The Role of Bible Numerics 1

Transcription

1 Chapter II The Role of Bible Numerics 1 It is generally accepted that certain numbers in the Bible bear special significance, eg: *2 ± Division or Separation; 3 ± Divine perfection or Godhead; 5±Grace; 6±Man; 7 ± God's number of perfection; 8 ± Resurrection; 9 ± Finality; 10 ± Ordinal perfection; 12 ± Perfect government; 13 ± Evil and rebellion; 17 ± Perfection of spiritual order (also known as the church number); 37 ± The Word of God; 40 ± Probation/Punishment As a general rule these numbers apply throughout the Bible and this phenomenon has for many years been followed with keen interest by students of scripture. Fairly recently Dr Ivan Panin, who devoted a lifetime to studying the occurrence of these numbers in the Bible, discovered that the scriptures have underlying numerical patterns (or signatures) which are remarkably consistent. These numerical patterns were not readily apparent and had to be dredged out from beneath the surface by years of research. The consistency of these numerical patterns, which goes far beyond the bounds of mathematical probability, is quite astounding and not only proves that the Bible is divinely inspired but that God has underpinned the scriptures with a numerical code in much the same way as a combination lock is numerically coded. 5

2 WHEN IS JESUS COMING? Firstly, it must be understood that the manuscripts from which the Bible is translated are written as follows: Old Testament in Hebrew, New Testament in Greek. In both these languages every letter of the alphabet stands for a number in the same way as the Romans used V for 5, X for 10, L for 50, etc. These values are shown in Table 1. It follows that in both these languages every word also has a numeric value, which is the sum of the numeric values of its letters. For example, ``Amen'' in Greek has a numeric value of 99 which is arrived at as follows: * In the same way JESUS, which is spelt IESOUS in Greek has a numeric value of 888. [Alpha] = 1 [Iota] = 10 [Mu] = 40 [Eta] = 8 [Eta] = 8 [Sigma] = 200 [Nu] = 50 o [Omicron] = = 99 [Upsilon] = 400 [Sigma] = = 888 * (It is interesting to note that the name Jesus appears in the New Testament exactly 888 times.) You will appreciate that this key opens the door to vast new horizons when it comes to analysing God's Word and this is exactly what Dr Panin and others have done. They have taken individual words, phrases, verses and passages, calculated the various numerical values and then analysed the results to determine the underlying numerical signature. Very often certain numbers, and especially the number 7, show such predominance and exhibit so many features that the probability of this happening by chance in any one passage has been calculated to be one in many billions. The work of Dr Panin has been investigated by the Nobel Research Foundation of the United States of America and, regarding his statement that the Bible could not possibly have been written except by the inspiration of God himself, their verdict is as follows: ``So far as our investigation has proceeded we find the evidence overwhelmingly in favour of such a statement''.* Ivan Panin's work has been well documented and it is not the intention to repeat that information in this book but rather to focus attention on a few specific areas which are of particular relevance to certain biblical periods. 6

3 THE ROLE OF BIBLE NUMERICS TABLE 1 ± NUMERIC VALUES OF HEBREW AND GREEK LETTERS* HEBREW ALPHABET GREEK ALPHABET Aleph 1 Lamed 30 Alpha 1 Nu 50 Beth 2 Mem 40 Beta 2 Xi 60 Gimel 3 Nun 50 Gamma 3 Omicron 70 Daleth 4 Samech 60 Delta 4 Pi 80 He 5 Ain 70 Epsilon 5 Rho 100 Vau 6 Pe 80 Zeta 7 Sigma 200 Zain 7 Tzaddi 90 Eta 8 Tau 300 Cheth 8 Koph 100 Theta 9 Upsilon 400 Teth 9 Resh 200 Iota 10 Phi 500 Jod 10 Schin 300 Kappa 20 Chi 600 Caph 20 Tau 400 Lambda 30 Psi 700 Mu 40 Omega 800 When we examine certain periods in the Bible we see that there is often a common relationship between these periods and their numerical significance, which then enables us to classify these periods. Due to the vastness of the subject we can only scratch the surface in this book, but it should become clear that God has woven certain key numbers into his programme for both Jews and Gentiles. Let us have a closer look at some of these key numbers. Number 7: God's number of perfection It has long been known and appreciated by bible students how the number seven is woven like a golden thread throughout the Scriptures. It usually denotes God's fullness of command or the completion of a period for a specific purpose. For example, Naaman the leper was told to wash in the Jordan seven times; if he had stopped after the sixth time he would not have been healed. Likewise the Children of Israel were commanded to march around Jericho seven times on the seventh day. Only after the seventh time when the trumpets sounded, did God send the earthquake and the walls collapsed. And so right throughout the Bible we find the number seven featuring prominently as if it were God's signature. Look at the book of Revelation, this is what we find: seven churches, seven candlesticks, seven stars, seven seals, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven bowls of wrath, seven plagues, a beast with seven heads, etc. This is just an example of sevens on the surface. In Revelation there are other examples of sevens, which are not so obvious.* Rev. 5:12 ± seven attributes of Christ, i.e. power, wealth, wisdom, might, honour, glory, praise. Rev 7:12 ± the angels and the four living creatures worship God and proclaim a sevenfold blessing. Rev 19:4 ± Four and twenty elders and four creatures around the throne = 28 (or 4 2 7). The term ``blessed'' is 7

4 WHEN IS JESUS COMING? used exactly seven times, so also is the ``Book of Life''. There are, in fact, over fifty occurrences of seven in Revelation alone. It would appear that the whole concept of God's number of perfection has something to do with the very nature of God himself; look at Zech 4:2 and 4:10. Here we have a golden lamp stand with seven lamps symbolising the seven eyes of God which range through the whole earth. In Rev 1:4±5 we read about the seven spirits in front of God's throne. Thus we see that seven is a number inherent in the make±up of the Godhead and as such it is not surprising that this number should play such an important role in the Bible and in God's plan for mankind, and especially the Jews. Further references to seven are: p God rested from all his work on the 7th day Genesis 2:2 p God commanded Israel to remember the Sabbath (7th day) and to keep it holy Ex 20:8. Hence the 7 day weekly cycle as we know it today. p The seven pillars of wisdom Prov 9:1. p Seven Jewish feasts Leviticus 23 (see Chapter V1). p Seventh year Sabbath Lev 25:4. p Seven years Covenant Dan 9:27. p Elijah prays for rain seven times on the top of mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:43,44). p God called to Moses from the cloud of glory on Mount Sinai on the 7th day. (Ex 24:16±18) p ``Seven times a day I praise thee'' (Ps 119:164). And so the list continues. Just a quick scan through a bible concordance should be sufficient to convince one that seven is not just an ordinary number. Multiples of seven ± A period of 7 ``weeks'' of years is appointed by God as a period to usher in the grand jubilee year of atonement and restitution Lev 25:8 (see Chapter V1) ± Seventy years are allotted to man as a normal lifespan (Ps 90:10). Israel spent seventy years in exile in Babylon for their disobedience (Dan 9:2) Seventy Elders appointed to assist Moses (Num 11:16) (or ) ± It is significant that when Peter asked Jesus how many times he must forgive his brother, Jesus replied ``Not just seven times but seventy times seven'' (Mt 18:22). This is exactly the same period (i.e. 70 ``weeks'' of years) given to Daniel concerning the Jews and their holy city ``to put an end to sin'' and ``bring in everlasting righteousness'' (Dan 9:24). We see this as a pointer to 70 being God's multiplication factor to attain perfection and finality. (Expanded on in Chapter V) Number 13: Sin and Rebellion* Let us now have a look at this strange number which is associated the world over with superstition and bad luck. 8

5 THE ROLE OF BIBLE NUMERICS It is significant that a standard method of corporal punishment in Roman times was 39 lashes with a whip and 39 = (see2 Cor 11:24). Of the twenty Kings of Judah (including Athaliah), seven were righteous rulers, while thirteen turned away from God. Jericho, which could be regarded as the symbol of Canaanite resistance to Jewish occupation of the Promised Land, was circled thirteen times by the Israelites in seven days before the walls fell (i.e = 13). Another striking example of thirteen is the word ``zume'' meaning leaven, which is normally symbolical of sin. In the Scriptures it occurs thirteen times, and its numerical value is 455 (or ). Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised (Gen. 17:25), and it was prophesied of him that he would be a wild, rebellious man, always in contention with others (Gen. 16:12). All through the Scriptures we see this hallmark of sin, but the most striking example is where the author of sin, Satan, is branded by God with his own identity code. Let's have a look at some of his titles: Dragon occurs exactly thirteen times and its numerical value is 975 (or ). Tempter ± (or ); Belial ± 78 (or ); Murderer ± (or ); Serpent ± 780 (or ). In Rev 12:9 we have a rather unique reference to Satan, which includes four of his names in one sentence: ``And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world...'' Now if we take the phrase ``called the Devil and Satan'' we find that it bears the amazing numerical value of (or ). It is therefore not surprising that the number thirteen features prominently in Satan worship and witchcraft. Number 17: The Church Number* The church number seventeen is derived from the sum of ten and seven, ten typifying ordinal perfection and seven divine perfection. John chapter 17 is devoted entirely to Christ praying for the church. Pentecost is traditionally fifty days after the Passover sabbath. Jesus was crucified the previous day which means that there was a period of fifty one days between Christs death on the cross and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Put in another way the gestation period for the birth of the church was fifty one days or In John 21:10±11 we read ``Jesus saith unto them `bring of the fish which ye have now caught.' Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty three, and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken''. The significance of this odd number attracted early attention. In this number 153, which is the product of 17 and 9, we see a picture of the completed church. Seventeen stands for the perfection of spiritual order i.e. the Church and nine for finality. Compare the statement that every fish was brought safely to shore, with the promise that Christ made in John 17:12 that 9

6 WHEN IS JESUS COMING? not one shall be lost. The net symbolises the gospel net and ties in with Christ's statement in Mark 1:17 where he says to Peter and Andrew, while they were casting their nets ``Follow me and I will make you fishers of men''. The Greek word for fishes is ichtheus, with a numerical value of or signifying the resurrection (8) of the completed church (153). Expanding on this theme, the Greek words for the net are to diktuon, which also have a numerical value of 1 224, or (ie ) Returning to John 21, we see that when the net full of fish, had been pulled ashore, Jesus said, ``come and dine'' typifying the marriage supper of the Lamb which will follow the resurrection of the completed church. Another remarkable feature of the inter relationship between 17 and 153 is that if we write down all the numbers from 1 to 17 and then add them all up we get exactly 153. The fish has been a symbol of the church down through the ages and still is a popular christian logo to this very day. Number 37: The Word of God* The significance of this divine number is truly amazing. Let's have a look at some of the ways this number manifests itself in the Bible: (a) Three stands for the tri±une Godhead, and seven is God's number of perfection, and placing these two digits together gives us 37. (b) Jn 1:1 tells us clearly, ``In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.'' This takes us back to Gen 1:1. In the beginning God... Now the numerical value of the Hebrew text for this phrase is 999 and 999 = (c) Jn 1:14 ``and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us''. This refers to the Son of God taking on the human form and dwelling amongst us as Jesus the Christ. The Greek term for the Word of God is Logos which more correctly translated means the expression or image of God. In Colossians 1:15 Christ is in fact referred to as the ``image of... God'' which in the Greek has the numerical value of If we factorize we get (d) We have already seen that the numerical value of Jesus is 888 which is , sealing him as the Resurrection and the Life. (e) Jesus was also the Christ and the numerical value of the Christ is 1 480, which is (f) Jesus also referred to himself as the Son of man which phrase adds up to (or ). (g) Col 2:9 says ``in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead...'' The Greek word, which is used here for Godhead, is Theotes, which has a numeric value of 592 (or ). (h) Jesus took the place of the Passover lamb when he was slain on the cross for us. The Hebrew word for Passover is Pashash, which has a numeric value of 148 (or ). (i) Finally, if we add up the numeric values of the above titles of Jesus, i.e. Jesus (888), the Christ (1 480), the Son of man (2 960) and Godhead (592) we get a total 10

7 THE ROLE OF BIBLE NUMERICS numerical value of (or ) which is the exact value of the words highlighted in Mathew 25:6 ``Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.'' This correlation is not coincidental, it is indeed a miracle and should inspire us to get ready and go out to meet the Bridegroom. Number 40: Probation/Testing/Punishment In the Bible the number forty appears very strikingly in connection with periods of probation, testing and punishment. (a) In the time of Noah, when the world was being punished for sin and violence, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights (Gen 7:17). (b) Israel spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness as a result of disbelief and disobedience (Num 14:33, 34, Heb. 3:8±10) (c) Moses spent 40 days on the mountain fasting while receiving God's commandments (Ex 24:18, 34:28). (d) Moses spent 40 days praying and interceding for Israel (Deut 9:25). (e) Goliath defied the armies of Israel for 40 days (1 Sam 17:16). (f) Ezekiel manifests a period of punishment for Israel of 40 years (Ezek 4:6). (g) Nineveh given 40 days to repent (Jonah 3:4). (h) Christs temptations in the wilderness lasted 40 days (Luk 4:2). (i) God was grieved with Israel for 40 years because of their sin and disobedience and denies them rest for this period (Heb 3:17, 18 and Ps 95:10, 11). This is an important point and we will return to it in Chapter V11. (j) Even Egypt came under God's punishment and banishment for 40 years (Ezek 29:11±14). After 40 years of exile and punishment God pronounces in Ezek 29:13:14 ``... at the end of 40 years, I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered: and I will restore the fortunes of Egypt...''). v v v v v The few foregoing examples should convince us that God speaks through numbers as well as through words and that certain key numbers play an important role in the Word of God and in His plans for mankind. ÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ 1 The facts and figures in this chapter have been sourced mainly from `The Seal of God' by F.C. Payne with minor changes and additions by the author. The relevant sections are indicated by *. 11