Number of the Beast to calculate "the number of the beast" is used in many of the below interpretations. Preterist theologians typically support the numerical interpretation that 666 is the equivalent of the name and title Nero Caesar (Roman Emperor 54–68 AD). Written in Aramaic, this can be valued at 666 using the Hebrew numerology of gematria, and was used to secretly speak against the emperor. Also "Nero Caesar" in the Hebrew alphabet is "NRON QSR", which when used as numbers represent 50 200 6 50 100 60 200, which add to 666. The Greek term ("charagma", "mark" in Revelation 13:16) was most commonly
Historicist interpretations of the Book of Revelation usually taught that Revelation 11 corresponds to the events of the French Revolution. The historicist views of Revelation 12–13 concern prophecies about the forces of evil viewed to have occurred in the middle ages. The first beast of Revelation 13 (from the sea) is considered to be the pagan Rome and the Papacy or more exclusively the latter. In 1798, the French General Louis Berthier exiled the Pope and took away all his authority, which was restored in 1813, destroyed again in 1870 and later restored in 1929. Adventists have taken this as fulfillment of the prophecy that the Beast