Four and the World System   Part Two
 
There are so many examples of how the context of the number 4 is used in the Bible that I had to break this article into two parts. If you desire to read Part One, here is the link. I'm sure it will be a real blessing to you.
 
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/mar2007/bobd36.htm
 
To speak in very brief terms, the number four according to the Bible involves this world system. If we chose to pursue the love of God and experience this through His Son Jesus Christ the dimension of "four" is elevated to a higher incomprehensible level that is simply beyond us to understand in a good way. So long as we are on this earth as human beings this is the hope that God has given every person. I found something very special in studying this number.There is a fork in the road. We can choose evil or we can pursue the goodness and love of God. There is a two fold meaning regarding four in Scripture and I am very eager to show  this principle to you.There is the evil and the good. God did not abandon us down here. Jesus Christ offers His love to us in this evil world and we cannot really understand this. I would like to explain this in a little more detail as this article progress.
 
I almost feel guilty to give you more examples on the number 4 and this world system (evil) because I want to talk about the good and just bypass the bad. You and I both know that life does not resemble this reality. For example if a movie just shows the good and leaves out the bad, then only one side of the story is being told.
 
In the beginning of the Bible the Holy Spirit starts to categorize this world system into segments of "fours." After the flood the sons of Noah are always in sets of four three different times. "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided into their lands; every one after his tongue,after their families, in their nations." Genesis 10:5. (1) lands; (2) tongues (3) families (4) nations. "These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations." Genesis 10:20. (1) families (2) tongues (3) countries (4) nations. "These are the sons of Shem, after their families,after their tongues,in their lands,after their nations." Genesis 10:31. (1) families (2) tongues (3)lands (4) nations. This is the repopulation of the world after the flood in "fours." This truth goes all the way to the book of Revelation, ..."and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation." Revelation 5:9. (1) kindred (2) tongues (3) people (4) nations.
 
According to the Bible there are four living creatures but they represent those redeemed on this (4) earth. That is why there are "four." To phrase this another way the focal point of "redemption" is on planet earth even though they are in heaven. According to Revelation 4:7 the Bible says "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf,and the third beast has a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle." Ezekiel saw the four living creatures in chapter 1; verses 5-10. How is it that Ezekiel and the Apostle John saw the same vision? (1) Lion (2) Calf (3) Man (4) Flying Eagle. Each of the "4" living creatures in consecutive order matches the "4" gospels from Matthew to John.(1) Lion (Matthew) King of the Jews (2) Calf (Mark) pictures our Savior Jesus Christ as obedient to His Father in heaven; hard working (3) Man (Luke) Jesus Christ was the perfect man. The book of Luke does highlight this feature of our Savior (4) Flying Eagle (John). This seems to picture the heavenly origin of Jesus Christ. His oneness with God the Father. John does indeed highlight this truth many times in his writings. Notice there are "4" gospels because these are the books of the Bible that show Jesus Christ walking on planet earth.
 
It is very interesting to me that Jesus Christ starts His judgment on planet earth with "four horses", according to Revelation 6:1-8. (1) White (antichrist) (2) Red (War) (3) Black (Financial ruin) and (4) Pale (the result of the antichrist,war and financial ruin which leads to a fourth part of the earth with death). Most people that follow end time Bible prophecy would agree that this world is very close to these four horses. I believe they are getting closer to planet earth every day. I thank God for His rapture which will take place before this judgment. God offers hope for His children, not wrath. It would have to be obvious that four is dealing with this world, but don't get discouraged because I am going to show you something special regarding the love of God and how it relates to this number in Scripture.
 
In Daniel chapter 7 it was Daniel himself that had a dream. The first thing he saw was..."the four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea." Daniel 7:2. Winds can only come from four different directions on this earth and the sea in Scripture always symbolizes unrest on planet earth. This is why when God sets up a new heaven and a new earth after the 1000 year millennial reign on earth.The Bible says "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." Revelation 21:1. Nations will no longer have an opportunity to jostle for power in strife and division. In Daniel chapter 7 right from the start "4" winds are described in turmoil. The dream in this chapter shows the "4" world powers. (1) Babylon (2) Medo-Persia (3) Greece (4) Rome. Winds,sea,war,and power. God understands there is nothing but strife in this old world. That is why we as Christians are looking for Gods' new heaven and earth which will be perfect. The truth of the manner is when God does this in the future "4" is still going to be very much a part of the dimensions because His new earth will be four square. "And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breath: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breath and the height of it are equal." Revelation 21:16. Notice some of the terms the Apostle John uses as he describes this city of the love of God. Length,breath and height. This is similar to the verse I quoted at the end of Part One. "May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breath, 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." Eph.3:18-19. Both passages are referring to the love of God. They are just in a different context. (1) breath (2) length (3) depth (4) height."Four" dimensions are incomprehensible. Our minds can understand (1),(2),(3) but when that "fourth" dimension is added we have no real perception.This is exactly why the Bible says "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge."
 
This is the wonderful message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are born into this (4) world of sin and corruption with no real knowledge of God. Somebody gives us the precious eternal plan of God through His Son Jesus Christ and we accept Him into our hearts as our very own personal Savior. At that point we passed from (4) world into (4) dimensions to comprehend (1) breadth (2) length (3) depth and (4) height of the love of God which we can not truly understand. As Christians we can go back to living in the "four" walls of this world or we can allow God to bring us to the latter meaning of the number four.  "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Eph 3:9. The choice is up to us. Remember we are destined for a New Jerusalem which will be four-square.This "four-square" will be surrounded by the love of God. I personally believe this city will be the capital of Heaven. Whatever we are doing now should match what we will be actively engaged in for all eternity because that is our destiny. These "four" walls that surround us now are just temporary. God has something so much bigger for us. We should say yes to this step of faith so we can know the love of Jesus Christ and be filled with all the fullness of God.
 
Rejoicing in this wonderful truth of God,
 
               Bob D.