{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/007/0070388.htm","path":"chr/ecf/007/0070388.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/007/0070388.htm","text":"1. \u201cAnd I saw a beast rising up from the sea, like unto a leopard.\u201d] This signifies the kingdom of that time of Antichrist, and the people mingled with the variety of nations.\n2. \u201cHis feet were as the feet of a bear.\u201d] A strong and most unclean beast, the feet are to be understood as his leaders.\n\u201cAnd his mouth as the mouth of a lion.\u201d] That is, his mouth armed for blood is his bidding, and a tongue which will proceed to nothing else than to the shedding of blood.\n18. \u201cHis number is the name of a man, and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.\u201d] As they have it reckoned from the Greek characters, they thus find it among many to be \u03c4\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd, for \u03c4\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd has this number, which the Gentiles call Sol and Ph\u0153bus; and it is reckoned in Greek thus: \u03c4 three hundred, \u03b5 five, \u03b9 ten, \u03c4 three hundred, \u03b1 one, \u03bd fifty,\u2014which taken together become six hundred and sixty-six. For as far as belongs to the Greek letters, they fill up this number and name; which name if you wish to turn into Latin, it is understood by the antiphrase DICLUX, which letters are reckoned in this manner: since D figures five hundred, I one, C a hundred, L fifty, V five, X ten,\u2014which by the reckoning up of the letters makes similarly six hundred and sixty-six, that is, what in Greek gives \u03c4\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd, to wit, what in Latin is called DICLUX; by which name, expressed by antiphrases, we understand Antichrist, who, although he be cut off from the supernal light, and deprived thereof, yet transforms himself into an angel of light, daring to call himself light. 2304 Moreover, we find in a certain Greek codex \u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2, which letters being reckoned up, you will find to give the number as above: \u03b1 one, \u03bd fifty, \u03c4 three hundred, \u03b5 five, \u03bc forty, \u03bf seventy, \u03c2 two hundred,\u2014which together makes six hundred and sixty-six, according to the Greeks. Moreover, there is another name in Gothic of him, which will be evident of itself, that is, \u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u03c3\u03ae\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2, which in the same way you will reckon in Greek letters: \u03b3 three, \u03b5 five, \u03bd fifty, \u03c3 two hundred, \u03b7 eight, \u03c1 a hundred, \u03b9 ten, \u03ba twenty, \u03bf seventy, \u03c2 also two hundred, which, as has been said above, make six hundred and sixty-six.\n11. \u201cAnd I saw another beast coming up out of the earth.\u201d] He is speaking of the great and false prophet who is to do signs, and portents, and falsehoods before him in the presence of men.\n\u201cAnd he had two horns like a lamb\u2014that is, the appearance within of a man\u2014and he spoke like a dragon.\u201d] But the devil speaks full of malice; for he shall do these things in the presence of men, so that even the dead appear to rise again. p. 357\n13. \u201cAnd he shall make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men.\u201d] Yes (as I also have said), in the sight of men. Magicians do these things, by the aid of the apostate angels, even to this day. He shall cause also that a golden image of Antichrist shall be placed in the temple at Jerusalem, and that the apostate angel should enter, and thence utter voices and oracles. Moreover, he himself shall contrive that his servants and children should receive as a mark on their foreheads, or on their right hands, the number of his name, lest any one should buy or sell them. Daniel had previously predicted his contempt and provocation of God. \u201cAnd he shall place,\u201d says he, \u201chis temple within Samaria, upon the illustrious and holy mountain that is at Jerusalem, an image such as Nebuchadnezzar had made.\u201d 2305 Thence here he places, and by and by here he renews, that of which the Lord, admonishing His churches concerning the last times and their dangers, says: \u201cBut when ye shall see the contempt which is spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, let him who readeth understand.\u201d 2306 It is called a contempt when God is provoked, because idols are worshipped instead of God, or when the dogma of heretics is introduced in the churches. But it is a turning away because stedfast men, seduced by false signs and portents, are turned away from their salvation.\n[The Edinburgh edition seems to follow the confusion of MSS., introducing here the seventeenth chapter, out of place.]\n356:2304\n[But see Iren\u00e6us, vol. i. p. 559.]\n357:2305 357:2306","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol VII: Victorinus: From the thirte...","type":"page"}