papacy). And because we have traditionally believed that the number relates to the Papacy, it has led us to mistakenly attribute the number of the Beast to the number of a Pope's title. While this is understandable, we as Seventh-day Adventists must see that, although the Mark of the Beast refers to the first Beast, the number of the Beast refers to the second Beast. We know this to be true because, in the above quotation, Ellen White identifies the Image Beast when she says, "Image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope's, and not God's Sabbath."
If you are not convinced Ellen White calls the United States the Image Beast, then the following quotation should suffice:
"Here is the only hope of God’s people—the unerring word of Jehovah that there would be a remnant only in this trying time who would keep the word of Christ’s patience, who would not worship the beast, papal Rome, or his image (Protestants who are represented by the image beast with lamb-like pretensions but speaks as a dragon)." Ms 16, 1884
Here, she attributes the Image Beast with Lamb-like traits. Obviously, this represents the second Beast of Revelation 13 and contradicts the popular stance that the number 666 refers to the first Beast.
Now It's starting to make sense why Ellen White spoke very little in regards to 666. I believe Ellen White didn't want our movement bogged down with non-salvific debates. Uriah Smith and many others would later proclaim this number to be the number of the Pope and although it appears Ellen White may have had a different view on this number she remained mostly silent on this subject so as to not cause dissension and debate among our members. However, it should be noted that Ellen White referred to 666 as the number of the United States of America, not the Papacy.
The number of the Image Beast or Babylon?
If you are paying close attention to this study, you should recall that, in a previous study, I declared 666 was the number of Babylon the Great. However, as we just read, Ellen White said it's the number of the United States. While this may seem like a conflict, it makes perfect sense once we understand that America is the power that fuels spiritual Babylon.
Remember, Revelation 13:11 reveals the rising of the United States when it says, "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."
As Adventists, we understand that this refers to the rising of the United States. However, what we also must understand is that it is under the dispensation of this nation that Babylon the Great is established. Thus when we see that under the reign of the US, the Beast is revived and the Dragon is speaking, we can see that the union of the Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet occurs during the reign of the United States. Thus, we see that the number of the Image Beast is the number of Babylon because the Image Beast is the power that establishes Babylon in the last days.
A Made-up Number?
When Ellen wrote that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up, I initially thought she made a big mistake. It sounded like she was saying that John the Revelator simply concocted a number and used that number to refer to the Man of Sin. However, thanks be to God, that I realized this was not how Ellen White used the phrase “made up.” Let me show you another example of her usage of this phrase.
“While Jesus had been ministering in the Sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was finished.” EW p. 280
Clearly, Ellen White was not suggesting that God fabricated the subjects of His kingdom; she is simply saying that the formation of these subjects was complete. Now, we can see that when Ellen White wrote, the number 666 was made up, that she saw 666 as a succession. This succession reveals that 666 did not always exist, but by her time was established.
John, the Revelator lived during Pagan Rome, the first 6.
Martin Luther lived during Papal Rome, the second 6.
Ellen White lived during the United States of America, the third and final 6. And thus, 666 was established in her time. Therefore, we understand that by the mid 1800's the number of the Image Beast was made up.
