Sunday, July 22, 2012

Self-test - God’s Ten Part Plan of Redemption found throughout the Bible replaces the four spiritual laws…


I’ve talked through this self-test with many people and the incredible results at first startles them. I invite them to choose any ten verses of the Bible and then ask them if they see ten simple themes progressively surface in each of the ten verses? This ten part Redemption Pattern can be compared to Campus Crusade’s “Four Spiritual Laws” – It’s existence seems impossible until you experience it for yourself…using any part of the Bible you like….
Most of my various writings focus on what I refer to as the DNA like perfection of numbers in the Bible. I’ve been concentrating my writing about the Bible’s numbers because it seemed like a great way to share the perfection of Biblical patterns without getting into the more complex topic regarding the perfect pattern of repeating themes associated with the numbers. But I’ve neglected the most important aspect of the Bible’s number/text patterns for too long.
What’s more amazing than the repeating pattern of numeric perfection of scripture is the perfect ten part pattern of symbolism that goes along with the numbers. This post will attempt to provide a brief explanation of this pattern and outlines a “self test” that can be taken in 5 minutes that allows you to experience the pattern for yourself. This self-test demonstrates the progressive symbolism found throughout the Bible using any set of verses of your own choosing. If you’re skeptical about the perfection of Bible numbering this self-test may cause you to reconsider the possibility that the number perfection exists. The self-test simply guides you in observing ten symbolic themes in any ten consecutive Bible verses. At this point, it likely sounds to you like some quirk of the mind’s ability to match patterns, but I think you will quickly see it is more than that.
God created everything by number, weight and measure - Newton
The Bible’s Ten Part Redemption Pattern
What is the Redemption Pattern?  Very briefly, the Redemption Pattern is a perfectly repeating pattern of ten progressive themes that can be found secretly hidden in the contents of every book, chapter, verse, any number and any list found in the Bible. You will find this same pattern in ancient texts and in the Torah -- which is not a surprise since it seems simply how God creates things. This pattern reveals what I consider to be ten steps God wants every believer to understand about his plan of redemption. The Redemption Pattern and its number/text symbolism is simple enough for every person to experience, but at the same time is more complex than can be explained in a few paragraphs. For this reason, my examples here show a basic aspect of the number/text symbolism. More details about these patterns can be found in other parts of this website.
The Redemption Pattern’s concept is pretty easy to see by those that are already familiar with Campus Crusade’s “Four Spiritual Laws”. It is a guide for quickly understanding the basic steps each person must take in their path to being saved and receiving eternal life with God. It is basically God’s Ten Spiritual Laws. These ten steps provide insight we have never realized about where we are in our spiritual walk with God. Each person should be able to know where they are on the path and what the next steps are to be accomplished.
These ten steps provide insight we have
 never realized about where we are in our spiritual walk with God.

Following are the ten individual parts of the Redemption Pattern. As hard as it is to conceive of, imagine that everything written in the Bible in one form or another follows this numbered ten step template. This pattern goes to depths of perfection I don’t believe we will ever be able to imagine but at its basic level is very observable. When you think about it, God wrote the Bible for men to understand so he obviously wrote it such that it could one day be revealed to us.
Dan 12:9 He said, "Go your way, Daniel,
 for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time.
Following are the ten parts of the Redemption Pattern. You will find its themes in; the first ten books of the Bible; the first ten chapters of the Bible; the first ten verses of every Bible chapter; in every verse whose number ends in the numbers 1-0 (10); behind every number found in the text of God’s Word; and somewhere behind every part of every list in scripture. Of course, in our human minds this is not possible – since all these numbered parts of the Bible overlap in many ways, every verse could not possibly contain all the right words and text to fit every necessary theme…not possible, that is, unless you were God.
Jer 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
Following are ten themes of the redemption pattern associated with the numbers 1-10. This is an over simplified view of the ten part Redemption Pattern’s symbolism as it only shows the numbers as they are related to God’s plan of redemption. Numbers also have other related meanings which will also be present in the patterns. For example, the number eight relates to the symbolism of the Godly who have turned their lives over to God; but the number eight also relates to its cardinal value which tells us how many of something we have – there are eight Godly people who were saved from the flood in the ark. The number eight also has an ordinal value that tells us the position of something in a list of things – chapter 8 is an ordinal reference to the 8th chapter in a book and it happens that it is in the 8th chapter of Genesis eight Godly people are saved from the flood…coincidence…the patterns say no. (also in Genesis 8:10 it says it was on the 8th day when they knew the flood was receding). The point is that the symbolism of numbers can match up in multiple ways. This list only reflects one of those ways which is of the ten steps of God’s Redemption Pattern. As you read through this list, consider how (even though you may have never seen this list before) it makes sense that every believer should eventually encounter these different understandings in their spiritual walk.
#1 – God – we must understand God and that he sets things apart by kind (Genesis)
#2 – Jesus/redeemer – God sent is only Son Jesus to deliver us from sin and death (Exodus)
#3 – A Holy Spirit – God is spirit and that spirit is holy and righteous and lives in believers (Leviticus)
#4 – Mankind & the World – We and all we see are God’s creation – starting out lost and wandering in a fallen world (Numbers)
#5 – Call to God/Law/Consequences – We call out to God to be saved and he tells us what is required. Blessings if we do, curses if we do not (Deuteronomy)
#6 – Crossing Over (The Cross) – To be saved we must finally trust God’s redeemer, comprehend/repent our sin and cross over into his land (Joshua)
#7 – The Good Shepherd – Crossing over into God’s land is just the beginning – we then enter a long process of trying to live God’s way and failing. We struggle…God’s way vs our own way until we finally realize living God’s way is truly best. (Judges)
#8 – Becoming Godly – We surrender our hearts to God and his Son, Jesus Christ, and as a result we begin living the obedient life of a fruitful servant (Ruth)
#9 – Persevere in service with hope of Jesus return (future things) – We persevere as an obedient servant always keeping before us the hope of Living one day in God’s Kingdom (1/2 Samuel)
#10 – Last things, end things – This age will end and Jesus will return to judge every person, some to eternal life and others to death (1/2 Kings)
This list gives one aspect of the Redemption Pattern. Everything in the Bible (and I believe in God’s Creation) follows the template of this perfect pattern. There is also a positive and negative aspect to each of these steps so you may also find text referring to this opposite symbolism – I.E. Jesus is the redeemer but #2 may also refer to Satan the adversary. This plan of redemption is seen in every aspect of God’s Word. Next, let’s look at a good example of this pattern in the Bible.

An example of God’s Redemption Pattern – Psalm 107
You may have already noticed, one of the best evidences of the Redemption Pattern is simply seeing the pattern in the first ten books of the KJV (King James) and similarly structured Bibles (NIV, NASB, ESV…). These first ten books are not only evidence of the pattern, but they contain the definition of the pattern. If you want to better understand the symbolism of any of the ten steps, study the themes and messages of each corresponding book. Another easy evidence is to use the first ten chapters of the Bible.
I have included below the first ten verses of Psalm 107 which contains one of the most obvious and clear examples of the Redemption Pattern found associated with the numbers 1-10. Compare the meanings found in these ten verses with the ten themes listed above:

Psa 107:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Genesis – God – Separates by kind)
Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say {so,} Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary (Exodus - Jesus, Redeemer)
Psa 107:3 And gathered from the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. (Leviticus - Spirit leads us – God lives among us)
Psa 107:4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; They did not find a way to an inhabited city. (Numbers - Lost in Wilderness)
Psa 107:5 {They were} hungry and thirsty; Their soul fainted within them. (Deuteronomy - finished wandering, we call out to God…rules first)
Psa 107:6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. (Joshua - God leads us unto his Kingdom/Promised Land)
Psa 107:7 He led them also by a straight way, To go to an inhabited city. (Judges - Good Shepherd – Rod and Staff he leads us to understand God’s ways are best)
Psa 107:8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! (Ruth – Those wanting to live God’s way go to him and are rewarded. Holy Spirit and his wonders?)
Psa 107:9 For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good. (1/2 Samuel – Examples of good and bad servants Saul/David -- The future, we are finally delivered from this world into God’s Kingdom)
Psa 107:10 There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners in misery and chains (1/2 Kings - Last things - Those that remain live in darkness—the exiles)

The Self Test – Observing the Pattern for Yourself
If what I have written above makes sense, you are more than ready to observe this pattern for yourself. I hope it surprises you in the same way I’ve seen others experience it. It truly can be an “Oh My God!” experience. It’s easy, get your Bible and do the following:
STEP #1 -- The Redemption Pattern is everywhere so there’s no trick to finding an example. Open your Bible and find any ten verses you like. Find a set of verses where the first verse begins with verse number of 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, etc. For example, choose verse 1-10 of any chapter - or 11-20, 21-30…etc. Try to pick a set of verses you can basically understand - it’s probably not a good idea to pick 10 verses that are simply a list of names (although, the pattern is in names as well…the names of the ten generations from Adam to Noah are a perfect example of the Redemption Pattern in lists).
NEXT – Read each verse and observe how the contents of the verse in some way symbolically fits the corresponding Redemption Pattern theme. I’ve included some example words below that are often found related to the theme. Remember, although the best example of the theme for number one is God, #1 also relates to any first thing or those in charge (leaders/kings/priests..), and can also be a reference to self, pride, or the first item in any list.
Don’t get stuck on trying to fully comprehend the number/theme relationship in every verse. We can’t fully understand how every verse fits the pattern - some are very subtle. What’s most important is to watch for the pattern. Consider how the verses you have chosen fit the progressive pattern. I’ve shared this self test with many people and have never had anyone not see the pattern at all.
Did you get your ten verses? Do their contents correspond in some way to these ten themes?
"1-God/Who will we follow" priests / leaders / kings / self / pride (see Genesis)
"2-God/Jesus relationship - Love, hate, Family, Jesus, division, unity, calling us to Jesus (see Exodus)
"3-Righteousnes", trinity / spirit / purity / perfection, God with man, man crying out to God. Inheritance. (see Leviticus)
"4-Fallen Creation" Things of our world men / groups / earth / cities / time / days / heavens / waters / land / man's ways(see Numbers)
"5-Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom" Grace to those following. Grace and Truth - Severe consequences for those who do not. Deciding to live according to God's ways (see Deuteronomy)
"6-The Cross" Crossing over -sin / redemption / accepting Jesus,God fights the battles for us, need for redemption and the process of coming to the Lord (see Joshua)
"7-Sanctification/Teaching/Commencement" God's training process and commencement to the Godly Christian life, teaching, Going back, falling away, decisions, resistance, against, adultry (see Judges)
"8-Returning to God and taking others with us" Abundance, fruit, joy, serving, obedience, provision of God and lack without God (See Ruth)
"9-Waiting for His return" The future and things that will happen, watching, serving, planning (see Samuel)
"10-The Final End" Jesus return to complete his covenant, Last Things or ends of things, The last word on something, commands, certanty (see Kings)


Conclusion
Hopefully you’ve caught a glimpse of God’s ten part Redemption Pattern. If you have just experienced this for the first time, you might be thinking -- that’s impossible, there must be some kind of trick or illusion going on. I wondered the same thing for a long, long time before I was truly convinced the pattern was real.  There is no trick. I believe you are experiencing a hidden mystery of God’s Word.

To confirm what you see, pick other sets of verses to compare.  You might also compare the pattern to themes of chapters or even contents of any list in the Bible. To help confirm this pattern does not fit any set of verses, pick a set of verses that begin and end with another number such as 4 and compare verse 4 to the theme of 1, 5 to the theme of 2, etc. It won’t work.

You may have noticed above that I’ve related the theme for number 9 to the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel and number 10 to the books of 1st and 2nd Kings. People wonder why I make this assumption and why number ten is not seen associated with 2nd Samuel. This is an example of how this pattern helps us interpret scripture. Everything fits the pattern, so when something does not fit the pattern such as 2nd Samuel not fitting the theme for number 10, you have to reconsider your understanding of the text. When I observed that when combining the two part books of Samuel and Kings to associate to numbers nine and ten, not only did their symbolism fit the pattern, but every other book theme to the end of the Bible also fit the pattern. For example, counting only “complete” books of the Bible,the book of Lamentations becomes the 22nd book of the Bible. Number 22 has a theme related to Jesus, the Suffering Servant which fits the theme of Lamentations and it is not coincidence that four of the five chapters of this book have 22 verses and the other chapter (#3) has sixty-six verses (22x3). The Redemption Pattern reveals secrets.

It is truly unbelievable that such a pattern can possibly exist in so many places, but years ago I stopped questioning if it was possible. Look at enough examples and you will be convinced – the Redemption Pattern in God’s Word is an incredible wonder of God and will leave you in awe that God is so much more incredible than we can ever, ever imagine.



Note: Everything I write is based on my simple comprehension of the Numeric Map and Redemption Pattern as I observe it today. I can only imagine how dim my understanding truly is and want to point out that, like everything we study about the Bible, we can never expect to fully comprehend it – It is God’s Word. I’m no Bible scholar, just someone that seems to have observed a pattern. I’m sure there’s many mistakes in my understandings and what I write. I pray the concepts get across enough for others to understand and that the mistakes are not harmful in any way. Acts 17:11 – You must confirm these things for yourself by examining God’s Word. I can only imagine the wonders God will teach us when the world begins to study these patterns together.

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