My new book The Bible's Redemption Plan and Numeric Map

I have 200 copies printed for my promotional efforts but the official publishing via Xulon will not be complete until April. Keep watching for more details and public reaction to this understandably impossible claim. There is no doubt everything we humanly understand about the Bible says the Redemption Pattern and Numeric map cannot exist...but evidence for it is well documented and too preponderous to dismiss. We will see what the public has to say.

Following is back cover text...

Not a code, but the discovery of an unbelievable pattern in the Bible!

The Bible's Numeric Map reveals God not only inspired the Bible's text, but also divinely numbered every book, chapter, and verse to point to His ten step plan of redemption. An astounding claim we cannot imagine to be true—but it is. Here are a few of thousands of surprising clues revealing the Bible's supernatural organization.

• MIDDLE CHAPTER: Psalm 117 is the shortest and only two-verse chapter: "Praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples!" is divinely located exactly as the center chapter.
  
• THE 1,000th CHAPTER: John 3:16, the keystone verse for Christianity, says, "…for God so loved the world…." God strategically placed it in the Bible's special 1,000th chapter.
  
• THE 24,000th VERSE: Matthew 24:42 "be on the alert…you do not know the day nor the hour…." The verse at the intersection of five different references to number 24. It is the 24,000th verse in the 24th chapter with verse number 42 (24) and chapter and verse text both focus on The "Day" (24 hours) of the Lord.
  
• REDEMPTION PATTERN: The Ten Commandments, Lord's Prayer, Beatitudes—every list and number in the Bible as well as book, chapter and verse numbering—all follow the ten-part redemption pattern. This pattern validates the Bible's perfection, reveals God's redemption plan and guides biblical interpretation.
  

This book reveals themes for numbers and how they clarify our understanding of God's Word. See many examples such as how the Bible's 22 chapters, numbered 22, all contain themes pointing to Jesus. Observe the amazing Numeric Map and Redemption Plan God placed in the Bible you use today. This book guides anyone in discovering the truth of these patterns for themselves and how they are easily put to use.

Bible Study-Chapter Themes-In Plain Sight

In all my 30+ years as a Christian I've never been taught how words found in a chapter can help us find the chapter theme. It seems so clear to me that I find it hard to believe I'm the only one that has seen this...no matter...look how easy it can be to see below the obvious to unearth chapter themes.

Using Colossians 4 as an example - look at my highlights below to see if a chapter theme seems to emerge... One bible I have labels this chapter "Prayer, wisdom and personal greetings" and it is true, these things are there, but every chapter has a message and this title is not much help to understanding it. I think the overall message of this chapter is to share the word and encourage others to do the same. It's about communication, writing, speaking, making contact. I've used the KJV here for copyright issues so you may find in your own translation the message is even more clear.

Watch chapters for content that seems related in any way that would suggest a theme. The Bible communicates more than what we first observe...look deeper for the treasures!

Col 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Col 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Col 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Col 4:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Col 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Col 4:8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

Col 4:9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

Col 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

Col 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Col 4:13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Col 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Col 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Col 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Col 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Col 4:18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Matthew Chapter 6 - Seeking God from our hearts

A theme of Matthew chapter 6 is that we can only receive God's rewards by seeking God and his approval from the secret place in our heart. "Practicing our righteousness" for men to see will not result in the reward we truly need which is to receive the incredible gift Jesus gave as his life for us as payment for sin.

The chapter keeps reminding us those who seek approval and the notice of men will not be rewarded--IE given eternal life but will only receive the rewards men can give. Joshua the 6th book of the Bible is about crossing over the Jordan into the new land and six is symbolic of our finally deciding to accept God's plan of redemption, cross over the "River of Life--Jesus" to the new land. God goes ahead of us but we must make the decision and take the action to cross which involves turning from sin thus making sacrifices and going and fighting battles to remove strongholds of sin in our life. Then we can enter step seven of God's Redemption Plan in which God promises to shepherd us to becoming complete.

Matt 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (NASB)

The Bible tells us we are judged by what the Holy Spirit reveals about our heart condition. Verse 6:6 uses the word "Secret" which might better be said as "inwardly" or from the heart. The reference to our inner rooms seems a reference such as go to our heart and soul and talk to god from there. The phrase "WHO IS IN SECRET" seems a reference to the Holy Spirit which is there dwelling in us and this presence of God in us will see our actions and thus will reward us (The HS is the part of God in us that speaks/reports to God on our behalf).

WILL REWARD YOU: Strong's defines the word used for reward as to Give something of one’s self to another or to pay off a debt or things promised under oath. Thus, this fits the chapter theme which is about seeking God alone for our reward which as he promised is the eternal life he gives to us as a gift paying off our debt for sin.

Of course, this does not mean not to do good things people can see, but that our reward can only come from an internal heartfelt relationship with God.

The closing verse tells us we need not worry about tomorrow if we do these things, but take care of today which is having a relationship with God. Once we have done that God considers us his children and as a faithful parent will lead us to becoming complete. Thus, no need to worry about tomorrow (IE Eternal Life) if we have taken care of these things today.

Matthew 20:6, 12 - Jews accepting Jesus at the 11th hour

Matthew chapter 20 in the parable of the workers of the vineyard tells how the man that worked all day was paid no more than the man who did not begin serving until the eleventh hour, something most of us would consider unfair. But the story is not about getting paid fairly but rather about those who are called to accept Jesus as their Lord and savior. This parable is about Jews who have in their own minds worked hard for God for so many years and one day finally accept Jesus as contrasted with Jews who may have ignored god altogether and in the last hour before the end - finally come to Jesus. The point is that it was not about the work but about doing what was agreed on and expected. There will be rewards in heaven regarding our fruit which will be fair but as far as salvation goes, that's a basic agreement we either meet or we don't.

Waiting until the last hour will likely cost us in rewards but the important part is that we don't wait until it is too late. Most importantly, we don't get into heaven through effort - those who say to themselves "...I'm not perfect but am a pretty good person..." are definitely in trouble with their eternal status. Nobody is good enough, God only accepts those that accept his terms which are actually very simple--accept Jesus as Lord and savior, then serve him demonstrating your sincerity.

Matt 20:6 "And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day long?' ... v12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.'


Of course, the same verses apply to all who have not yet accepted Jesus -- there is still time before the end...


--Matt 25:13 "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

How can the average person know where to find God?

I struggled for years as a Christian sitting in a pew, often wondering how others were so sure of their faith. I heard many of the “proofs” people give about Jesus and the authenticity of the bible, but each one seemed to have gaps I personally could not explain so they each fell short of being proofs for me. I still held my faith but at the same time wondered how we Christians expect others to see god with evidence that is beyond the capability of the average person to verify? In these times, every religion has their own compelling “truths” and men are left not knowing what’s real and what’s not. How do we know who to believe?

I now have found the proofs I sought for years and ones that were in reach of anyone that wanted to examine the bible in a sincere way to seek out God. If God wanted to absolutely prove himself he could simply appear in the sky and blast us with his truths, but I suppose he did not want to fear us into believing in him. What kind of followers would that make? God says those who seek him will find him.

I say this because the proofs are in the bible but they are not in any single verse. Proofs I think a discerning mind like ours can accept, but God has placed them there in such a way that only a truly seeking person will find and comprehend. I don’t have room for much explanation here but can pass along a couple of clues that might make you wonder about the possibility of such strong evidence about God really existing. These two facts are only coincidences without more to go along with them, but strong coincidences can eventually change random facts into a preponderance of evidence which establish truths.

So here are just two small verifiable facts that help demonstrate the bible is truly the Word of God. Hopefully these encourage you to look into his word more to find out who he is –

#1 - There are 1189 chapters in the King James Bible and the 595th and exact middle chapter of the bible is Psalms 117. It is both the shortest chapter in the bible and the only one with just two verses. The two verses in this tiny chapter exclaim praise for God’s lovingkindness and everlasting nature. Might be a coincidence but if you think about it for a few moments, it is quite an incredible chance that this unique chapter could also be in a very unique place in God's Holy book. One chance in 1189 this coincidently finds its way to this place in the bible.

#2 – One thousand is a milestone number that is also a unique chapter number in a book with just over 1000 chapters. In this special chapter of the bible God has left us another amazing coincidence and a special clue about who he is. Even more amazing, this clue is in the form of a single bible verse God has been popping up around the world for years and is often seen by millions in televised sports events. Is it a coincidence that John 3:16 just happens to be in this milestone and special chapter of the bible? John 3, the Born Again chapter, explains the single key concept how we must be born again to see the kingdom of God.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

These are just two “coincidences” everyone can see and confirm are in the King James Bible – the same bible millions of people have in their home today. Admittedly, these alone don’t prove anything about God, but maybe they are a way of getting your attention. Imagine there are thousands of other such verifiable facts in the bible to be found if you look for them. God will show up if you seek him but don't expect him to jump off the page at you – that’s not how he works.

If you want to know about God, ask him and sincerely seek him out and I think he will be paying you a visit.

Why – I almost hate to add the next part of what is needed to be said because it can appear to take away from the loving image of God. We are not just encouraged to seek God, we must if we want to avoid spending eternity without him. There are serious consequences to not accepting Jesus Christ as your LORD and savior. Every soul is eternal whether we like it or not. We will spend eternity somewhere and there is only one way to spend it with God. As much as we might like to dismiss God or trust that we are good enough to be deserving of a good life when we leave this one, God tells us clearly this is a huge mistake.

The creator of the universe makes the rules and we cannot understand his ways, even if he tried to explain them to us. Don’t try to out-reason God. Investigate him to see if you believe he is the creator of the universe and if you do, don’t doubt that what he tells us plainly in his word will come to pass. It does not matter how we think things ought to work. The eternal future you have depends on it. It’s OK to doubt God, but give him a chance to prove who he is.

Norm Patriquin

March 2008