Revelation 13:17-18New King James Version (NKJV)
17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
What number do you need to open a bank account or start other transactions? Here in the U.S.S.A it's the social security number. Kind of an unusual term; does it give security or is it social? Have we found the 'beast' and it is us?
The beast is like any other biblical symbol--holographic. There are many layers of meaning. Here are a few that I have found.
Carbon (Mark of Mankind) - 6 protons, 6 electrons, 6 Neutrons
2 Timothy 3
3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
How many markers does he imply by saying, "Mark This!"? 18. 6+6+6
Before Revelation 13, we note that the mark of mankind (Carbon) is also the means to the mark of the commerce system. Today, that's also Carbon (Petrol Dollar). When the tables are turned, it will be the Carbon Market in the name of saving the environment.
Mirror this to Genesis 3. The fruit in the middle of the Garden is what we were supposed to keep our hands from transmuting by the fruit of knowledge (Technology). Does the shoe fit with Carbon? Not quite there yet. The beasts are the ones in pairs in the Ark (Earth). 1 Peter 3 tells us that baptism is symbolism for the flood of Noah, or beasts in pairs in the ark, rising above the water (baptism). Baptism is the involution of the soul into the waters of life. Why? To rise to new life (Evolve). E in Latin means to come out of. Volition means to revolve around a center. Involution and Evolution are the means to cleanse the temple with water. Water puts out fire.
Are we there yet? Not quite.
Use the 18 markers of 2 Timothy 3 to then show you the final answer. What is the mark of the beast in need of sacrifice on the altar of fire and water? Selfishness / Self-Righteousness. Once we overcome Yahweh, who made Satan, we have overcome the need for the Law and Accusation. We are now cleansed by the Father (Elohim) and Mother (Holy Spirit). Our goal is union with the parents through the Son, which we all are below as the bride being refined (Eve). We were divided from Adam (Son).
The Law was our Guardian. In Israel, the Guardian was a trusted family friend who raised the land owner's sons. He did this by necessity. The sons must leave the home under the rule of the Guardian so that they can be raised in the process of the Harvest. Boaz is the Guardian Redeemer, while Ruth is the one that uncovered his feet (euphemism for genitals). By this, the seed was gleaned by the Bride from the Redeemer. He then threw the sandals, claiming the land.
More to that story, but you get the point.
Galatians 3
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Faith allows the Father to prepare the Child of God to meet the Son (John 6:65). The Son then makes the Father All in All (1 Cor. 15) by the removal of authority. In place, we use Love to overcome the law and accuser. Love needs no law, nor can it be accused.
To overcome the beast, we use the water (Matthew 3). Water puts out fire. The rulers were told this by John.
Five baptism in scripture. Earth (Carbon / Clay), Air (Nitrogen 777, Oxygen 888), Water (Baptism), Fire (Trials) and Spirit (Holiness). Apart from overcoming the beast of self-righteousness / selfishness, we are accused and not justified. Since we can't, Adam did. Adam is the Redeemer. See my first thread for why I think Adam is the Redeemer. By forgiving your enemies, you realize that you are part of the same loaf of bread. We are all the body of the Son, risen in the waters of baptism today.
First, overcome the beast in yourself with water. Then, the main enemy and beast to forgive is yourself Then, do this unto (and for) others. Rinse and repeat. Try not to be brunt toast, but instead, the bread of life for others.