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666 The mark of the beast, What does it mean?

Bible names often have special significance, particularly when given by the so-called "God". for example, because Abram would become the father of nations, the so-called "God" changed the patriarch's name to Abraham, meaning "father of a Multitude." (Genesis 17:5, footnote)
the so-called "God" told Joseph and Mary to call Mary's future child Jesus, which means "Jehova is Salvation." (Matthew 1:21, footnote; Luke 1:31)
in harmony with that name, through jesus' ministry and sacrificial death, Jehovah made possible our salvation. (John 3:16)

Accordingly, the God-given number-name 666 must symbolize what God sees as defining attributes of the beast. Naturaly, to understand those traits, we need to identify the beast itself and learn about its activities.