I had posted earlier about counting up the numbers of the words "Second" and "Firstfruits" using the numbering scheme of a=1, b=2, ....j=10, k=20, etc. in the manner of both Hebrew and Greek gematria, and having "Second" = 222 and "Firstfruits" = 1110.  The number 2, as in "Second", repeated three times for emphasis, and the numbers 1, as in "First", repeated three times for emphasis.  Our Lord is not just Holy.  He is Holy, Holy, Holy.

 

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.  Revelation 4:8

 

What I hadn't noticed was that "Second Firstfruits" or 222 + 1110 = 1332.  And 1332 is exactly 666 + 666, the one number we are told to count as the number of the beast, if we are ones that have understanding:

 

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.  Revelation 13:18

 

One interesting point is that the analogy of Jesus rising from the dead on Firstfruits is to another person raised from the dead by Jesus, named "Lazarus", and to a SECOND "Lazarus", a different "Lazarus" of the same name, used by Jesus in a story of how even if someone came back from the dead, they would not believe.  Such a chosen name, twice, was not by chance.

 

Note that Lazarus under the same numbering scheme is 1322, 10 less.  To say that Lazarus, symbolizing the dead in Christ rising first, will rise first.  To me, the 1332 symbolizes that after the Rapture, the way is cleared for the beast to take over. 

 

Now using the numbering system of a=1....z=26.  Steve had brought up how he liked that "Rapture" = 99.  Note that "Lazarus" = 98, 1 less.  So again we have the symbolism of the dead in Christ rising first!   

 

Also note that "Second Firstfruits" in this numbering system = 225.  And, May 5th, 2007,  this year's "Second Firstfruits", is the 225th day of the Hebrew Calendar!

 

-Shalom

 

P.S.  The rapture is associated with both "ascension" into heaven and "trumpets", at the last trump.  The z=26 system has "ascension" equalling 99 and "trumpets" equalling 132.  And while 99 can be looked at as 66 * 1.5, 132 is 66 * 2.  Not double 666 but double 66.  And while 666 is the number of the beast, 66 is clearly the number for idol worship.  (These two words "ascension" and "trumpets", also are part of two other dates that because of this association, have been looked at also for the rapture, "ascension day" and "feast of trumpets".) 

 

P.S.S.  It is also interesting that counting up the number of "Six hundred threescore and six", taking the English translation maybe too literally, with all the chances the numbers would add up to an odd number, they come to: Six=709, hundred=461, threescore=566, andsix=764, for a total of exactly 2500.