Greek Orthodox concerned about 666

“Orthodox” 16th Century Representation of the “Apocalypse”

The Greek Orthodox are raising concerns about the possible use of 666 on citizen identification cards:

Greek Church takes on ‘antichrist’ in ID card row

AFP – Nov 17, 2010

Senior clerics in Greece have told the state in no uncertain terms that vigilance is required to prevent the antichrist from making a manifestation on new ID cards to be issued next year. The authorities must ensure that the cards contain no mention of the number 666, which in Greek Orthodox tradition is associated with the antichrist, the Church of Greece said in a statement.

“In no way should the ‘citizen card’ contain the number 666, either in visible or invisible manner,” the Holy Synod, governing council of the Church of Greece, said after a meeting between canon scholars, legal experts, computer specialists and government officials…

Frequently criticised as backward and superstitious by liberal circles, Orthodox custodians strongly adhere to tradition surrounding the number 666, which appears in the biblical Book of Revelation, believed to have been written by the Apostle John in the first century AD.

Also known as the figure of the Beast, the number has led ultra orthodox clerics to oppose the use of bar codes on goods, as well as electronic checks carried out under the border-free Schengen Area of which Greece is a member. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.fdbb7c4f77a7e27e62fcb703b7e9f08a.5c1&show_article=1

Now it is good that certain Greek Orthodox leaders realize that we may be close to the time that the Beast, 666, of Revelation 13 may be rising up.

Revelation 13 teaches the following:

16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 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. (Revelation 13:16-18).

Like some leaders in Greece, some in the USA have raised similar concerns (Mark of the Beast Fears in Virginia and Americans Distrust Their Government and Certain Microchips).

And the above passage in Revelation will come to pass no matter what legislation people try to enact. Yet, the Bible warns that the coming Beast power does need to be resisted.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?