Clay,

You recently posted about Rebekah, gematria 343, being a type of the Bride of Christ: http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/sep2010/clay923-1.htm  As I read the following headline today, "STOCKHOLM – A Pakistani jet with 273 passengers aboard was diverted to Stockholm for several hours Saturday due to a bomb threat." I was reminded that the number 273 is the "number of the church" as revealed in the scripture. It is interesting that the number of the church plus 70 would equal the gematria for Rebekah, a type of the bride.

I have posted on how the number for the church was supernaturally revealed in the past, but if you aren't aware of this, you might want to keep it in mind. Briefly, here are some of the significant references in the scripture:

Num. 3:46 There were 273 firstborn over and above the number of the Levites that were redeemed by silver

Acts 1:15 & John 21:11 The beginning of the church, 120 in the upper room, plus the 153 fish (nations) representing the fullness of the church equal 273.

Acts 27:37 (note the chapter, verse numbers) There were 273 souls saved on the prison ship (276 total) due to the presence of the 3 ministers of God, Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus.

Also as previously noted, -273 Celsius is absolute zero Kelvin. Take the church out of this earth and it couldn't get any colder!

I don't have any idea how, but I believe the number 273 will wind up being significant to the church or rapture before we leave here. It also might be noteworthy that the pastor to whom God revealed the number of church being 273 was born on the 273rd day of the year, counting backward from the last day. When he inquired why God counted his birth date backward from the end of the year, the Holy Spirit told him that it wouldn't be correct during leap years if he had counted forward. Just something to consider!

David Robinson