THE DIVISION OF TWO
 
There are two schools of thought regarding this particular number among people that understand biblical numerics. The first would be that the primary meaning would be division or opposition with a sub theme of union or two becoming one. The latter opinion would be reversed in that the main theme would be union and the secondary would be that of division. I would say the first opinion would be correct but I would like to explain why I side with the former rather than the latter.God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ had a perfect relationship. In fact they still presently and always will have union as one. The only time God the Father's relationship with His Son was broken was when (past tense) Jesus Christ was dying on the cross at the ninth hour and shouted ... "My God,my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" This had to be because Jesus Christ was paying for the sins of mankind at that point in time. He became the perfect sacrificial atonement for our sins. Mark 15:34. The reason why the first opinion is most widely held is because we live in a sin fallen world. An example of this biblical number "two" goes all the way back to Genesis 1:2 which speaks of division as its' primary theme. Remember this was before the fall (sin).
 
I might be able to shed a little insight on this subject but since what I am about to explain is not my original topic I am just going to touch on this point. The Bible says in Genesis 1:1-2 "(1) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (2) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Verse two speaks of division. Did you notice the word "darkness?" The Bible says in John 9:5 that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Revelation 21:23 refers to Jesus Christ as the Lamb who is the light. Prior to creation this darkness would have had to have been created by God Himself. I heard a few good theologians talk about this subject and this caused me to search out the matter with interest. In eternity past when Lucifer and the fallen angels were cast out of heaven, Satan ( his latter name after the Fall) ruined Planet earth. Job 38:9 says "When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it." Isaiah 24:1 tells us that the Lord had to make the earth empty. From creation after Genesis 1:1 forward the earth has never been empty and never will be (future). I'm assuming it was a flood because Genesis 1:2 says ..."And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Jeremiah is speaking of "pre Genesis 1:1 " when he says in Jeremiah 4:27-28 "(27) For thus hath the Lord said, the whole world shall be desolate; yet I will not make a full end (28) For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black, because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it." "The black" would account for the darkness in Genesis 1:2. Remember Jeremiah also used the word "desolate." Even when God sets up a new heaven and a new earth after His millennial reign the earth will not be desolate or empty because Revelation 21:3 says ... the tabernacle of God is with men,and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." The question we really have to ask ourselves as we read Genesis 1:2 is "how did darkness and water get there or even exist in the first place?' My point is those previous verses I quoted had to be referring to "pre Genesis 1:1" conditions.
 
Perhaps there are more verses that would give reference to this; however, my point is that from the very beginning God associates the number 2 with division. True union and witness only come in relation to this biblical number when a child of God has true authentic obedience out of the ashes of division. To speak in brief terms, in this world the number 2 in the Bible is associated with division; however, if we have true faith in God through His Son Jesus Christ we can have union or witness with a partner that is a true believer. We are born in division; therefore, the good (union or witness) only comes after the bad (division). I prefer to look at this in the most positive light. "I can do all things through Jesus Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil: 4.13. God desires to bring us from the evil (division) into the good (union with Jesus Christ and other believers).
 
Adam, the first man placed humanity under a curse. Jesus Christ the second man became the curse for us. If we accept Him into our heats this is referred to as the "second birth." "Marvel not that I say unto thee,ye must be born again." John:3:7. When an individual makes this decision he or she is saved from the "second death." They will go to heaven rather than a place called hell. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.
 
I just want to point out a few more truths regarding this number. The second act by God in His creation was the "dividing" of light from darkness. On the second day God "divided" the waters. The second division in the book of Genesis describes the fall and the "second" being (the devil). The "second" book of the Bible (Exodus) opens with oppression and division.
 
I am just going to give some examples but isn't it interesting that it did not take God long to set up a number that represents division because created creatures are fast to disobey God. The proof is in God's numbering system (one;unity and two; division). God sets forth this principle over and over again. In Psalm 2:1-3 " Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? (2) The Kings of the earth set themselves,and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His anointed, saying (3) Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." These verses speak of man's enmity toward God.This sad truth is in Psalm" 2." Man is seen here dividing themselves from God in "division."
 
If you know anything about the "second" books of the New Testament they all have a main theme of "division." 2nd Cor. (Power of Satan) 2nd Thes. (the future Antichrist) 2nd Timothy (the church in division) 2nd Peter (Future Apostasy) and 2nd John ( the general principle of Antichrist). Jesus Christ Himself taught contrast teaching all the time which involved "two." This always had its' main theme in the (1) good example and the (2) bad example. The two foundations; Matthew 7,the two gates; the straight gate and the wide gate also found in Matthew 7. One is good and the other is bad (division).
 
There are just too many examples to go over in Scripture but of course I desire to end on a positive note. Jesus Christ sent His disciples two by two. They agreed and this added strength to their witness. We are Christians. We can choose to be obedient toward God and have union with His Son Jesus Christ and fellow Believers.(31) "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh (32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church." Eph.5:31-32. There have been ministries that could not get along and as a result they lost their "witness" (the principle of two becoming one in Christ). We have the privilege and responsibility of understanding and applying this ..."great mystery." According to the Bible the church will have strength when we understand that we are joined to Jesus Christ and live out this principle with fellow believers and witness to the world about the good news of the gospel.
 
Hoping this study shed some insight,
                Bob D.