The Number of the Beast in Revelation

Many have attempted to calculate the famous number of the beast’s name, as mentioned in chapter 13 of the book of Revelation. Who or what is the beast, and why does it have seven heads and ten horns? Is its number 666 or 616? How are we to calculate or count the number? Are we to use the Greek, Hebrew or Latin language? Is the beast an Empire, a leader or both? If a leader, will he receive a deadly wound which will be healed? Could the beast be a woman? Do the beast’s identity, name and number have a special meaning for us today?