6 + 6 Reasons for the 66-Book Canon
A. Introduction
Did you know that the Bible itself has internal evidence, at least 12 times, showing that God intended for the canon to have 66 books?
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A-1. Outline of Sections and Subsections
A. Introduction
A-1. Outline of Sections and Subsections [You are here]
A-2. The Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox Dilemma
B. 6 from the Old Testament
B-1. 66 Days to Pentecost
B-2. Bread Represents God’s Word, 6 and 6
B-3. Moses and the ARK, Twice on 6-6
B-4. Song of Songs Was Written on 6-6
B-5. Isaiah Has 66 Chapters (Divided into 39 & 27)
B-6. Daniel 3 Image Was 60 by 6 Cubits
C. 6 from the New Testament
C-1. Matthew (31) + Mark (35) = 66
C-2. Nine Books Written in AD 66
C-3. Three Martyrs in AD 66
C-4. One Resurrection in AD 66
C-5. 66 and 666 in John Chapter 6
C-6. 616 and 666 in Revelation 13:18
D. The Very Last Reformation
D-1. Septuagint, Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch
D-2. Bridge from Malachi to John the Baptist
D-3. Three-Legged Stool: How Many Unbreakable Legs?
D-4. ADDING to God’s Word: How Serious Is It?
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A-2. The Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox Dilemma
The so-called “Protestant Dilemma” includes the claim, that the Bible doesn’t have any inspired list for the “table of contents”; therefore, the authority of the church decides what should and should not be in the Bible. And this, in turn, shows that the church is the final or ultimate authority—not the Bible.
This reasoning sounds pretty convincing, to many; and unfortunately, Protestants have generally done a very poor job, of responding to this so-called dilemma. Nevertheless, the time has come for this dilemma to be reversed (or inverted); from now on, this is NOT the “Protestant Dilemma”—instead, it is now a severe dilemma for ALL of the following Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Islam, Catholic, and Orthodox (both Eastern and Oriental). In fact, the only Abrahamic faith that does NOT have this dilemma: is Protestants, with the 66-book canon!
While it is true, that the Bible doesn’t have a table of contents—yet it DOES have a quantity of contents (66 books); furthermore, this inspired quantity of contents is taught in the Bible, not just once, but at least 12 different times: 6 times in the Old Testament (OT), and 6 times in the New Testament (NT). And this is sufficient—just as good or better, than a table of contents—because all versions of Christianity contain the SAME 66 books (the differences are in the extra books).
B. 6 from the Old Testament
This section has 6 different times, from the Old Testament. Even the Orthodox Jews, with the Tanakh, need to examine their own Hebrew Bible more carefully—it shows that they are missing the NT books!
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B-1. 66 Days to Pentecost
Pentecost—also known in the OT as the “feast of weeks” (Shavuot, in Hebrew)—is the one date and event in the year, that is most directly associated with the word of God (see Leviticus 23:15-21; etc). The Jews say that the Ten Commandments were spoken from Mount Sinai, on Pentecost (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shavuot); and they are right—it was on July 2, 1445 BC (https://7grails.world/7-symbolic/chr/dead/). This was the ultimate manifestation of God’s word, in the OT—the law was even spoken by God’s very own voice!
And in the NT, the ultimate manifestation of God’s word was ALSO on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2): when the disciples received the Holy Spirit—and the gift of prophecy—giving them the inspiration and authority, to write all 27 NT books.
NOTE: Mark, Luke, and all NT authors were present in Jerusalem, on that day (except Paul); more details to come, on these and all NT authors.
And exactly WHEN is Pentecost, in the Hebrew calendar? The Greek word “Pente-cost” actually means FIFTY days, and this refers to it coming fifty days after the Wave Sheaf date (Omer); but the Wave Sheaf itself is on day SIXTEEN, of the first Jewish month—so FIFTY plus SIXTEEN equals 66!!
This is one of many reasons, why it is very important to understand the correct chronology for the Wave Sheaf: it is ALWAYS on Nisan 16, NOT always on Sunday (https://7grails.world/7-symbolic/chr/bcd/). If indeed it did always fall on a Sunday (which is the popular, but incorrect view): then the number of days from New Year’s Day (NYD), to Pentecost, would be different from one year to the next (ranging from about 65 to 71)—which could NOT therefore give any consistent information, about how many books in the true word of God (furthermore, no common Christian Bible has 71 or less books, except the correct 66-book canon).
Someone might notice that—even with Wave Sheaf always on Nisan 16—yet it is only 65 days, not 66, from NYD to Pentecost. This is somewhat true; but more accurately, it depends upon how you count the days. For example, inclusive reckoning always counts one more than exclusive reckoning (https://7grails.world/7-symbolic/chr/abcd/). And that is basically what is also happening, in this case—if you start with Nisan 1 as day 1 (NYD), and count the days to Pentecost, you will end up on day 65; however, if you do the initial count from NYD to Wave Sheaf (16 days), and ANOTHER inclusive count from Wave Sheaf to Pentecost (50 days), and then add them up: you get 16 + 50 = 66 (which is the counting system, that is found in the Bible).
Finally, even the 65 count has an important meaning: there are 65 books to Jude, the next-to-last book in the Bible (both by position, and by the year written); then there is a 30-year gap, between Jude and Revelation. The 65 and 66 days to Pentecost, as well as the 30 year gap (and other methods): puts a sharp distinction between Revelation, and all the other NT books (as well as OT books). And this is for very important reasons: https://7grails.world/babel/dated-27/ad96/
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B-2. Bread Represents God’s Word, 6 and 6
Leviticus 24:5,6 (GWT), “Also take flour and bake twelve rings of bread. Each ring will contain four quarts of flour. Put them in two stacks of six each on the gold table in the LORD’s presence.”
Here we see not merely the total quantity, twelve; but we are also specifically told that they come in TWO stacks, of SIX per stack: SIX and SIX (representing the 66 books, in God’s Word). Oh, but someone might object, six plus six equals twelve—not sixty six. True, but no Abrahamic religion has only twelve books, in their Bible (or only twelve chapters in the Quran, etc). Furthermore, having a grand total of sixty six round cakes, on the show-bread table, would be impractical (at best); also, sixty six cakes would not be much of a hidden message.
Psalm 77:13, “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?”
What better place, to hide the truth about the total books in God’s word, than in the sanctuary? And more specifically, on the table of show-bread: because bread REPRESENTS the word of God (see Deuteronomy 8:3; Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 4:2-4; Luke 4:2-4; John 6:11,26-63; etc).
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B-3. Moses and the ARK, Twice on 6-6
This is one of many places, where there is great benefit in knowing the correct and exact biblical chronology—if you are even one year off, for the exodus, then you will completely miss the message here (https://7grails.world/7-symbolic/chr/dead/). The chronology here is from the life of Moses; and he is the author of the Torah, or Pentateuch, which is the first five books of God’s word! Additionally, Moses wrote the two previous cases, above (66 days to Pentecost, show-bread 6 and 6); and last but not least, Moses was present at Mount Sinai—and he received the tables of stone, with God’s word engraved upon them (see Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 34:1-4,29; etc). So the chronology of Moses is a real good place, for God to reveal His true canon of 66 books.
Moses was born on Tuesday, 3-9 (Julian), 1524 BC. Just one of several methods, to verify this date, is the fact that Moses died on his birthday (the Jews know this general fact, but they don’t know the actual date of his birth or death); and his death date (3-9-1405 BC) fits perfectly, with the Jordan crossing chronology—if, and only if, you have the right year for that event (https://7grails.world/7-symbolic/chr/70jubilee/). Additionally, Pharaoh’s daughter rescued Moses in the ARK on Sunday, 6-6 (Julian), and it was also Pentecost (3-6, on the Hebrew calendar)—which was exactly 90 days (inclusive), after his birth, and “three months” later (Exodus 2:2; Acts 7:20; Hebrews 11:23). God also planned for those tables of stone, received by Moses, to be traveling in the ARK—for the very first time—exactly 80 years later, on Tuesday 6-6 (Julian), 1444 BC; and Moses was the leader, as the ARK and tabernacle left Sinai on 6-6, which was 2-20 on the Hebrew calendar (see Numbers 10:11,12).
This 6-6 date, which was twice connected with Moses and the word of God—Pentecost rescue, and the ARK containing the tables of stone—was planned by God, to show two things: first, that He intended for the Bible to have 66 books; and secondarily, that Moses was chosen to be the foundational author of the Bible. So this chronology refutes the popular “Documentary Hypothesis”—which claims that Moses was not the author, of the Pentateuch.
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B-4. Song of Songs Was Written on 6-6
Song of Songs is a very special book (see Part 1); also, it is one of the books, along with Revelation and a few others, that were written in a single day. Plus, it was written on a very special date: 6-6 (Julian), 965 BC; this was also on a Sabbath, in a Jubilee year, and on Pentecost (and the Moses rescue anniversary, on two calendars—the same date in the Julian calendar, 6-6, and Pentecost in the Hebrew calendar).
This one is similar to #3: where the June 6 date (6-6) represents the 66 books, of the true canon (although Solomon lived about 500 years after Moses). Song of Songs is an especially important book, for those of us living right now—at the end of time—who need to wake up, because the bridegroom is coming (https://7grails.world/7-literal/1-wedding/).
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B-5. Isaiah Has 66 Chapters (Divided into 39 & 27)
Some books, of the Bible, have only one chapter (Obadiah, Philemon, 2nd & 3rd John, Jude); and Psalms has the most chapters (150). One, and only one book, has exactly 66 chapters—it is the book of Isaiah; and for several reasons: this is a great book, to represent the entire canon. Even in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), the book of Isaiah has 66 chapters; and most amazingly, they divided it into two distinct sections: the first 39 chapters, and the last 27 chapters—which EXACTLY PARALLELS the Protestant books (39 in the OT, and 27 in the NT).
Google AI: “Ancient and medieval Jewish interpreters, such as the prominent commentator Abraham ibn Ezra, frequently analyzed the book in two distinct sections, characterized by contrasting historical contexts and core messages. First Isaiah (chapters 1–39): Primarily focuses on prophecies of rebuke, judgment, and warnings regarding the political upheavals of the 8th Century BCE, specifically concerning Assyria. Second Isaiah (chapters 40–66 [27 books]): Focuses on consolation, redemption, and the future restoration of Jerusalem.”
Some might think that picking Isaiah, with 66 chapters, is merely cherry-picking (a book that fits 66); but there is a big problem, with this objection: because there is NO book with 73 chapters (to fit the Catholic Bible), or 76, 79, 81 chapters, etc (to fit the Orthodox Bibles). In fact, there is a huge GAP, of nearly one hundred chapters—between Jeremiah (52 chapters), and Psalms (150 chapters)—and only one single book exists (in that chapter quantity gap), which is Isaiah, at 66 chapters. Therefore, this is a one in a hundred coincidence, or else it is by God’s plan (to show the 66-book canon); and the final certainty, that it is NOT koinkidink, is the division into 39 chapters and 27 chapters!!
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B-6. Daniel 3 Image Was 60 by 6 Cubits
Daniel 3:1, “Nebuchadnezzar the king made an IMAGE of gold, whose height was threescore cubits [60], and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.”
This one might seem a bit strange, because the context is a heathen king (Nebuchadnezzar); and it is about this huge IMAGE or idol, that the king commanded everyone to bow down and worship. Then WHY would God connect this story, about wicked things, with the number of books in the sacred canon (60 + 6 = 66)?
One reason, is the fact that this chapter is primarily about the three FAITHFUL young men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who refused to bow down to the idol, even if it cost them a horrible death by fire (see 3:17,18). Furthermore, God honored their faithfulness; and He supernaturally preserved them from any harm, which was an amazing shock—and wonderful testimony—to the king, and others (see 3:19-30).
Another reason, even more directly related to God’s word: is the fact that Nebuchadnezzar himself, was the SOURCE FOR PART OF THE BIBLE! Yes, God gave this heathen king a dream; and it was so important, that it became the foundational prophetic starting point—for ALL the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation (see Daniel 2:1-49). But that’s not all; Nebuchadnezzar was actually the author, of chapter 4 (see 4:1-37). This shows that God is fully in control, of the true Bible—with or without the help of faithful people (like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), and/or ungodly people (like Nebuchadnezzar).
Last but not least: it is widely recognized that Daniel and Revelation go together, and are companion books, with similar content—including another “IMAGE” in Revelation (see 13:14-18). So the two sixes, here in Daniel (60 + 6 = 66), have a hidden message about God’s word: this double six (66) sets the stage for a similar, yet opposite message in Revelation; for details about the triple six (666), as it relates to God’s word, see below (C-6).
C. 6 from the New Testament
This section has 6 different times, from the New Testament. These 6 can be found in the official Catholic Bible, as well as Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Bibles, etc.
C-1. Matthew (31) + Mark (35) = 66
Part of the information above, from the OT, requires exact and correct chronology; and the same thing is also true, here in the NT. Too long for this page, but very directly related, is the exact year when each NT book was written (or completed); for an initial study on this topic, with much more to come: https://7grails.world/babel/dated-27/
All 27 of the NT books can be dated, to the exact year, based on internal evidence (and also fitting with most or all known ancient history); in NO case, is there uncertainty for the years listed—in fact, each of the 27 books have at least “two or three witnesses” (that are in the Bible itself, and verify the correct year). For example, all four of the gospels are dated, by four NT resurrections (see the webpage, linked in the previous paragraph). Yet even these gospel dates are uncertain, unless the resurrection dates are certain; but there is overwhelming internal evidence, for the year of Christ’s resurrection (https://7grails.world/7-symbolic/chr/abcd/). And once you have that year correct (which most do not): then it’s fairly easy, to date the other resurrections (and therefore the other three gospels).
So the first gospel of Matthew, was written in AD 31; and Mark was written four years later, in AD 35. This means that Matthew plus Mark equals 66, and John was written in 66 (see C-2, below); therefore, three out of the four gospels point to the 66-book canon!!!
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C-2. Nine Books Written in AD 66
The gospel of John, and eight other books, were all written in AD 66: First & Second & Third John, First & Second Timothy, First & Second Peter, and Jude; this is exactly one third, of the entire NT (9 x 3 = 27). No other year has more than four books, written in the same year; therefore, these NINE books, in AD 66, emphasize the total quantity of books—in the true Bible (66 books).
John finished four books, in the same year (AD 66); and he wrote Revelation, 30 years later (AD 96). Paul was arrested in the summer, of AD 66 (see C-3, below); he wrote First Timothy, not very long before his arrest—and Second Timothy, shortly before his death. Peter was arrested in AD 66, prior to Paul’s arrest; and Peter wrote both of his epistles, while in prison (the second one was written, just before his death).
Jude was written about the same time as Second Peter (written in Rome), yet Jude wrote from about 1,400 miles away. God did this intentionally, to show that the Bible writers were NOT copycats (*); you see, Jude and Second Peter chapter 2 are very similar—yet they were living too far apart, for one to be copying the other (because there was no rapid communication, via cell phones or email, etc).
* NOTE: A very common view, even among fairly conservative scholars, is the idea that God’s power is so wimpy—that He can’t possibly inspire different authors to write very similar accounts.
Notice that Jude 1:14 says, “Enoch also, the seventh from Adam“; this is genealogy—but even more important, it is chronology information. Luke is the only other NT book, which mentions both Enoch and Adam (see 3:37,38); this is hidden verification, that Jude was written in the “seventh” year after Luke—which book is positively placed in AD 60, by the resurrection of Eutychus (https://7grails.world/babel/dated-27/). Therefore, Jude was written in AD 66 (the Greek for “seventh” is #1442, ordinal, meaning inclusive count).
Finally, Jude was the last book written, other than Revelation (this is why God had it placed next to last, in the canon); the inclusion and placement of Jude, in the NT, shows that God is in control of the content and arrangement (of the true 66-book canon). Without Jude, the canon would have only 65 books; but God overruled, so that it was included—even though some, in the early church, said that it should NOT be in the canon (because they thought it was apocryphal, and/or too similar to 2 Peter 2).
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C-3. Three Martyrs in AD 66
Ellicott’s Commentary: “The event here alluded to must have taken place some time after the Apostle’s release from the first imprisonment, A.D. 63 [actually AD 64], and, probably, in the course of his last journey, shortly before his second arrest and imprisonment at Rome, about A.D. 66.” (https://biblehub.com/commentaries/2_timothy/4-20.htm).
The above quote is correct, that Paul’s second arrest was in AD 66; nevertheless, quoting from a single commentary, is not sufficient proof of the exact year—in fact, his final arrest and death is typically dated from about 62 to 67. However, the exact year can indeed be verified, once you know the seven YES FAWN alignments: https://7grails.world/7-symbolic/chr/abc/
Yet Paul was not the only one who was martyred, in AD 66; Peter also, and at least one other, were martyrs in the same year. For the specifics, and biblical evidence, about this other martyr—please watch the following webpage: https://7grails.world/up-dates/
But why is this timing important? Because Paul and Peter were both authors, of NT books; and Paul was the most prolific writer, of the NT. Therefore, God aligned their deaths with AD 66: in order to connect these important Bible writers, with the total quantity of biblical books (66).
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C-4. One Resurrection in AD 66
This resurrection, in AD 66, is the same one by which the gospel of John is dated. For now, no further information will be disclosed; but details are yet to come, so please watch the following webpage: https://7grails.world/up-dates/
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C-5. 66 and 666 in John Chapter 6
John 6:5,6, “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”
This entire chapter, quite interestingly being number six, is the most detailed chapter—in the whole Bible—about literal bread (feeding the 5,000), as well as symbolic bread (the word of God). And the very first time that “bread” is mentioned, in this chapter, is verse 5; so John 6:5 represents 65 books, of the Bible. WAIT! Isn’t there supposed to be 66 books? Yes, but just like the Pentecost timing: both 65 and 66 are illustrated—in order to show the sharp distinction between Revelation, and the other 65 books (see B-1, above). Plus, this is one of many internal evidences: that the gospel of John, and Revelation, were written by the same author.
Notice also, in the very next verse, Jesus said that He knew what He was planning to do: supernaturally feed the 5,000; but Jesus was NOT so limited, that the statement ONLY applied to literal bread—instead, the most important meaning has to do with SYMBOLIC BREAD, the word of God! Jesus also “knew what He would do” about the Bible: supernaturally reveal the 65 and 66 books, of the canon, with these very same verses (John 6:5 and 6:6). But surely, this is just koinkidink—right? Not so fast. There is yet another supposed koinkidink, in this same chapter, that is a triple six (John 6:66).
John 6:66-68, “ From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the WORDS of eternal life.”
Clearly, the context here is the WORD of God; but Peter, and rest of the twelve, did not fail to discern between man’s word and God’s word. However, the majority (“many”) did fail, so they walked away; and that is reported in John 6:66—which leads right into Revelation, and the 666 number, about those who make the same mistake: following man’s word, instead of God’s word.
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C-6. 616 and 666 in Revelation 13:18
Almost everybody has heard of “666”—but almost nobody has heard of “616”; yet both of these numbers are from the same Bible verse, in Revelation (13:18). Both of these numbers have been applied to Nero (see Google AI quote, below); while 666 has been applied to various other public figures, such as Henry Kissinger.
Google AI
“Gematria: The practice of assigning numerical value to names was common, and Nero was the first major persecutor of Christians, making him a likely target.
666 (Neron Kesar): Transliterating the Greek Neron Kaisar into Hebrew (נרון קסר) produces 50 + 200 + 6 + 50 + 100 + 60 + 200 = 666.
616 (Nero Kesar): Transliterating the Latin Nero Caesar into Hebrew (נרו קסר) drops the final nun (50), resulting in 666 – 50 = 616.
Manuscript Evidence: While 666 is more common, 616 appears in early, significant manuscripts like Papyrus 115 (3rd century) and Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (5th century). The variation between 666 and 616 likely represents early scribes using different spellings (Greek vs. Latin transliteration) of the same man’s name.”
While it is a reasonable conclusion—that God intended for the application to Nero—yet everyone has missed the most important, or primary application, of 666 (and 616). Nearly everything in the Bible has at least “two or three” applications (see Part 0); and that is especially true, of passages that are symbolic prophecy—which certainly includes the book of Revelation!
First, though, we need to answer the following question: which is the correct original number, 616 or 666? And the answer is, BOTH!! Most people would probably consider 666, as the accurate number (on John’s original manuscript); however, no original manuscript still exists, for Revelation (or any other book in the Bible). This means that with manuscript “variants” (when a Bible manuscript has two or more different readings): scholars try to figure out which reading was actually written, by the original author (this process is called “lower criticism” or “textual criticism”).
The major problem, however, is that it’s nothing more than guessing; it might qualify as “educated” guessing, yet it is still guessing (at least in most cases). Some think that the majority of manuscripts, indicate the likely original wording—while others think that the oldest manuscripts, are the most reliable; and some go by a combination of these, and other factors. Nevertheless, none of these methods provide positive certainty; so again, it is simply guessing.
Does this mean that we can’t trust the Bible? No, absolutely not; we CAN have implicit faith, in the ENTIRE Bible (of 66 books). How so? Because all textual criticism is barking up the wrong tree! God NEVER promised to preserve the exact original wording, of the Bible authors—nor the type of ink that they used, nor the size and age of the papyrus or parchment, nor the style of the sandals (that they were wearing, while writing), etc. Instead, God promised to preserve the “TRUTH“—in the 66 books, of the supernaturally protected Bible manuscripts (see Psalm 119:1-176; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3;15-17; etc). This means that when there are two manuscript variants: BOTH of the readings are TRUTH!! And the case at hand, 616 and 666 in Revelation, is a strikingly clear example of this fact.
First of all, as shown above, both 616 and 666 apply to Nero. Yet there is another application, of these numbers: and it is about the word of God, 66 books—versus the word of man, in the added books (more than 66). For example, two sixes (66) is the correct Bible; three sixes (666) represents Bibles with more than 66 (too many books), while one six (6) represents Bibles that leave out some of the inspired books. Obviously, this is NOT limited to Bibles with exactly 666 books, or 6 books (because few if any Bibles have 666 books, or 6 books); but the concept is very simple, and very clear.
Revelation 13:18 (NLT), “Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666 [and 616].” (see also other versions: CEV, GNT, GWT, ISV, Weymouth, etc).
Essentially everyone has concluded that this verse refers to adding up the numbers, found in somebody’s title or name (such as Nero, Kissinger, etc). And although this is a reasonable application, it is positively NOT the only application (as mentioned above). In fact, most versions translate the phrase, “the number of a man”—yet the definite article (“a man”) is NOT in the Greek; so “the number of man” is just as good of a translation, if not better: so 616 and 666 represents man’s word (and “name” can mean character or reputation, rather than personal name or title).
Just to be sure, that we are on the right track here (God’s word, versus man’s word): notice that 6 + 1 + 6 = 13, and 6 + 6 + 6 = 18—which is the chapter and verse, in Revelation (13:18), where 616 and 666 are revealed. Already, this is a striking verification, that BOTH of these numbers are TRUTH; and both of them were intended, by God—regardless of what number was originally written, by John! Furthermore, the 616 also represents 6 x 16 = 96; and this is the exact year, AD 96, that Revelation was written (https://7grails.world/babel/dated-27/ad96/).
NOTE: 616 and 666 vali-date Revelation itself; primarily, however, these numbers are designed to expose unbiblical books—that do NOT belong, in the Bible.
So most importantly: 616 and 666 point very directly, to various religious books—that are man’s word, and NOT God’s word (and they don’t contain exactly 66 books). If you add 61 + 6, the answer is 67; and this is only one more, than 66—showing that any Bible with even one extra book, is too many (the Catholic Bible is 73 books, and most Orthodox Bibles range from about 76 to 81 books).
It is interesting, also, that the Catholic Bible has 67 verses added—between Daniel 3:23, and 3:24; so 61 + 6 (67) shows not only that one extra book is too many, but even adding extra verses is NOT God’s word! Furthermore, 616 points to 6 extra books, in the Catholic Bible (Tobit, Judith, First & Second Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach)—plus 1 more book, 6 chapters long, that was originally included with Jeremiah and Lamentations (Baruch was not originally a separate book, in the Catholic Bible, but now it is). Alternatively, the final 6 (in 616) can represent another 6 books, equaling 13 extra books (6 + 1 + 6 = 13); and this would mean 79 total books (66 + 13 extra = 79)—which is a ballpark quantity of books, in most Orthodox Bibles (although there is no consistent Orthodox Bible, so they usually range from about 76 to 81).
But 616, and 666, do not merely expose the Catholic and/or Orthodox counterfeit Bibles; no, these numbers also expose the Quran. 6 x 6 + 6 (666) = 42, and 6 + 6 x 6 (666) = 72; these totals, combined, equal 114 (42 + 72 = 114)—which is exactly the number of chapters, in the Quran! Just in case that’s not enough—there is another simple calculation, which produces the same results: 6 + 1 x 6 (616) = 42, and 6 + 66 (666) = 72; this is the very same totals, 42 + 72 = 114 (total chapters in the Quran—which is NOT a compilation of books, like the Bible, it is merely one book).
Finally, the only other Abrahamic faith is Judaism; and they have 24 books, in their Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). It is essentially the same, as the Protestant Old Testament—except for the arrangement, and counting, of the books (for example, they count the minor prophets as one book); this means that their Bible is indeed the word of God, with one MASSIVE problem: it is missing the ENTIRE NEW TESTAMENT! And even the arrangement of books, is part of God’s design and wisdom (see Part 0); therefore, in order for the Jews to have the right quantity and sequence of books, they need 42 more (24 now + 42 more = 66)—and that is exactly the number that we saw, twice, in the previous paragraph (6 x 6 + 6 = 42, 6 + 1 x 6 = 42). And for one more verification, that the Jews need the entire NT—clear up to the very last book, Revelation: their 24 books, plus the above 72, equals exactly 96; and this brings us right back to the start, AD 96 is the year of Revelation (24 + 72 = 96, and 6 x 16 = 96).
D. The Very Last Reformation
In this section: we will look at additional Biblical evidences, supporting the 66-book canon (and warnings against adding extra books, etc).
D-1. Septuagint, Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch
The claim is often made, in favor of the deuterocanonical (DC) or apocryphal books, that they are included in the Greek Septuagint (LXX); and the NT writers quoted from the LXX, so the DC books should be in the OT canon—even thought the DC books are not in the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT). Such reasoning, EVEN IF factually accurate, is nothing—compared to God’s “6 + 6 Reasons for the 66-Book Canon” (detailed above); God knows exactly how many books should be in the canon! Furthermore, this LXX excuse is highly questionable, at best.
Wikipedia: “No two Septuagint codices contain the same apocrypha.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deuterocanonical_books).
This is an enormous problem, for the idea that the LXX is supposedly the most reliable source for defining the OT canon! Worse yet, EVEN IF every single LXX had the very same books (apocrypha / DC): even then, merely quoting from the LXX does NOT in the least bit endorse every book in the LXX. For example, Paul quoted from the Greek poets (see Acts 17:22-30); but surely, nobody would use this fact, to claim that all Greek poetry should be in the canon! The OT, also, has quotes from or references to sources that are not in the canon—and should not be in the canon: “The Old Testament explicitly mentions over a dozen ancient, non-canonical texts.” (Google AI). Additionally, there are no existing original NT manuscripts (called the “autograph”); it is quite possible that NT writers quoted from the LXX—but it is also possible that the autograph quoted from a Hebrew text, and then quotes were updated to the Greek LXX (by very early copyists, explaining why surviving copies have LXX quotes).
Last but not least, God has foreseen every important controversy; AND GOD HAS INCLUDED VERY DIRECT ANSWERS, IN THE BIBLE!!! It is actually amazing, or even shocking: how many Christians, and scholars, entirely overlook this fact—which is the most important fact, in every controversy! God has already answered the question, about which one is reliable: LXX, MT, or Samaritan Pentateuch. These three manuscript lines have very different chronology, for Genesis 10 and 11—differing by about 1,300 years; so they can’t all three be reliable. Which one is correct, if any? How can we know? Recently, more are supporting the LXX chronology: citing supposed motivation, and/or opportunity, for intentional changes; but this is mere guesswork. What we should be asking, first and foremost (if not exclusively): WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURES??
Romans 9:3,4, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh [literal Israel]: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law [word of God], and the service of God, and the promises;”
John 4:9,10,22, “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water [the WORD OF GOD (see Ephesians 5:25-27; etc)]. … Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews [Masoretic Text].”
Can anyone read these passages, and think that Jesus was warning us to throw the Jewish MT in the trash, and rely fully on the Samaritan Pentateuch—is that where we will all find the true, “living water”?? Or what about the EGYPTIAN Septuagint (LXX was translated in Egypt), can anyone read the OT: and think that God repeatedly condemned Israel, for NOT whoring after Egyptian practices?? No, quite obviously, it is the opposite: the Egyptian practices were corrupt—which is why Israel was saved, and Egyptians were drowned, at the Red Sea (see Exodus 12 through 15; etc). Surely, the LXX is much better than Egyptian polytheistic paganism; nevertheless, Egypt should not be considered as the safest source, for the reliable word of God. Furthermore, the LXX is merely a TRANSLATION: God does supernaturally protect some original language manuscripts (such as the OT Hebrew MT, and the NT Greek Textus Receptus); but in no case, has God ever promised to supernaturally protect ANY translation of His word—certainly NOT an Egyptian translation (LXX).
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D-2. Bridge from Malachi to John the Baptist
Google AI: “The Book of Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament in most Christian Bibles [including the Catholic Bible]. Written around 430 B.C., it serves as a concluding bridge to the New Testament by prophesying the coming of John the Baptist and the Messiah [see Malachi 4:4-6; Matthew 17:3-13; Mark 9:4-13]. … In the Protestant Bible, which contains 39 Old Testament books, Malachi is traditionally placed as the final book and is historically considered the last Old Testament text to be written (penned around 430–440 B.C.). While several other historical and wisdom books were written during the ~400-year ‘intertestamental period’ before the New Testament—such as 1 and 2 Maccabees or Sirach—these are known as the Apocrypha [or DC].”
Malachi is the final book, of the OT, and God intended it to be so; this is because it CLOSES the OT canon, with NO MORE CANONICAL BOOKS AFTER THAT—until the time of John the Baptist, and Jesus (the NT books). Yet it is almost universally recognized that several, if not all, of the DC books were written CENTURIES after Malachi!! For example: Sirach and the Maccabees books include current historical events, that happened in the second century BC; so they positively were written after Malachi, and do NOT belong in the canon! The book of Revelation, also, CLOSES the NT canon (see Malachi 4:6; Revelation 22:3-21); so any book written after AD 96, which is the year that Revelation was written, should NOT be in the canon. For those interested in a deep study, about the exact year of Revelation—including detailed responses to preterist claims, that it was written during Nero—see this webpage: https://7grails.world/babel/dated-27/ad96/
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D-3. Three-Legged Stool: How Many Unbreakable Legs?
Catholic.com: “Like the three legs on a stool, the Bible [73 books, in their Bible], Tradition [including early church fathers], and the magisterium [church authority, including ecumenical councils and ex cathedra statements] are all necessary for the stability of the Church and to guarantee sound doctrine.” (https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth).
The Catholic Church teaches that the Bible is inerrant (including the DC), and Sacred Tradition is infallible—along with the Pope’s ex cathedra statements, and ratifications of ecumenical council decrees; and these are the three categories, of the three-legged stool (Bible, Tradition, and magisterium). But how many of these three legs, are truly unbreakable (inerrant, infallible)? Their Bible has 73 books: including 7 books that are NOT the word of God, and should NOT be in the canon (they are NOT inerrant); this means that the first leg mentioned, the Bible, is already a broken leg (in their Bible).
It is very interesting that they do list the Bible first, in the above quote about the three legs; and it is correct, that the true Bible (66 books) is indeed FIRST AND FOREMOST!! When the Bible is not polluted, with corrupt additions (DC, etc): then indeed, the Bible is inerrant and infallible (an unbreakable leg). The true meaning of “Sola Scriptura” is NOT that the Bible is the only source for truth; instead, it means that Scripture is the only INFALLIBLE source (the only unbreakable leg, of the stool)—and this infallibility, once again, only applies to the 66 genuine books.
Some say that the original seven ecumenical councils were infallible (and maybe more than those seven): because Acts 15 gives the Jerusalem council, as an example for the church to follow. However, if indeed that council was infallible: it was ONLY because true prophets were there, and even NT authors (like Peter). Both Peter and James were present, at Pentecost: when the Holy Spirit gave the prophetic gift to these men, and others (see Acts 15:7,13; 1:13-15; 2:14,17,18,37,38; Joel 2:28,29; 1 Corinthians 12:9,10,28,29; etc); notice also that prior to Pentecost, they did not yet have the prophetic gift—so they cast lots (see Acts 1:23-26).
This means that NO ecumenical council, or ex cathedra, can possibly be infallible: unless the people involved are ALREADY established as TRUE prophets! Certainly, both the OT and NT mention true prophets, who were not canonical authors (see 1 Samuel 10:1,5-13; Acts 21:8,9; etc); nevertheless, the Bible also has strong warnings about FALSE prophets (see Matthew 7:13-20; 24:4,24; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; 2 Peter 2:1,2; 1 John 4:1)—so even if council members, or popes, CLAIM to be prophets: this would still NOT mean that they are infallible (unless it can be clearly shown, that they are TRUE prophets). The Catholic Church has infallibly declared the 73 books (Trent, in 1564); and this is INFALLIBLE PROOF, that the INFALLIBILITY DOCTRINE itself—is NOT INFALLIBLE!!!
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D-4. ADDING to God’s Word: How Serious Is It?
Proverbs 30:5,6, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. ADD thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (see Revelation 21:8,27; 22:14,15; etc).
Revelation 22:18,19, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book [the entire Bible, not just Revelation], If any man shall ADD unto these things, God shall ADD unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (see Deuteronomy 4:2; 5:22,32; 12:32; etc).
Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine [word of God], and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
Psalm 11:3, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
James 3:11, “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”
The obvious answer, to this question in James, is NO! If you ADD seven or more unbiblical books (or even one extra), then the entire thing is impure; you are building on the sand of man’s word, not the rock of God’s word. Notice that Satan’s tree is: “good and evil”—NOT just evil, with no good (see Genesis 2:17; 3:1-6). Bibles with more than the official 66 books, are a mixture of truth and error (good and evil); therefore, they are satanic deceptions, which lead billions astray.
Fortunately, God is very merciful; so there will be people in heaven, who had wrong Bibles and/or belonged to the wrong religious organization. Nevertheless, all errors are dangerous—especially errors about the very foundation of defining what is truth or not: the word of God. And God will not accept past ignorance as an excuse, once the clear light of truth has come (such as the 66-book canon, shown 12 times from the Bible itself).
Acts 17:30, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”
All men everywhere, in this case (accepting the 66-book Bible): includes EVERYONE in the world—other than about one billion Protestants, at most, who already accept the correct Bible (66 books). It is time to start one more reformation, and THE VERY LAST REFORMATION for all eternity (because Jesus will come, during this reformation). And this reformation needs to begin with abandoning all Bibles, that have more than 66 books; and also abandoning all religions, that continue to promote either more or less than 66 books (such as Orthodox Jews, who reject the entire NT).
Revelation 19:11-13, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [Jesus, at the second coming] was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The WORD OF GOD.”
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