Numbers 12, 13, 16, 17,
Divine Power, Rule or Authority - "TWELVE"
Twelve is Divine Power, Rule or Authority, making it the
most important number in the system. It is the next number after
11, which is Judgment, and God has the power to pass judgment on
all of His subjects. Twelve is three times four: three is for
resurrection, and four is creation. Therefore, 12 would be an
expression of the rule of the tribute "God over Creation."
Without resurrection, we have no God over Creation. The divine
order of things is always logical, simple and plain when seen
clearly.
The first passage which I would like to call to your
attention is in Daniel 4:29-32, "At the end of twelve months he
walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. The king spake,
and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the
house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour
of my majesty? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell
a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is
spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive
thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the
field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times
shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth
in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will." All
that came upon king Nebuchadnezzar at the end of 12 months.
Notice how long Nebuchadnezzar walked in the palace of Babylon.
In Daniel 4:30-32, the number 12 is connected with the rule of
the most High God.
Jesus connected His rule with the rule of the 12 Apostles,
"when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye
also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Israel." (Matthew 19:28)
In I Kings 18:22-44, there is an account of Elijah's contest
with the prophets of Baal. He had four barrels of water poured
over his sacrifice three times. This makes 12 barrels of water
poured over the altar. "And it came to pass at the time of the
offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came
near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it
be known this day that THOU ART GOD IN ISRAEL, and that I am thy
servant, and that I have done all these things AT THY WORD."
(verse 36)
The number 12 in this connection represents the divine power
or rule in Israel, and over the forces of nature.
After Jesus had fed the 5000 with the five barley loaves and
two fishes, He gathered up 12 baskets of the fragments which
remained. These 12 baskets signify the divine power by which the
miracle was wrought. After Jesus had fed the 4000, they gathered
up seven baskets. The words "seven baskets" are spelled with 12
Greek letters which represent divine power. (Matthew 15:35-38)
In Ephesians 1:19-20, Paul speaks of the mighty power of God
that He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead. In
speaking of His death and resurrection, Jesus said, "But he
answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but
the sign of the prophet Jonas: 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." (Matthew
12:39-40) Jesus used the number three four times while speaking
of His death and resurrection as a sign to Israel. Three is the
number for resurrection. He could have said, "as Jonas was three
days and nights," that would have told us how long He would be
dead. But He used 12, represented by three times four to set
forth the divine power by which He was raised.
The 12th time Noah's Ark is mentioned is where it is said
that they went in by commandment, "And they went in unto
Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the
breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of
all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in."
(Genesis 7:15-16) The number 12 shows the divine authority that
sent them into the ark.
The 12th time the name of Noah is mentioned is found where
God called him to come into the ark, "And the Lord said unto
Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark." (Genesis 7:1) In
this scripture Noah's name is mentioned the 12th time, and the
ark is mentioned the eighth time, and there were eight persons in
Noah's house.
God appointed 12 months to the year, 12 hours to the day,
and 12 hours to the night: "Jesus answered, Are there not twelve
hours in the day?" (John 11:9) In Genesis 1:16 we find that the
sun is to rule the day and the moon to rule the night: "And God
made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the
lesser light to rule the night:" God gave the sun rule for 12
hours and the moon rule for 12 hours.
God spoke to Job about the 12 signs of the Zodiac and their
dominion rule over the earth, "Canst thou bind the sweet
influence of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou
bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus
with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou
set the dominion [rule] thereof in the earth?" (Job 38:31-33) The
word "Mazzaroth" is rendered "The twelve signs" in the margin;
Moffatt translates this word as "The signs of the Zodiac." The
Bible dictionary renders in the same way. The 12 signs of the
Zodiac did not have their origin with man, but with God. There
are many, including myself, who state that the Astrologers do not
know the origin of the 12 constellations, nor why they are called
signs of Zodiac. In their song of victory, Deborah said, "They
fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against
Sisera. The river Kishon swept them away," (Judges 5:20-21)
Evidently the influence of the stars brought down rain at the
right time to cause the flood in the small river Kishon which
caused Sisera's army to be swept away. God had said, "I will draw
unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's
army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him
into thine hand." (Judges 4:7) Our God controls the stars and
fixes their dominion over the earth. He knew just when to draw
the army of Sisera to the river of Kishon at the time of the 12
signs of the Zodiac to bring the flood, though Deborah could say
that the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
The number 12 is mentioned many times concerning the New
Jerusalem descending out of the heavens. If you've studied
Revelation, this will certainly be brought to your mind. There
are 12 gates and the gates are 12 pearls, and there are 12 kinds
of precious stones representing the 12 apostles. The city
measures 12,000 furlongs in every direction. The wall is 144
cubits high, which is 12 times 12. The tree of life had 12 manner
of fruits and bore its fruit every month of all 12 months. If
this hasn't convinced you of the Divine Authority of God and His
Power, nothing will.
The 12th time the name of Abraham occurs is where it says,
"And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I
give this land:" (Genesis 12:7) The seed of Abraham possessed the
land by divine authority and will again possess it with divine
rule.
The tabernacle, which was built for a dwelling place for God
among His people (Exodus 25:8), was 12 cubits wide. Many have
said the width was only ten cubits, but with close examination
you'll notice the Bible is correct. In Ezekiel 41:1 we read,
"Afterwards he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts,
six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the
other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle." (Two times
six equals 12.) The boards stood up, and they were a cubit and a
half wide. (Exodus 26:14-16) There were eight boards in the back
of the Tabernacle, "And they shall be eight boards, and their
sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board,"
(Exodus 26:25) Eight times one and a half are 12 cubits. It would
be impossible to make a structure ten cubits wide out of boards a
cubit and a half wide. One and a half does not divide evenly into
ten, but it does into 12. Thus the tabernacle was 12 cubits wide,
representing divine power and authority.
Twelve Greek letters are connected with divine authority
many times. Many of us are aware of the fact that the average
reader is not learned in the Greek language. There are many
truths hidden in the language as was written from the beginning.
The Bible number system can prove the virgin birth of Jesus
Christ was brought about by divine power. We shall see that the
writing of the scripture and the divine power is proven in Bible
numbers.
Today so much effort is being expended to discredit the
virgin birth of Jesus. We need to know the truth, and the Bible
numbers represent a line of argument which no one can wave aside
by saying, "That was just an opinion of those who wrote the
Bible." Please mark this in your Bible, "For he taught them as
one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:29)
This passage in Matthew has exactly 12 Greek words; the two words
"having authority" have exactly 12 Greek letters. "Thou couldest
have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from
above:" (John 19:11) There are 12 Greek words in this scripture.
Authority given from above comes from God.
In John 3:35 we read, "The Father loveth the Son, and hath
given all things into his hand." God had given all authority to
His Son, Jesus Christ. Again, there are 12 Greek words. "Hath
given all things", shows 12 Greek letters.
"All things were made by him; and without him was not any
thing made" (John 1:3) Here again there are 12 Greek words. This
shows that the divine power resided in Jesus Christ.
"In him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John
1:4) Again we find 12 Greek words which show the power that can
give life.
"Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there
was a great calm." (Matthew 8:26) This shows the power that Jesus
has over the forces of nature. There are 12 Greek
words in this passage.
The stilling of the winds and the waves produced wonder
among the disciples, and they asked, "What manner of man is this,
that even the winds and sea obey him!" (Matthew 8:27) Here are 12
Greek words that show our Lord's power and authority over the
many forces of nature as used in verse 26, "Tote egertheis
epetimnsen tois enemois kai ta thalassa kai egeneto galana
megala." (Greek)
In Matthew 19:28 we read, "ye also shall sit upon twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Again there are
12 Greek words.)
"And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the
hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,"
(Acts 1:24) Again 12 Greek words. They are connected with God's
divine choice. God has the authority to choose whom He will.
"And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made
straight, and glorified God." (Luke 13:13) This shows the power
Jesus had over disease, and He used 12 Greek words to describe
it.
"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that
runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." (Romans 9:16) This also
shows God's authority in blessing.
"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant
according to the election of grace." God only has the power to
elect or choose and He used 12 Greek words to prove it. (Romans
11:5)
In Revelation 11:15, it says, "The kingdoms of the world are
become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ;" We find
another passage that has to do with the authority of God and of
Christ and it also has 12 Greek words.
We have reviewed many scriptures that prove 12 to be the
number connected with His divine power and authority. The words
in the original Greek language were arranged by God to count as
12.
Now we shall proceed to examine the scriptures which
have to do with the birth of Jesus. This is probably the most
important association with the number 12.
The Virgin Birth
"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring
forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." (Luke 1:31) There
are exactly 12 Greek words in this statement. This is of such
vast importance that I've listed the 12 words for you: (1)
sullapsa (2) en (3) gastri (4) kai (5) texa (6) huion (7) kai (8)
kaleseis (9) to (10) onoma (11) autou (12) jasoun. When Mary
wanted to know how this thing should be, the angel said that the
power of the Highest should overshadow her. Number 12 has been
seen to be connected with the power of God again and again, and
the 12 words spoken to Mary about conceiving and bringing forth a
son show the divine power connected with the virgin birth of
Jesus.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) This, too, has
just 12 Greek words.
Galatians 4:4 states, "God sent forth his Son, made of a
woman, made under the law." Here are 12 Greek words again.
Matthew 1:23 reads, "they shall call his name Emmanual,
which being interpreted is, God with us." This statement also has
12 Greek words, and the words "God with us" have 12 Greek
letters.
"And with out controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh," (I Timothy 3:16) Again here are
12 Greek words. The virgin birth and incarnation of Jesus Christ
has been proven through the divine system of numbers. Being
connected with the number 12 shows that the birth of Jesus was
brought about by the divine power, and not by natural process. Do
you doubt this? Nineteen passages have been pointed out that had
12 Greek words connected with divine power of God. In two of
these verses, 12 Greek letters were found representing the same,
and five of these passages were connected with the birth of Jesus
Christ.
As we go farther into the numbers you'll see how 12,
representing divine power and authority, fits together in
numbers. It will be seen that 23 is the number connected with
death. In Acts 27:14-44, Luke gives the account of the shipwreck
of Paul and his companions, and how, out of the 276 on the ship,
all were saved from death. When they despaired for their lives,
God sent His angel to tell Paul that they should all be saved
from death.
Based upon the authority of God's Word, Paul told his
companions they would all be saved from death. When 12, the
number for divine power or authority, is divided into 276, the
number of companions on the ship, the total is 23, the number for
death.
When all the numbers from one to 23 are added together, they
total 276, the number of companions on the ship. These numbers
could not work like this if they weren't correct. Anyone who has
had an account knows that the numbers have to balance or else
there will be a discrepancy. There are no discrepancies in God's
numbering system. They balance at every point.
This is the conclusion of 12, the Divine Power, Rule or
Authority of God.
............
Sin, Rebellion or Depravity "THIRTEEN"
Sin, Rebellion, or Depravity is the number 13. The number 12
stood for divine authority, and to go against divine authority
would be to sin or rebel.
There are 13 evil things in Mark 7:21-23, "For from within,
out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries,
fornications, murders, Thefts, coveteousness, wickedness, deceit,
lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All
these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
Jesus has listed 13 evil things which can come out of the
heart of man which defiles them. He says the heart is the source
of these evil things and man is corrupt at his very foundation
from which all of his deeds, words, and thoughts are derived.
Please notice that the word "deceit," which is the eighth word in
the list, is connected with our New Birth (Begettal - Conversion
- Keith Hunt) Consider this in the light of what Paul says in
Colossians 3:9-10, "Lie [Deceit] not one to another, seeing that
ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the
new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him
that created him:" Deceit is to be expected from the man without
new birth. (begettal - conversion - Keith Hunt) It's in his
heart, but deceit shouldn't be in the born again. (begotten -
converted - Keith Hunt)
Blasphemy is the 11th word mentioned in the list; 11 is
connected with judgment, and blasphemy brings God's judgment.
The 13th word in the list is foolishness. Solomon said,
"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child;" (Proverbs 22:15)
Since 13 is the number for sin and depravity, this shows that the
heart of a child is depraved and sinful (So it can be but this is
a general statement in the Bible, depending on how a child has
been taught foolishness may not he in his heart. See the study on
"An Important Key to Bible Understanding - General Statement" on
this website - Keith Hunt).
In this list of evil things spoken of by Paul in Romans
1:29-31, the 13th one is "Haters of God": "the carnal mind is
enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God,
neither indeed can be." (Romans 8:7) Thirteen implies rebellion:
"Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth
year they rebelled." (Genesis 14:4) Notice that rebellion is
connected with the number 13.
Nimrod was the 13th generation from Adam through Ham; Ham
was of the 11th generation. Cush, the son of Adam, from the 12th
generation, became the father of Nimrod, making him the 13th
generation. Then it is stated, "And the beginning of his kingdom
was Babel," (Genesis 10:10) which led to the rebellion at the
building of the tower of Babel. (Genesis 10:6-10) Nimrod is the
13th name given in the Lineage of Ham: (1) Ham, (2) Cush, (3)
Mizraim, (4) Phut, (5) Canaan, (6) Seba, (7) Havilah, (8) Sebtah,
(9) Raamah, (10) Sebtechah, (11) Sheba, (12) Dedan, and (13)
Nimrod. Then it is stated, "And the beginning of his kingdom was
Babel,"
Haman, the enemy of the Jews, had a decree signed on the
13th day of the first month which was to have all the Jews put to
death on the 13th day at the end of the year. "Then were the
king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month,
and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded
unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over
every province, and to the rulers of every people of every
province according to the writing thereof, and to every people
after their language; in the name of King Ahasuerus was it
written, and sealed with the king's ring. And the letters were
sent by posts into all the king's province, to destroy, to kill,
and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little
children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of
the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to take the
spoil of them for a prey." (Esther 3:12-13)
In the book of Revelation, the devil is symbolized as a
dragon (Revelation 12:9). While six is the number associated with
the devil, we find the word "dragon" occurs 13 times in the book
of Revelation. He is the author of sin and rebellion, and his
name is found in the following places in Revelation: (1) 12:3,
(2) 12:4, (3) and, (4) 12:7, (5) 12:9, (6) 12:13, (7) 12:16, (8)
12:17, (9) 13:2, (10) 13:4, (11) 13:11, (12) 16:13 and the 13th
time in 20:2. The numbers one through 13 total 91, which we'll
explore later.
The 13th time the name of Mordecai is found is where the
king's servants said unto him, "Why transgressest thou the king's
commandment?" (Esther 3:3)
Jeremiah was called in the 13th year of Josiah's reign by
prophecy, "a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted
and gone." (Jeremiah 5:23) "To whom the words of the Lord came in
the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the
thirteenth year of his reign." (Jeremiah 1:2)
Moses called Israel a rebellious people. A few days before
his death, he said unto them, "from the day that thou didst
depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place,
ye have been rebellious against the Lord." (Deuteronomy 9:7) The
words "rebel," "rebels" and "rebelled" are nouns, verbs and
adjectives which are used 13 times concerning Israel's wilderness
conduct. They are found in Numbers 14:9, 17:10, 20:10, 20:24,
24:14; Deuteronomy 1:26, 1:43, 9:7, 9:23, 9:24, two times in
31:27 and the 13th time in Psalm 78:8.
There were 21 sins recorded against Israel from Egypt to
Jordan. Since this number will be needed to understand the
numbers found in Numbers 3:39-48, I'm going to give you the
location of each of them: Exodus 14:10, 15:23-24, 16:19-23,
16:1-3, 16:27-28, 17:1-4, 32:1-9; Leviticus 10:1-2, 24:10-14;
Numbers 11:1-3, 11:10-35, 12:1-15, 14:1-11, 14:40-45, 15:32-36,
16:41-50, 20:1-6, 20:8-12, 21:4-9 and the 21st time is in Numbers
25:1-9. In Numbers 3:39-48 we find an account of the redemption
of 273; it comes out exactly 21 times, which is the number of
sins which have been listed above. The sins make redemption
necessary. The five shekels which paid for the redemption
represent the grace of God by which we have redemption from sin.
In this case, 13 represents Israel's rebellious or sinful nature
which led to 21 acts of disobedience.
Man's depraved nature caused him to commit open acts of
rebellion. Redemption, through the grace of God, is represented
by the five shekels.
Let's examine the way these numbers fit together. When
number 13 is subtracted from 21, which is the product of dividing
273 by 13, eight is the remainder which stands for new birth
(conversion - Keith Hunt). Israel needed the new birth. Moses
spoke of the new birth (conversionj - Keith Hunt) "Circumcise
therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more
stiffnecked." (Deuteronomy 10:16)
In Ezekiel 36:26, God said to Israel, "A new heart also will
I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will
take away the stoney heart out of your flesh, and I will give you
an heart of flesh."
Here is grace giving and taking away. When three, for the
resurrection, is added to five, for grace, that makes eight for
the new heart or new birth (conversion - Keith Hunt). This is one
of the most beautiful pictures in the whole Bible.
Let's take the prodigal son, another example of how the
numbers work. We find in the case of the prodigal son that when
he came to himself, he said, "I will arise and go to my father,
and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
before thee," (Luke 15:18) Thirteen, representing the prodigal
sin, subtract the five things which the father did and eight is
left for the new birth (conversion - Keith Hunt) "And he arose,
and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his
father (1) saw him, and (2) had compassion, (3) and ran, (4) and
fell on his neck, and (5) kissed him." (verse 22) Notice what
follows: "But the father said to his servants, (1) Bring forth
the best robe, and (2) put it on him; and (3) put a ring on his
hand, and (4) shoes on his feet: And (5) bring hither the fatted
calf, and (6) kill it; and (7) let us eat, and (8) be merry:"
NOW NOTICE THE REASON: "For this my son was dead, and is alive
again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."
(Luke 15:22-24)
Number 13 represents the sin of the prodigal, and the five
things the Father did represent grace; the eight things the
Father commanded to be done represent the new birth (conversion -
Keith Hunt) by which men are made alive again.
Don't you love to study God's Word and know what it means?
When five, eight and 13 are added they equal 26, which stands for
the good news of the gospel. It was good news and an occasion of
rejoicing when the prodigal returned and that gospel, when
received in our lives, brings rejoicing.
The five things that were done are preceded by five Greek
words which are translated "But when he was yet a great way off,"
These words are: (1) ETE (2) DE (3) AUTOU (4) MAKRAN (5)
APECTONTOS.
Who but the Lord could tell a story that would fit together
like this? Instead of distracting from its beauty, the numbers
make it glow with beauty and meaning.
Let's talk a moment about Ishmael and Isaac. In Galatians
4:21-23, Paul states that the son of the bondwoman, Ishmael,
was born after the flesh, and the son of the freewoman, Isaac,
was by promise. Then in Colossians 2:11, it states, "In whom ye
are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in
putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision
of Christ:" Ishmael, who was born after the flesh, was
circumcised when he was 13 years of age. (Genesis 17:25) So the
flesh is connected with Ishmael, and 13, the number for sin. His
circumcision represents the putting off of the sins of the flesh.
When one has put off the old man, he has put on the new man.
Isaac, the second-born, was the new child. He was circumcised
when eight days old. This number represents the new birth
(conversion - Keith Hunt) and this is why the eight is connected
with Isaac. The difference between the 13 connected with Ishmael
and the eight connected with Isaac is five, which stands for
grace. The grace of God makes the difference between one in the
flesh and one born again (converted - Keith Hunt)
In discussing the next number it will be seen that 14 is the
number for salvation. Not only was there a difference connected
with the number five in the circumcision of Ishmael and Isaac,
but a difference of 14 years in their birth.
In Genesis 16:16 it is stated that Abram was 86 years old
when Ishmael was born. In Genesis 21:5 it is stated that Abraham
was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Now the difference between
86 and 100 is 14, which stands for salvation. Israel was saved
out of Egypt on the 14th day of the month. (Exodus 12:18-27) This
difference of 14 between the number salvation makes a difference
in one after the flesh and the one who has the new birth
(converted - Keith Hunt).
The number connected with the two sons of Abraham will grow
more marvelous as we go farther in the study of numbers.
Love "SIXTEEN"
When the Lord saves a person, He gives him rest in his soul
and furthers his love for God. Salvation, rest and love are all
found in Psalm 116:1-8. The numbers for salvation, rest and love
are 14, 15 and 16. "I LOVE the Lord, because he hath heard my
voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto
me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows
of death compassed me, and pains of hell gat hold upon me: I
found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the
LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul." (Psalm 116:1-4)
"whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
(Romans 10:13) "Then called I upon the name of the Lord; 0 Lord,
I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the Lord, and
righteous; yea, our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the
simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy
rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears,
and my feet from falling." (Psalm 116:4-8) I don't want to add to
nor take away from any of the words of this book. I just wanted
you to know that the words "delivered my soul;" I believe, mean
"has saved my soul." In that passage, deliverance or salvation,
rest and love are found. The reason the Psalmist gives for loving
the Lord is that He has saved him and given him rest in his soul.
The three grouped together are the same as 14, 15 and 16.
I discovered that 16 stood for love in I Corinthians 13:4-8,
and I don't believe that you'll find it stronger anywhere else.
When naming the church God's Community Church of Charity,
certainly I had remembered I Corinthians 13. Let us look at the
13th chapter which pertains to love. It starts out in I
Corinthians 13:4, "Charity, (1) suffereth long, and (2) is kind;
(3) charity envieth not; (4) charity vaunteth not itself, (5) is
not puffed up, (6) Doth not behave itself unseemingly, (7)
seeketh not her own, (8) is not easily provoked, (9) thinketh no
evil; (10) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, (11) but rejoiceth in the
truth; (12) Beareth all things, (13) believeth all things, (14)
hopeth all things, (15) endureth all things. (16) Charity never
faileth."
Wouldn't you gather from this that 16 is love? Here are 16
adjectives describing charity or love. The seventh time the word
charity is found in this chapter is where it says "Charity never
faileth." Seven stands for completeness or perfection. I John
4:12 says, "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his
love is perfected in us." The eighth time charity is mentioned is
where it is said, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these
three;" (I Corinthians 13:13) Eight is the number for the new
birth (conversion - Keith Hunt) which never fails and shall
continually abide with God's children. John, writing to the elect
Lady, said, "The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom
I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have
known the truth; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and
shall be with us for ever." (2 John 1:1) This is further proof
that love never fails and that it shall remain with us. The ninth
time charity is found is where it says, "but the greatest of
these is charity." (verse 13) Number nine is for the fruit of the
Spirit as in Galatians 5:22-23. Love is the first of the nine
fruits mentioned. The tenth time charity occurs is in I
Corinthians 14:1 where Paul said, "Follow after charity." Number
ten stands for the law; love is the fulfilling of the law.
(Romans 13:10) The statement "follow after charity" has 16 Greek
letters in it. In the west end of the tabernacle, it is said,
"And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver,
sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board and two sockets
under another board." (Exodus 26:25) John said, "every one that
loveth is born of God," (I John 4:7) The eight boards represent
the new birth (conversion - Keith Hunt) The 16 sockets in which
they were set represent love in which the heart of the person
with the new birth (converted - Keith Hunt) is grounded. In
Ephesians 3:17 Paul speaks about the believer being rooted and
grounded in love. Those eight boards in the west end of the
tabernacle were fixed in 16 sockets by means of tenons
(Exodus 26:17), and the sockets were set on or in the ground. How
beautiful and harmonious is the Word of God. What could compare
with the picture presented of the eight boards of the tabernacle
set in or ground in 16 sockets showing the believer or born-again
(converted - Keith Hunt) soul rooted and grounded in love (eight
being the number for the new birth (conversion - Keith Hunt) and
16 for love)?
There is one peculiar passage which is a favorite with God's
children and it has just 16 Greek words, "And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) Another
passage is Romans 5:5, which states, in part, "because the love
of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is
given unto us." John 10:17, "Therefore doth my Father love me,
because I lay down my life, that I might take it again." It was
God's love for the world that caused Him to give His Son to die
for the world, which leads us into number
17, the victory in Jesus.
..........
Victory "SEVENTEEN"
The next number, 17, is a marvelous number, and the way it
works throughout the Bible is amazing.
Romans 8:35-39 lists 17 tests and trials we are faced with.
God gives us the victory to conquer these, "Who shall separate us
from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? As it is
written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are
accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we
are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am
persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be
able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord." Verse 35 mentions seven tests that cannot
separate we who are saved from the love of Christ. We have
complete security as a child of God. Verses 38 and 39 show ten
instances in which we must be victorious through the love of God
in Christ Jesus. The law cannot separate us from God's love. Why?
Because God's children are dead to the law and are forever free
from its demands. When the seven tests and trials in verse 35 are
added to the ten in verses 38 and 39, they total 17. Paul states
in verse 37, "in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him that loved us." When we have dominion over these 17
trials and tests we have victory!
There are three titles in the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy
Ghost ... "above all, and through all, and in you all."
(Ephesians 4:6) When the three titles are added to 14, salvation,
the total is 17, for victory. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are
one: when you take the titles you'll find that resurrection is
through God. To be resurrected, you must go down with Jesus and
rise again with Him. When God's three titles are added to 14,
salvation, the total is 17, for victory.
Jesus became victorious over death on the 17th day of the
month.
We have already discussed that Jesus died on the day of
Passover, the 14th day of the month; three days later or on the
17th day He arose from the dead and became victorious over death,
hell and the grave. "And having spoiled principalities and
powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in
it." (Colossians 2:15) When Jesus showed Himself to His disciples
the third time after His resurrection there was a catch of 153
fish. (John 21:1-14) When 17, the number of the day of the month
on which Jesus arose, is multiplied by three, for the
resurrection, and by three again for the third time He showed
Himself (17 x 3 x 3 = 153), the product is 153, the number of
fish caught on this occasion.
I Samuel 17:40 states that David took five smooth stones
when he went out to face Goliath. The stones represent grace, and
we win our victory through grace. When David neared Goliath, he
told him, "I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the
God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." (I Samuel
17:45)
David went out to meet his enemy in the name of authority
and power. Twelve represents divine authority; add five stones
which he took, and you'll have 17, for victory.
It works the same way in the case of Elijah - Elijah's
contest with the prophets of Baal in I Kings 18:22-39. Elijah had
four barrels of water poured on his sacrifice three times. This
made 12 barrels of water poured over the sacrifice. After Elijah
had prayed unto God, it is said, "Then the fire of the Lord fell,
and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones,
and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."
(verse 38) Add five to 12, the number of barrels of water, and
the sum is 17, for victory, which was Elijah's that day.
The expression "The dead", is found 14 times in I
Corinthians 15 and is connected with the resurrection from the
dead. It is found in verses 12, 13, 15, 16, 20, 21, three times
in 29, 32, 35, 42, and 52. The word "death" is found five times
in this chapter: verses 21, 26, 54, 55, and 56. In verses 51-53,
it is said, "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all
sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in a twinkling
of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For
this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality." The expression "the dead" is found the 14th
time and it's followed by the word "death" which occurs three
times; then come the words "victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ." The number for salvation is 14, salvation through Jesus
Christ. The number for resurrection is three and the resurrection
comes through Jesus. When 14, salvation of the body, and three,
resurrection, are added they equal 17, for the victory through
Jesus. The word "death" occurs five times in the whole chapter,
and five represents grace. It will be through the grace of God
that the saved dead will rise. Resurrection is discussed
throughout this chapter. Add three to five, the number of times
death is mentioned, and the total is eight, the new birth (this
time it is a new birth - resurrected to immortality - Keith Hunt)
The resurrection of Jesus and those who possess new birth are
saved through Him. Only those born again will have victory
through Jesus. (Being born again into immortality through a
resurrection into the very family of God is victory indeed - 14
for salvation and 3 for reusrrection gives 17 for victory.
Conversion is number 8 and fruits of the Spirit number 9 - add
them together and you have number 17 - victory in Christ - Keith
Hunt)
Seventeen Greek words are found in I John 5:5, "Who is he
that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is
the Son of God?" In I John 5:4 we read, "and this is the
victory." This statement has five Greek words and 17 Greek
letters. Here is the quotation in Greek: "KAI ESTIN A
VIKA." The second and fourth words have a rough reading which
affect the pronunciation of the word but do not interfere with
the number of letters. (Here again is five, for grace, and 17,
for victory, preceded by 17 Greek words.) Seventeen Greek words
are found in this statement: "These shall make war with the Lamb,
and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and
King of kings:" (Revelation 17:14)
Examples from the Greek language could be multiplied to work
out like this, "and this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith." (I John 5:4) In his quotation 12 Greek
words are found. The 12 Greek words show the divine power through
which the believer overcomes the world. The first part of the
quotation is, "And this is the victory" that comes through grace
and the power of God. Seventeen Greek words follow in the rest of
the scripture. The combination of the two statements produce
grace, divine power and victory.
..........
Note:
Does not all this just BLOW YOU AWAY? O the WONDER of it all! It
is not just a matter of a few numbers that God uses, but MANY
MANY numbers, and how they relate to each other from Old to New
Testament. The NUMBERS of God PROVE He does exist and that the
Bible is His INSPIRED word. There are lots more numbers yet to
come.
Keith Hunt
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