Bob D (6 March 2007)
"Four and the World System   Part One"

 
Four and the World System   Part One
   
Suppose we are in our home or apartment. In all those rooms there are four walls surrounding us. Since we live in a sinful world the number 4 in the Bible seems to be associated with confinement on planet earth. Some people will believe me when I say this and others will not but we truly live in a prison on this earth. Jesus Christ is not the God of this world, but He is still in perfect control. This is what the Bible teaches. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2nd Cor.4.4. It's sad that life has to be this way. In fact it is downright depressing but Jesus Christ sees the big picture and He knows exactly what He is doing. Notice the verse that I just quoted using the term ..."god of this world", with a small g not a big G. This verse is referring to the devil.That is bad enough, but to be blinded to the glorious gospel of Christ seals the fate of a person to an even greater predicament in the afterlife. So what is our existence down here all about from Gods' point of view? Coming to know His Son Jesus Christ as our very own personal Savior. As you will soon see through this exciting study of the biblical meaning of the number"4", many insightful and rejoicing truths will become evident as you continue reading about this wonderful alternative God gives people in this hopeless world.
 
There are verses in the Bible that speak of the number 4 from the backdrop of creation in this sinful world. There are transcendent verses relative to the number 4 that speak of the love of God and His grace. Some four fold "descriptions" point to Jesus Christ Himself. We serve a God that cares for us very deeply. He understands we are in the parameter of 4 walls but our Savior also desires us to experience His grace which is incomprehensible. As you will see, God gives one other alternative to the meaning of this very unique number.This is the Love of God in a (4) world that seeks to tear us down. God desires to build us up through His Son Jesus Christ. As you will soon see this number has a two fold meaning. The number starts out with four walls; however, there is a transcendent part to this subject if a person says "yes" to Jesus Christ.
 
Let me get into the meat of what the Bible indicates. Some Christians believe in numeric juxtapositions in Scripture. Others do not. Of course some have no opinion. I think in this subject we should start with Satan because he is the originator of sin. He is not only the "god" of this world but he is the author of all the pain and suffering in this world. In Revelation chapter 20 ( the number of Redemption) in verse 2 ( the number of division against God) Satan is given "4" titles. (1) Dragon, (2) Old Serpent, (3) Devil, and (4) Satan. This is the very chapter where Jesus Christ Himself is redeeming planet earth before the start of His millennial reign. Satan divides (verse 2) and "4" titles are ascribed to him in this "world" of bondage. Either I am seeing things or the Holy Spirit allowed that verse to be positioned perfect. What other combination would work in the way that context was worded?
 
The apostle Paul said in 2nd Cor:4:8-9 that he was (1) troubled (2) perplexed (3) persecuted and (4) cast down. As of now the apostle Paul is in heaven worshipping God but as long as he was on earth, the range of his suffering went into 4 different spheres. Since Paul chose the second part ( 2 also has a meaning of union with God from the ashes of division) and relied upon the Grace of God,peace and mercy were granted to him as he (1) was not distressed (2) was not in despair (3) was not forsaken and (4) was not destroyed. This was the strength of God literally working through Paul as he endured these (4) sufferings and sure enough God being faithful worked (4) solutions through his life.He was not bound by the (4) walls of life but was transcended into the (4) dimensions of the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ.
 
Trying to explain this to unbelievers or even believers, that we serve a good God is difficult because a person has to experience His graciousness through the troubles of this (4) world to understand. Otherwise an individual is just going to say things like "It is bad" or "these people are horrible," or "I don't know how much more I can take." This is why it is a true saying when we say "we have the good news of Jesus Christ", because we do live in such an evil world. There is no other answer because Jesus said ... "I am the way,the truth,and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. Even when I observe an unbeliever or a not so serious believer in Jesus Christ pursue the world, it seems to me that it is a fleeting moment at best that just sort of passes away.
 
Romans 8:19-22 says (19)" For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope (21) because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." Creation and creature go hand in hand. This is mentioned "4" times in "4" different verses right in a row; however, it is never mentioned in any other part of Romans chapter 8. The Holy Spirit is trying to say that Creation and creatures in this present world system is positioned in a set of "4".
 
It has been said that everything material in this created universe was finished by the "fourth" day. In fact on the first day of creation in Genesis chapter 1:3-5 God (1) let (2) saw (3) divided and (4) called. As I read through Genesis chapter one which is truly one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible, I saw how strong and mighty God is and how weak and helpless I am. God is the only one that can act on anything.People are only capable of responding.The rapture of the church is an "act" of God. Are you ready? One must accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior to be a part of this glorious event. Titus 2:10. The body of Christ is very close to this blessed hope.
 
The city of Damascus is the oldest inhabited place in world history and it has a gematria value of "444". It is a symbol of corruption in this earthly system and the total numerical sum of this city is steeped in  3 "fours." God is in essence saying this world system that we live in is filled with apostasy and "4" is the designated number that He has chosen to represent this corrupt world.
 
This is why it is so important to reach out to a family member,friend or stranger with the saving message of Jesus Christ. There is little time to do this because God is about to close this present dispensation of grace. In Part Two which will come out tomorrow, I would like to get far more detailed on the biblical meaning of this number. I would also like to show you the Godly Transcendent version or the good news of the meaning of 4. "May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height (19) and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 2:11.(1) breath (2) length (3) depth and (4) height.
 
I have really enjoyed a lot of the biblical numeric books in print but I have yet to read one that focuses in on the love of God in relation to the number 4.The focus is usually solely on creation and the world. The number 4 is very similar to the number 2 in the Bible. Two has a primary meaning of division against God with the possibility of union with God through Jesus Christ. Four has a primary meaning of this world system ( the bad ) with the possibility of experiencing the love of God ( the Good ). In Part Two one of the things I will get far more detailed on is exactly "why" (1) breath (2) length (3) depth and (4) height are in a sequence of "four." I was relieved as the Holy Spirit released this comforting truth to me. If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior,God desires you to experience the (1) breath (2) length (3) depth and (4) height of His love toward you. I think the question we have to ask ourselves is do we want the corruption of this present world system or the love of God. We have a choice, but I think the answer is obvious!
 
Until next time. I am looking forward to sharing with you again,
 
             Bob D.