From: richard@biblewheel.com
Date: Sat Nov 01 2003 - 16:50:15 EST
Jim, thank you for your intuitions. I understand and appreciate your
statement that "it's hard for me to see a real God-purpose for such
properties." I think this is probably a product of the current intellectual
fashion which pretty much rejects Typology, Analogy, and even Prophecy in
biblical exegesis, leaving only naturalistic historical/grammatical and
textual critical methods as legitimate. The text is rarely, if ever, thought
of as the result of divine design (even if mediated through apparently
natural means). This is an historical anomaly. In times past - spanning the
majority of Christian history - the study of Numbers in Scripture was a
standard and fully respected part of biblical exegesis. Now this doesn't
prove that numerical symbolism is a valid hermeneutic, I mention it only to
show that the inability to see the "real God-purpose for such properties" is
a modern anomaly. The typical educated Christian has for most of Church
history both recognized and appreciated Numerical Symbols in Scripture. Here
is a quote from the online Catholic Encyclopedia on the question of "The Use
of Number in Scripture" (which, btw, is an excellent resource):
===Quote====
No attentive reader of the Old Testament can fail to notice that a certain
sacredness seems to attach to particular numbers, for example, seven, forty,
twelve, etc. It is not merely the frequent recurrence of these numbers, but
their ritual or ceremonial use which is so significant. Take, for example,
the swearing of Abraham (Gen., xxi, 28 sqq.) after setting apart (for
sacrifice) seven ewe lambs, especially when we remember the etymological
connexion of the word nishba, to take an oath, with sheba seven. Traces of
the same mystical employment of numbers lie much upon the surface of the New
Testament also, particularly in the Apocalypse. ... [T]here can be no doubt
that influenced mainly by Biblical precepts, but also in part by the
prevalence of this philosophy of numbers all around them, the Fathers down
to the time of Bede and even later gave much attention to the sacredness and
mystical significance not only of certain numerals in themselves but also of
the numerical totals given by the constituent letters with which words were
written.
===End Quote====
Here's the link to the article: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11151a.htm
As an aside, the relation between the Number Seven (Sheba) and the idea of
the Oath mentioned above is an important part of my explanation of God's
imprint of the Number Seven on Scripture, spanning the Seven Days of
Creation, the Seven Seals of the Apocalypse, and even the sevenfold
symmetric perfection of the large-scale structure of Scripture in the form
of the Canon Wheel. Simply stated, God marked the Bible with the Number
Seven (Sheba) because it is His Oath (Shaba) - His Word, His Promise! How
can a soul fail to see a glorious "God-purpose" in His use of this numerical
symbol that saturates everything from the narrative to the geometric
structure of His Holy Word? Here's the link to my article on the meaning of
the Number Seven in Scripture: http://www.BibleWheel.com/Topics/seven.asp
I also understand and appreciate your comment that "it strikes me that this
would be pretty meaningless - even verging on occult to a non-Christian. To
a Christian, most would not need or particularly benefit from these
observations." I agree that much of this study would be utterly meaningless
to a non-Christian, but then, so is the entirety of Bible before he comes to
faith. This study is not intended as a replacement for the plain declaration
of the Gospel! It is also true that many Christians would not benefit
directly from this study, any more than they would benefit from an in-depth
study of Greek or Hebrew if they have no aptitude for languages. The Bible
is given by God to reveal His infinite Wisdom to Mankind - He is the Master
Artist, Poet, Linguist, Storyteller, and Mathematician. He is everything to
me, and He has revealed Himself in His infinite Word. Some people write
whole books on Biblical Economics, God's instruction on how to handle your
money. I've never read one, and probably never will. I don't think I would
"particularly benefit" from such a study. God has given His Word to satisfy
every soul in all their multifaceted variations. That is part of the great
glory of His Word.
But then, I must disagree with the idea that my studies will not benefit
absolutely everyone on the planet who wants to know and serve the Lord. I
would agree that if my study were confined to mere numerical relations, no
matter how significant, they would never attain a general audience since a
large portion of the population will never really understand or appreciate
the Beauty of Numbers, let alone God's divine use of them. But this
intellectual limitation of the masses does not exist for the Bible Wheel.
Any child can appreciate the simple Circle as the ideal symbol of things
divine, eternal, and perfect. When enlighted by God's Spirit, the impact is
overwhelming. The full integrity and divine unity of all Scripture is now
*visually* evident. It glorifies God and His Word beyond measure and reveals
the Bible as a great work of divine Art. The radial and bilateral symmetry
displayed in the Canon Wheel forms a stunning image of the tri-radiant
cruciform halo used since the 6th century to indicate Deity in Christian
iconography. This means that the Cross of Christ - the central message of
all Scripture - is also the basis of its geometric design! The implications
are staggering. The Wheel reveals more than just the supernatural unity of
the Holy Bible; it reveals the form of the unity itself as a work of Divine
Art, an icon of the very Faith taught within its pages!
Well, this is a small part of the "God-purpose for these properties" as you
put it. Limitations of space and time prohibit even pointing out all the
highlights. My cup runneth over! I have about a thousand pages documenting
this structure on my site.
Thanks for your kind, honest, and respectful answer to my post Jim. I hope
others will join in the discussion.
Richard
Discover the sevenfold symmetric perfection of the Holy Bible at
http://www.BibleWheel.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Armstrong" <jarmstro@qwest.net>
Cc: <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2003 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: The Body of Jesus
> But you gotta admit at least that there is some benevolent flexibility
> in choosing what particular words are going to be associated, evaluated
> and compared. In one case in your example, there is a phrase; in the
> other a sentence. What about "body of Jesus" vs "whom they pierced"? No
> match. Wouldn't that be more "perfect" yet. For my part I view these
> observations as intriguing, but it's hard for me to see a real
> God-purpose for such properties. It seems somehow related to the early
> efforts to understand the workings of the universe in terms of the
> platonic solids and musical intervals. I respect that you do see purpose
> in your observations. However, it strikes me that this would be pretty
> meaningless - even verging on occult to a non-Christian. To a Christian,
> most would not need or particularly benefit from these observations.
> But it's just my opinion. You clearly find great satisfaction and
> importance in them. I would not take that away from you. You have
> clearly invested a great deal of time and effort in a study with a
> righteous intent.
> Regards - JimA
>
>
> richard@biblewheel.com wrote:
>
> >The study of the the numerical structure of Scripture is rejected by some
> >because it appears to be based on a random association between numbers
and
> >words. The problem is that any arbitrary assignation of numbers to
letters
> >will always divide the vocabulary into numerical classes which can be
> >scanned for "interesting" hits. The critic notes immediately that in the
> >process of finding ten interesting coincidences, ten thousand were passed
> >over. How could order or meaning be found in something as arbitrary as
this?
> >
> >There are many satisfying answers to this question that involve a fair
> >amount of discussion. But there can be no discussion if the topic is
> >rejected out of hand. Therefore, people need a reason to consider the
> >possibility that such a study could be fruitful. That is the purpse of
this
> >post.
> >
> >In John 19, we read:
> >
> >And again another scripture saith, THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY
PIERCED.
> >And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but
secretly
> >for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of
> >Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took THE BODY OF
> >JESUS.
> >
> >The numerical value of the exact words written are:
> >
> >The Body of Jesus (TO SOMA TOU IHSOU) = 2869
> >
> >This coincides exactly with the value of the Hebrew prophecy (Zech.
12.10b)
> >cited IN CONTEXT of its fulfillment:
> >
> >and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn
for
> >him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for
him,
> >as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
> >
> >The sum of these words in Hebrew is exactly 2869 = THE BODY OF JESUS.
> >
> >This is discussed in my article:
> >http://www.BibleWheel.com/InnerWheels/John/John19.asp
> >
> >Let me reiterate, the sum of the Greek letters that spell THE BODY OF
JESUS
> >coincides *exactly* with the sum of the Hebrew words of the prophecy that
> >says "THEY SHALL LOOK ON ME WHOM THEY PIERCED ..." Perhaps it will help
to
> >state it as an equation mediated by the common value:
> >
> >THE BODY OF JESUS = 2869 = THEY SHALL LOOK UPON ME WHOM THEY PIERCED ....
> >
> >We have here a translingual (Hebrew to Greek), alphanumerically-coded
> >reiteration of a prophecy cited in context of its fulfullment!
> >
> >Note the magnitude of the mediating number. It contains four digits. What
> >are the chances of this?
> >
> >Is it appropriate to dismiss this as yet another "mere coincidence"?
> >
> >Richard
> >Discover the sevenfold symmetric perfection of the Holy Bible at
> >http://www.BibleWheel.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
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