NUMBER ONE
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) There can be no doubt as to the importance of this primary number. In all languages it is the symbol of unity. As a cardinal number it denotes unity; as an ordinal it denotes primacy. Unity being indivisible, and not made up of other numbers, is therefore independent of all others, and is the source of all others. So with the Deity. The great First Cause is independent of all. All stand in need of Him, and He needs no assistance from any. "One" excludes all difference, for there is no second with which it can either harmonize or conflict.
b) When it is written: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD thy God is one LORD," it excludes absolutely another Lord: it excludes, therefore, all idolatry. Hence the First Commandment declares "Thou shalt have NO OTHER GODS" (Exodus 20:3). It asserts that there is in God a sufficiency which needs no other; and an independence which admits no other.
c) The number 1 marks the beginning. We must begin with God. All our words and works must be characterized by the first words of the Bible: "In the beginning GOD." Nothing is right that does not begin with Him. "God first" is the voice of Scripture. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33) is the testimony of Christ. "God first" is the great proclamation.
d) Hence "the gospel of God" (Romans 1:16) is being rapidly and almost universally superseded by the gospel of man, which is a gospel of sanitation, and indeed is now openly called "Christian Socialism." But it is a socialism without Christ. It does not begin with the glory of God, and it will not and cannot end in any real good to man. It begins with man; its object is to improve the old nature apart from God, and to reform the flesh; and the measure of its success is the measure in which man can become "good" without "God."
e) There are a number of ways man's thoughts are the opposite of God's. God says, "Seek first." However, man says "I will take care of me first." He is great in his own eyes and his aim is to be independent of God. Independence, in God, is His glory. Independence in man, is his sin, and rebellion, and shame. In the Word of God, therefore, God is first, and before all.
#1) Thus saith the LORD, the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; And beside Me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6)
#2) "Hearken unto Me, O Jacob, and Israel My called; I am He; I am the first, I also am the last. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand hath spanned the heavens." (Isaiah 48:12,13)
#3) "Before Me there was no God formed, Neither shall there be after Me. I, even, I, am the LORD; And beside Me there is no savior." (Isaiah 43:10,11)
#4) "I am Alpha and Omega, The first and the last." (Revelation 1:11,17, 2:8, 22:13)
f) Thus God emphasizes this great foundation truth. All must be confusion where man refuses to recognize it. All must be peace where it is owned.
g) The number one signifies the unity and oneness of God:
#1) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!" (Deuteronomy 6:4, NKJV).
h) In the Hebrew this phrase is literally translated as "Our one Elohim is Jehovah, Jehovah." The number one also symbolizes the unity and oneness of God the Father and Jesus Christ (John 10:30; 17:21). By His one sacrifice Jesus removes our sins forever. Jesus is the one Mediator and the one Shepherd (1Timothy 2:5; John 10:16).
#1) "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6, NKJV)
The End ...
0. Introductiona) There can be no doubt as to the importance of this primary number. In all languages it is the symbol of unity. As a cardinal number it denotes unity; as an ordinal it denotes primacy. Unity being indivisible, and not made up of other numbers, is therefore independent of all others, and is the source of all others. So with the Deity. The great First Cause is independent of all. All stand in need of Him, and He needs no assistance from any. "One" excludes all difference, for there is no second with which it can either harmonize or conflict.
b) When it is written: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD thy God is one LORD," it excludes absolutely another Lord: it excludes, therefore, all idolatry. Hence the First Commandment declares "Thou shalt have NO OTHER GODS" (Exodus 20:3). It asserts that there is in God a sufficiency which needs no other; and an independence which admits no other.
c) The number 1 marks the beginning. We must begin with God. All our words and works must be characterized by the first words of the Bible: "In the beginning GOD." Nothing is right that does not begin with Him. "God first" is the voice of Scripture. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33) is the testimony of Christ. "God first" is the great proclamation.
d) Hence "the gospel of God" (Romans 1:16) is being rapidly and almost universally superseded by the gospel of man, which is a gospel of sanitation, and indeed is now openly called "Christian Socialism." But it is a socialism without Christ. It does not begin with the glory of God, and it will not and cannot end in any real good to man. It begins with man; its object is to improve the old nature apart from God, and to reform the flesh; and the measure of its success is the measure in which man can become "good" without "God."
e) There are a number of ways man's thoughts are the opposite of God's. God says, "Seek first." However, man says "I will take care of me first." He is great in his own eyes and his aim is to be independent of God. Independence, in God, is His glory. Independence in man, is his sin, and rebellion, and shame. In the Word of God, therefore, God is first, and before all.
#1) Thus saith the LORD, the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; And beside Me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6)
#2) "Hearken unto Me, O Jacob, and Israel My called; I am He; I am the first, I also am the last. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand hath spanned the heavens." (Isaiah 48:12,13)
#3) "Before Me there was no God formed, Neither shall there be after Me. I, even, I, am the LORD; And beside Me there is no savior." (Isaiah 43:10,11)
#4) "I am Alpha and Omega, The first and the last." (Revelation 1:11,17, 2:8, 22:13)
f) Thus God emphasizes this great foundation truth. All must be confusion where man refuses to recognize it. All must be peace where it is owned.
g) The number one signifies the unity and oneness of God:
#1) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!" (Deuteronomy 6:4, NKJV).
h) In the Hebrew this phrase is literally translated as "Our one Elohim is Jehovah, Jehovah." The number one also symbolizes the unity and oneness of God the Father and Jesus Christ (John 10:30; 17:21). By His one sacrifice Jesus removes our sins forever. Jesus is the one Mediator and the one Shepherd (1Timothy 2:5; John 10:16).
#1) "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6, NKJV)
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