I am so thankful that God speaks to all of His children. He speaks to me sometimes through numbers. What I mean is He uses numbers to convey His meaning, or even to encourage, or direct me. A great blessing He has given me in the way of numbers is a revelation of the number five. Every number in the bible has a meaning, significance, and great importance. Nothing is in God's word by mistake. He is a God of order and no human being, or super-computer can hold a candle to His brilliance. The number "five" stands for "grace"; that by which we are saved through faith. Here is a brief explanation of the grace of five.
In the beginning was God, and God is a triune being...Father (God), Son (Jesus/God), and Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit/God). So, in the beginning was our triune God...1, 2, 3 of them, completely individual, yet completely one. He/They- is/are- awesome! So while one stands for unity, two stands for division or simply implies that there is another. Then three is the basis of the two coming together, and again forming the unified "one" out of two. Three is divine perfection, and the three (the Holy Spirit) is third because He joins the two together to make them one again, thus joining the parts, as a part, and becoming a part of the one. Sometimes, when teaching this, I've drawn the Godhead as a triangle with the numbers 1, 2, 3 at the points. However, it would be more accurate (as if words or drawings could ever do the Lord any justice) to simply draw a circle, symbolizing the never ending oneness of our God.
In the beginning was God, and God is a triune being...Father (God), Son (Jesus/God), and Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit/God). So, in the beginning was our triune God...1, 2, 3 of them, completely individual, yet completely one. He/They- is/are- awesome! So while one stands for unity, two stands for division or simply implies that there is another. Then three is the basis of the two coming together, and again forming the unified "one" out of two. Three is divine perfection, and the three (the Holy Spirit) is third because He joins the two together to make them one again, thus joining the parts, as a part, and becoming a part of the one. Sometimes, when teaching this, I've drawn the Godhead as a triangle with the numbers 1, 2, 3 at the points. However, it would be more accurate (as if words or drawings could ever do the Lord any justice) to simply draw a circle, symbolizing the never ending oneness of our God.
Next we see something truly amazing. They (God) created. Yes in God's revelation/revealing of himself to man (the Bible), He begins by creating ("in the beginning God created" Genesis 1), thus adding everything created as His means of revealing Himself to created beings. Amazing, huh? He, who is unseen, or spiritual, revealed himself to us (natural, carnal, created beings which are created by Him) through things which can be seen, His creation. Thus adding one to the three, making four - the number of creation.
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they [men] are without excuse" Romans 1:20
The number four always speaks of creation. But we know that corruption entered into creation through pride, or sin. There was nothing we could do to redeem ourselves. So God sent His son, Jesus Christ, as our kinsman redeemer to reconcile us back to him. Redeeming us from vanity - having been subjected to it through the corruption that entered into the world.
This redemption has come, not as a reward for anything we could ever have done to deserve it, but by a redeemer. Jesus Christ is that redeemer, messiah, anointed one through who grace and truth have come. He loved us even in our weak and helpless state, while we were yet sinners. So we give this redemption, this amazing grace, the number five.
Here are a few of the definitions given for grace by the Free Online Dictionary:
grace n.
grace n.
a. A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill.
b. Mercy; clemency.
5. A favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence.
a. Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people.
b. The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God.
c. An excellence or power granted by God.
I simply say it is the unearned, unmerited, and undeserved blessing and favor of God.
Every time something in scripture is connected to the five, there will be a reference, or a type, of a model of God's grace. Here are a few examples.
-Father, Son, Spirit, Creation, Redemption = 5 great mysteries
-God added the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the h(hey) the symbol for the #5 to the names of Abram and Sarai, making them Abraham and Sarah when they were called to walk before God in a special way. It was then that God revealed Himself for the first time By El Shaddai, the "all bountiful one", able to provide all their needs, solely for his own purposes and not because it was deserved.
-The fifth book of the Bible, Deuteronomy, points to the grace of God. He makes sure to let us know that it is not as a result of our (the people's) goodness that He chose us and blesses us, but for His own name's sake...For Jesus.
-The life of Benjamin, who is a representative (type) of you, and me (the church), is marked by grace. The first time Joseph (a type of Jesus) saw him, he said "God be gracious to you, my son." Gen 43:29. Later when all the brothers ate with Joseph~ Benjamin's serving was five times as much as the others. Then again later, Benjamin was given five changes of clothes. God makes no mistake in His word. These indications of five/grace in the life of Benjamin are a message to you and me.
- When David slew Goliath he chose five smooth stones, and took him down with one.
-Father, Son, Spirit, Creation, Redemption = 5 great mysteries
-God added the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the h(hey) the symbol for the #5 to the names of Abram and Sarai, making them Abraham and Sarah when they were called to walk before God in a special way. It was then that God revealed Himself for the first time By El Shaddai, the "all bountiful one", able to provide all their needs, solely for his own purposes and not because it was deserved.
-The fifth book of the Bible, Deuteronomy, points to the grace of God. He makes sure to let us know that it is not as a result of our (the people's) goodness that He chose us and blesses us, but for His own name's sake...For Jesus.
-The life of Benjamin, who is a representative (type) of you, and me (the church), is marked by grace. The first time Joseph (a type of Jesus) saw him, he said "God be gracious to you, my son." Gen 43:29. Later when all the brothers ate with Joseph~ Benjamin's serving was five times as much as the others. Then again later, Benjamin was given five changes of clothes. God makes no mistake in His word. These indications of five/grace in the life of Benjamin are a message to you and me.
- When David slew Goliath he chose five smooth stones, and took him down with one.
- When Jesus was approached by His Goliath (Satan) in the wilderness, He also had five smooth stones; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. But He only used one, the fifth one, the book of Deuteronomy in every response to the Devil. Satan was easily defeated.
-The Children of Israel made five main offerings, all pointing to the one offering made by Jesus.
-Jesus took five loaves and fed five-thousand
-The fifth Psalm tells us how God surrounds us with His favor (grace) as a shield.
-The fifth book of the New Testament, Acts, tells of the amazing Acts of the Apostles who had recently scattered and even denied the Lord when trouble came. But now, under the influence of God's amazing grace and the power of the Holy Spirit they turn the world upside down.
I hope you will begin to research the fives of the Bible. You will be amazed that when you find a connection to the number five there will somehow always be a link to God's grace. I pray that it strengthens your faith as you see more and more that no human being could have linked so many references to this beautiful gift of God. Our Bible is truly God's love letter to His children.
I am especially thankful that God marked this disciples life with so many fives; born on the fifth day, of the fifth month, of the sixty-fifth year, the youngest of five children. I think He knew it would take that many for me to actually believe He could actually forgive, and love someone like me. But He did, and He does. Now I am His! That should give everyone hope.
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17
-The fifth book of the New Testament, Acts, tells of the amazing Acts of the Apostles who had recently scattered and even denied the Lord when trouble came. But now, under the influence of God's amazing grace and the power of the Holy Spirit they turn the world upside down.
I hope you will begin to research the fives of the Bible. You will be amazed that when you find a connection to the number five there will somehow always be a link to God's grace. I pray that it strengthens your faith as you see more and more that no human being could have linked so many references to this beautiful gift of God. Our Bible is truly God's love letter to His children.
I am especially thankful that God marked this disciples life with so many fives; born on the fifth day, of the fifth month, of the sixty-fifth year, the youngest of five children. I think He knew it would take that many for me to actually believe He could actually forgive, and love someone like me. But He did, and He does. Now I am His! That should give everyone hope.
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17
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