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Pesher of Christ: Beast 666 is Simon Magus
in the New Testament Book of Revelation.

The number of the Beast is linked to the hierarchy and educational grades of Essene initiation,
showing a direct parallel to Christianity at Qumran, revealed in Josephus and Dead Sea Scrolls.

© 2014 2015 by Dylan Stephens

To decipher the number of the Beast, it is necessary to understand the hierarchy of the Church.
The calculation 666 is arrived at by adding the important grade letters in Hebrew for each level
using their Gematria values (labeled: Gematria at the head of the column).
Total Gematria Hebrew Glyph Pictograph Title Reference
0 +400 Taw X Badge, Seal Michael
(Zadok)		 The top position of the hierarchy: Grade 0
Revelation 7:2-4 "Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, 'Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.' And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed."
400 +200 Resh ר Human Head Sariel
(Jairite)		 Top position that an initiate can reach: Grade 2
600 +60 Samekh ס Thorn Initiate Beginning level of an initiate: Grade 7
660 +6 Waw ו Hook "The hook!"
666 666 Revelation 13:18 "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six."

This hierarchy, shown further on, appears to be similar to that of today and thus it would seem strange that it would be associated to an enemy: "the Beast 666." The clue is in the two preceding verses at Revelation 13:16-17:
"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name."

The mark referred to is the glyph of the highest position of the hierarchy which was the "X". (Later it was replaced by the symbol of the cross of Jesus.) The term "buy and sell" referred to the practice of selling "indulgences" which led to the Protestant Reformation. This was clearly a problem even in the beginning of the Church as Peter excommunicated Ananias and Sapphira for "simony" (Acts 5:1-10). It says that they both died, but it was clearly a metaphoric death because Ananias later on is told by the "vision of Jesus" to restore the sight of Saul (convert him with the baptismal name of Paul) after Saul is was blinded by the "vision of Jesus" (Acts 9:1-20). From this it possible to connect Simon Magus (Simon the magician who appears in Acts 8:9–24) with Ananias for in this section he tries to buy position in the Church from Peter. In fact the sin of "simony" is named after Simon! Note that the power of Simon is downplayed by saying that Philip baptized him, but this baptism was just his recovery from his many excommunications that began as Lazarus. Ananias was just another name Simon used when he posed as a wealthy merchant in Adiabene in order to convert Helena, the Queen of Adiabene into the early Church in 30 AD.

It must be realized that the writer of Revelation is on the other side of the Schism of the Churches that began with the poisoning of Agrippa I in 44 AD by Simon Magus and leading to a full break in 49 AD with the canonizing of the Four Gospels (the four riders of the Apocalypse). In fact, Simon was the fourth rider on the pale (green) horse with his emblem of Death for killing Agrippa and Hell for surviving the Crucifixion along with Jesus and the collection of fees. (Revelation 6:7,8) (The inductive reasonings of much of the information on Simon is beyond this presentation, but is covered elsewhere on this site.) In any case it is clear that Simon was such a powerful person that the writer of Revelation feared to accuse him by name.

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Grade Gematria Hebrew Glyph Pictograph Title Reference
0 400 Taw ת X Badge, Seal Michael
(Zadok)		 War Scroll IX:15 They shall write on the shields of the towers: on the first Michael (on the right)
(2Sam.20:25 Zadok and Abiathar were priests) (also: 1Kings 1:39)
1 300 Shin ש Teeth Gabriel
(Abiathar)		 War Scroll IX:15 [on the second Gabriel] (on the right)
(2Sam.20:25 Zadok and Abiathar were priests) (also 1Kings 2:26.
2 200 Resh ר Human Head Sariel
(Jairite)		 War Scroll IX:15 [on the third] Sariel] (on the left)
(2Sam.20:26 Ira the Jairite was also David's priest)
John.6:7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
(Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43 Heals Jairus’ Daughter (Jairus is Judas; Daughter is Mary Magdalene))
3 100 Qof ק Eye
of a
Needle		 Raphael
(Phanuel - cardinal)

(graduate)		 War Scroll IX:15 on the fourth Raphael (on the left)
(Luke 2:36; 1Enoch 40:9 the fourth, who is set over the repentance unto hope of those who inherit eternal life,
is named Phanuel)
Matt 19:24 "It is easier for a camel (Class: Gimel) to go through the eye of a needle (Grade: Qof), than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
4 90 Tzady צ Snare Kohath - Bishop Genesis 46:11 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari
5 80 Peh פ Mouth Gershon - PresbyterGenesis 46:11 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari
6 70 Ayin ע Eye Merari - Deacon Genesis 46:11 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari
7 60 Samekh ס Thorn King
Initiate		 John 2:1-11 Water into Wine
Allowed at Sacred Table
8 50 Nun נ Sprout Crown Prince
Novice		 Bread not wine
9 40 Mem מ Water Prince
Gentiles
Novice		 fresh water Baptism

(Josephus - Antiquities XVIII 1.7 For after this exhibition of endurance, his character is tested for two years more, and only then, if found worthy, is he enrolled in the society. )
10 30 Lamed ל Staff Postulant


uncircumcised celibate
 (Josephus - Antiquities XVIII 1.7 A candidate anxious to join their sect is not immediately admitted. For one year, during which he remains outside the fraternity, they prescribe for him their own rule of life, presenting him with a small hatchet, the loin-cloth already mentioned, and white raiment.)
Shem - baptism in salt water
Leader of Shem: Philip (Fish 1)
11 20 Kaph כ Hand Pre-Postulant
uncircumcised married 		Ham - baptism in salt water
Leader of Ham: Titus (Fish 2) (Luke 5:4-11 Draught of Fishes)
12 10 Yod י Arm Begin Monastic Education
Gentile 		Excommunication (Simon Magus as Leper 10 Luke 17:11-19)

Japheth - baptism in salt water
Leader of Japheth: Luke (Cornelius) (Acts 10.1-11.18 The Cloth with Beasts Peter baptizes first Gentile)
13 9 Tet ט Basket Poor
Widow		 Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4 Widow's coin (Mother Mary (Dorcas: Acts 9:36-43)
14 8 Het ח Wall Crippled
Mother		 Luke 13:10-17 Healing the Crippled Woman on the Sabbath
15 7 Zayin ז Mattock, Hoe Blind
Virgin		 Matt 25:1-13 The Ten Virgins and Lamps
16 6 Waw ו Hook Lame
Wife		 John 5:1-15 Healing the Lame man at the Pool of Bethesda

Essene Classes
Class Hebrew Glyph Pictograph Title Reference
1 Aleph א Ox Head highest priests Michael (grade 0) and Gabriel (grade 1), who took part in the annual Atonement ceremony in the Holy of Holies Matthew 17:1-6 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.
(On the day of Atonement, Jesus puts on the white robes of the High Priest and causes a commotion.)
2 Beth ב House, Tent the third priest Sariel, grade 2, and descendant of David Luke 22:48 And Jesus said to him, `Judas, with a kiss the Son of Man dost thou deliver up?'
Gabriel grade 1 is "Man" and Sariel grade 2 is the "Son of Man"
3 Gimel ג Camel lay graduates Matt 19:24 "It is easier for a camel (Class: Gimel) to go through the eye of a needle (Grade: Qof), than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
4 Daleth ד Door married men usually not admitted to celibate schools John 10:9 "I am the Door. If any one enters by me, he will find safety, and will go in and out and find pasture."
(Jesus allows married men to the Holy Table)
5 Heh ה Window developed by Herod the Great, when he invited to his table a Roman as a representative of Caesar Luke 14:23 The Great Banquet: And the lord said unto the servant, Go forth to the ways and hedges, and constrain to come in, that my house may be filled.


The direct parallel to Christianity in the grades of Essene initiation supported by Josephus and Dead Sea Scrolls.
Position Grade Glyph Age Initiation
21 Aleph א
20 Beth ב
19 Gimel ג
18 Dalet ד 12 Bar Mitzvah
17 Hei (5) ה 13
16 Waw (6) ו 14
15 Zayin (7) ז 15
14 Heth (8) ח 16
13 Tet (9) ט 17
12 Yod (10) י 18
11 Kaf (20) כ 19
10 Lamed (30)
neos,
young man
acolyte		 ל 20 (Messianic Rule 1QSa 1)At the age of twenty years he shall be enrolled that he may enter his allotted duties in the midst of the family and be joined to the holy congregation. He shall not approach a woman to know her by lying with her before he is fully twenty years old (when he should know good and evil). And thereafter will be accepted when he calls to witness the judgements of the Law and be allowed to assist at the hearing of judgements.
(Josephus Wars 2.8.7) A candidate anxious to join their sect is not immediately admitted. For one year, during which he remains outside the fraternity, they prescribe for him their own rule of life, presenting him with a small hatchet, the loin-cloth already mentioned, and white raiment.
9 Mem (40)
Novice
1 yr		 מ 21 (Josephus Wars 2.8.7) Having given proof of his temperance during this probationary period, he is brought into closer touch with the rule and is allowed to share the purer kind of holy water, but is not yet received into the meetings of the community. For after this exhibition of endurance, his character is tested for two years more, and only then, if found worthy, is he enrolled in the society.
(Community Rule 1QS 6)After he has entered into the Council of the Community he shall not touch the pure Meal of the Congregation until one full year is completed, and until he has been examined concerning his spirit and deeds; not shall he have any share of the property of the Congregation.
Nun (50)
Novice
2 yr		 נ 22 (Community Rule 1QS 6) Then after he has completed one year within the Community, the Congregation shall deliberate his case with regard to his understanding and observance of the Law. And if it be his destiny, according to the judgement of the Priests and the multitude of the men of their Covenant, to enter the company of the Community, his property and earnings shall br handed over to the Bursar of the Congregation who shall register it to his account and shall not spend it for the Congregation.
7 Samekh (60)
proselyte
the Poor		 ס 23 (Community Rule 1QS 6) When the second year has passed, he shall be examined, and if it be his destiny, according to the judgement of the Congregation, to enter into the Community, then he shall be inscribed among the brethren in the order of his rank for the Law, and for justice, and for pure Meal; his property shall be merged and he shall offer his counsel and judgement to the Community.
(Community Rule 1QS 8) When they have been confirmed for two years in perfection of the way in the Foundation of the Community, they shall be set apart as holy within the Council of the Community. And the Interpreter shall not conceal from them, out of fear of the spirit of apostasy, any things hidden from Israel which have discovered by him.
And when they become members of the Community in Israel according to the rules, they shall separate from the habitation of the unjust men and shall go into the wilderness to prepare there the way of Him; as it is written, "Prepare in the wilderness the way of Him; make straight in the desert a path for our God (Isaiah 40:3). This path is the study of the Law which he commanded by the hand of Moses, that they may do according to all that has been revealed from age to age, and as the Prophets have revealed by His Holy Spirit.
(Josephus Wars 2.8.7) But, before he may touch the common food, he is made to swear tremendous oaths: first that he will practice piety towards the Deity, next that he will observe justice towards men : that he will wrong none whether of his own mind or under another's orders; that he will for ever hate the unjust and fight the battle of the just; that he will for ever keep faith with all men, especially with the powers that be, since no ruler attains his office save by the will of God; " that, should he himself bear rule, he will never abuse his authority nor, either in dress or by other outward marks of superiority, outshine his subjects; to be for ever a lover of truth and to expose liars; to keep his hands from stealing and his soul pure from unholy gain; to conceal nothing from the members of the sect and to report none of their secrets to others, even though tortured to death. He swears, moreover, to transmit their rules exactly as he himself received them; to abstain from robbery; and in like manner carefully to preserve the books of the sect and the names of the angels. Such are the oaths by which they secure their proselytes.
6 Ayin (70)
Merari
Deacon
Study yr 1		 ע 24
5 Pei (80)
Gershon
Presbyter
Study yr 2		 פ 25 (Messianic Rule 1QSa 1) At the age of twenty-five years he may take his place among the foundations (i.e. the officials) of the holy congregation to work in the service of the congregation.
4 Tzady (90)
Kohath
Bishop
Study yr 3		 צ 26
3 Qof (100)
Raphael
eye of a needle
Cardinal
Archbishop
Study yr 4		 ק 27
2 Resh (200)
Sariel
Sanctuary 		ר 28
1 Shin (300)
Gabriel		 ש 29
0 Taw (400)
Michael
X		 ת 30 (Messianic Rule1QSa 1) At the age of thirty years he may approach to participate in lawsuits and judgements, and may take his place among the chiefs of the thousands of Israel.
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