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Numbers In Scripture
The Spiritual Significance of Numbers:
Numbers are used in Scripture, not merely as in Nature, with
supernatural design, but with spiritual significance.
Number In
Scripture, E W Bullinger
A.M. = Anno Mundi; that is to say, in the year
of the world
A.D. = After Jesus was born
B.C. = Before Christ. Reckoned as from 4004
A.M.
A.C. = Anno Christi; that is to say, in the
year of Christ. Reckoned from the Nativity, in 4000 A.M. and
749-750 A.U.C.
A.U.C. = Anno Urbis Conditoe; that is to say;
the year in which the City (Rome) was founded.
One means: unity, This is the unity of the
members of the one body of Christ, who are all animated by the
same Spirit.
In the Word of God, therefore, God is first, and before all.
Man's ways and thoughts are the opposite of God,
Seek God first, there cannot be two first. (First God or death which
is Satan, it's up to YOU).
The reference is to Deuteronomy 6:4. This is "first" in order, first in time,
and first in importance.
In the Word of God, therefore, God is first, and before all. Hence the First
Commandment declares "Thou shalt have NO OTHER GODS" (Exodus 20:3).
"In the
beginning GOD." Nothing is right that does not begin with Him.
"God first" is the voice of Scripture. "Seek ye first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33) is the testimony of Christ.
"God first" is the great proclamation.
The days of the Millennial will be
the blessing of the whole earth. For in
that day there shall be one King,
one will, "one Lord", and His
name one."
Two means: Denotes difference. If two different persons agree in testimony
it is conclusive. Friendship, may be for help and
deliverance, division or difference
Two affirms that there is a difference - there is another
4th trump It's to make a choice, choose to follow God or Satan
Three means = Denotes completeness, as three
lines complete a plane figure. Hence, three is significant of
Divine perfection and completeness.
The number three means
to form a plan, real, complete and entire, three earth ages,
There are three divisions completing time - past, present and
future.
All things that are specially complete are stamped with this
number three.
Three is the first of four perfect numbers, Three
denotes divine perfection, Seven denotes spiritual perfection;
Ten denotes ordinal perfection; and Twelve
denotes governmental perfection.
Three times is the blessing given in Numbers 6:23-24 ,
"The LORD bless thee and keep thee (the Father);
The LORD make His face shine upon thee; and be gracious unto thee
(the Son); The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and
give thee peace" (the Holy Spirit).
For the three Persons are named, and then it
is declared that they are one: "The Lord, our God, The Lord, is one,"
the three, Father, Son, and Spirit, are one.
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear
record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are
one.
As we have in the number one the sovereignty of
the one God; and in two the second person, the Son,
the great Deliverer; so in "three" we
have the third person, the Holy Spirit, marking and completing "the
fullness of the Godhead."
This word "fullness" is remarkable,
occurring only three times, and in connection with the Three
Persons of the Trinity: Ephesians 3:19, "The fullness of God. Ephesians
4:13, "The fullness of Christ."
Colossians 2:9, "The fullness of the Godhead." The "fullness" was
manifested visibly in Christ, and is communicated by the Holy Spirit, for it is
a fullness of which we receive by His mighty power (John 1:16).
Four means: is the number of the earth: Denotes creative works
(3+1), and always has reference to the material creation, as pertaining to the
earth, and things "under the sun", and things terrestrial.
Four winds = Has to do with the end
The four perfect numbers, 3, 7, 10, and 12, have for their
product the remarkable number 2,520. It is the number of chronological
perfection (7 x 360= 2,520).
Earth, has to do with sun.
The word ''sun'' is the Greek word
# 422 meaning light.
Four means:
Four is the number of the
earth: Hence the types of numbers, the fourth book, are
wilderness types, fourth book of the Psalms, 90-106.
It's types of Christ, the Son of Man on earth, are four:
-
Bread of life - Numbers 11:7-9 & John 6:57-58
-
Water of Life - Numbers 20:11 & 1
Corinthians 10:4
-
Lifted up - Numbers 21:9 & John 3:14-15
-
The coming star out of Jacob - Numbers 24:17,
Luke 1:78, 2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 2:28 &
Revelation 22:16
Five means: Grace, Denotes Divine grace. It is 4+1. It is God
adding His gifts and blessing to the works of His hands.
The addition of the numerical value of the letters together) is a multiple of
four, while Hashamayim (the heavens) is a multiple of five.
Six means: Number of Man, Six is
either 4 plus 2, man's world (4) with man's enmity to God (2)
brought in: or it is 5 plus 1, the grace of God made of none effect by
man's addition to it, or perversion, or corruption of it: or it is 7
minus 1, man's coming short of spiritual
perfection. In any case, therefore, it has to do with man; it
is the number of imperfection; the human
number; the number of MAN as destitute of God, without God, without
Christ.
Nebuchadnezzar and (Antichrist) are all emphatically marked by this number.
Seven means:
spiritual completion, perfection, perfect spiritual order carried out with all spiritual
power and significance. both spirit and order. perfection of
spiritual truth, as seen by multiple of 7, but by the perfection of
divine order.
Seven represents, The Bible numeric, this is the
number of spiritual perfection.
Seven Spirits of
God = Power, Riches, Wisdom , Strength,
Honour , Glory, Blessing (Revelation 4:5)
Eight =
Denotes
resurrection, regeneration;
a new beginning or commencement. The eighth is a new first.
Eight = the number of Resurrection
Hence the
octave in music, colour, days of the week, etc.
It is the
number which has to do with the LORD, Who rose on the
eighth, or new
"first-day".
This is , therefore, the
Dominical
number.
888, Jesus makes the number 888. It,
or its multiple is impressed on all that has to do with the
Lord's Names, the Lord's People, the Lord's works.
Nine: Denotes
Finality of judgment. It is 3 x 3, the product 989 of Divine
completeness. The number nine, or its factors or multiples, is
seen in all cases when judgment is the subject.
Ten is the number for ordinal perfection, is one of the perfect number, the perfection of Divine order, commencing
"to begin or start" , as it does, altogether new series of numbers - the whole
system - completeness of order, making the entire round of anything, it implies
that nothing is wanting.
Responsible and judgment
Denotes Ordinal perfection.
Another new first; after the ninth digit, when numeration
commences anew.
Noah completed the antediluvian age in the tenth generation from
God.
Ten Commandments contain all that is necessary,
and no more than is necessary, both as to their number and their
order, while
The Lord's Prayer is completed in ten clauses
The anti-christ's world power comprised in the
ten kingdoms, symbolized by the ten
toes on the feet of the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream,
and by the ten horns of the fourth
beast of Daniel's vision.
Eleven Denotes disorder,
disorganization, because it is one short of the number twelve
Twelve:
Denotes
Governmental perfection. It is the number of factor of all
numbers connected with government: whether by Tribes or
Apostles, or in measurements of time, or in things which have to
do with government in the heavens and the earth.
Thirteen: Denotes rebellion, apostasy,
defection, disintegration, revolution
Thirteen = Symbolic; and in contrast with Isaac on
eighth day.
Four-teen: Being a multiple of seven,
partakes of its significance; and, being double that number, implies a double
measure of spiritual perfection.
The number two with which it is combined (2x7) may, however, bring its own
significance into its meaning, as in Matthew 1, where the genealogy of Jesus
Christ is divided up and given in sets of 14 (2x7) generations, two being the
number associated with incarnation.
The same principle may be applied to other multiples of seven, and Bible
students can find their own illustrations.
Fourteen times in the Book of Proverbs the expression
occurs "the fear of the Lord"
Thirteen = divers manners
Fifteen: The
fifteen prophets represent the number of Grace thrice repeated
(5 x 3).
Being a multiple of five, partakes of the significance of that
number, also of the number three with which it is combined, 3 x
5.
Five is, as we have seen, the number of grace, and three is the
number of divine perfection. Fifteen, therefore, specially
refers to acts wrought by the energy of Divine grace.
The number fifteen is thus made up, by addition, 10 + 5; but as
the Jews would not, by the constant use of these two letters,
profane the sacred name, two other letters were arbitrarily used
for this number, and a different and artificial combination was
thus formed (Teth) = 9, and w (Vau) = 6.
The number 9 + 6 would thus represent the number fifteen, but
without any significance.
Fifteen being 8 + 7 as well as 3 x 5, it may also include a
reference to resurrection, as being a special mark of the energy
of Divine grace issuing in glory.
A few examples may suffice:
The Ark was borne by the Flood fifteen cubits upwards, Genesis
7:20.
Hezekiah's reprieve from death was fifteen years, 2Kings 20:6.
Paul's ship anchored safely in fifteen fathoms on the 14th day,
after thirteen days of toil and trial, Act 27:21.
Seven-teen means:
spiritual perfection, plus ordinal
perfection, or the perfection of spiritual order.
Denotes a combination of spirit and order (10+7). It is the
seventh prime number (as 13 is the sixth prime number).
Other numbers follow the laws which govern the smaller, as being
their factors, sums, products or multiples: 24 is 12 x2, a
higher form of 12.
Eight-teen = bondage
Twenty = The number of disappointed expectancy.
Twenty Three = Groups of people, Roman 3:23, PS
23, Jezebel referred 23 times in the Bible
Twenty-four = Other numbers follow the laws
which govern the smaller, as being their factors, sums, products
or multiples: 24 is 12x2, a higher form of 12.
Twenty five: Grace intensified
Twenty seven: Divinity intensified
Twenty eight: Spiritual perfection in
connection with the earth
Twenty nine: Intensifying of Divine judgment
Thirty: Divine perfection, applied to order
Thirty-Five means Hope
Thirty-Six means enemy
Forty means: probation, probation of trial,
related to a period of evident probation.
Divine order applied to earthly things.
Has long been universally recognized as an
important number, both on account of the frequency of its
occurrence, and the uniformity of its association with a period
of probation, trial, and chastisement (not judgment, like the
number 9, which stands in connection with the punishment of
enemies, but the chastisement of sons, and of a covenant
people).
It is the product of 5 and 8, and points to
the action of grace (5), leading to and ending in revival and
renewal (8).
This is certainly the case where forty
relates to a period of evident probation.
But where it relates to enlarged dominion,
or to renewed or extended rule, then it does so in virtue of its
factors 4 and 10, and in harmony with their signification.
There are 15 such periods which appear on the surface of the
Scriptures, and which may be thus classified:
Forty Years of Probation by Trial:
Israel in the wilderness, De 8:2-5; Ps 95:10; Ac 13:18 (the
third 40 of Moses' life, 120 years).
Israel from the crucifixion to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Forty Years of Probation by Prosperity in Deliverance and Rest:
under Othniel, Jg 3:11,
under Barak, Jg 5:31,
under Gideon, Jg 8:28.
Forty Years of Probation by Prosperity in Enlarged Dominion:
under David, 2Sa 5:4,
under Solomon, 1Ki 11:42,
under Jeroboam II. See 2Kings 12:17-18; 13:3,5,7,22,25;
14:12-14,23,28,
under Jehoash, 2Kings 12:1,
under Joash, 2 Ch 24:1.
Forty Years of Probation by Humiliation and Servitude:
Israel under the Philistines, Judges 13:1.
Israel in the time of Eli, 1Sa 4:18.
Israel under Saul, Ac 13:21.
Forty Years of Probation by Waiting:
Moses in Egypt, Ac 7:23.
Moses in Midian, Ac 7:30
There are eight of such great periods on
the surface of the Bible:
Forty days Moses was in the mount, Exodus 24:18; and to receive
the Law, Exodus 24:18.
Forty days Moses was in the mount after the sin of the Golden
Calf, De 9:18,25.
Forty days of the spies, issuing in the penal sentence of the 40
years, Numbers 13:26; 14:34.
Forty days of Elijah in Horeb, 1Kings 19:8.
Forty days of Jonah and Nineveh, Jonah 3:4.
Forty days Ezekiel lay on his right side to symbolize the 40
years of Judah's transgression.
Forty days Jesus was tempted of the Devil, Matthew 4:2.
Forty days Jesus was seen of His disciples, speaking of the
things pertaining to the kingdom of God, Acts 1:2.
Thus 40 becomes a number closely connected with Judah, as 390
(Ezekiel 4:5) is the number of separated Israel.
The significance of this will be seen, for
40 is a multiple of 8, and 390 is a multiple of 13.
It may also be noted that 65 (5x13) is the
number of Ephraim, while 70 is specially connected with
Jerusalem.
50 = Is the number of jubilee or deliverance.
It is the issue of 7 x 7 (72), and points to
deliverance and rest following on as the result of the perfect
consummation of time.
Filthy a symbol of the defiling nature of our sins
100 = God's elect and the children of the
promise, God chosen people
120 = An hundred and twenty = three forties. A
divinely appointed number during a period of waiting.
It was the
number of Ezra's great synagogue
120 Is made up of three forties (3x40=120). Applied to time
therefore it signifies a divinely appointed period of probation,
Genesis 6:3.
Applied to persons it points to a divinely appointed number
during a period of waiting, Acts 1:15.
It is a factor also in the number of those who returned from
Babylon, 42,360, being 120 x 353.
It is also a factor of the number of the men who went up out of
Egypt, 600,000, being 120 x 5000.
It is a factor also of the 144,000 who will be sealed
from the Twelve Tribes of Israel to go unscathed
through the great tribulation, 144,000, being 120 x
1200.
The unanimous voice of Jewish tradition agrees with the Talmud
that "the Great Synagogue" (Ne 10:1-10) consisted of 120
members.
"It was called 'Great" because of the great work it effected in
restoring the Divine law to its former
greatness, and because of the great authority and reputation
which it enjoyed."
Its greatest work was in completing the Canon of the Old
Testament.
The Great Synagogue lasted about 110 years, from BC 410-300, or
from the latter days of Nehemiah to the death
of Simon the Just. It then passed into the Sanhedrim, when its
whole constitution was changed.
280 Days = 40 weeks - forty
sevens, the perfect
Period of human gestation =
7x5x8=280
He Component Numbers of
280 are highly = Significant in this
connection.
7 denotes Spiritual
Perfection.
5 denotes Divine Grace.
8 denotes Resurrection,
Regeneration, etc.
Bullinger's = Numbers =
(Appendix 10).
1st TEBETH = 25th December
(5 B.C.)
15th ETHANIM = 29th
September (4 B.C.).
From 1st TEBETH to 15th
ETHANIM (inclusive) = 280 days.
From 25th DECEMBER (5 B.C
.) to 29th = SEPTEMBER (4 B.C.) = 280 days.
300 = The strength of the
Holy Spirit of the Almighty God
888 =
Jesus makes the number 888. It,
or its multiple is impressed on all that has to do with the
Lord's Names, the Lord's People, the Lord's works.
2,520 = It is the number of chronological
perfection (7 x 360= 2,520).
The four perfect numbers, 3, 7, 10, and 12,
have for their product the remarkable number 2,520.
It is the Least Common Multiple of the ten digits governing all
numeration; and can, therefore, be divided by each of the
nine digits, without a remainder.
2520 divided by 9 = 280
It is the number of chronological perfection 7x360 = 2520
7000 = Spiritual completion
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