The number 3 in the Bible has a consistent meaning from Genesis to Revelation of completeness. It also is the number that stands for resurrection. It is one of the more mysterious numbers in Scripture because of the history surrounding this principle. It is the first of 4 perfect numbers. Sure enough when I wrote my last article and explained that 3,7,10 and 12 were the 4 perfect numbers in the Bible somebody got their calculator out and plugged in 3x7x10x12=2520. This is the exact number of days that will transpire in the future 7 year tribulation period, if you believe like me that each year will be counted in 360 day segments rather than 365. It would have to be beyond obvious that we are very close to the rapture of the church and the world is right on the brink of the 7 year tribulation period. Evidence after evidence coming from all walks of life are spoken and printed everyday as we believers in Jesus Christ look with joyful anticipation to our blessed hope.
 
From an evil perspective the devil copies this number more often because as I will explain this is his one chance from his perspective to usurp the throne of God. You and I know that according to the Bible this will never happen; however, Satan in all of his vigor will try again and "three" primary players will attempt this in their future exercise of futility. This is Part One of "The completeness of three." In Part Two I will actually show you Scripture references on how the devil copies this number.
 
The Bible says "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,against powers,against the rulers of the darkness of this world,against spiritual wickedness in high places." Eph 6:12. Three is really the first number that appears on the scene in the Bible where spiritual warfare is actually visible. Think about the intelligence of the numbering system of God so far. One speaks of perfect unity. Two speaks of division because it represents rebellion against God. Three really is the first number that appears on the scene that actually shows us through examples, not only the completeness of God but also the demonic harassment we endure in this life.
 
Unfortunately I can not get into the meat of what I just said because there is so much that the Holy Spirit quickened to my heart. Much of what I feel compelled to write about will have to wait until Part 2.It is so simple. (1) perfect unity with God (2) division from God and (3) divine completeness of God with the enemy (the devil) waging spiritual warfare against the righteous.
 
I would like to show you how this practically plays out in our life. By the grace of God through our faith, He will give us this victory through His Son Jesus Christ.The great copycat ( the devil) will attempt to buffet us but God will use these bad experiences to show us our completeness in His Son.
 
The resurrection power of Jesus Christ ( a principle tied into the biblical meaning of the number 3) will show you that God through His Son Jesus Christ is so much more powerful than the minute attempts of the devil to deceive us and even ruin our lives. God allows most of His children to go through these tests to sift our spirit and show us that the finished work of His Son on the cross is complete in us. The third person of the Trinity ( The Holy Spirit) shows us this truth. Romans 8:16.
 
In eternity past Lucifer had first hand knowledge of (1) God The Father (2) His Son Jesus Christ and (3) The Holy Spirit. He started a rebellion in heaven to overthrow the throne of God and was cast down on planet earth with the angels he deceived through his deception. I went over this in an article that I wrote called "The Division of Two." Ever since then Satan has been trying to usurp the throne of God. I will hear preachers say "When Satan starts to harass you just remind him of his future." Every time I listen to this, a question starts to form in my mind and I just want you to be open about what I am about to ask. How do I know for sure that God has not blinded Satan about his future? The Bible says in Revelation 12:12 "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he has but a short time." A short time to do what? This is a matter of interpretation. I can not prove this but I believe "in the mind of the devil" he believes he has a short time to overthrow the throne of God. Ministers speak too quickly when they say "the devil knows his future." He might be blinded to his destiny. Why would the devil be working so hard to set up a utopia on earth with the purpose of usurping the throne of God? It is my opinion that he still believes he can accomplish this,otherwise the devil would have given up a long time ago. As a child of God I don't even know what is in store for me. "But as it is written,Eye hath not seen,nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1st Cor. 2:9.
 
There are so many examples of verses I can go over relative to this subject but I am limited to only a few due to time and space. I just want to write about the good and holy for the rest of this article because the Holy Spirit has shown me some insights that will encourage you and uplift your spirit. The bad news, as to how the devil copies this number will have to wait until Part Two which will come out tomorrow.
 
According to Isaiah chapter 6 the Seraphims are worshipping God in heaven and they are crying ... "Holy,Holy,Holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory." These praises are uttered in stanzas of three. True to consistency the Bible in Revelation 4:8-9 says ..."And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy,Holy,Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was,and is, and is to come. (9) And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne,who liveth for ever and ever." The Apostle John saw the same heavenly reality that Isaiah witnessed.How did they see the same scene? They were not even in the same earthly time frame. They acknowledged the (3) tenses of eternity and for each of the Holies they gave (1) Glory (2) Honor and (3) Thanks. One individual said something to the order of "if you really want to worship God just open your Bible to Revelation chapters 4 and 5 and start praising God." Those that know God best are worshipping Him in this manner. Notice the (1) Glory (2)Honor and (3) Thanks that are given to God in connection with the (3) Holies. The Bible says "Glory to God in the highest." Luke 2:14. Jesus also talked about His Father being glorified in John 15:8. This is a praise for God the Father (Glory). The second Holy (Honor) is given to Jesus Christ. "That at the name of Je'sus every knee should bow,of things in heaven,and things in earth,and things under the earth (11) and that every tongue should confess that Je'sus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11. These verses are showing that Jesus Christ will get the Honor in connection with God the Father getting the Glory. The third praise given is Thanksgiving. In Acts chapter 2:5 Jesus said "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Ho'ly Ghost not many days hence."Jesus Christ Himself said "But the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father,even the Spirit of truth,which proceeded from the Father, He shall testify of me." The third (3) Holy,Thanksgiving is giving to the Holy Spirit because the third Person of the Trinity is comforting or helping believers. What do we say when someone helps us? If we have any kind of gratitude we say thank you.
 
As you can see the (1) Holy (2) Holy (3) Holy is consistent with the Old Testament (Isaiah) and each Holy is in connection with a specific attribute to God the Father (Glory),His Son Jesus Christ( Honor), and the Holy Spirit (Thanksgiving). Three is indeed the number of divine completion. We can certainly be comforted to understand that as believers in Jesus Christ the Triune Godhead is working our lives out for good as (1) God The Father (2) Jesus Christ His Son and (3) The Holy Spirit exercises their function inside of us. No wonder the Bible says..."If God be for us, who can be against us." Romans 8:31. I hope this study has blessed you as much as it has encouraged me. In Part 2 of "The Completeness of Three" I will get far more detailed on more examples showing not only the divine completion of this number but how Satan copies the original into his distorted form.It is because of his desire to overthrow the throne of God.There is the pure and the counterfeit involving this number and we as believers must be aware of this. If we understand the authentic Holy Nature of God, we will be able to spot the counterfeit with a discerning spirit because it is the Holy Spirit that shows us this truth. Romans 8:26-27. Part 2 will get a little more detailed and specific on this manner which will be out tomorrow.
 
Love in Christ
    Bob D.