Some claim that 666 refers to the Pope because the Latin title to the Pope of Rome is “Vicarius Filii Dei” [which, in English, means “Vicar of the son of god”]. When you add up the Roman numeral value of this Latin Title, it totals 666.
“This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.” (Revelation 13:18)
Based on the above-cited the Mark of the Beast corresponds to a man’s number or the number corresponds to the “name” of a human person.
Vicarius Filii Dei is not the official title of the pope, and even if it’s the official title of the Pope still it is not his name. Therefore, this does not fulfill prophesy because this is not a name of a man like scripture says. It is a title.
NERO AS THE ANTICHRIST.
“The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months.”(Revelation 13:5)
The Neronic persecution was instituted in 64 AD and lasted until his death in June 68 AD, which is three and a half years, or 42 months. Nero was even called the Beast.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beast_(Revelation)
Roman historian Tacitus (A.D. 56-117) spoke of Nero’s “cruel nature” that “put to death so many innocent men.” He records the scene in Rome when the persecution of Christians broke out:”
Nero’s persecution, which was initiated in A.D.64, was the first ever Roman assault on Christianity.
BLASPHEMY AGAINST GLORIOUS BEINGS.
Let us look at this verse!
“He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and THOSE WHO LIVE IN HEAVEN.”(Revelation 13:6)
The Saints are glorious beings who live in Heaven and The Blessed Virgin Mary, is considered a saint.
Most protestants tend to become emphatically averted towards Catholicism because of Mary and it is not uncommon to hear people blaspheme and insult the Virgin Mary, because of their strong opposing opinions on the subject.
DOES THE BIBLE SAY THAT WE SHOULD HONOR THE VIRGIN MARY?
“Nations, you must praise the LORD’s people —
he punishes all who kill them.
He takes revenge on his enemies
and forgives the sins of his people.”
(Deuteronomy 32:43)
Mary was chosen by God and one of his People.
Do you believe in Deuteronomy 32:43?
If you don’t believe then you don’t follow what God says.
“You are full of dirty tricks and schemes, you son of the devil! You hate everything that has God’s approval.”(Acts 13:10)
THE POPE HAS TAUGHT US HOW TO HONOR SAINTS INCLUDING MARY!
DOES YOUR PROTESTANT CHURCH TEACH THIS?
Why in your protestant church, do you NOT honor Mary at all? Doesn’t scripture say Every generation will call [Mary] blessed because God who is mighty has done great things for [her]?
(Luke 1:48-49)
THE FALSE PROPHETS CAN’T TEACH THE TRUTH!
“Especially those who satisfy their flesh by indulging in its passions and who despise authority. Being bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to slander glorious beings. Yet even angels, although they are greater in strength and power, do not bring a slanderous accusation against them from the Lord. These people, like irrational animals, are mere creatures of instinct that are born to be caught and killed. They insult what they don’t understand, and like animals, they, too, will be destroyed.” (2 Peter 2:10-12)
SOME PROTESTANT GROUPS ACCUSE CATHOLICS OF WORSHIPPING MARY.
Satan (nachash /naw·khawsh/) or the Devil is the “accuser.” The Hebrew word for “Adversary” is from the verb meaning “to lie in wait, to oppose.”
“For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth–the one who accuses them before our God day and night.”(Revelation 12:10)
The word “accuse” is defined, “(1) to charge with, or declare to have committed a crime, (2) to find at fault; to blame”
Hence, people can become “accusers of our brethren” and share in the devil’s work.
IT WILL BE SINFUL TO ACCUSE SOMEONE.
The accusers rabidly try to prevent deep investigation of their claims. Protestants claim that Catholics worship Mary and the saints without further deep investigation.
In a spiritual sense “the mark of the beast” is Satan’s attitude and Don’t Let You Do the Devil’s work!
“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.”(1 John 3:8)
