Wednesday, November 18, 2015

What's the symbolism and related meaning for number 21? The Bible provides the interpretation of numbers for you...



A friend recently asked me what the symbolism and meaning for number 21 in the Bible was, so I decided to do a quick study and am posting some of my notes here to share to my readers. To begin with, let me first say that I discovered a long time ago the theme for number 21 is also related to themes for numbers 777 and 37. All relating to sanctification, cleansing, making clean, salvation and of opposite meanings such as evil, unsaved and things unclean. This pattern of number relationships is also found with other numbers such as 666, 36 and 18. The Bible is very consistent in how number meanings relate. I sometimes refer to this perfection of the Bible numbering as “the DNA of the Bible”.

Patterns of 777, 21 and 37…

Three of my favorite verses showing how the number 777 is related to these sanctification/salvation themes are found by examining Bible verses that have a cross Bible verse number containing the number 7777. With 31,102 verses in the Bible there are only three verses containing 7777 as part of the cross Bible verse number. By limiting my research to these very specific verses that are not arbitrarily chosen I can validate if I’m on the right track to understanding a number’s description.  If any of these verses did not pretty clearly fit my idea of the symbolism for number 777 I would have to seriously question my thinking. These three verses are the 7777th, 17777th and the 27777th Bible verses. Not coincidently, each of these verses point very clearly to themes of sanctification, consecration or things being cleansed.  I’ve shown them below:

·         The 7777th verse:  is: 1Samuel 21:4 The priest answered David and said, "There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women."
·         The 17777th verse is: Isa 6:7 He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."
·         The 17777th verse is: Act 24:7 "But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands,

The first of these verses speaks of bread that is consecrated or made holy. The second is in Isaiah and speaks of how the Lord has cleansed Isaiah by touching a coal to his mouth forgiving him of sin. In the third example found in the book of Acts, the verse tells how a commander had forcefully removed Paul from the temple which, in the priest minds, was removing an unclean person from the holy place. Can consider these examples for yourself. If you want more evidence consider looking at other examples such as finding the 777 verse of each book of the Bible. They will have similar related themes. These are just a small sample of evidences I found that relate the number 777 to being sanctified or purified or made holy.

Number 21…

Getting back to the number 21, I find numbers 777 (7-7-7), number  21 (3 times 7) and number 37 (3 sevens) are all related in their symbolism. There’s lots of evidence for this that I’ve documented in other of my writings that’s too much to cover in this article. For the purpose of this post, I’ll just ask you to trust me that these numbers could all be related in their symbolism.

To show some evidence for the theme of number 21, I’ll give two examples of verses that suggest that number 21 also fits the similar theme to 777.  First, the 21,000th Bible verse is Eze 22:24 "Son of man, say to her, 'You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation'. Second, the 21021st Bible verse is Eze 23:13 "I saw that she had defiled herself; they both took the same way.    Note how both these verses that come from the same chapter of Ezekiel and refer to a woman unclean and has defiled herself. It is not just coincidence that these verses have very strong cross Bible verse numbers (1-31,102) related to number 21. I often use thousand based cross Bible chapter numbers as part of my first investigation into a numbers meaning. I’ve found they are always a great start to getting an idea of what they are about. For example, to investigate number 6 I examine the 6,000th Bible verse and for number 11 the 11,000th verse. With this basic idea of what number 21 may symbolize, we can take another of my favorite methods for confirming the symbolism of a Bible number – chapter numbers.

Bible Chapter Numbers as Evidence

In what I refer to as the DNA of the Bible, every number has meaning and all the number meanings are consistent wherever they are used in the Bible. So I can use chapter numbers to see how the contents of the chapters might relate to numbers I’m investigating. Chapter numbers are very easy way to investigate number meanings as they are available to anyone (unlike other numbers such as cross Bible verse numbers). I didn’t want to make this article too long and complex so I’ll conclude my evidence for the theme for number 21 by giving a brief summary of chapter 21 from the first six books of the Bible.  Using my descriptions below, notice how they very consistently refer to things being made perfect, things unclean, promises made and fulfilled or other aspects of being saved or losing salvation. There are 24 chapters of the Bible with number 21. Since I did not have time to summarize each one I decided to take the first six chapters so as not to appear to arbitrarily choose the best chapter 21s fitting my proposed symbolism. To verify this more for yourself, look at the other chapter twenty-ones in the Bible for similar themes. The pattern is true for both the Old and New Testament books.

·         Genesis 21 -- Promises and Covenants made and kept. Promise of a Son to Sarah fulfilled. Hagar and Ishmael driven out(cleansing). God's promise to make Ishmael a great nation. Abimelech and Abraham covenant over the well at Beersheba.
·         Exodus 21 --  Making things right. Rights of slaves to go free; restitution for losses...life for life, eye for eye... Death penalties; redemption of life lost, repayment for things taken.
·         Leviticus 21 -- Priests are to be pure and undefiled, free from Harlots, Holy, Consecrated, no defects, not divorced
·         Numbers 21 --  Saving Israel, cleansing the land. Israel vows to the Lord to save them. The bronze serpent saves those bit by serpents. The Lord provides a spring of water. King of Bashan and his people killed leaving no remnant of them.
·         Deuteronomy 21 -- Israel to ask forgiveness people God redeems; Israel is to remove evil from their midst; death is required for sins worthy of death; washing hands over shed blood to remove guilt;  Cleansing of women taken captive
·         Joshua 21 -- The LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and rested there. Cities of refuge given for manslayers. Chapter ends saying God had fulfilled every promise made to the House of Israel.

Conclusion

The objective of this article was to simply demonstrate what I believe to be God’s symbolism or meaning related to the number 21 and how knowing this information helps us get further interpretation of the scriptures beyond what we currently know. It is pretty commonly stated that the Bible helps interpret itself and these examples help demonstrate that. To understand the meaning of a number you can first look at many examples related to that number and try to find a common thread of meaning running through them. Once you do this, you can verify or prove your thoughts by looking at even more examples to confirm they also fit. Once you have established a somewhat confident description of the Bible’s number meaning then we can use that meaning whenever we encounter that number for interpretation in our Bible study. For this article, to come up with these examples I first began with my original understanding that number one was related to sanctification and salvation. Then, using this information I reviewed chapters of the Bible watching for a thread of meaning that might fit this number. By finding the theme in each chapter I became aware of an entirely new knowledge of meaning contained in each chapter. This new knowledge does not change what we previously knew about it. It simply added to our understanding and helps us gain further clarity in the messages contained.

Are we contriving meanings?

Of course we all know about any research, that once we have a desired conclusion in our head, without intentionally doing so we might make our results fit the desired conclusion. That’s just the way the mind works so we have to be very conscious of watching for this error in our work. I’ve done thousands of hours of Bible study and I’m always trying to confirm very clearly the conclusions of the patterns I study. It’s hard to explain how I can be confident in the consistency of these number meanings except to say that once you’ve looked at hundreds of examples it’s pretty easy to see that the patterns are very clear and actually somewhat obvious once you know what you’re looking for. If you wonder if the symbolism for 21 could be found in other differently numbered chapters of the Bible then go examine them for yourself. I think you’ll see that the wording and themes of the text in other chapter numbers just don’t quite fit the number 21 like these do.

Valuable insights...

As you study your Bible be aware of chapter numbers and the possibility that the chapter numbers may suggest themes relating to the contents therein. Once you begin to experience these patterns for yourself it will open incredible new insights into the contents of Scripture.

Monday, November 02, 2015

#9 - One-line descriptions for each of the Bible's Chapter Nines Tell Us About Serving Until Jesus Returns.


(2015-11-04 still undergoing some editing)
Were you aware that anything found in the Bible related to number nine has some aspect of it related to Christians persevering in service while eagerly awaiting for Jesus to return to save his people. For non-believers, number nine speaks about their failure to listen to the Lord, study his word and hear his message of salvation.Number nine is associated to text about those who have turned away from God or somehow turned to their other gods to seek a way to be saved

One of the easiest ways to verify this for yourself is to examine the Bible's chapter nines and look for the chapter nine theme contained in them. Watch how consistently each one has some aspect of them dealing with sin or what to do to stay away from sin...
God's symbolic meaning of numbers in His Word and in the world are one way he has left to show us very clear and unmistakable messages to confirm what the Bible says. They are not difficult to see, you just have to be willing to look for them. A great encouragement for us in these last days...

The Themes Associated With Number Nine

Below I have given a very short one line summary about each of the Bible's chapter nines. Note how they contain themes and textual content related to these concepts:
  1. Number 9 is about the future and about one coming for us. Sometimes this is about passing by, or crossing over, or coming down.
  2. We are to be ready and waiting for Jesus to return for his Godly people who have listened to his word, and believed his message.
  3. We are to be carrying out the commands and instructions of that God has left for us. We are to be faithfully and diligently serving him in spreading the Gospel and caring for his land.
  4. We are to obey the commands and instructions God gave us in his word.
  5. God's wrath and consequences for turning away from him to other Gods will not go unpunished.
  6. God will have great rewards for believers upon his return.
  7. God constantly reminds us that we cannot be saved through our own efforts. We can only depend on the free gift of salvation he always offers us. All we need do is to accept it from him

Brief Descriptions of the Bible's Chapter Nines

  • Genesis 9 - Instructions for Noah to serve...be fruitful and multiply; Covenant with future generations. Canaan is cursed.
  • Exodus 9 - Moses warns Pharoah release Jews. Plagues begin to proclaim God's power and His name through all the earth
  • Leviticus 9 - The Glory of the LORD appears to all the people after sacrafices were made and the people were blessed (99th Bible chapter)
  • Numbers 9 - The firey cloud appears over the new tabernacle and the people followed it whenever and wherever it went
  • Deuteronomy 9 - Israel is to cross the land to dispossess nations greater than they are.They are warned, the Lord's strength brought them this far and goes before them now.
  • Joshua 9 - The people of Gibeon deceived Joshua and Israel so they did not obey the Lord and remove them from the land.
  • Judges 9 - Abimelech; Subjugation of Canaan. The danger of trusting in human wisdom without God's supernatural direction.
  • 1Samuel 9 - Saul is going through the land for his father looking for lost donkeys and God leads him to Samuel to be anointed king.
  • 2Samuel 9 - David’s cares for Jonathan's lame son Mephibosheth fulfilling his promise to care for the family of the King's son.
  • 1Kings 9 - The Lord appears to Solomon to establish his throne and promises to bless Israel as long as his sons walk before Him in integrity and uprightness, doing as the Lord commanded
  • 2Kings 9 - Jehu is anointed king of Israel. The Lord commands him to strike the house of Ahab to avenge the blood of His servants the prophets
  • 1Chronicles 9 - A listing of the genealogy of the remnant of Israel written in the Book of The Kings
  • 2Chronicles 9 - The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon. Solomon answers her many questions. She recognizes the riches and blessings of God on Israel for future generations. Solomon's death.
  • Ezra 9 - Ezra's Prayer recognizing Israel has been left an escaped remnant, before God in their guilt, for no one can stand before Him
  • Nehemiah 9 - People of Israel separated themselves from foreigners, read from God's Word, confessed, worshiped, and declared themselves slaves to God and to the land God gave them.
  • Ester 9 - The Jews rid themselves of their enemies and established feast of Purim for celebrating their freedom with feasting, rejoicing and sending food and gifts to each other
  • Job 9 - Job argues, no man can be right before God. We guilty and condemned. Why toil to please him in vain. Simply seek his forgiveness.
  • Psalms 9 - Praise God! Those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You have not forsaken those who seek You. Let the nations be judged that they are but men.
  • Proverbs 9 - Wisdom calls to those who passing, who are making their paths straight, but, only the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom...the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
  • Ecclesiastes 9 - Enjoy life and be wise. The race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors.. time and chance overtake them all. It is a poor wise man in a small city (Jerusalem) who delivers the city by his wisdom.
  • Isaiah 9 - The Lord reaches out to us. People in darkness will find light. A son will be given to us..The Prince of Peace. People are not seeking the Lord and those who guide them are leading them astray
  • Jeremiah 9 - People proceed from evil to evil and do not know Me, Let the wise man boast that he understands and knows The Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness
  • Ezekiel 9 - Due to the iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah, the Lord kills everyone in Jerusalem except those had received a mark because they were against the abominations that had taken place (a passover)
  • Daniel 9 - 70 week prophecy to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Daniel confesses sins of Israel and prays for God's forgiveness, not on their merit, but seeking God's grace.
  • Hosea 9 - Israel has played the Harlot, forsaking their God. Their prophet is a fool, the inspired men demented. God will cast them away because they have not listened to Him;
  • "Amos 9 - God declares, ""Are you not as sons to Me, O sons of Israel?"". In that day I will destroy the sinful kingdom, Then, I will restore My people and they will rebuild the ruined cities"
  • Zechariah 9 - The LORD is against the enemies of Israel, for the eyes of men and of the tribes of Israel, are toward the LORD. The Lord will defend Israel, destroy their enemies and restore them double.
  • Matthew 9 - Jesus came across the water and was going through all the cities and villages finding those that needed a savior. Told them in 4 places to get up and follow him…and they did.
  • Mark 9 - Jesus comes down from mountain (transfiguration). He condems their unbelief and casts out demons, Those who serve in Jesus name shall not lose their reward. The last shall be first.
  • Luke 9 - Jesus in glory comes down mountain (transfiguration). Days approaching for His ascension. Disciples sent out, followers taken, unbelievers scolded--whoever wishes to save his life will lose it.
  • John 9 - "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"" Jesus passing by... some following him, some questioning him. Unbelievers scolded. Who sinned debated, but Jesus said you only need to believe in Him to be saved"
  • Acts 9 - Jesus comes down and appears and blinds Saul as he is chosen to suffer and bear Jesus name before kings, Jews and Gentiles; Church grows as Paul and Peter go throughout the land preaching the Word of God.
  • Romans 9 - Paul's great sorrow that ""though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, it is only the remnant that will be saved"". Israel does not pursue salvation by faith but by works."
  • 1Corinthians 9 - Running the race: Paul speaks of his responsibility and freedom to diligently preach the Gospel so he also may partake in its rewards. Those who serve and sow spiritual things shall also reap material things to support their efforts.
  • 2Corinthians 9 - Need to give spiritual gifts. He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. God will provide to those who glorify God and for their obedience to sharing our confession of the gospel of Christ
  • Hebrews 9 - Jesus first came as sacrafice for sin. Until he comes again our gifts and sacrafices cannot make us perfect. Men are appointed to die and for Judgement. Christ will appear a second time for the salvation of those who eagerly await Him.
  • Revelation 9 - A star came from heaven to earth and the key of the bottomless pit given to him. Locusts came from the pit to torment godless men being judged because they did not repent of their wickedness

Hard to believe this Pattern of Chapter Nines is Real?

It is very difficult to imagine that God did actually divinely inspire the Bible's numbering and even write the text to fit his numbers. The best way to gradually confirm this for yourself is to examine the themes and numbers for other chapters and notice how they differ from number nine. A recent post I wrote was about the Bible's chapter number 8 themes. Note the consistency of the themes for chapter eights and how it is very different from that of chapter nines. The more you examine each Bible number, the more you will be convinced they have great value in understanding God's Word.