Six, Sin and 6000 years of World Kingdoms.   Part Three
 
It is my privilege to write Part Three on this exciting subject that God has laid out in Scripture. There is so much to this that I actually had to break these articles down into three parts. Part One,Two, and Three came out right in a row. Part One was posted on fivedoves.com on 05/15/07. Part two was posted on 05/16/07. This is the last article on this very exciting subject, which I have no doubt will strengthen your blessed hope as we look with anticipation to the rapture of the church!
 
 
One of the points that I would like to make is not only does the Bible speak of six days of labor but sorrow is associated with this.  According to the Bible, labor and sorrow go hand in hand. After the fall, the punishment of Adam in essence had two elements (labor and sorrow) in the decree of God. In like manner the world has been laboring with sorrow for approximately 6000 years.
 
 
Sin and Satan are connected with the number six. Satan is actually the sixth character that appears in Scripture. From the (3)Trinity to Adam and Eve to Satan. This would follow an order because when Jesus Christ was tempted in Matthew and Luke, not only is devil, tempter and Satan mentioned for a total of six times in each account, but Satan is written both times in the number 6 position.
 
 
Relating this to prophecy, people sometimes wonder why 6,6000 years and 666 are all tied in with one another. When Nebuchadnezzar executed an image of himself, he actually desired people to worship him. If they did not, there was a penalty of death. The dimensions were sixty cubits high. Measuring around it were six cubits. The whole book of Daniel centers around the history of world powers to the consummation of the future 7 year tribulation into the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.
 
Nebucahadzezzar was a type of the future antichrist. Here a precursor is given in the form of 6 around his image. According to Revelation chapter 13 an image is also made for the purpose of worship to the antichrist or once again death will take place. In the last verse of Revelation 13:18 the number of this future beast is 666. This number will probably be the equivalent of his name. Daniel, the book of Revelation, images,666,six thousand years. At the very least to me, this principle could not be more clear.
 
 
During the period of law in the Old Testament if a Jewish person was guilty of killing another by mistake they could flee to 6 cities of refuge according to Numbers 35. Joshua said in chapter 20 that the guilty avenger would then stay there until the high priest died. The reason why there was not a seventh city is because that is reserved for the kingdom. Nobody needs anything for the Sabbath. This was in a Jewish context under the law. The High Priest is Jesus Christ. According to Psalm 110:4,Melchizedek who at the very least was a type of the future priesthood of the Messiah (Jesus Christ) is taking over the nations of the world in the middle of the soon coming 7 year tribulation period. In Hebrews 5:7 Melchizedek and Jesus Christ are compared as the High Priest. The Bible is connecting the 6 cities and the High Priest together (6000 years)! Jesus Christ is coming very soon!
 
 
One must understand that all this symbolism stands for the world not the church. When the body of Christ is raptured they are at rest in heaven. I personally believe Jesus Christ does not start to take control of this world until the middle of the 7 year tribulation period. These are two different time periods. In all fairness Christians do have different opinions on this, but we are still in the general ballpark of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.This should give a true believer in Jesus Christ much comfort.
 
There are just so many examples. There was the marriage of Cana in John chapter 2. There were 6 waterpots of stone. The whole context was talking about wine and purifying. Notice in this chapter Jesus had filled all six pots with water. Based on this principle we need to understand that there was no need for purification in a seventh waterpot. If that was the case Jesus would have filled 7 jars with water. Only 6 were needed for purification. In the seventh millennium Jesus Christ will rule. He even said In Matthew 12 and Mark 2 that He is Lord over the Sabbath Day.
 
The number six in Scripture has always been connected with Satan and sin. I like when Jesus asked in Mark chapter 3, (1) How (2) can (3) Satan (4) cast (5) out (6) Satan? The word Satan is even mentioned 2 times ( the number of division ), the very subject our Savior is talking about in that context. The numbering system of God is perfect. Don't get too caught up in the details as much as to understand the basic idea of 6 and 6000 years. It is actually a very simple principle.
 
In the Old Testament and 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 the day of the Lord is spoken of several times. The word "day" intrigues me. Nothing in the Bible is there by accident. The description on each day of creation does seem to match their corresponding millenniums in a general yet specific sense. 1st day of creation (4000 B.C. to 3000 B.C.), 2nd day of creation (3000 B.C. to 2000 B.C.), 3rd day of creation (2000 B.C. to 1000 B.C.), 4th day of creation ( 1000 B.C. to 1 A.D.),5th day of creation ( 1 A.D. to 1000 A.D.), 6th day of creation (1000 A.D. to 2000 A.D.). Due to time and space I don't have the time to get into any kind of detail on this subject. These dates are not exact but as long as you get the basic idea that is what I am primarily concerned with regarding this principle. In Hebrews 4:4-5 the Bible says "For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, and God did rest the seventh day from all His works. (5) And in this place again, if they shall enter into my rest." The book of Hebrews is speaking from a Jewish perspective. These verses are speaking of a Sabbath rest, not only practically but prophetically.
 
If one were to read the book of Revelation, it is by no coincidence to me that it is not until the 6th seal that the world really starts falling apart. The work of Satan is also seen in the sixth trumpet and the sixth vial.
 
In Revelation chapter 20 which is the very number of Redemption, the very first thing Jesus Christ does is bind the devil for 1000 years. The particular text mentions this 6 times in a row through the pen of the Apostle John. Why not just mention it once? The very name of Satan is even mentioned at the sixth point. It could be that each time ( 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 ) stands for a millennium. This very much reminds me of Psalm 107.There are 7 reverse hebrew Nuns in verses 23,24,25,26,27,28 and 40. This chapter starts the 5th section of the Psalms. Five stands for grace. This last and final Deuteronomy section (the first four being Genesis,Exodus,Leviticus,and Numbers) speaks about the ultimate purpose of God which is to shower His grace in the 1000 year future reign of Himself. Jesus Christ will rule from Jerusalem. Six verses in a row, perhaps representing 6 millenniums of human history.I believe it is just like our Lord Jesus Christ to specifically remember each and every millennium. I will admit with all of this evidence I can not necessary understand everything on this side but some day in heaven Jesus Christ Himself will give me and all of us the greatest lessons on His perfect order.I am looking forward to this!
 
Remember the kingdoms of this world will be under the rule of Jesus Christ when He reigns. God lays out this general principle just like the rapture, 7 year tribulation and millennium. Another example would be walking by faith,trusting God and being blessed. These are general principles to be perhaps explored in a more specific way.The 6 days of creation with the 7th being a day of rest, and relating it to end time biblical prophecy is no different.
 
I can only speak for myself. This subject gives me great comfort because I am a Christian. Are you ready? "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Make that all important eternal decision today! Hope to see you on the other side! This world is somewhere around that 6000 years of human history. If Jesus Christ were to return in the rapture tonight or tomorrow would you be a part of this great event? The evidence is overwhelming, the time is at hand, and our blessed hope is soon. A wise person will say "yes" to Jesus Christ in a time when the stakes are so high.Wherever you are in life,just think about what I am saying and let God speak to your heart. Jesus Christ is willing, but you have to accept Him into your life by faith. A simple sincere prayer is all God desires. Of course He knows who is truly earnest and who is just saying words. Our honestly with Jesus Christ will determine where we will spend eternity.If you are not a believer why don't you give Jesus Christ a chance. He loves you more than you could ever know or imagine.
 
If you already are a believer in Jesus Christ and you have been watching and waiting for the rapture, I don't want you to lose heart or get discouraged. I know it is a hard world and I know that hope deferred makes the heart weak. I also know that after some 25 years of looking into this subject about our blessed hope we are very close. Please hang in there.This is my prayer for the suffering Christians that really desire to be with their Savior and Lord for all eternity. There is just a little more time.
Love in Jesus Christ
 
     Bob D.