The Keys to unlocking bible study!

With thanks to bible universe, this is great information to have when studying the bible!:

Keys To Bible Numbers

Many of the numbers in the Bible have deeper prophetic or spiritual significance. Both in the Old and New Testaments, numbers reveal hidden concepts and meanings that commonly escape the casual reader. And throughout history, men with great minds, like Augustine, Isaac Newton, and Leonardo Di Vinci, showed more than just a passing curiosity regarding the importance of biblical numbers. Once more, Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are numbered” (Matthew 10:30). So obviously, Bible numbers should be carefully considered.

At least 12 numbers in the Bible stand out in this regard: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 40, 50, and 70. In order to express this truth, one or two biblical examples have been given below. However, much more can be said on this subject, so these examples serve merely as an introduction and are not exhaustive by any means.


1 – represents absolute singleness and unity (Ephesians 4:4–6; John 17:21, 22.) (We presume readers need no more than these two citations, as most of the biblical information regarding unity and singleness is common knowledge.)

2 – represents the truth of God’s Word; for example, the law and prophets (John 1:45), two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1), and a sword with two edges (Hebrews 4:12). See Mark 6:7 and Revelation 11:3. It is also used 21 times in the books of Daniel and Revelation.

3 – represents the Godhead / Trinity. The angels cry “Holy” three times to the triune God (Isaiah 6:3). See also Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7, 8.

4 – represents universal truth, as in the four directions (north, south, east, west) and the four winds (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:1; Revelation 20:8). In acts 10:11, a sheet with four corners symbolizes the gospel going to all the gentiles.

5 – represents teaching. First, there are the five books of Moses. Second, Jesus taught about the five wise virgins and used five barley loaves used to feed the 5,000.

6 – represents the worship of man, and is the number of man, signifying his rebellion, imperfection, works, and disobedience. It is used 273 times in the Bible, including its derivatives (e.g, sixth) and another 91 times as “threescore” or “60.” Man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26, 31). See also Exodus 31:15 and Daniel 3:1.

The number is especially significant in the book Revelation, as “666” identifies the beast. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18).

7 – represents perfection, and is the sign of God, divine worship, completions, obedience, and rest. The “prince” of Bible numbers, it is used 562 times, including its derivatives (e.g., seventh, sevens). (See Genesis 2:1–4, Psalm 119:164, and Exodus 20:8–11 for just a few of the examples.)

The number seven is also the most common in biblical prophecy, occurring 42 times in Daniel and Revelation alone. In Revelation there are seven churches, seven spirits, seven golden candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps, seven seals, seven horns, seven eyes, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven thousand slain in a great earthquake, seven heads, seven crowns, seven last plagues, seven golden vials, seven mountains, and seven kings.

10 – represents law and restoration. Of course, this includes the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20. See also Matthew 25:1 (ten virgins); Luke 17:17 (ten lepers); Luke 15:8 (healing, ten silver coins).

12 – represents the church and God’s authority. Jesus had 12 disciples, and there were 12 tribes of Israel. In Revelation 12:1, the 24 elders and 144,000 are multiples of 12. The New Jerusalem city has12 foundations, 12 gates 12 thousand furlongs, a tree with 12 kinds of fruit 12 times a year eaten by 12 times 12,000 or the 144,000. (See Revelation 21.)

40 – represents a generation and times of testing. It rained for 40 days during the flood. Moses spent 40 years in the desert, as did the children of Israel. Jesus fasted for 40 days.

50 – represents power and celebration. The Jubilee came after the 49th year (Leviticus 25:10), and Pentecost occurred 50 days after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2).

70 – represents human leadership and judgment. Moses appointed 70 elders (Exodus 24:1); The Sanhedrin was made up of 70 men. Jesus chose 70 disciples (Luke 10:1). Jesus told Peter to forgive 70 times 7.

Keys To Bible Symbols

Why cloak Bible prophecies in Symbols?
Luke 8 :10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'

Many of the apocalyptic prophecies were given while the prophets were in a hostile foreign land. One reason God cloaked the prophecies in symbols was to protect the messages.


Animals and their Parts

* Horse = Strength and Power in Battle Job 39:19, Psalms 147:10, Proverbs 21:31
* Dragon = Satan or his agency Isaiah 27:1;30:6, Psalm 74:13-14; Rev. 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34
* Beast = Kingdom/government/political power Daniel 7:17, 23
* Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7
* Lion = Jesus/Powerful King i.e. Babylon Rev. 5:4-9, Jer. 50:43-44, Dan. 7:4,17,23
* Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia Proverbs 28:15, 2 Kings 2:23-24, Daniel 7:5
* Leopard = Greece Daniel 7:6
* Serpent = Satan Revelation 12:9; 20:2
* Tongue = Language / Speech Exodus 4:10
* Wolf = Disguised Enemies that hunt in a time of darkness Matthew 7:15
* Dove = Holy Spirit Mark 1:10
* Ram = Medo Persia Daniel 8:20
* Goat = Greece Daniel 8:21
* Horn = King or kingdom Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12
* Wings = Speed / Protection / Deliverance Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37


Colors

* White = Purity Revelation 12:9; 20:2
* Blue = Law Numbers 15:38-39
* Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
* Red/Scarlet = Sin/corruption Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4


Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects

* Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare Isaiah 13:12
* Silver = Pure Words & Understanding Proverbs 2:4, 3:13-14, 10:20, 25:11, Psalms 12:6
* Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver dross = Impure Character Ezekiel 22:20-21
* Water = Holy Spirit / Everlasting Life John 7:39, 4:14, Rev. 22:17, Eph. 5:26
* Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
* Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
* Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deut. 21:22-23, Psalm 92:12, 37:35
* Seed = Descendents / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16
* Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
* Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9
* Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16
* Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35
* Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39
* Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39
* Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19
* Stars = Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7
* Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22
* Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45
* Rock = Jesus/truth 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24
* Sun = Jesus/the gospel Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5
* Winds = Strife/commotion/"winds of war"Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14


Miscellaneous Objects

* Lamp = Word of God Psalm 119:105
* Oil = Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5
* Sword = Word of God Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12
* Bread = Word of God John 6:35, 51, 52, 63
* Wine = blood/covenant/doctrines Luke 5:37
* Honey = happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9
* Clothing = Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6
* Crown = A Glorious Ruler or Rulership Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 28:5, Isaiah 62:3
* Ring = Authority Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11
* Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14
* Babylon = apostasy/confusion/rebellion Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5
* Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3
* Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3
* White Robes = Victory/righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14
* Jar / Vessel = Person Jermiah 18:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7
* Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin
* Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6,14, 13:5
* Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
* Trumpet = loud warning of God's approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5


Actions, Activities, and Physical States

* Healing = Salvation Luke 5:23-24
* Leprosy / Sickness = Sin Luke 5:23-24
* Famine = Dearth of Truth Amos 8:11


People and Body Parts

* Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27
* Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezk. 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4
* Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10
* Hand = Deeds / Works / Actions Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 59:6
* Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9
* Feet = Your Walk / Direction Genesis 19:2, Psalm 119:105
* Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11
* Skin = Christ's righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6
* Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9
* Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9, 10

State of the Dead Study

Interestingly enough, I have spoken on this subject before but feel it is important that people understand the importance of knowing this truth in today's day and age. Right now there are many Television programs showing very spiritual things such as "John Edwards - Crossing over", Scifi shows like - supernatural, buffy and such things. There a hundreds, even thousands that have been and are coming to the big screen over the past decade. What does the Bible have to say about the spirit world? When we die, do we go to heaven or hell or a temporary waiting area and then on to judgment? Well if these movies / TV shows have to survive - then people must believe this to be the case! Lets look at today's study regarding this....

According to the following scriptures, what does it say happens to humanity at death:

Psa 146:4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.

Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.
Ecc 9:6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.

Joh 11:11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."
Joh 11:12 Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well."
Joh 11:13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
Joh 11:14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7.

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Ecclesiastes 12:7.

"So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more." Job 14:12. "The day of the Lord will come ... in the which the heavens shall pass away."
2 Peter 3:10.

Inspiration teaches that God is immortal (1 Tim 6:16) and that human beings are subject to death. Jesus taught that death was a sleep that ends in one of two resurrections. Either the resurrection to eternal life or eternal damnation (John 5:28,29)

There are some confusing texts at first like -
Mat 25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
and
Rev 14:9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,
Rev 14:10 "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
Rev 14:11 "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

Do they imply that there is eternal hell?

This idea came from Greek philosophy, which conceived of Hades as a ghostly, shadowy underworld, that the soul lived in twilight existence. The Greeks viewed Human beings of consisting of matter and soul. At death, matter and soul separated, releasing the soul from the prison house of matter into an independent existence.
In Mathew 25 and Revelation 14, the words translated of "Everlasting" and "for ever" do not mean necessarily never ending. The greek words aion and aionios express duration as long as the nature of the subject allows. For example in Jude 7 we are told that the Cities Sodom and Gomorrah are suffering the punishment of eternal (aion-ios)fire. Yet, 2 Peter 2:6 says that they were turned into ashes. When the subject of the words ETERNAL or FOREVER is the life of the redeemed who has received immortality, the word means a time without end. When it refers to the punishment of the wicked, who do not receive immortality, the word has the meaning of a limited time period.

So if you come across anyone who says that your passed on family member or friend is trying to reach you, its a lie - its a Demon pretending they are your friend or relative.

Think about it this way: A woman dies from being beaten by her husband - passes on to "heaven" now as the movies say, to only look down upon her husband from "heaven" while she watches as he starts beaten the kids! What kind of heaven is that?

or
God being so loving and gracious and kind would allow to see his creation in eternal fire or "hell" that would go on eternally!??? God would not be a God of eternal punishment in this sense. This does not mean that God is not going to destroy sin, in fire, and that means, the second Death is eternal - you are dead forever! That is what eternal damnation means!

I pray that you are on the right side of God and have Christ as your savior so that you are resurrected for the Glorious return of Christ and not the Damnation!

God bless

Gifts of the Spirit and Deceptions from satan.

A lot of modern day churches talk and practice things such as being slain in the spirit and talking in tongues. Now people must learn the truth that satan can use his powers and his demons to make you think what you are experiencing is from God when in fact its not. Please, I beg of you to do this study thoroughly as millions of people around the world are deceived if they think that getting "drunk" in the spirit / or slain in the spirit, and talking in a gibberish tongue is from God. I have an excellent book for you to see the roots of this and a very great passage from the bible that clearly shows you otherwise. Firstly the passage from the bible:

Act 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Act 2:5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
Act 2:6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
Act 2:7 Then they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
Act 2:8 "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

As you can clearly see here - the gift given from the spirit of talking in tongues is in fact the ability to understand and talk in many tongues (languages) of different cultures and lands as see here at Pentecost..
Please read chapter 12 of the book Truth matters by Prof Walter Veith for a clearer understanding about this "other" spirit that is being seen in the churches of today.
Here is the link to the book online at google books.

Link to Book

please read this and understand that what you are seeing in the churches of today is not from God!
I am not saying that the Holy Spirit does not perform miracles and does not touch each of us, but be very careful with what you are dealing with as God clearly warns us that what we "feel" may not be from him if it "feels" good.
Feelings can deceive many as well, one of satans many weapons.

God Bless