In historic languages like Hebrew and Greek the letters of the alphabet had numerical significations. Totalled the letters that make up Jesus’ Name in Greek come to 888!
The quantity 8 stands for the brand new starting, as God took six days to make the world and He rested on the seventh.
7 Is the variety of perfection, each of excellent and evil. Christ Jesus reaches past human perfection in that which is nice; as a result of He shouldn’t be solely human, but in addition God.
Triple 8 denotes the divine dimension, as there are three Persons within the Trinity.
In the closing verses of the Song of Songs the beloved needs that Solomon receives the thousand silver items (and that 200 be for the keepers of the fruit). Now, Christ because the true Solomon has acquired the identify above each identify. So, on earth He was 888, however now He is 1000. The quantity 1000 is talked about each by Job and by Solomon. Job talks a couple of true advocate or lawyer–one amongst a thousand–and Solomon speaks of a worthy man in that means. In each circumstances Christ is supposed (Job: I do know that my redeemer liveth; Solomon: I’ve discovered Messiah, however not a lady).
But within the Song of Solomon, chapter 5. 10, the bride states that her beloved “is lifted up like a banner more than 10,000 [others].” We would say that He is INFINITE. And is He not the Infinite One in Infinitudes for the Church!
The Greek letters of Jesus’ Name come to the numerological worth of 888. The jota represents the worth of 10, the eta 8, the sigma 200, the omicron 70 and the upsilon 400. Since there are two sigma’s in Jesus’ Name, this provides as much as 888. As within the historic manuscripts solely capital letters, the so-known as majuscules (later uncials), had been used and no finish sigma’s, the whole does come to 888 and never 694.
Jesus might be imitated by the antichrist who because the false prophet will characterize the beast with the apocalyptic variety of 666. Jesus is each King and Highpriest and these two capabilities might be imitated by the 2 beasts of Revelation ch.13. Whereas Jesus stands for the brand new starting and the final word measure of divine perfection, the beast won’t arrive at something extra however an virtually human perfection; 6 being the variety of man. In this perfection he’ll faux to be divine. Hence the triple six.
What started in human historical past with the usurper Nimrod will discover its climax within the beast. The human being desires to deify himself. For most individuals because of this they determine with a führer, their star, pop idol, tremendous athlete or no matter. But the Bible says that what’s extraordinary (‘excessive’) with people is an abomination with God.
Adam and Eve had been every 777 within the backyard of Eden. This was a stage of good equilibrium in each human sense of the best way. But it might clearly be upset by evil influences from the skin.
The first human stage of set or fastened perfection have to be 888, which is a bit of decrease than the unfallen angels (in accordance with each the O.T. and the N.T. the Christ turned a bit of decrease than the angels [of course as far as His humanity is concerned]); who have to be 999.
As the best thinker Solomon in all probability bought additional than the apostle Paul, a minimum of in sure respects, however additional than 666 he didn’t advance (for it’s unlikely that he turned equal with our first progenitor, not to mention surpassed him; for a way did he fall once more then!?) Also his annual earnings was 666 abilities of gold, as if with all his knowledge, pomp and circumstance (in accordance with the Christ a easy lily is clothed with better honor) the entire thing stood within the signal of the beast, negatively spoken in fact. For he’s additionally a kind of the Christ within the Millennium, Who might be extra than simply visited by the actual religious queen of Sheba with all (our) questions for Him (Hallelujah!).
But in fact the apostle Paul was the best theologian, who had heard unspeakable issues in Paradise (which is within the third heaven [the atmosphere with the powers of the air being the first heaven and the universe of the stars being the second heaven]) and who might say of the gospel that it was his (naturally given to him by the Christ). All I need to say is that in true philosophy–the love of wisdom–Solomon surpassed him. Of course because the true theologian Paul acknowledged that Christ turned the knowledge of God and so theology surpasses philosophy). But regardless of all his knowledge Solomon got here to supply his semen to the Moloch and ended a disgruntled king that taxed his folks financially means too closely for his private aggrandizement. Hopefully, however not going, he wrote the e-book of Ecclesiastes on the finish of his life.
In idea not solely Adam and Eve, but in addition the unelected angels, might have gone on to holiness (identical to the elected angels have to be doing). There isn’t any blame to be assigned to the Creator right here, neither is it in order that Adam or Satan had a hidden defect earlier than their respective Falls.
Christ acknowledged {that a} disciple is to not develop into greater than his instructor (v. Lu. 6.40). Truly bornagain Christians due to this fact will attain the set stage of 888, a place of human infallibility (in fact so far as the human facet is anxious. The beloved apostle John wrote additionally that we’ll be much like Him, when He has been manifested to us [in all likelihood when He will spiritually marry the Church just before the Millennium and naturally in heaven]). This won’t occur on the rapture and resurrection, as Christians will then invariably must be taught rather a lot but.
Of course this doesn’t imply that they will get misplaced once more. This shouldn’t be even the case earlier than the resurrection. The Scripture verse of the Lord that we’ll obtain on this time a hundredfold, homes, brothers, sisters, moms, youngsters, lands with persecutions (because of our deeds earlier than); is relevant right here. In this time they may discover themselves in a state between 777 and 888.
Being immortal and let loose from the flesh they may also have ‘to hold away each the great and the evil carried out within the physique’ to work out as much as and together with this set stage of 888. And this AFTER the Bema (Judgment) Seat of Christ (sic!), (see 2 Cor. 5. 10 on that).
Adam and Eve being 777 within the Garden of Eden turned the best sinners (the apostle Paul known as himself the chief of sinners [probably because he had persecuted the Church]); worse than the beast and the antichrist collectively. For due to them the complete human race turned entangled in a sin crammed and damaged creation that fell underneath the ability of the satan and his demons (learn fallen angels). Corruption of the very best turns into the worst. The quantity 777 earlier than Adam’s Fall was a optimistic quantity denoting good human good, however after his Fall it turned a damaging quantity (-777) denoting good human evil. The evil of the beast is -666 as to his motivation (and his talents might be +666). His optimistic powers in the long run are damaging as they’re motivated by pleasure and due to this fact he’ll select in opposition to the actual Christ.
But the Lord lined Adam and Eve with lamb’s skins. Now this speaks of Christ because the true Lamb of God. If the best sinners will be lined by the dear blood of Christ, then actually you and me, my buddy! Abel, known as the primary prophet, understood the reality of a substitutional sacrifice, Cain didn’t. This set the stage for 2 kinds of people, the previous on their approach to heaven, the latter, with their pure faith on their approach to hell. The former harbor a private relationship with God, however the latter can solely produce religiosity.
The christian has two natures, viz. the previous Adam and the brand new Christ. Being born out of Christ his new nature is already 888, however he nonetheless has his previous nature being 666 and even minus 777. Our new nature then, being born out of God, is stronger than our previous nature, born out of a fallen Adam (and in the end out of a fallen Satan [as Christ said to the Pharisees that their father was the devil; this holds for our old nature as well]). One may say that our fallen nature is minus 777 in its godless character, however that its manifestation is 666 at its human finest and minus 666 as to its motivation.
The new nature ought to be fed and the previous nature ought to be starved, the previous ought to stay and the latter ought to be mortified (put to demise). The new nature is motivated by the knowledge from above (‘The knowledge from above then is at first holy, additional peaceable, delicate, convinceable, stuffed with mercy and good works, unpartisan (or neutral) and never hypocritical’ [a perfect set of 7!]), however the previous nature is motivated by pleasure and each attainable evil factor appeals to it. Therefore we’re to hate our souls on this world, so that we’ll protect them. For the members of our soul on earth, which are to be mortified, are adultery, uncleanness, greed (which is idolatry) and so forth.
Yet, ‘a clever man loves his personal soul (and he that treats his physique in a reckless and brutish means, is merciless)’. And so, although we’re to hate our souls with their sinful members on earth, we’re to like our souls within the kingdom of heaven. ‘Think on the issues which are above, the place Christ is; search the issues which are above.’ This is smart, for we’re to hate evil (the evil of the previous nature) and we’re to like good (the great issues of the brand new nature). This is a paradox (not a contradiction). In the course of our stroll on earth our souls be taught evil issues and these develop into tentacles on earth (‘Put to demise your members which are on earth.’). Therefore there’s a love-hate relationship with ourselves. Solomon mentioned on this context: ‘Guard your coronary heart greater than something that’s to be guarded, for from it are the sources of life’ (or ‘from that act of guarding are the sources of life’; each translations are attainable). If we try this, then these tentacles can’t develop very lengthy and will probably be simpler to place them to demise. In this manner we are able to conquer evil (-777 and -666) via good (888) and we are able to even attain happiness.
A very good buddy of mine identified to me that as in arithmetic a damaging quantity occasions a damaging quantity equals a optimistic quantity, so with the previous and new nature. We died in Adam and so turned evil (first minus), however then we’re to die in Christ to this world (‘I’m crucified to this world and this world is crucified to me’; the second minus). The finish result’s optimistic!
Christ’s state of final human good (888), to be distinguished from prelapsarian Adamic human good (777) can’t be changed into the damaging (-888 is completely an impossibility). Christians will as soon as be free of all damaging traits and can shine as stars within the universe, having Christ’s character of 888!! The beast might be thrown alive into the lake of fireside, together with the antichrist (the primary is the beast out of the ocean (of stressed nations) and the second is the beast out of the earth (the nation of Israel). Christ’s human facet of 888, as mentioned earlier than, is to be distinguished from His divine facet (which, in fact, we’ll by no means attain to; there can solely be ONE God), which is an infinitude in infinitudes and on the similar time absolutely the simplicity of affection. ‘God is Love’. Let us worship Him…
The bible states the next: ‘Forming mild and creating darkness, making peace and creating evil; I the Lord do all these items.’ Before I enter upon this most tough topic I need to affirm that God in Christ Jesus is mild and life and love and the best way (the one means) and the reality. Christ is the morning star that seems when all different stars fade. Therefore He is the one celebrity and no person can come to God the Father however via Him. Why then does it say right here that God creates (truly IS within the course of of making [the participle is used]) evil, as if He could be the writer of sin? Horrible thought. But it doesn’t say that, most blissfully. It implies that He is the writer and supply of evil, however not the writer of sin. We people and angels flip evil into sin and so miss the supposed purpose of our existence. Solomon acknowledged that God determined to dwell in darkness, but it surely additionally says that the darkness is mild to God. And so, even within the worst evil, God sees one thing of His personal mild. This appears to suggest that people and angels are incapable of perverting themselves to such a level as to empty out something good (nevertheless so far as the previous nature, the previous Adam, is anxious, we’re 100% corrupted). Remember that it says ‘the tree of the data of excellent and evil.’ It doesn’t say that it’s the tree solely of evil.
Having mentioned this I’m going out of my approach to expressly state that I’m not advocating some type of pantheistic notion of excellent and evil as being two sides of the identical coin, as if the divinity is at odds with itself and contradicting itself. It can’t be mentioned strongly sufficient that the godhead is completely indivisible. ‘Hear Israel, I’m ONE.’ Even although one may sum up in eternity an infinite array of traits of the godhead, on the similar time it have to be affirmed that the divinity is absolute simplicity. Nor do I propagate the notion of evil being the absence of excellent (privatio boni), in accordance with scholasticism. Sin, in the long run, is absolutely the godhating revolt in opposition to something good within the Lord Jesus Christ. And the bible reveals that that is the tip of human historical past so far as sin is anxious.
In Hebrews 1.1 it says that God has lastly spoken via the particular person of His Son the Lord Jesus, who’s the effulgence of His glory and the specific picture of His substance. Both within the O.T. and the N.T. there was a progressive revelation going down. This appears to coincide with God’s ‘forming mild and creating darkness, making peace and creating evil.’ Catholic theologians will scoff at me for believing that matter, sure the complete planet earth, and, sure, even the heavens turned tainted by the respective falls of the satan and of Adam. But why does Peter state, then, that each one the weather will fritter away melting and that the earth and all its (evil) works might be discovered? Why, truly, will God create a brand new heaven and earth, if the previous one shouldn’t be so broken and tainted that will probably be rolled up like a mantle? That gnostic sects with their so-known as data or science, in opposition to which the apostle Paul warns, just like the Manichaeans, flip this reality into one thing desperately silly and even sinful (because the bible itself states that there have been those who perverted the scriptures), that does NOT imply that sin and evil are restricted to the need. Also our mind and even our very our bodies are topic to a damaged and rebellious world. (But glory be to God that Christ has triumphed over Satan and sin and even demise [in principle, as it is the last enemy to be made subject to Christ]).
Satan, as the very best angel, because the overlaying cherub, was the final word present piece of God’s creation, in accordance with the related scriptures in Ezechiel 28 and Isaiah 14. God even spurs the author to say that one should take up a dirge for him! After all he was God’s most authentic creation… Further, by the best way, the bible states clearly that the lake of fireside (the second demise as the final word hell) was made for the satan and his angels (those who adopted him in his revolt). Thus, everlasting hell was made after Satan’s fall. And he needs to tug as many individuals together with him as attainable.
And right here we tread on occult and even perhaps holy floor. Satan turned evil into sin. He is known as by the Lord the assassin of people and the liar from the start (from his fall) and the daddy of a liar. The Lord additionally states that he noticed Satan fall to earth as a flash of lightning. Yet I dare say that in all this God Himself performed the satan to the satan, so to talk. As He that’s creating evil, He examined the satan who subsequently fell in hubris after which turned his pleasure into full-blown sin. Satan didn’t guard his coronary heart. He checked out his personal greatness as an alternative of the infinite greatness of God. And so evil turned angelic sin and sinfulness. As mentioned earlier than, Satan was 999 together with all of the angels (don’t ask me how he might be the very best type of 999; maybe 999.999 [just joking]). He didn’t have a drawback over in opposition to the elected and holy angels. He might have stood agency and triumphant. Did God seduce him then? No, He examined him. As I mentioned, right here we tread on occult and even holy floor so far as Satan and God are involved. The above scripture through which the Lord Himself calls Himself the One in course of of making evil and darkness, is additional finest left alone, I believe. One might contain but the imaginative and prescient of the prophet Michah on this and the primary two chapters of the e-book of Job, however the hidden issues, as it is usually written, belong to God! Yet it’s apparent from the bible that Satan threw the glove earlier than the holy countenance of the Lord and the Lord in His knowledge took up the problem. And to his chagrine the satan finds out that point and time once more all of it works out for the very best of those who love God. All advert maiorem Dei gloriam. The satan can’t do something in opposition to the specific will of the Almighty. Augustine posed that fallen angels are set of their will. That should imply as a lot that they don’t have any freedom or liberty left (in the end). But the bible teaches that people are also bent on evil and sin, for the reason that fall of Adam, via whom sin got here into the world. Note, sin and transgression (not evil!) got here into the world via Adam. Sin is lawlessness, in accordance with the apostle John. Evil, within the above verse (Isaiah 45. 7), appears to be some type of risk to permit sin. If one watches evil an excessive amount of, one can develop into mesmerized and switch it into sin. If one thinks, nevertheless, that if one occupies oneself solely with good one will win out, then one is sure to develop into naive. The bible itself is filled with evil examples that function warnings. Therefore it’s of the utmost significance to take each thought captive into obedience to Christ and to interrupt down each excessive factor that exalts itself in opposition to the data of God.
Now as to the opposite a part of this most tough scripture, viz. ‘forming or shaping mild and making peace’ we might nicely wonder if all issues are a type of mild!? (Notice that it says ‘is [in the process of] forming mild’. It doesn’t say that He is creating or has created mild!]). God is mild, the bible states and since all issues are out of Him (not out of nothing, [so-called creatio ex nihilo; see Did God create out of nothing? on this]), one is left questioning whether or not by some creatio ex illo ipsissimo He has turned and is popping issues into mild and fireplace. Angels are known as serving spirits of fireside and God Himself is known as Spirit by the Lord. The bible does state that the earth as soon as consisted out and in of water, however that doesn’t essentially imply that water might due to this fact not be a type of mild! As to His being in a course of of making darkness; that additionally will be interpreted as a type of mild: because the bible itself says that darkness to God is as mild. But let the reader be warned right here that the Lord states that sinners shun the sunshine and that the righteous search the sunshine that their works could also be proven to be mild!
But, one might ask, why did the Lord create a world with the potential for a lot sin? I consider that if God had been underneath the duty to create the absolute best world, then He would have been underneath some type of determinism better than Himself. But He is God, that’s the very Greatest (all-powerful, omniscient, omnipressnt, all-holy); He can’t be topic to one thing better. Maybe I’m allowed to say that we’ll take pleasure in the absolute best world in eternity (the brand new heaven and earth) extra, as a result of we needed to undergo a sinful one. If all the things had been good from the beginning, would we have now actually liked the Lord? Augustine right here makes use of the expression Felix Lapsa (‘completely satisfied Fall’). This goes far in enthusiasm, however could be very true. [Evil tongues here may say that this is all evidence for double predestination. See Lapsarianism in another Light to answer to this kind of blasphemy].
Here I additionally consider scriptures that discuss in regards to the seen and invisible issues which are respectively non permanent and everlasting. One might as nicely state, I believe, respectively materials and immaterial soul and spirit. God is Spirit. He doesn’t consist, as Tertullian thought, within the most interesting type of matter, nor are angels materials. Humans are each materials and immaterial and that makes us distinctive. Light is each materials and immaterial (particles and waves). And that brings us to the quantity 2, the variety of union and division; 1 being the final word variety of absolute uniqueness. And it brings us to the quantity 3, the variety of stability (‘a threefold wire shouldn’t be damaged evenly’). Light consists of actinic rays (that serve progress), illuminating and heat rays; a form of triune union. But this goes past the scope of this examine. We refer the reader to the author F.W. Grant on numerous meanings and significances of numbers.