The completion of seven and the soon return of Jesus Christ  Part One
 
As I studied the first 7 numbers in the Bible I discovered many practical and prophetic truths about God and man. This is one of the most exciting numbers in the Bible because it shows us beyond a shadow of a doubt that the return of Jesus Christ is close at hand.
 
I would like to thank the writers on fivedoves for always giving me new and fresh insights.I tried to find every fact and clue both small and great to verify that these truths are plausible and believable from the backdrop of this particular subject.
 
First I wrote about the number "6" then compared it to"7"in another printing. Both articles showed how close we are to the return of Jesus Christ.Now I get to write about perfection and completeness in its' most pure form. It is the number where God unmistakably makes His point that He is about to culminate His redemptive plan. The theme of this number starts with creation and ends with redemption. Stop to think about what I just said. God created the world and the number 7 is rooted in the Genesis account (7 days of creation). God will finally judge this earth in the book of Revelation and the whole scenario is completely surrounded by sevens. Some people may ask, "isn't creation just the opposite of judgment?" Yes but the wrath of God brings about a new righteous beginning in and through the Person of Jesus Christ.
 
This is when God cleanses the world somewhat similar to how He did it during the flood in the days of Noah, only in a different way. A question may arise in the minds of certain people. If the number 7 means spiritual perfection and completeness in different contexts of the Bible, why is it connected to judgment? "Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female"....Genesis 7:2. Here we see an indication regarding the motive of God before the flood. He desired cleanliness and the cleansing of planet earth. One of the proofs in the Bible is the clean beasts of the earth and the number seven are in connection with one another."And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth." Genesis 7:10. Notice the portion of this verse that says "after seven days." All the "clean beasts" were in sets of seven. God had full intention of cleansing the earth and He went through with this action. He waited 7 days before He judged the world with a flood. So we see here that the perfection and completeness of God is associated with Him cleansing and judging the earth in certain contexts of Scripture. This is one of the reasons why there are so many sevens that surround the book of Revelation.
 
The whole Bible is rooted in this very number (7) especially in the first book of the Bible (Genesis) leading up to the last book (Revelation). I am going to delve into why seven is used more deeply in the book of Revelation when compared to other books of the Bible. Just look and think about these numbers ( 1 through 7 ) in this form. 1,2,3,4,5,6, and 7. Seven is the last number in a series which speaks of culmination and completion packaged in the perfection of God Himself. Eight starts a new beginning. I desire to display how simple this really is,so don't for a moment believe this is complicated math. Some of my ideas,opinions and insights may be new but they are not difficult.
 
Not everyone that is reading this article knows about the way the Psalms are prophetic but the discovery has been confirmed. Each Psalm, chapter by chapter corresponds to a year in the 20th and 21st century.Psalm 48 (1948), Psalm 73 (1973) or Psalm 91 (1991). This pattern, sometimes strict to the letter, sometimes loose in a cluster of Psalms seems to be going into the 21st century.God has plenty to say about this very generation that we live in at this point. Psalms 107 through 113 are without a doubt describing the 7 year tribulation period on planet earth. Because of this fact I can only come to the conclusion that God sees these specific years as very important.God is going to accomplish His will through His Sovereignty and Action. Seven years of tribulation are going to effect the whole world.
 
The book of Revelation is surrounded by sets of sevens and the primary theme is end time Bible prophecy centered around Jesus Christ Himself.This is one of the main points that we never want to forget.The redemptive plan of God for His children/world and the number 7 are tied together very closely.When the rapture of the Church takes place God will judge the world and set up His own kingdom through His Son Jesus Christ. So please keep this fact in mind as I explain some more points that are pertinent to our close departure. You will soon see what I am talking about.
 
"Seven" Psalms for this future period of time (Psalms 107 through 113) which I believe is right at hand are set up in the form of a "seven" candlestick menorah design with the servant candle Psalm right in the middle (Psalm 110). I feel so joyous as I write about this number because a vivid description is seen not only through the meaning of the number 7 in the context by which it is used but this layout of the prophetic Psalms is so perfect, especially in light of how close we really are to the rapture of the Church! Why is the Blessed Hope for Christians so near? It is so close because the "7" year tribulation period is just about to start very soon.
 
There has been talk of a peace covenant in the Middle East because Israel is desperate at this point.Figuratively speaking they are being brought to their knees. This is why certain prominent politicians desire a peace treaty right now. A "7" year peace covenant starts the "7" year tribulation period according to Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 6:2.This is when the antichrist makes his appearance. Because of all the chaos in the Middle East a peace treaty is in the making and statesmen (diplomats) are serious about this issue.This is exactly what the Bible teaches.
 
For years I have not heard too much about a treaty in the making, but now I am reading about proposals for this and they want it done soon.They probably have no idea that their responses are helping  to fulfill the prophetic plan of God! All I have heard about was war and it almost seemed like most people around the world were helpless to bring about peace in the past few years.
 
The European Union's Foreign Policy Chief was at the very least trying to plan a meeting with the Quartet (United States,Russia,United Nations, European Union) to talk about a peace settlement for a two state solution in the middle east. According to the Bible the rapture takes place before this treaty is confirmed. Before that particular contract (treaty) is confirmed I believe chaos in the middle east may break out in a far bigger way than we have observed in the past few years. This will be the precedent for Daniel 9:27 to be fulfilled to start the "7" year tribulation period. "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week"...(7 years). Christians will be raptured into heaven first, so they will not be able to see the antichrist confirm this 7 year peace covenant whomever he may be.I don't know what Christians will be able to observe from heaven.
 
I guess my mind is trained to look for the prophecy in something tangible. It is not only the chaos surrounding Israel and the soon coming peace covenant about to be confirmed. It is the small observances that I am seeing. Tim Lahaye's last novel is out and there will be no more. Why would God raise up a series of books (novels) to explain end time Bible prophecy by the millions if this was not the generation that God had in mind? Those consecutive novels started in the 1990's, one right after the other in order.I have always believed that there was something prophetic about these books and the "timing" by which the novels came out.
 
Another point I would like to make is some of the long time Christian leaders over the past 3 and 4 generations have died or are about to pass away. One example would be Dr.Jerry Falwell. Regardless as to what you thought of this man and his opinions, he lived a godly life in my opinion. I remember the day he passed away because I was in a pizza shop watching  television. I saw people talk about this man and it sort of went like this. "I loved the man, I hated the man, I loved the man, I hated the man." The first thing I said to myself was- "there is something very prophetic about the passing away of Jerry Falwell." I knew I was right; however, I could not put my finger on it.Later I found out that he died right around the same day of the birth date of the Nation of Israel. The man was a staunch supporter of this country and he perhaps produced more missionaries on the face of the earth for Jesus Christ through his Christian school than any other person. That I am not sure of but prophetically God seemed to be pointing to Israel through his passing away.
 
This will have to end Part One of Three on this subject because the Holy Spirit has showed me many prophetic signs of the times as I analyzed this number from a biblical backdrop.I was able to relate it to end time biblical prophecy. Part Two will be out tomorrow and Part Three the next day. I am excited about some of the truths that the Holy Spirit has been revealing to me.It is of great comfort to see Bible prophecy come together exactly the way the Scriptures said it would.
 
Bob D.