Part Four
Resurrection
"THREE"
Compiled by
Keith Hunt
The following is taken from the book THE ARITHMETIC OF GOD,
first published in 1976. The publisher of the book does not
claim to be the author or inventor of the things contained in
this book. He claims only to be the "scribe" as to what Jesus
Christ revealed to him while fasting and praying away from his
family during a nine-month period, in Denver, Colorado. The
scribes name is Don Kistler, a Christian Jew. He was 52 years old
when he wrote these things. Don has said at the beginning of the
book that he wishes only the name of Jesus be lifted up and given
the glory.
Quote:
" I'm going to bring you the number three which stands for
Resurrection in the Bible next.......The evidence is so abundant
that there is no excuse for Bible readers not to know it.
Jesus said to His critics, 'Destroy this temple, and in
THREE days I will raise it up' (John 2:19-21), 'but He spoke of
the temple of His body' (verse 21).
Jesus said in Matthew 12:40, 'For as Jonas was THREE days
and THREE nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be
THREE days and THREE nights in the heart of the earth.' This
verse tells us that our Lord was raised up from the dead after
being dead three days and three nights, and in this verse it
talked about the number THREE four times. 4 x 3 = 12. This(12)
is the Bible number for Divine Authority, Power or rule. It was
the DIVINE POWER of God that brought forth Jesus from the
dead........
During Jesus' personal ministry He raised THREE (recorded
for us) from the dead. He raised the son of the widow of Nain
(Luke 7:15); He raised the daughter of the ruler Jairus (Luke
8:41-55); and He raised Lazarus of Bethany (John 11:43, 44). When
He called Lazarus forth from the grave He spoke THREE words,
'Lazarus, come forth.' These are also THREE words in the Greek
language and the THIRD one of these has just THREE letters.
There were THREE members in the family of Lazarus(recorded for
us), Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:1-3).
There are THREE records of the Sadducees asking Jesus about
the resurrection of the seven men who married the same woman.
First....Mat.22:23-32; secondly, in Mark 12:18-27; and finally,
in Luke 20:27-38. The book of John does not record the
conversation.........It was to show forth the number THREE as the
number connected with Resurrection.
In our Lord's reply to the Sadducees while speaking of the
Resurrection, Jesus used the expression 'the dead' THREE times.
First....Luke 20:35; secondly, in Luke 20:37; and....in Luke
20:38. 'Now, that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the
bush, when he called the Lord the (1) God of Abraham, and the (2)
God of Isaac, and the (3) God of Jacob. For He is not the God of
the dead, but of the LIVING; for all live unto Him' (Luke
20:37,38).
THREE times Jesus said to those who came to Him and believed
Him, 'I will raise him up at the last day.' The first time He
said this was in John 6:40, the second time in John 6:44 and the
third time in John 6:54.
In the transfiguration scene when Moses and Elijah had
appeared with Him and spoke of His death (Luke 9:28-31), He took
with Him THREE of his disciples........He said to the three
disciples, 'Tell the vision to no man until the Son of man be
RISEN from the dead' (Mat.17:9).
In connection with His trial and death(and then
resurrection), Jesus was denied by Peter THREE times. He was
tried before THREE courts: Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod
(Mat.26:57-75; 27:1-25; Luke 23:4-11). He was crucified with two
others making THREE crosses (Mat.27:28). There was an
inscription placed on His cross and written in three languages
which were Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (John 19:20). The sun was
darkened for THREE hours (Mat.27:45).......
The Bibles records the names of THREE women who went to
Jesus' grave.......They were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of
James, and Salome (Mark 16:1).
The THIRD time Jesus manifested Himself to His disciples
after His Resurrection there was a miraculous draught of fish
numbering 153 (John 21:2-14). The 14th verse shows this was the
THIRD time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after His
Resurrection.
One hundred and fifty-three divided by 3 equals 51 three
times. Divide 51 by three again and the THIRD manifestation will
result in exactly 17, the number which I shall later show to be
the number for VICTORY. Seventeen is the number for victory and
the day of the month our Lord ROSE from the dead! "
I will stop the quote for a minute to give this comment.
Jesus was slain on the cross on the 14th day, the number 14
representing SALVATION, being saved. Saved by the blood of the
lamb, just as Israel was saved by the lamb's blood on the 14th,
when the death angel passed over their homes that night of the
14th, in the account given in Exodus 12. Jesus said He would be
3 days and 3 nights dead, in the heart of the earth, the grave,
and then Resurrected, the number 3 representing RESURRECTION.
Three days from the 14th, just before sunset when they put Jesus
in the tomb, is the 17th day. And just before sunset on that day
Jesus ROSE from the dead. The number 17, as we shall see later,
representing VICTORY.
Now the popular idea that Jesus died on a Friday the 14th,
and rose on a Sunday morning after that Friday, would put Jesus
rising on the 16th day, two nights and three days at the BEST
with that arithmetic. There would be missing one night and it
would not have been a 17th day( to denote victory) RESURRECTION.
The number 3 is specifically given by Christ, specifically
connected to His RESURRECTION. It was to be THREE FULL DAYS(72
hours) - THREE days and THREE nights before He would RISE AGAIN.
He was laid in the tomb just before sunset on the 14th day of the
first month, just before the start of the annual Sabbath of the
days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread(the 15th day). He was
RESURRECTED a full THREE DAYS later. They came to the tomb when
it was yet DARK on the first day of the week and they found it
EMPTY(John 20:1). Yes, of course it was! Jesus had risen from
the dead just before sunset the previous day, just as the weekly
Sabbath was about to come to a close. THREE days and THREE
nights earlier meant that Jesus died on the 14th day, the
Passover day, which would have been on a Wednesday.
Just a small but important proof, as God uses numbers in His
word, to show the traditional Friday(death) and Sunday morning
Resurrection of Christ is false in very way. I have a 40 plus
page in-depth study answer to scholars such as Dr.Samuele
Bacchiocchi who upholds the Friday/Sunday tradition. His
arguments in his book on the subject are answered in my study.
Continuing from the book THE ARITHMETIC OF GOD:
" Now that we have SOME of the numerical proof shown in the
NT, let us turn to the OT and we'll see the same evidence.
There were THREE dead persons RAISED to LIFE again in the
OT. The first instance was when Elisha raised the dead child of
the widow of Zarephath. When Elisha raised the child he stretched
his body THREE times over the child's body (1 Kings 17:21- 22).
The second was when Elisha raised the dead child of the
Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:16-36). When he raised him he put his
mouth on the child's mouth, his eyes on the child's eyes, and his
hand on the child's hand (verses 34, 35). Thirdly, a young man
was restored to life when his body was let down into the grave of
the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 13:21). In verse 18 of 2 Kings 13,
you'll find a king striking the ground THREE times with an arrow.
Why does the number 3 always appear when a resurrection has
been performed? Surely it's the Lord's will!.......
Israel killed a Passover lamb, a type of Christ (1 Cor.5:7).
THREE days after the Passover, they journeyed through the Red Sea
where there is a figure of death and RESURRECTION (Ex.8:7;
12:18-27; 14:1-31).
Hebrews 11:17-19 states that Abraham offered up his son and
received him from the dead in a figure. There were THREE days
journeying to the place of offering (Gen.22:1-4).
Aaron's rod which bore BUDS, BLOSSOMS, and ALMONDS is a
figure of the Resurrection. this is the order in which new life
appears. The tree first puts forth a bid, then comes the bloom
and then the fruit. The rod was a dead walking stick when Aaron
brought it before the Lord. The next morning it had come to life
and had BUDS, BLOSSOMS, and ALMONDS (Num.17:8).
There are many other instances of Resurrection in the OT,
but I believe that will suffice to show that the Old and New
Testaments compare........
When Peter's name is mentioned the THIRD time in the book of
Acts ('anastasis' means to stand up and three being the number
for resurrection), and where he stood up the second time, he
preached on the outpouring of the Holy Sprit which he said came
as the result of the RESURRECTION and ascension of Jesus (Acts
2:14-37). In that particular sermon Peter said Jesus was approved
by (1) miracles and (2) wonders and (3) signs (verse 22). Peter
quotes from David's prophecy about the RESURRECTION of Jesus
(verses 25-31). In this connection the name of David is used
THREE times (verses 25, 29, 34).
Acts 9:38, Peter's name occurs the 23rd time (Twenty-three
is the Bible number for Death......). Right before Peter's name
occurs the 23rd time, Dorcas or Tabitha dies (verses 36,37).
Peter's name occurs THREE more times and he RAISES her back to
LIFE again (verse 40). AMAZING! It's just the
beginning........I only hope you'll want everyone to read this
book(the Bible) for it was given by revelation.
Acts 17:1-3 states that Paul went into the Synagogues at
Thessalonica for THREE Sabbath days and preached that Christ had
to suffer in order to RISE again from the dead.
Acts 20:7-12 speaks of Paul RAISING a young man back to LIFE
who had fallen from the THIRD loft........
While speaking of the REDEMPTION of our BODIES, Paul used
the word "ourselves" THREE times. 'not only they, but ourselves
also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the
REDEMPTION of our bodies' (Rom.8:23).
At the beginning of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul begins his great
discourse on the subject of the RESURRECTION.......The whole
chapter abounds in illustrations of how the number THREE is
connected with the RESURRECTION.
The THIRD time the word 'and' occurs is where it is stated,
'AND that He AROSE again the THIRD DAY' (1 Cor.15:4). The word
'apostle' is found THREE times (verse 7 and two times in verse
9). Acts 1:22-23; 4:33; and 1 Cor.9:1, show that the apostles
were eyewitnesses of the Lord's Resurrection.
In speaking of his apostleship Paul used the word 'grace'
THREE times. In this connection the word 'heavenly' is used
THREE times.
1 Cor.15:48 and 49 show the word 'Adam' THREE times. In
verse 22 it is stated, 'In Adam all die....' ; in verse 45, 'the
first man Adam was made a living soul; and the last Adam a
quickening spirit.' The THIRD time the word 'Adam' occurs gives
reference to Jesus Christ, the quickening Spirit through whom the
RESURRECTION comes.
VICTORY is found in verses 54, 55, and 57. 'Death' is
found THREE times, verses 21, 26, and where it is stated, 'So
when this corruptible shall have PUT ON incorruption and this
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to
pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in
VICTORY' (verse 54).........
In verses 35-37 the word 'Sow' is used THREE times in
connection with the RESURRECTION. 'But some man will say, How are
the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? You fool,
that which you SOW is not quickened, except it die: And that
which you SOW, you SOW not the body that shall be, but bare
grain, it may chance of wheat, or some other grain.' So even
NATURE itself bears testimony of the Resurrection by NUMBERS.
Some time ago I saw a picture of a grain of wheat on a cereal
box. THREE parts of the grain were pointed out by arrows. The
first part was the husk from which the bran comes, the second
part was the main body from which the flour comes, and the third
part was the germ from which the vitamin comes. It is the THIRD
part of the grain that quickens the SOWN wheat and produces the
new plant. We know that Jesus is speaking of the necessity of His
death and RESURRECTION. He said: 'Except a corn of wheat fall
into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it dies, it
brings forth much fruit' (John 12:24).
So the THREE parts to the grain of wheat are SOWN; the THIRD
part of which quickens and brings forth NEW LIFE which is
nature's testimony to the RESURRECTION. The number of the
RESURRECTION is THREE!........
The RESURRECTION is further demonstrated by THREE heavenly
bodies: 'There is one glory of the SUN, and another glory of the
MOON, and another glory of the STARS. SO ALSO IS THE RESURRECTION
of the dead. It is SOWN in corruption; it is RAISED in
incorruption' (verses 41, 42). The SUN races across the sky to
set out of sight, but it doesn't stay down, it RISES AGAIN. So
man comes upon the scene to pass across the stage of life, and as
the sun he goes down to be seen no more until he RISES again.
The MOON comes up to pass across the heavens then out of
sight as do the STARS. The next night they RISE again. SO IT IS
WITH MAN........
When Jesus was born the STARS gave a sign (Mat.2:1,2). When
Jesus was on the cross the SUN was darkened for THREE HOURS. 'Now
from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until
the NINTH hour' (Mat.27:45). After the sun was hid for THREE
hours it appeared again. So Jesus went into the darkness of
DEATH for THREE DAYS, and AFTER THREE DAYS He ROSE AGAIN.
The SUN, MOON, and STARS will witness to the return of
Jesus. Jesus said: 'And there shall be SIGNS in the SUN, and in
the MOON, and in the STARS' (Luke 21:25).
When the new heavens and the new earth shall come, there
will be no more DEATH......Rev.21:4. When there is no more death
there will be no need of these heavenly bodies to witness
concerning the resurrection. Rev.21:23 states, 'And the city
had no need of the SUN, neither of the MOON, to shine in it: for
the GLORY of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the LIGHT
thereof.' Then Rev.21:4 say, 'and there shall be no more death.'
When it is stated that death shall be no more, there is no need
of the SUN and MOON, thus there is no need for death or
RESURRECTION.
EVERYTHING IN THE BIBLE AND NATURE TESTIFIES TO THE GLORIOUS
TRUTH OF THE BLESSED RESURRECTION. WE MAY GO DOWN TO THE
DARKNESS OF DEATH AND THE GRAVE BUT JUST AS SURELY AS JESUS ROSE
AGAIN WE SHALL RISE. Just as truly, the grain a wheat quickening
into new life is proof that WE WILL RISE AGAIN. Just as certain
as the SUN is to rise on the morrow, WE are CERTAIN to RISE on
God's golden tomorrow. The OVERWHELMING testimony of the Bible
NUMBERS along with MANY POSITIVE STATEMENTS from God's word makes
our hope SURE and STEADFAST........
Paul closes that wonderful chapter on the RESURRECTION with
a THREEFOLD admonishment: 'Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you
STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, always ABOUNDING in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord'
(verse 58).
I could go ON AND ON.......
1 Thes.4:16 and 17 states: 'For the Lord Himself shall
descend from heaven with a SHOUT, and with the VOICE of the
Archangel, and with the TRUMP of God: and the DEAD in Christ
shall RISE first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we EVER BE WITH THE LORD.' What a glorious
meeting that will be!!!
Our Lord's closing testimony will be from the last book of
the Holy Bible. 'And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, FEAR not; I
am the first and the last: I am He that LIVES, and was DEAD; and,
behold I am ALIVE FOR EVERMORE, Amen; and have the keys of hell
and death' (Rev.1:17 and 18).
There are THREE things said about our Lord's life, death and
resurrection. 'I am alive for evermore.' Then follows the word
'AMEN.' This is the THIRD TIME 'amen' occurs in the book of
Revelation. Note verses 6 and 7. The THIRD time follows with the
expression that sets forth His RESURRECTION - 'I am alive for
evermore.'
Jesus starts with the words, 'Fear not,' and none can banish
fear as He can. None can give courage in the face of death like
Jesus........We need not fear death!.......death will be no more.
God has the keys to hell and death and will bring us out of the
furnace of death to suffer no more, to be with Him who is the
'RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE' "
End quote.
Again I say, who but the ETERNAL GOD of heaven, could have
used NUMBERS from one end of the Bible to the other end, in the
manner they are used. Oh, it may be true that you do not need
this information to be saved by grace through faith in Christ
Jesus, many have lived and died not knowing anything about the
ARITHMETIC OF GOD, who will be in the RESURRECTION to meet Christ
on His return to this earth. Yet Daniel was told that in the
last days "knowledge would be increased" (Dan.12:4). This my
friends is just a part of that increase of knowledge if you will
accept it.
As you see these studies unfolding the AWESOME, MAGNIFICENCE
of the planning and working of the mind of God, as you see this
ARITHMETIC OF GOD proving the Lord does have an INSPIRED WORD on
this earth, then you should have even more PRAISE FOR HIM, AND
CONFIDENCE IN HIS PROMISES AND WHAT HE HAS WRITTEN IN HIS WORD.
He and He alone inspired His word to be full of ARITHMETIC,
a product of the human mind and daily living that progressive
mankind COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT. Just think of what we
COULD NOT DO if we did not have ARITHMETIC and a mind able to use
it.
God is the GREAT MATHEMATICIAN OF THE UNIVERSE!
There has risen recently the debate over whether there will
be THREE RESURRECTIONS in the plan of God. The First, at the
coming of Christ, the Second a thousand years later at the end of
the millennium for the White Throne Judgment, and a Third when
all the willful sinners are raised to be thrown into the Lake of
Fire, the second death.
There is no specific scripture verse that states something
like, "there will be three main resurrections in the plan of
God." We know there will be more than one from Rev.20:6 that
talks about "the first resurrection" which must mean there will
be more than one main resurrection, the one when Jesus returns.
From what we have seen in this study about the number 3, I
would say that this branch of the church of God, coming from the
old WCG, was and is correct in teaching there are to be THREE
main resurrections in the salvation plan of God for mankind. Then
will come the new heavens and the new earth, when DEATH and
RESURRECTION will pass into history.
I will bring you in the future yet more from THE ARITHMETIC
OF GOD.
.......................
Written May 1997
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