PURE SPECULATION?
This week’s ‘blog’ is mostly about numbers, so, here is one: #1,187! That means that, since the year 2,000, I have written 1,186 articles, almost one (1) each week. The first 505 were also published in the regional daily newspaper, the Belleville-based ‘Intelligencer’, sometimes called ‘the Stupidifier’.
Why do I write?
Two reasons: I think have something to say, and I know how to say it in a way that reflects Biblical truths. I also believe that the church in general, is hampered by its structure, which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to proclaim ‘the gospel of the kingdom’.
That said, something that struck me this week: the number ‘’THREE”. Why Three? Well, I have a peculiar habit. When I see a 4 or less digit number, I, in my mind – without a calculator – try to reduce it to its basic or ‘prime number’ status. Take this year, 2024, an even number, thus divisible by 2 or multiple, so, 1012, 506, 253 which is divisible by 23, giving it 11 as the prime number. And 2025? Easy: 81 x 25, with 81 being 3 x 3 x 3 x 3. (3-9-27-81). That indicates that next year, 2025, has THREE as its prime number.
So, what is so peculiar about ‘the number THREE’?
In Scripture the number ‘three’ represents that which is solid, real, substantial, and something in its completeness. This number indicates something of importance or significance in God’s plan of salvation by identifying an important event in Salvation History. This number operates as a “sign-post” in Scripture study for the reader to “pay attention” to the significance of the next event.
That’s how one commentator explains The Number Three. So, does the next year really figure in God’s plan for Salvation? It scares the wits out of me to even hint that it may be the year of Christ’s return!
I have read that there are 4 perfect numbers in the Bible: 3 (divine perfection); 7 (spiritual perfection); 10 (ordinal perfection); and 12 (governmental perfection). The question that haunts me is: will 2025, with its divine base number, become ‘perfect’?
But first some substantiation, why THREE is prominent in both the Old and the Newer Testament.
The earth was separated from the waters on the 3rd day and life began [Genesis 1:9-13].
There were three Patriarchs of the children of Israel: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel.
After the Great Flood humanity descended from the three sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth [Genesis 10:1-32].
Three “men” announced to Abraham that his barren wife would bear a son [Genesis 18:14].
Baby Moses was hidden by his mother for three months [Exodus 2:1]. The adult Moses asked Pharaoh that he let Moses take his people on a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifice to their God [Exodus 3:18].
There were three divisions of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies.
Jonah spent three days in the belly of the great fish [Jonah 2:1]; Jonah took three days to journey across the city of Nineveh [Jonah 3:3].
In the New Testament:
Jesus’ ministry lasted three years, covering three Passovers [John 2:13; 6:4; 11:55-12:1].
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months [Luke 1:56].
Jesus was missing for three days when He was 12 years old [Luke 2:46].
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the Mt. of Transfiguration [Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2;Luke 9:28-36].
Jesus arose from the dead on the third day. [Matthew 16:21,
Saul was blinded for three days [Acts 9:9].
The theological virtues are faith, hope and charity {1 Corinthians 13:13].
The heavenly Jerusalem has three gates on each of its four sides [Revelation 21:13].
Christians saw three as symbolic of the Trinity, the nature of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [Matthew 28:19].
In Addition:
There are three divisions of time: past, present, and future.
There are three persons represented in grammar: She/he/it.
Thought, word, and deed complete the sum of human capacity.
Back to today.
On September 16 I posted a NEW blog:
WILL WE BE ALIVE IN 2025, WHO WILL SURVIVE, 2025?
In it I quote ARCTIC NEWS:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
Will we be alive in 2025, who will survive, 2025?
This past week the British Guardian had this headline:
Earth’s ‘vital signs’ show humanity’s future in balance, say climate experts
Record emissions, temperatures and population mean more scientists are looking into possibility of societal collapse, report says.
PURE SPECULATION? Yes. Why? Because 2 Peter 3: 10 tells us: