Brian,
I appreciate your words and insights. I can see that 10 repeated 3 times is like the three witnesses who testify "Holy, Holy, Holy." So "10 x 10 x 10" can be completeness of /or from GOD. Building on what you have said, I read the following passage this morning on the events that transpire after the resurrection and rapture of the two witnesses in the Book of Revelations.
"At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven." (Rev 11:13)
So I was wondering, if the number "ten" has significance, what is the significance of "one-tenth"? Since the number of people killed, 7000, is 7 x 10 x 10 x 10, does the number imply a greater destruction or complete destruction of some people or area? There were "survivors" so not everyone is killed.
Pray you are having a safe trip to Camp Wood.
Scott
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
More 10 stuff
Scott, thanks for your post. Your insight is such a blessing to me.
While reading your message, I was reminded of a sermon I heard many years ago. Doug Parsons (minister at GCR back in the 80s) mentioned the number 144,000 from Revelation 14. I remember him pointing out that the number was 12 x 12 x 10 x 10 x 10. That is 12 (OT tribes of Israel) and 12 (NT apostles representing the church) along with the complete number 10 repeated three times. So, 144,000 represents all of God's people from all of the ages.
As a note, 6 is the Adversary's number so 666 is "evil to the max." Any number repeated three times is an "ultimate" number. So, 10 x 10 x 10 is "complete" completeness. That makes no sense to a mathmetician--like giving 110%--it's illogical. However, since when has God been logical?
We are off to Camp Wood tomorrow for Ivan's service. Pray for peace and safety.
Grace and Peace...
Bryan
While reading your message, I was reminded of a sermon I heard many years ago. Doug Parsons (minister at GCR back in the 80s) mentioned the number 144,000 from Revelation 14. I remember him pointing out that the number was 12 x 12 x 10 x 10 x 10. That is 12 (OT tribes of Israel) and 12 (NT apostles representing the church) along with the complete number 10 repeated three times. So, 144,000 represents all of God's people from all of the ages.
As a note, 6 is the Adversary's number so 666 is "evil to the max." Any number repeated three times is an "ultimate" number. So, 10 x 10 x 10 is "complete" completeness. That makes no sense to a mathmetician--like giving 110%--it's illogical. However, since when has God been logical?
We are off to Camp Wood tomorrow for Ivan's service. Pray for peace and safety.
Grace and Peace...
Bryan
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ten, A More Notible Number in Scripture Than You May Think
I may use this blog to start dumping all the different Revelation thoughts I have been thinking lately. This is not the beginning of that process. Instead, it is a summation of some thoughts I have been expressing at times about the number ten.
Most people may not have noted this fact in scripture, but ten is often a significant symbolic number. It indicates both completeness, like the number seven, and can represent a larger collective group. For example, the ten plagues on Egypt were targeted at the ten most important "gods" in the Egyptian society and come to represent the complete judgement of GOD against the nation of Egypt. In the same way, the ten commandments become the cover page representing all the commandments given by the LORD to Moses, which by tradition, total 613. The ten spies who rejected the Promised Land, come to represent the rejection of the Promised Land by the entire nation of Israel. The ten kings of Revelations (Rev 17:12), which are the same as the ten horns in Daniel (Dan 7:7, 7:24) and the ten toes on the statue in King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan 2:27-45), come to represent the entire world turning against the people of GOD under the authority of the Beast.
After the reign of these kings will come the promise of a time spoken by the prophet Zechariah…
This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" (Zech 8:23)
"Ten men from all languages and nations" becomes a picture of the entire world turning to the LORD in the days when the MESSIAH reigns on HIS THRONE.
The number "ten" takes on significance early in Genesis when Abraham intercedes with the LORD for his nephew (Lot), in particular, and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah in general.
Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." (Gen 18:23-26)
Ultimately, the LORD told Abraham that HE would "spare the whole place" (Gen 18:26), for the sake of ten (Gen 18:33). Ten righteous people became the number sufficient to intercede with and move the CREATOR of the entire universe to spare an otherwise wicked place. Originating from this story, or the consequence of judgement on the nation for the ten wicked spies, ten became the number of a Jewish "minyan," which is necessary for holding a synagogue.
In the context of this understanding, the number of people on Noah’s Ark, only eight, now takes on new significance. If ten righteous people had lived on the earth, would GOD have saved the entire world? We know, from the genealogies given in the Bible, that Methuselah (Gen 5:27) died in the same year that the flood occurred. Did Methuselah die because of his sin or did the LORD sustain Methuselah, along with another, to maintain the minimum number of ten righteous people to preserve the earth until the Ark could be completed. We receive a clue from Enoch, the father of Methuselah and a prophet (Jude 14), who named his son Methuselah, which literally means, "When he dies it will comes." "It" would appear to be a reference to the flood that would occur in the year Methuselah died. It appears that Enoch saw the coming judgment on the earth over 900 years before the flood came.
What a powerful thought, just ten people can save the entire world. Think about this concept, the world might be spared judgment because you and nine other people are found to live righteously in JESUS CHRIST. Right now, the BFS group has ten members including our children who live at home with us. What an impact we can have on the world. I believe that the ultimate judgments of GOD on the earth might be delayed until there are less than ten righteous people in the world. Such a belief is consistent with the concept of a "rapture" or a gathering of GOD’S people (such as to the desert) away from the world to permit GOD to judge the world.
Shalom
Most people may not have noted this fact in scripture, but ten is often a significant symbolic number. It indicates both completeness, like the number seven, and can represent a larger collective group. For example, the ten plagues on Egypt were targeted at the ten most important "gods" in the Egyptian society and come to represent the complete judgement of GOD against the nation of Egypt. In the same way, the ten commandments become the cover page representing all the commandments given by the LORD to Moses, which by tradition, total 613. The ten spies who rejected the Promised Land, come to represent the rejection of the Promised Land by the entire nation of Israel. The ten kings of Revelations (Rev 17:12), which are the same as the ten horns in Daniel (Dan 7:7, 7:24) and the ten toes on the statue in King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan 2:27-45), come to represent the entire world turning against the people of GOD under the authority of the Beast.
After the reign of these kings will come the promise of a time spoken by the prophet Zechariah…
This is what the LORD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'" (Zech 8:23)
"Ten men from all languages and nations" becomes a picture of the entire world turning to the LORD in the days when the MESSIAH reigns on HIS THRONE.
The number "ten" takes on significance early in Genesis when Abraham intercedes with the LORD for his nephew (Lot), in particular, and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah in general.
Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." (Gen 18:23-26)
Ultimately, the LORD told Abraham that HE would "spare the whole place" (Gen 18:26), for the sake of ten (Gen 18:33). Ten righteous people became the number sufficient to intercede with and move the CREATOR of the entire universe to spare an otherwise wicked place. Originating from this story, or the consequence of judgement on the nation for the ten wicked spies, ten became the number of a Jewish "minyan," which is necessary for holding a synagogue.
In the context of this understanding, the number of people on Noah’s Ark, only eight, now takes on new significance. If ten righteous people had lived on the earth, would GOD have saved the entire world? We know, from the genealogies given in the Bible, that Methuselah (Gen 5:27) died in the same year that the flood occurred. Did Methuselah die because of his sin or did the LORD sustain Methuselah, along with another, to maintain the minimum number of ten righteous people to preserve the earth until the Ark could be completed. We receive a clue from Enoch, the father of Methuselah and a prophet (Jude 14), who named his son Methuselah, which literally means, "When he dies it will comes." "It" would appear to be a reference to the flood that would occur in the year Methuselah died. It appears that Enoch saw the coming judgment on the earth over 900 years before the flood came.
What a powerful thought, just ten people can save the entire world. Think about this concept, the world might be spared judgment because you and nine other people are found to live righteously in JESUS CHRIST. Right now, the BFS group has ten members including our children who live at home with us. What an impact we can have on the world. I believe that the ultimate judgments of GOD on the earth might be delayed until there are less than ten righteous people in the world. Such a belief is consistent with the concept of a "rapture" or a gathering of GOD’S people (such as to the desert) away from the world to permit GOD to judge the world.
Shalom
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Hope this makes sense, I have tried to write as opportunity permits.
Considering John: Certainly John had great understanding, but certain truths were hidden from him. When JESUS came to be baptized John said, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. (Matt 3:14-15). Near the end of his life, John questioned his imprisonment through his disciples. Clearly he did not understand the sequence of events that led to his imprisonment or ultimately his death. He did understand his role in reference to JESUS. "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:29-30). Although John said this, apparently his word did not reach all of his disciples (Act 19:1-7).
The fact that John did not completely understand the plan should be no surprise to us. The disciples did not understand that JESUS would die on a cross and they were with him for three years. The Jews, including Paul, did not understand that the gentiles would partake of salvation in the Messiah because these things were a mystery hidden by GOD. Did John have to die as did? I can only look toward the prophecies of the future Elijah coming in Revelations. Though he has not arrived, he will die the death foretold in the 11th chapter of Revelations, but only after the LORD protects him for 42 months. Why? Because that is part of GOD’S plan. Sometimes the wrongful death of individuals is used to judge people and nations such as the generation at the crucifixion (Matt 27:25) and in Revelations where the angel said, "You are just in these judgments…for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve." (Rev 16:5-6). In the Jewish mind according to Josephus, Herod Antipas was judged because he executed John.
Firewood in the Wilderness: No easy answer to Sandi’s question either. A lot of miracles happened in the wilderness like clothes that did not where out. I think it was Rabbi Stan who thought the Jews might not have even needed to use the latrine because manna was so perfect. I am still trying to figure out how they raised and feed the 200,000 lambs in a wilderness environment that had to be sacrificed each year at Passover. At some point, you just have to give it over to the miraculous power of the hand of GOD.
Scott
Considering John: Certainly John had great understanding, but certain truths were hidden from him. When JESUS came to be baptized John said, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. (Matt 3:14-15). Near the end of his life, John questioned his imprisonment through his disciples. Clearly he did not understand the sequence of events that led to his imprisonment or ultimately his death. He did understand his role in reference to JESUS. "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:29-30). Although John said this, apparently his word did not reach all of his disciples (Act 19:1-7).
The fact that John did not completely understand the plan should be no surprise to us. The disciples did not understand that JESUS would die on a cross and they were with him for three years. The Jews, including Paul, did not understand that the gentiles would partake of salvation in the Messiah because these things were a mystery hidden by GOD. Did John have to die as did? I can only look toward the prophecies of the future Elijah coming in Revelations. Though he has not arrived, he will die the death foretold in the 11th chapter of Revelations, but only after the LORD protects him for 42 months. Why? Because that is part of GOD’S plan. Sometimes the wrongful death of individuals is used to judge people and nations such as the generation at the crucifixion (Matt 27:25) and in Revelations where the angel said, "You are just in these judgments…for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve." (Rev 16:5-6). In the Jewish mind according to Josephus, Herod Antipas was judged because he executed John.
Firewood in the Wilderness: No easy answer to Sandi’s question either. A lot of miracles happened in the wilderness like clothes that did not where out. I think it was Rabbi Stan who thought the Jews might not have even needed to use the latrine because manna was so perfect. I am still trying to figure out how they raised and feed the 200,000 lambs in a wilderness environment that had to be sacrificed each year at Passover. At some point, you just have to give it over to the miraculous power of the hand of GOD.
Scott
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Sorry for the wet log on the fire
Sandi, I'm sorry for appearing disinterested in your firewood observance. I have never considered the need for so much wood during the Tabernacle years.
Prodded by your post, I have researched the issue a little. First of all, there is a difference between the wilderness and the desert. The desert is completely barren while the wilderness does have vegetation--albeit sparse and small. The broom tree is actually a small shrub but does provide some wood. Still, this cannot be large enough to provide the kind of heat necessary to burn a bull to ashes.
There is an abundance of wood less than 60 miles north. Merchants could have provided some but that seems highly unlikely. I do not remember ever reading about trading for firewood.
According to one Internet source (which is always reliable), animal bones can be used for firewood. Of course, Scott was correct when he mentioned the animal dung burning well--RVL says, "like charcoal." This is a good explanation for where they got fire fuel.
However, Leviticus 6 says to use firewood. Also, Numbers 15:32 records a man gathering wood on the Sabbath--a major offense. So, the question remains, where did the firewood come from? There certainly are not enough broom, acacia, tamarisk, or any other trees around that area.
So, I opt for the standard "I don't know" answer. God provided everything else for them--food, water, clothes, heat, and shade. We might as well add firewood to the list. Again, I'm sorry for the cop out.
Prodded by your post, I have researched the issue a little. First of all, there is a difference between the wilderness and the desert. The desert is completely barren while the wilderness does have vegetation--albeit sparse and small. The broom tree is actually a small shrub but does provide some wood. Still, this cannot be large enough to provide the kind of heat necessary to burn a bull to ashes.
There is an abundance of wood less than 60 miles north. Merchants could have provided some but that seems highly unlikely. I do not remember ever reading about trading for firewood.
According to one Internet source (which is always reliable), animal bones can be used for firewood. Of course, Scott was correct when he mentioned the animal dung burning well--RVL says, "like charcoal." This is a good explanation for where they got fire fuel.
However, Leviticus 6 says to use firewood. Also, Numbers 15:32 records a man gathering wood on the Sabbath--a major offense. So, the question remains, where did the firewood come from? There certainly are not enough broom, acacia, tamarisk, or any other trees around that area.
So, I opt for the standard "I don't know" answer. God provided everything else for them--food, water, clothes, heat, and shade. We might as well add firewood to the list. Again, I'm sorry for the cop out.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Put Another Log on the Fire
I brought this up and the Wed. night 2nd service but, I guess I felt a little like our beloved Pastor because no one else was as excited as I was at what the scripture said. I still think it is a miracle.
Leviticus 6:12,13 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offering on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.
The Chumash says the fire in Moses Tabernacle burned for 116 years: 39 in the wilderness, 14 in Gilgal, 13 in Nob, and 50 in Gibeon. During all those years the Altar fire burned continuously, yet its thin copper layer never melted and its wooden structure was never charred.
Ok but where did they get the wood? Two things that are not in abundance in the desert are water and trees. God provided water did He also provide wood? There are not many trees in the wilderness today, but maybe then there were more. They could have all been used for firewood for the altar and that is why there are not many today.
I know about how much wood it takes to roast a Hebrew National hotdog, can you imagine how much it would have taken to burn a bull to ashes.
I would not have wanted to be on firewood detail.
Sandi
Leviticus 6:12,13 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offering on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.
The Chumash says the fire in Moses Tabernacle burned for 116 years: 39 in the wilderness, 14 in Gilgal, 13 in Nob, and 50 in Gibeon. During all those years the Altar fire burned continuously, yet its thin copper layer never melted and its wooden structure was never charred.
Ok but where did they get the wood? Two things that are not in abundance in the desert are water and trees. God provided water did He also provide wood? There are not many trees in the wilderness today, but maybe then there were more. They could have all been used for firewood for the altar and that is why there are not many today.
I know about how much wood it takes to roast a Hebrew National hotdog, can you imagine how much it would have taken to burn a bull to ashes.
I would not have wanted to be on firewood detail.
Sandi
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Things to make you go "Hmmm"
Here are some thoughts to ponder:
In Jesus' first "sermon" in the synagogue, he reads from Isaiah and says, "He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he stops. He doesn't quote the end of that verse which reads, "and the day of vengeance of our God." All of his teachings on the Kingdom of God/Heaven in his early ministry focus on the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Kingdom--no judgment; just benefits and blessings associated with Kingdom living. In fact, it isn't until the end of his ministry as he heads to Jerusalem that he begins to speak of the coming Kingdom and its judgment and wrath.
Now, from the beginning, however, John preaches the standard Hebrew message of the Messiah--"He will baptize you with spirit and fire." Fire always seems to represent judgment. He also teaches that Messiah has his winnowing fork in his hand so that he can separate the wheat into the barn and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. John expected and taught that Messiah would exact vengeance and bring God's judgment on the unrighteous.
Here's the part that makes you go, "Hmmm." Is it possible that God removed John when he did to keep John from getting in the way of the advancing Kingdom? Since John's idea of the Messiah was different than Jesus' mode of operation, that could have caused problems. John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one who was to come or if they should expect someone else...Jesus just wasn't doing things the way John interpreted the Scriptures.
At one point, Jesus says, "There is no one born of woman who is greater than John. Yet, he who is the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John." That statement always seemed contradictory to me. Is it possible that John never truly became a disciple of Jesus? Jesus says he was a prophet and that he taught the same things as the prophets of old, but....Maybe the reason the least in the Kingdom is greater than John is because John never entered the Kingdom as he walked on the earth. He didn't fully buy into the whole love and forgiveness thing--he wanted fire and judgment. Therefore, if John questioned Jesus' Messiahship maybe he had to be removed before he spoke what he thought. He was, after all, an influential man with a following. Just a little something to ponder.
In Jesus' first "sermon" in the synagogue, he reads from Isaiah and says, "He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he stops. He doesn't quote the end of that verse which reads, "and the day of vengeance of our God." All of his teachings on the Kingdom of God/Heaven in his early ministry focus on the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Kingdom--no judgment; just benefits and blessings associated with Kingdom living. In fact, it isn't until the end of his ministry as he heads to Jerusalem that he begins to speak of the coming Kingdom and its judgment and wrath.
Now, from the beginning, however, John preaches the standard Hebrew message of the Messiah--"He will baptize you with spirit and fire." Fire always seems to represent judgment. He also teaches that Messiah has his winnowing fork in his hand so that he can separate the wheat into the barn and burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. John expected and taught that Messiah would exact vengeance and bring God's judgment on the unrighteous.
Here's the part that makes you go, "Hmmm." Is it possible that God removed John when he did to keep John from getting in the way of the advancing Kingdom? Since John's idea of the Messiah was different than Jesus' mode of operation, that could have caused problems. John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one who was to come or if they should expect someone else...Jesus just wasn't doing things the way John interpreted the Scriptures.
At one point, Jesus says, "There is no one born of woman who is greater than John. Yet, he who is the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John." That statement always seemed contradictory to me. Is it possible that John never truly became a disciple of Jesus? Jesus says he was a prophet and that he taught the same things as the prophets of old, but....Maybe the reason the least in the Kingdom is greater than John is because John never entered the Kingdom as he walked on the earth. He didn't fully buy into the whole love and forgiveness thing--he wanted fire and judgment. Therefore, if John questioned Jesus' Messiahship maybe he had to be removed before he spoke what he thought. He was, after all, an influential man with a following. Just a little something to ponder.
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