Eight and our new beginning in Jesus Christ  Part Three
 
There are so many wonderful examples in the Bible to show us our new beginning in Jesus Christ because of His wonderful grace that God has toward us. Let me show you some examples of our warm loving Savior in action as He explained a new beginning through Himself in numeric context of Scripture.
 
This is how our Savior was able to save the demonic in Luke chapter 8 with no problem whatsoever because Jesus Christ is transcendent and above sin. The gematria value in the name of Jesus Christ is 888 which describes His Purity and Resurrection Power. Look at the life of this demon possessed man after Jesus Christ was finished with him. He was permanently transformed because he came to know Jesus Christ. Rather than being stuck in his sin and the world (4) he became resurrected through Jesus Christ (8).To super abound is the meaning of the number eight. Even as Christians, if we are stuck in our problems (4) and don't realize that we were saved (8) we leave Jesus Christ out of our lives for all practical purposes.
 
This planet is not even our home. When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus in John chapter three he used the word born "8" times. Born again- a new creature and creation in Jesus Christ. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2nd Cor.5:17.
 
I would like to get a little more detailed about this subject manner. Jesus Christ had a conversation with Nicodemus which is found in John 3:1-8. The very word "born" occurs "8" times. One in verse 3, two in verse 4, one in verse 5, two in verse 6, one in verse 7, and one in verse 8. 1+2+1+2+1+1 =8.The reason why the word "born" was used "8" times is because Jesus was describing to this man what a "new beginning" was all about through Him.The number "8" describes the "new creation" we have in Jesus Christ.
 
What most Believers really don't understand is the circumcision that was performed on a newly born child in the Old Testament was symbolic of our relationship with Jesus Christ ( a type of our new birth in Him). "He is not a Jew,which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter." Romans 2:28-29.This is also spoken of in Col. 2:11. You see circumcision had to take place on the "eighth" day to picture our new birth (8) in Jesus Christ.This involves our heart. This is how much God cares for us. A foreshowing was necessary to explain that salvation in our Savior is not outward but inward. When we accepted Jesus Christ, He circumcised our heart in the spirit in our inner being. Eight is a very intimate number in the Bible.The 8th time Noah was mentioned in the Bible he was walking with God.
 
Jesus wanted to show His love for humanity so much that John chapter three was not enough to get His point across (the encounter with Jesus Christ and Nicodemus). In John chapter 4, Jesus Christ emphasized the very same theme but in a different way with the Samaritan women. She went to the well to get some water. Jesus knew exactly what to ask her. In John 4:7 He asked her for a glass of water. In their conversion Jesus spoke to her about Him being the "living water." Guess how many times the word water is used in this story? "Eight" times and the word well is mentioned "5" times symbolizing the grace of God. Here we see the grace of God (the well) in combination with the living water (5; grace and 8; a new beginning in Jesus Christ). This is "exactly" what the New Testament teaches. We come to God by faith through His grace (5) and receive a new beginning (8) in Jesus Christ. The biblical numbers in this story are perfect and consistent with the meanings from Genesis to Revelation. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,neither shadow of turning." James 1:17.
 
To look at this whole picture in general terms "8" people were risen from the dead in the Bible. Jesus Christ rose from the dead after His crucifixion on the first day of the week or the 8th day. Notice how eager the Samaritan women was to accept His new birth (8) into her heart. She knew it was real. Jesus Christ changed her life. If you have not come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, don't you think He can give you the exact same resurrection birth that this particular women received? She was jumping up and down for joy. She could not hold the excitement inside of her and had to tell everybody. Could we come to the conclusion that her life was changed?
 
Remember the number 8 ties in with end time biblical prophecy. The 7th feast of tabernacles lasts for "8" days. Zechariah 14 says that during the 1000 year millennial reign of Jesus Christ people will have to give homage to Him once a year in Jerusalem. The "8" days is a prelude to the end of the 7th millennium for the start of the 8th day or the eighth millennium of human history from Adam upward to the end of the rule of Jesus Christ on planet earth. "Eight" is a transcendent number which has implication of "no sin." At the start of the "8th" millennium when the "New Jerusalem" comes down on planet earth, sin will be completely abolished according to Revelation chapters 20 through 22. The "eight" days of the feast of tabernacles is symbolic of our eternal rest in God.
 
This is why there were 7 and then in another area 8 steps in the temple of Ezekiel. Seven escorted a person to the outer court but eight lead from the origin of the outer to the inner court (7; rest, 8; advanced from rest to worship). This corresponds prophetically to the 7th and 8th millenniums of human history. So many practical and prophetic examples that show the good news of Jesus Christ from the backdrop of number "8" in the Bible. I look at John chapters 3 and 4 and see the emphasis of Jesus Christ,His grace, and a new beginning in Him.Jesus Christ desires people to invite Him into their hearts. It is simple.He is just waiting for you with incomprehensible eternal love.If you already made this decision then pursue "new beginnings" in Jesus Christ. We are so close to the rapture of the Church. I am excited! Choose eternal life through Jesus Christ.We are not only destined to pursue "new beginnings" in Jesus Christ in this world but when we get to heaven the Bible says "that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His Kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Eph.2:7. Exceeding riches,grace and kindness. This will always be a new experience for us and it will never become old!
 
I desired to stop at Part Three but I could not finish everything I wanted to say. Part Four will come out tomorrow which gives evidence from the backdrop of the biblical meaning of eight that Christians are very close to being raptured into heaven to be with the Lord for all eternity.
 
 
 
Love in Christ
    Bob D.