Gregory M. Wilson (13 March 2016)

Re: John Tng, "The Secrets hidden in Strong's Numbers"

 

John: 

I read your letter today titled, "The Secrets hidden in Strong's numbers".  I have never really looked into Strong's as a source of inspirational materials.  I have kept my inquiries limited to the Scriptures.  So, you intrigued me with your analysis.   I am sure that God is able to communicate in the mediums which He chooses.  I have never studied the bases for Strong's

organizational presentation of Hebrew and Greek words.   So, I gave Strong's words a test in my areas of focus..."the end of days".

As I have written, I believe the organization of the Scriptures is inspired.  The evidence for this is simply overwhelming.   My studies of this organization have lead me to consider numeric themes which lead into understanding.   Jesus does instruct us that it is wisdom to read the words as numbers. (Revelation 13:18)  I believe the organization in terms of verse order, verse number, chapter order, chapter number, etc. all teach themes which support the literal meaning of Scriptures. 

I believe that the Scriptures present a theme for the Year 2016 which deals with the "times of the end", "the end of days", the "Time of Jacob's Trouble", the "Tribulation as told in the Book of Revelation and indirectly, the Rapture of "Christ's Own".

I believe the focus of all of this is Israel.  The "body of Christ" nears its fullness.  Now, it is all about Israel.  As we approach the 70th prophetic year of Israel's re-gathering into the land, God is setting the stage for their return to Him.

I reviewed the numbers 2016, 2216 and 22016, a focus of my studies,  in the context of Strong's Hebrew and Greek words.   Keep in mind that the zero of 22016 is a place holder with the emphasis on the 22 and 16.

Strong' s Hebrew number 2016 is  word "hephek".  It means contrary, contrariness or perversity.  It occurs twice in Scripture at Ezekiel 16:34.   This word is used in the context of Israel seeking after foreign gods.  God describes Israel as a wife which commits adultery.  Thus, Israel is "contrary"  to their God.  God judges Israel.  However, in Verse 60 of this 63 verse chapter, God declares that "He will remember His covenant and will establish an everlasting covenant with Israel."  This an "end of days" context which will begin at the "day of the Lord" and continue into the Millennium promise and eternity.

Strong's Greek number 2016 is "epiphanes".  I must admit my surprise when I observed this word.  The word "epiphanes" has a traditional meaning as a manifestation of divine.  Strong's defines it as "notable" and "glorious".   The use of this word appears one time in the New Testament.  A single occurrence is worthy of notation.  It appears in Acts 2:20.   Before reading Acts 2:20 (22) I observe that most occurrences of 22 involve Jesus and God's revelation.  Psalm 22 is a good example. 

In terms of Bible organization by Chapter and Verse John 20:16 (2016) presents an interesting coincidence.  This verse is the first person Jesus spoke to after His resurrection.  It is an ephiphany where Jesus calls "Mary" by her name.  This is what may happen at the Rapture when we will be called by name.  It is interesting that it follows the 2016 theme of an "end of the age" event.

Acts 2:20 states: "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:"  Here is an example of a 2016 numeric theme supporting the "day of the Lord".   Following a pre-tribulational removal of "Christ's own" (rapture), we have a  double reference possibility in the traditional meaning of epiphany.  Certainly, Christ appearing for "His own" is the central theme of the future rapture event known as the "Day of Christ". (2 Thessalonians 2:2) (222).

Strong's Hebrew number 2216 is the word "Zerubbabel".  Zerubbabel was the leader of the Jews returning from the Babylonian exile.  The name Zerubbabel means "begotten in Babylon".  Zerubbabel was born in Babylon, the son of Salatheil.  Zerubbabel lead the "remnant" of Israel back to Jerusalem.   A majority of Jews remained in Babylon.   Ezra 2:2 names Zerubbabel as the leader.  It is interesting that the second name behind Zerubbabel in this verse is Jeshua.  The meaning of Jeshua is "God saves".  This is Jesus' Hebrew name.   I would expect a modern day Jew or "end of days" Zerubbabel to lead the remnant Israel back to the Lord God, Yeshua.

Strong's Greek number 2216 is also the word "Zerubbabel".  This is an interesting coincidence.   This name appears three times in the New Testament.  It appears in Matthew 1:12, 13; Luke 3:27.  Notably, the name Zerubbabel appears in the lineage of Jesus.   As I stated above, the Scriptures of Truth teach that Israel, the remnant who turn from "transgression in Jacob", shall be saved.  This remnant is defined by God as "all Israel".  Jews who reject Jesus are excluded.  An "end of days" Zerubbabel will arise and lead a remnant of Jewish believers in Christ Yeshua during the time of Jacob's Trouble.

The "Day of the Lord" will commence the "Time of Jacob's Trouble".   This day will begin the 70th Week of Daniel, as detailed  in the 22  Chapters of the Book of Revelation.  Daniel's 70th Week is Daniel 9:27, the 22,016th verse of the Bible.   The "day of the Lord" is associated with this verse number.

While studying this matter, I noted Peter's words in Matthew 1:17.  I was lead into curiosity as to why Peter divided the generations from Abraham to Christ in the manner of Abraham to David, David to Babylon, and Babylon to Christ.  Why did Peter put Babylon in the center of the discussion ?

Is it Babylon which stands in the way of Israel receiving the promises of Abraham ?  Is the 70-year Babylonian exile relevant today ?   I think it may be very relevant.  First, the 70-year Babylonian exile represented Israel's penalty for rebellion against God.  They were "physically" exiled because they failed to keep God's commandment, the Sabbath rest of the land.  The Shekinah glory departed the Temple prior to their exile.   This 70-year period's purpose, among other things, represented a generational shift away from the disobedient leadership.  The ungodly leaders died in Babylon.   A new generation representing those whose hearts longed for God and Jerusalem were raised up.  Zerubbabel was one such man.

If we are called to consider Israel's relationship to Babylon today, we would say that Israel presently stands in disobedience to God's commandments, particularly in reference to the Lord of the Sabbath.  Israel rejected the Lord of the Sabbath.  We all know that Israel's re-gathering into the land is the "super sign" of the end of the Age.  As we approach that 70th Year (prophetic year of 360 days) from 1947/48, God is preparing a generation, a remnant, who will long for Him, long for the Lord God of their fathers.   70 prophetic years equals 69 solar years.  2016/2017 is in the 70-year prophetic window.  Israel's 70th prophetic year (Year 5777)  begins on Rosh Hashanah September 2, 2016.  (Torah Calendar)

I believe that Israel is presently in "Babylon" today.  While they may be physically in the land, they are yet in "spiritual exile" far from God's heart.  They must be gathered as a distinct people in the land because God's judgment will be directed at them nationally.

In conclusion,  I see no contradiction in numeric themes as suggested by Strong's numeric order of Hebrew and Greek words.  I see unity of numeric themes in the context of my area of study.

We stand at the end of the Age of Pentecost.  Year 2016 is a "high hopeful watch year" for the Day of Christ is near, even at the door.  

As the Feast of Pentecost approaches (May 14/15) we wait expectantly for the glorious appearing of our Lord.  What the Lord began on the First Pentecost with the deposit of the Holy Spirit, He will finish on the Last Pentecost with the redemption of the body. 

Pentecost, a finished work, the Body of Christ, complete.   (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

 

Gregory M. Wilson
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Thanks, Greg!
John