In this provocative study, James Edward Nelson examines the meaning and significance of the number 666 in the context of Christian eschatology. Through a close reading of Biblical and historical texts, Nelson argues that the infamous 'number of the beast' is a code for the names of key historical figures, including William Gladstone, the 19th-century British Prime Minister. 666 offers a compelling and controversial interpretation of one of the most enigmatic passages in the Bible. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.