Numbers

 Have you ever thought about the date on which you will die? I have often reflected on this. Will you die on April 5th, 20..., or will it be on October 17th, 20...? Each day you wake up, is one day closer to your 'departure.' How do you feel about that? Have you thought about what happens next? When you die, will you immediately cease all consciousness and start to deteriorate in the grave? (assuming you are buried rather than cremated). Is there an afterlife, and, if there is, what will it be like? Is there a heaven and a hell? Does all this talk of death disturb you? If you are a Christian, reading this, you will know that the day you die (that date is in God's hands) is the day you will be in His presence.

Numbers, indeed, show that we are finite and that we are bound by time and space. We have a beginning and an end. Our lives are numbered and accounted for by calendars, time pieces, timetables, appointments, anniversaries etc. Numbers are so pervasive in our lives, we hardly notice. But numbers are important...particularly to God. They 'symbolically represent essential concepts which help us to better understand the workings of God throughout Biblical history'. And, no, I'm not talking about numerology! Three (3) is a number in the Bible which signifies completeness, perfection and unity. It often is associated with the the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Three and a half (3.5) often points to times of trial, testing or incompletion followed by restoration. Seven (7) appears 600 times in the Bible - most prominent in the book of Revelation. It is usually associated with perfection, completion and fulfilment. Ten (10) represents divine order and God's perfect plan for righteous living. Twelve (12) signifies authority, divine order and governmental foundation. Forty (40) is a number usually associated with probation, testing and trials.

There are more numbers that are significant in the Bible, but I will stop at these. One can see that not only are we bound by numbers, God also uses numbers to reveal very important things in the Bible to us.

Are numbers important? They certainly are! One day our life on earth will end, (when 'one's number is up) and the consequence will be the result of the decisions we have made in our life. What decisions are you making (or putting off making) today which will determine your eternal future? Something this serious needs serious consideration. What do you think?