Barcodes And The Number Of The Beast

The Fallacy: The "Number of the Beast", 666, referred to in Revelations 13:18, is hidden in the barcodes that appear on almost every consumer product sold nowadays (see picture).

The Argument: It is claimed that in these barcodes, each group of two lines represents a number. The number 6 is represented by a pair of thin lines close together. Each barcode has a pair of thin lines close together at the start, at the middle, and at the left. Therefore, the number 666 is hidden in each and every barcode.

The Problem: The problem is that it misrepresents the structure of the barcodes. Numbers are not represented by pairs of lines, and the number 6 is not represented by a pair of thin lines close together. Look carefully at the above examples. Notice that the one on the left (taken from an Australia Post pack of 100x45c stamps - but I think I could have used any Australia Post product) contains a 6, but does not have a corresponding double thin line. On the other hand, the one on the right (taken from an Olympic "Stripe" 96 page exercise book) contains two sets of the double thin line (as well as the usual ones at the start, middle and end of the code), but has no corresponding sixes.

Technical Stuff: This is how the bars actually encode the numbers. If you examine the codes carefully, you will notice that not only the lines, but the gaps also, vary in thickness. There are four different thicknesses. Let's call them "T" for thin, "M" for Medium, "W" for Wide, and "H" for Humungous. Each number is represented not by a group of two lines, but by a group of two lines and two gaps. The barcode reads across as follows: it starts with a thin line (TL), then a thin space (TS), then a thin line (TL). We could write this TTT. Then, the first (four, five or) six digits appear. Then, in the middle, there are three thin spaces and two thin lines (in the order space,line,space,line,space, of course), that is, TTTTT. This is followed by the next (4, 5 or) 6 digits, and then the barcode closes with another TTT, a TL, a TS, and a TL. We could write this as

TTT xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx TTTTT xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx TTT

where the xxxx's are the lines and spaces representing each of the digits in the code. The two codes above would then be

TTT THTT TMMM MMTM TTTH TWMT WMTT TTTTT MTMM TWTM MMMT TTWM WTTM TWTM TTT
LSL SLSL SLSL SLSL SLSL SLSL SLSL SLSLS LSLS LSLS LSLS LSLS LSLS LSLS LSL

and

TTT THTT TMMM TTMW MTMM MWTT THTT TTTTT WMTT WMTT TWTM MMMT THTT THTT TTT
LSL SLSL SLSL SLSL SLSL SLSL SLSL SLSLS LSLS LSLS LSLS LSLS LSLS LSLS LSL

Remember that both the lines and the spaces are important. I've broken it into blocks to make it easier for us humans to read. When the computer reads the barcodes, it sees just the digits, that is,

TTTTHTTTMMMMMTMTTTHTWMTWMTTTTTTTMTMMTWTMMMMTTTWMWTTMTWTMTTT
LSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSL

and

TTTTHTTTMMMTTMWMTMMMWTTTHTTTTTTTWMTTWMTTTWTMMMMTTHTTTHTTTTT
LSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSL

But it is easy enough for the computer to divide the above into the correct blocks!

The code for the digit "6" contains a sequence of three T's. This can give rise to a double thin bar if it occurs as TL,TS,TL, but doesn't always! The triple T could equally well give rise to a single thin bar, surrounded by two thin spaces, that is, TS,TL,TS. So we don't always get a double thin bar when we have a 6. The Australia Post example above amply illustrates this.

But even if a 6 doesn't represent a double thin bar, does a double thin bar represent a 6? To answer this, we need a more complete description of the barcodes. The code for each digit is given below:

0 = TTMW or WMTT    1 = TMMM or MMMT    2 = MTMM or MMTM   3 = TTHT or THTT
4 = TTWM or MWTT    5 = TMWT or TWMT    6 = TTTH or HTTT   7 = TWTM or MTWT
8 = TMTW or WTMT    9 = MTTW or WTTM

A double thin bar represents three T's in a row. A triple T occurs whenever we have a 6, but might also occur in other situations. For example, if the digits 3 and 0 were placed next to each other it might be encoded as TTHTTTMW, which could lead to a double thin line. Again, if the digits 3 and 3 were used we might get a double thin line� Or 3 and 7� or 0 and 5, or any of a number of other combinations. So just as 6 doesn't always give a double thin line, we find that a double thin line doesn't always give a 6.

If you don't believe me, read this paragraph carefully!!! A six is not always represented by a double thin line, and a double thin line does not always represent a six. This is shown by the photographs given above and by the technical stuff. However A six is always represented by either a double thin line next to a very wide gap, or by a double thin gap next to a very wide bar. Without the very wide gap, a double thin line cannot be a 6. If you think otherwise, I challenge you: Find me a product barcode, with a 6 represented differently from what I claim.

In conclusion, there is no equivalence at all between the double thin line and the digit 6, thus no strong basis at all for claiming that the 666 is hidden in the barcodes, just because the barcodes have double thin lines at the start, middle and end.

So What? What's The Big Deal?: Jesus Christ is coming back. This is the most certain statement one can make about the future. The Bible gives many clear prophecies about the circumstances surrounding His return. There will be "terrible times" in the last days. There will be tribulations and trials - and not just for Christians! On the other hand, Christians are told to expect persecution whether or not the end is near. There will be an antichrist who will try to force all men to worship him. But the barcode = 666 argument is fabricated evidence for the nearness of Christ's coming, because it is based on false statements about the way the codes represent the digits. False evidence can not glorify God, "all of whose works are done in truth". Worse still, it may be totally misleading!

So what should I do?: The Bible commands us to eagerly look forward to Christ's return, in fact to speed his coming by spreading the good news of the gospel. It commands us to be ready for His return at any time - to love God and despise this world's attractions, lest we fall away. It commands us to continually meet together with other Christians, to encourage them, so much the more as we see the Day approaching. And the Day is approaching! The gospel is being preached in all the earth, and there are false christs, wars, famines and earthquakes. Let us keep fresh oil in our lamps, and entrust our lives totally to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In due time, the "man of sin" will be revealed, the "abomination of desolation" will desecrate the temple, the sun and moon will turn to blood and the stars fall from the sky� and when we see these signs, "Look up, for your redemption draws near!"

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

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