Biblical Number Four and the World System Part One
This is one of the most exciting subjects I have ever looked into because "Wow" is the only word that comes to my mind. Not because I wrote this but because of the message of hope we have in Jesus Christ!
The number four clearly has a consistent meaning from Genesis to Revelation of creation or the world system. If you live in the north there are other people living in the south. If you live in the west there are people that exist in the east.
There are four elements in this world (earth, air, fire, water) and 4 kingdoms (mineral, vegetable, animal and spiritual).
If there is a wind it is coming from one of 4 directions around the earth either in the (1) morning, (2) noon, (3) evening or (4) night. I believe you are probably starting to see the picture.
Suppose we are in our home or apartment. In all those rooms there are four walls surrounding us. Since we live in a sinful world the number 4 in the Bible seems to be associated with confinement on planet earth. We truly live in a prison on this earth.
Jesus Christ is not the God of this world but He is still in perfect control. This is what the Bible teaches. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2nd Cor.4.4.
It's sad that life has to be this way. In fact it is downright depressing but Jesus Christ sees the big picture and He knows exactly what He is doing.
Notice the verse that I just quoted is using the term ..."god of this world" with a small g, not a big G. This verse is referring to the devil.
Blinded to the glorious gospel of Christ seals the fate of a person to an even greater predicament in the afterlife.
What is our existence down here on earth all about from a divine point of view? Coming to know Jesus Christ as our very own personal Savior and abiding in Him on a daily basis.
Many insightful and rejoicing truths will become evident as you continue reading about this wonderful alternative God gives people in this hopeless world.
There are verses relative to the number 4 that speak of the love of God and His grace. Some four fold "Descriptions" point to Jesus Christ Himself. We serve a God that cares for us very deeply. He understands we are in the parameter of 4 walls in the Bible. Our Savior desires us to experience His grace which is incomprehensible.
As you will see God gives one other alternative to the meaning of this very unique number. This is the Love of God in a (4) world that seeks to tear us down. God desires to build us up through His Son Jesus Christ.
Four has a two fold meaning. The number starts out with four walls (evil); however there is a transcendent part to this subject if a person says "Yes" to Jesus Christ.
In Revelation chapter 20 (the number of Redemption) verse 2 ( the number of division against God) Satan is given "4" titles. (1) Dragon, (2) Old Serpent, (3) Devil, and (4) Satan. This is the very chapter where Jesus Christ Himself is redeeming planet earth before the start of His millennial reign. Satan divides (verse 2) and "4" titles are ascribed to him in this "World" of bondage. What other combination would work in the way that context was worded?
The Apostle Paul said in 2nd Cor:4:8-9 that he was (1) troubled (2) perplexed (3) persecuted and (4) cast down. The range of his suffering went into 4 different spheres. He relied upon the Grace of God, peace and mercy were granted to him as he (1) was not distressed (2) was not in despair (3) was not forsaken and (4) was not destroyed.
This was the strength of God literally working through Paul as he endured these (4) sufferings and sure enough God being faithful worked (4) solutions through his life. He was not bound by the (4) walls of life but was transcended into the (4) dimensions of the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ.
The number four clearly has a consistent meaning from Genesis to Revelation of creation or the world system. If you live in the north there are other people living in the south. If you live in the west there are people that exist in the east.
Paul could have chosen the (4) walls of life but chose the (4) dimensions of the love of God. Most people choose the (4) walls of misery but an overcomer in Jesus Christ decides to pursue the love of God especially when hardships take place in our lives.
If I try to explain this to Unbelievers or even Believers that we serve a good God is difficult because a person has to experience His graciousness through the troubles in this (4) world to understand. Otherwise an individual is just going to say things like, "It is bad" or "These people are horrible" or "I don't know how much more I can take."
This is why it is true when Christians say, "We have the good news of Jesus Christ." We do live in such an evil world. There is no other answer because Jesus said ..., "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6.
Romans 8:19-22 says (19)" For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope (21) because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."
Creation and creature go hand in hand. This is mentioned "4" times in "4" different verses right in a row; however, it is never mentioned in any other part of Romans chapter 8. The Holy Spirit is trying to say that Creation and creatures in this present world system is positioned in a set of "4."
It has been said that everything material in this created universe was finished by the "Fourth" day. On the first day of creation in Genesis chapter 1:3-5 God (1) let (2) saw (3) divided and (4) called.
As I read through Genesis chapter one which is truly one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible I saw how strong and mighty God is and how weak and helpless I am.
God is the only one that can act on anything. People are only capable of responding.
The rapture of the church is an "Act" of God. Are we ready? One must accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior to be part of this glorious event. Titus 2:10. The body of Christ is very close to this blessed hope.
The city of Damascus is the oldest inhabited place in world history and it has a gematria value of "444." It is a symbol of corruption in this earthly system and the total numerical sum of this city is steeped in 3 "Fours." God is in essence saying this world system we live in is filled with apostasy and "4" is the designated number that He has chosen to represent this corrupt world (4).
What about the other side? People can choose the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ in (4) dimensions working through their spirit!
"May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height (19) and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:18-19. (1) breath (2) length (3) depth and (4) height.
I have really enjoyed a lot of the biblical numeric books in print but I have yet to read one that focuses on the love of God in relation to the number 4.The focus is usually solely on creation and this world.
The number 4 is very similar to the number 2 in the Bible. Two has a primary meaning of division against God with the possibility of union with God through Jesus Christ. Four has a primary meaning of this world system (the evil) with the possibility of experiencing the love of God (the Good).
In Part Two one of the things I will get far more detailed on is exactly "Why" (1) breath (2) length (3) depth and (4) height are in a sequence of "Four."
I was relieved as the Holy Spirit released this comforting truth to me. If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior God desires you to experience the (1) breath (2) length (3) depth and (4) height of His love toward you.
I think the question we have to ask ourselves is do we want the corruption of this present world system or the love of God? We have a choice but I think the answer is obvious!
Until next time. I am looking forward to sharing with you again,
"May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height (19) and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:18-19. (1) breath (2) length (3) depth and (4) height.
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