| Greater Things > Books > The Man of Sin Revealed | by Sterling D. Allan |
> 15. Greek NT Word Number 666: "Go Ye Out" |
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15a. Greek NT Word Number 666: "Go Ye Out"
Yesterday (3/30/97) I spent some time with a couple who were concerned about what I have been writing in this document. One of them suggested that I ought to at least read the Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley before publishing what I have here -- a reasonable expectation. This suggestion carried the implication that perhaps I didn't appreciate what a good person President Hinckley is -- how much good he has accomplished. I made the point that I have not studied negative things about President Hinckley either.
This approach is not about accumulating evidence through exhaustive research of President Hinckley's dealings in life. It is to show God's foreordained knowledge of what is to take place, along with setting forth the reasons behind it, so that each of us -- in this light -- can look at ourselves and assess our relationship with God. Is our foundation built on God or a man, making him god? If we are honest, whatever the current answer to that question is, the result will be to persuade us that we must build on the rock of Christ alone.
This morning, when I went to pull my books out of the zipped tote bag I had placed them in, I saw that the Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley had tipped over and had creased several pages of Zodhiates' lexicon. Sensing that there would be something significant about this, I carefully removed the Biography so as to not impose further damage. Then I opened the Lexicon to where the accidental dog-earing ended. There on the first uncreased page (p. 241) was
word #666
I had previously (3/5/97) circled this number, but had not been overly persuaded that it was applicable to the number of the beast (Rev. 13:18). The meaning of the word itself, "absence," does not seem to have any obvious application, unless, perhaps it refers to the absence of the outpourings of the Spirit or the absence of the presence of God. However, the antonym given by Zodhiates, "(3952), presence, coming," did catch my attention, and I had added, "...of Christ" in the margin: which is an appropriate antonym of 666. It turns out that this is exactly the meaning of the antonym word, #3952. Zodhiates says,
(II) A technical term used of the coming of Christ. (III) Of the coming or manifestation of the man of sin (2 Thes. 2:3). Ant.: (666), absence.
There could not be a more fitting definition for word number 666, pointing to both the Man of Sin and the equal and opposite manifestation in Christ. Can there be any doubt that there is something significant and profound to this?
Recall that I found this because the Biography of President Hinckley fell onto my Lexicon, dog-earing the pages to this location. The link by these circumstances alone of Gordon B. Hinckley to word #666 might be regarded a stretch. However, consider this. The day after this occurred, while reading the biography, I discovered that minus the two cover pages, there are exactly 666 pages(108) of text in his authorized biography by Sheri L. Dew.(109)
Therefore, to summarize what happened, this Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley with 666 pages of text fell onto my Greek Lexicon, creasing the pages to highlight the page with the word #666 which points to the coming of the Man of Sin in juxtaposition with the coming of Christ. And this was after I had found and written up all these other evidences pointing to Gordon B. Hinckley as the one who will play the role of the Man of Sin.
At this juncture, notwithstanding all of these evidences, this couple of which I spoke, who have had opportunity to peruse these things in the course of my writing them, expressed great misgivings about the methods of approach and the radical conclusions, but especially about the notion of publishing them. The Church has meant everything to them. The conclusions appear to come far too close to evil-speaking of the Lord's anointed -- a breach of covenants of the most serious kind. To say anything that reflects negatively on the leaders of the Church, especially the prophet, is seen as one of the greatest sins.
Because I too was raised with these sentiments, I too have wrestled immensely with this whole endeavor. I cannot doubt that there is deep significance to these evidences. To discover them is one thing; but to publish them is quite another -- though that usually goes together. From the beginning, I have believed that at some point these things will be made known to the world, for the Lord has told us that in the last days all things shall be revealed. I have sensed that my mission and burden in life would include playing a part in that process.
The portion of this process that my heart rejoices in is not in my playing a part to reveal hidden things, but that I might help others realize that each person can know all things for themselves by going to the Lord him/herself. I view the things which the Lord has enabled me to discover as bearing witness of that pivotal doctrine, thereby facilitating each person coming to know the Lord for him/herself.
The irony of this is that Mormons have been trained to believe that if there is anything of new doctrinal significance to be published for our meaningful consideration, it must come through the prophet, thus ensuring that people will not be deceived by "alternate voices." According to this dogma, the current treatise epitomizes in the extreme the very danger against which the members need to be shielded: an "apostate" accusing the prophet of being poised to play the role of the Man of Sin, the son of perdition. The reality is that the current treatise would not even be written if this dogma were not in place and people were taught to look to God first and foremost; for then the Man of Sin phenomenon would not arise.
And so, as for these things which shed an unfavorable light on the prophet, the Lord's anointed, I believe that the Lord justifies me or anyone else in unfolding them because they focus not on one man's weakness, but on an entire culture that is out of order. The finger being pointed here is not from one person to a man God has placed to be a leader over him. As was discussed in the introduction, the "finger" in this case is composed of essentially everyone from the beginning of time, for all make some contribution to language, where these pointing evidences are indelibly recorded. That finger we have all created together under God's watchful eye points at each one of us. We are all guilty of setting a Man of Sin in the holy of hollies of our heart until God works his miracle in us through his grace, according to our agency. This is the beauty of this testimony: It not only points out the problem, but it also points to the source of our salvation, which is Jesus Christ and his great plan of happiness found in His eternal gospel. God does not tear down without building anew.
This dual nature of God, the severity and the grace in the process of enabling us to overcome the world by removing the evil from our lives and replacing it with God's righteousness, is depicted in a word prior to word #666.
663 µ apotomia: A cutting off, severing, as of a man cutting off dead or useless boughs from a fruit tree (Rom. 11:22). Severely, abruptly. Syn.: (857), severity, austerity. Ant.: (5544), goodness, kindness; (5363), the love shown toward men; (1932), gentleness, toleration; (4240), meekness, clemency.
664 µ apotomos: Curtly, in a manner that cuts, cutting off. Syn.: (1810), unexpectedly.
As for making these things known, which are so specific as to pinpoint the address, religion, first, middle, and last name of the person who will play this role for the world; using an approach that is totally new and unfamiliar; making a claim that few would entertain let alone publish, the ramifications to whomever does so being heavy beyond a person's ability to cope (without God); I find the word three prior to word #666 assuring:
662 µ apotolmao: To dare very much, to be very bold (Rom. 10:20), to speak out boldly, boldly declare. Syn.: (2292), courageous. Ant.: (5399), to be afraid; (4912), to be restrained; (5141), to tremble; (4422), to be frightened or scared; (5425), to shudder.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Tim. 1:7.)
The promises of God will be fulfilled. His word will not fall to the ground void. Wickedness will not forever rule, but will have and end. The pit which was digged to ensnare the righteous shall be filled by those who digged it.
661 apotino: To pay off, repay, make good. Syn.: (467), to give in return for, recompense; (488), to mete out in return.
Those who have cast out the righteous will themselves be cast out by the Lord. Those who have said of the righteous that they are apostates will be shown to be the apostates. Those who have spurned and derided the good names of the faithful followers of Christ will themselves become a proverb.
As with the words we have looked at before, we can see that the words before and after word #666 have relevance to and expound upon the meaning of that word. In this case, the theme of the surrounding words seems to address the very apropos question: "If all these things are true, what is one to do about it?"
The word just prior to #666 epitomizes one of the key answers or injunctions.
665 apotrepo: To turn away from, avoid, shun (2 Tim. 3:5).
This scripture Zodhiates cites, 2 Tim. 3:5. Speaking of those "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof," it admonishes, "From such turn away." The forms of worship are not what save. The object of our worship, even Jesus Christ, is what saves. One of the hallmark "forms of godliness" found in Mormonism is their proud claim to have modern apostles and prophets. The beginnings of the Mormon religion saw the true power of God manifest in those who had these titles. However, when you consider what an apostle or prophet of God is supposed to be, you will see that over time the Mormons in general have now come to "deny the power thereof." The scriptures set forth the pattern for a true prophet as one who beholds the visions of God, walking and talking with God and angels; showing forth God's power through miraculous manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit; imparting a voice of warning and admonition to all people; calling them to a godly walk through the merits of the Messiah; pointing them to God, that they all might be prophets, even a nation of kings and queens, priests and priestesses. The form is there in Mormonism, but the power has long been lost from the body in general. Hence comes the admonition of D&C 113:7-10(110), among others, which fits very well into the words that surround word #666. In the spirit of D&C 113:7-10, which explains Isa. 52:1,2 ("Shake thyself from the dust..., loose thyself from the bands of thy neck"), word #660 has the following definition.
660 apotinasso: To shake off. Ant.: (4732), to make strong, establish.
The antonyms of this word captures the essence of the solution: to build or establish ourselves on the rock of Christ alone, the sure foundation. Only then will we be strong, for he is strong, and he dwells in us and we in Him.
"And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing. And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion." (Moro. 10:30,31.)
The most dramatic loss of the Mormon prophets' mantle of power, when it became reduced to form only, can be traced back to the canonized Declaration 1 (1890), in which the damning dogma that "the prophet will never lead you astray..." was introduced. This placed the prophet as the infallible one, being more worthy of our trust than our own relationship with God, who truly is our only sure foundation, our rock. Though many other changes can be shown to be points of departure in the gradual march of apostasy from the true doctrine of Christ, this one is probably the most significant. Even secular historians note that from this point on, Mormon history ceased to be phenomenal. By man exalting the prophetic role beyond its authority, God reduced the authority to minimal housekeeping so far as power is concerned. Meanwhile, the Mormon exaltation of the role of the prophet in its empty form continues and will crescendo until it manifests itself in the extreme prophesied in 2nd Thes. ii (which even then will probably be far more subtle than what would jar anyone from their delusion), at which point, God will set his house in order.
657 apotasso: To assign to different places, allot [D&C 85:7]. Translated "forsaketh" in Luke 14:33 and carries the notion of putting something aside (perhaps in its correct priority) to prevent it from being a hindrance [Hinckley] or gaining excessive control. In other references it means separating oneself from others, places, or things.
And this, so that the word of God might be:
658 apoteleo: To perfect, accomplish, to be of full stature. Syn.: (5048), to complete, fulfill; (1615), to finish out; (4931), to bring to fulfillment.
Although there will be a culminating, dynamic event at the climax of wickedness, spoken of in 2nd Thes. ii and Isaiah 66 in which wickedness is removed and righteousness established, the process of dividing the wheat from the tares will transpire over a longer period of time. The time of ripeness for the harvest of souls unto God will vary from individual to individual, depending on their missions in life and their quickness to hearken to the voice of God. Some may linger within the realms of increasing darkness up until the very end in order to exert an influence for good, for the gathering of God's wheat. Others may be gathered out early to establish strength in the camps of God.
659 µ apotithemi: To renounce, put off in a figurative sense (Rom. 13:12, "cast off the works of darkness"). Deriv.: (595), a laying aside; (596), barn, garner [wheat/tares]. Syn.: (1544), to cast out of [righteous from among the wicked]. Ant.: (1521), to bring in [gathered to Christ].
This gathering out of the righteous from the midst of the mother church is synonymous with bringing forth the man child, or the kingdom of God on earth. According to Isaiah 66:7, this birth produces even before the tribulations, or pains of labor, begin to fall on the church in ernest. How appropriate that the following word comes next to word #666.
667 apophero: To carry away. Syn.: (520,616), to bring forth; (1080), to beget.
According to John, the dragon of Satan's kingdom stands ready to devour the man child as soon as he is delivered (Rev. 12:4). Hence, the next word:
668 apopheugo: To flee away from, escape. Syn.: (1831), to go out of a place; (665), avoid, turn away. Ant.: (1567), to search out; (2212), to seek; (232), to fish; (2340), to hunt; (1295), to bring safely.
The antonyms for this word bring several key scriptures to mind about the glorious gathering. Those who are cast out or who flee of their own choosing, will not be left alone. Consider the word of the Lord on this matter:
"Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand...; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
"For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." (Ezk. 34:10-12.)
"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks." (Jer. 16:14-16.)
669 µ apophtheggomai: To utter, declare, speak, particularly pithy and remarkable sayings. This is the verb used to indicate the discernable utterance of the "other tongues" in which the Holy Spirit enabled the believers to speak at Pentecost "as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).
"By following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel." (2 Ne. 31:13.)
"For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent." (Zeph. 3:9.)
"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." (Mal. 3:16.)
670 µ apophortizomai: To unload, a ship. Syn.: (2758), to empty. Ant.: (1073), to make full. [Preparation for in-filling of Holy Ghost.]
The Lord is going to raise up men and women after his own heart to be planted in the stead of those who have corrupted the holy offices. As in his ministry among the Jews, these apostles, or true witnesses of Christ, will have been hidden from the world, being numbered among the weak things of the earth. In conjunction with the birth of the manchild, even before the berthing pangs of tribulation come on the church, these chosen vessels will come forward to begin a mighty work for God among the Gentiles. This will be the light of the fullness of the gospel that shines among them which they receive not. Then, after a space of time (3 1/2 years?) when the Man of Sin is removed by God, these true apostles will take their rightful places in God's kingdom, which will now be fully born and begin to fill the whole earth. With the full consumption of the Gentile's purging, the New Jerusalem will be established here on the American continent, and the work of God will go forward in earnest to Israel, gathering them according to the covenant. This work of great majesty and power of God will be unsurpassed in the history of the world.
A series of words prior to word #657, mentioned above, which refers to the setting in order, describe the environment leading up to the consummation of the setting in order, when 2 Thes. ii and Isa. 66 will be fulfilled. They reflect the dichotomy of the situation we find at present in which the deluded Mormon apostles are persecuting the hidden, foreordained replacement apostles of Christ, labeling them apostate and even excommunicating them because of their zeal for Christ and his kingdom.
645 apospao: To draw from our out. Spoken of persons, to draw away disciples from another to oneself (Acts 20:30). Syn.: (1244), to separate, divide; (851), to cut off, take away.
Acts 20:30 is one of the primary scriptures of the Lord's warning about wolves who would enter the flock. The need to be vigilant is an important mandate given from God to his saints. Ironically, in Mormonism, at times the wolves have applied this mandate to the watchmen, and the wrong people have been severed.
Paul's admonition was to "take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God" (Acts 20:28). Ezekiel 34, among other places, prophecies that the shepherd would cease feeding the flock and would scattered them instead of gathering them. Indeed, even literally, the crucial doctrine of gathering has been replaced by one of encouraging members to mingle in the world, supposedly to exert a righteous influence, when what is actually happening is the flock is being destroyed by the storms and predators that are without.
"Let no man deceive you with vain words(111): for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph. 5:6-11.)
646 apostasia: Departure, apostasy. 2 Thes. 2:3, "a falling away." In 2 Thes. 2:3 the word apostasia does not refer to genuine Christians who depart from the faith, but mere professors who, without divine grace, succumb to the Satanic deception of the Anti-Christ.
647 apostasion: A divorce or dismissal of a woman [bride/church] from her husband [anti-Christ], the deed or instrument of such divorce. (Deut. 24:1-4.) It is equivalent to a certificate of innocence because the husband who was instructed to issue it in divorcing his guiltless wife and sending her away from his house was, in fact, the guilty person.
648 apostegazo: To uncover, remove a covering.
"Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.
"Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers--for ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God--therefore your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began. Therefore, blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a light unto the Gentiles, and through this priesthood, a savior unto my people Israel. The Lord hath said it. Amen." (D&C 86:7-11.)
649 apostello: To send off, forth, out, on a certain mission such as to preach; speak; bless; rule, redeem, propitiate; save. The expression that Jesus was sent by God denotes the mission which He had to fulfill and the authority which backed Him.
650 apostereo: To deprive, wrong, or defraud another of what belongs to him. Syn.: (642), to be bereaved of the company of; (4122), to take advantage of.
"We beheld Satan, that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ--wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about." (D&C 76:28,29.)
651 apostole: Dispatching or sending forth. Apostleship.
"The inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion. And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known." (D&C 64:38,39.)
652 apostolos: One sent, apostle, ambassador. It designates the office as instituted by Christ to witness of Him before the world. It also designates the authority which those called to this office possess. Syn.: (32), a messenger, an angel.
653 µ apostomatizo: To draw or force words, as it were, from the mouth of another, to incite or provoke to speak, to question as in a court.
"Beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
"But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak." (Matt. 10:17-20.)
[R.E. Paul] "Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews." (Acts 20:19.)
654 apostrepho: To turn away from (Luke 23:14, turning away the people from Caesar [world government], i.e., exciting to rebellion [for freedom]).
"There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." (Rom. 11:26; compare Isa. 59:20,21; Moro. 10:32; Rom. 10:3; D&C 1:16.)
655 apostugeo: To hate, abhor, detest with horror. Deriv.: (2319), haters of God. Syn.: (5425), to shudder. Ant.: (4834), to have compassion, be touched with the feeling of.
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." (Matt. 5:11.)
656 aposunagogos: Separated from the synagogue, excommunicated.
"I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart." (Alma 32:12.)
"Ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues. But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand them. Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?" (Alma 33:2,3.)
"Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations. Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction." (Alma 33:9,10.)
This then brings us back to the words we have already considered (657-668) in the vicinity of word #666. One word we have not yet looked at, following #666, ties in to the above scripture in Alma about speedy destruction coming to the chaff after the wheat has been gathered out of their midst.
671 apochresis: Consumption in full. Using up something so that nothing remains.
"Has not the Lord expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will rebel against him that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth?" (Alma 9:24.)
"The time cometh, saith the Lord, that when ye shall cast out the righteous from among you, then shall ye be ripe for destruction; yea, wo be unto this great city, because of the wickedness and abominations which are in her." (Hel. 13:14.)
Hence comes the repeated admonition of the prophets to "go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord."
672 apochoreo: To depart, go from. Syn.: (1831), to go out of; (4198), to go on one's way, depart; (673), to separate oneself; (645), to draw oneself away. Ant.: (2345), to handle, touch; (4347), to join oneself to.
673 apochorizo: To separate, disjoin.
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God [see Acts 7:48; Isa. 66:1,2]; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye the separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (JST (vs. 17) II Cor. 6:14-18.)
The next word reiterates the idea of the kingdom of God being born in tribulation as the laboring mother gives birth to the man child, which comes out (departs from) the mother. Additionally, it portrays the dichotomy of those who will suffer immensely as the severity of God is poured out on the one hand, while also depicting the mercy of God on those who will be saved as it were by fire, even the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, spiritually, who will also be enabled to walk through the literal fires.
674 apopsucho: To be faint of heart due to fear or terror as in Luke 21:26. Syn.: (2577), to faint or be weary as a result of continuous labor. Ant.: (330), to revive, flourish again; (2545,4448), to burn.
"Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire. Behold, my brethren, I say unto you, that these things must shortly come; yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must come; and it must needs be upon the face of this earth; and it cometh unto men according to the flesh if it so be that they will harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel. For behold, the righteous shall not perish; for the time surely must come that all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off." (1 Nephi 22:17-19.)
"And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold, their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked shall not be numbered among the names of the righteous. For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy him." (Alma 5:57,59.)
15a. Word Number 666 in the Hebrew OT Lexicon
With the Greek lexicon word #666 being so replete with meaning pertaining to the Man of Sin; we might suspect that word #666 in the Hebrew lexicon would be similarly applicable. It is.
As you read the definition for Hebrew word #666 given by Gesenius, bear in mind the following scripture that is a hallmark of the present theme.
"Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered [compare JST-Mark 9:46: eye, transgress], so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand. And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him." (Ezk. 21:24-27.)
666 A covering of the head. i.e. a cap a helmet [diadem, crown]; a mitre of priest and bishops. Ornament for the head. In contrast, capturing the essence of "him that is low," the word just before is:
665 Ashes [denotes dust and earth].
Picking up the theme of the Lord's chosen servants being hidden from the world until their appointed time (e.g. Isa. 49:2; D&C 86:9) when they will take their rightful place, an unused root listed prior to that is:
u.r. To cover.
Appropriately, the words prior have the meaning:
662 (2) to be strong, mighty [D&C 85 mighty and strong set house of God in order]. For the signification of holding, especially holding firmly is often applied to strength. To overcome, to conquer [overturn, overturn, overturn]; to excel (to be very strong) in liberality, eloquence; excellent, surpassing [Isa. 52:13 servant very high].
663 ("strength," "fortress," "fortified city"). [Rock of Christ.]
664 ("strength").
The words after #666 are as follows:
667 The young [tender; Ezk. 17:22,24, "I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low (tender) tree"].
668 A litter, palanquin. To run, to be borne quickly. [Mal. 3:1 Lord suddenly come to his temple].
669 (1) Ephraim.
"The rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land. For, verily I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out.
"For it shall come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion. And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known." (D&C 64:35,36,38,39.)
"Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
"In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people.
"The priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment." (Isa. 28:1,5,7.)
Ironically, one of the words on page 666 of the LDS Bible Dictionary is "Ephraim." Another is "Ephod: Pard of the dress of the high priest."
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Endnotes
108. 108 653 (last page number) + xviii (intro pages) - 3 (blank pages: ii, vi, 562) - 2 (cover pages) = 666 pages of text.
109. 109 Go Forward with Faith: The Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley; Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, Utah; 1996.
110. 110 "Questions by Elias Higbee: What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion--and what people had Isaiah reference to?
"He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage, also to return to that power which she had lost.
"What are we to understand by Zion loosing herself from the bands of her neck; 2nd verse?
"We are to understand that the scattered remnants are exhorted to return to the Lord from whence they have fallen; which if they do, the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them, to give them revelation. See the 6th, 7th, and 8th verses. The bands of her neck are the curses of God upon her, or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition among the Gentiles." (D&C 113:7-10.)
111. 111 R.E. Vain Words:
"Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace." (Ezk. 13:10; 13:16; Jer. 6:14; 8:11; 23:17.)
"The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so." (Jer. 5:31.)
"His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are shepherds that cannot understand. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant." (Isa. 56:10-12.)
