NUMBER FOUR (4-7)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) The Number 4 represents creation, which marks God’s creative works. It is the signature of the world. The material creation was finished on the 4th day — with the sun, moon and stars ordained for 4 things: Signs, Seasons, Days and Years. It is interesting to note what other mention(s) for 4 can be found in the Bible.
1. How does the number four symbolize the seven parables of Matthew 13?
a) The seven parables of Matthew 13 are divided into four and three; and while the three are spoken inside the house (verse 36) to the disciples, and reveal esoteric (or inner explanatory) truth, the four relate to exoteric truth, and concern the outward aspect of things in relation to the world, and hence were spoken outside the house (verse 1).
b) But it is as composed of three PLUS one that we see the most marked illustrations of the ideal significance of the number four, the "one" marking an election out of the earth.
c) Of the four great offerings, three were connected with blood and life; while one was meal. The meal offering (Leviticus 2) was either baked in three ways (oven, flat-plate, or frying-pan); or not at all.
d) The sin offering (Leviticus 4) was offered for three classes of individuals:
e) The materials of the Tabernacle were four, three being metals (gold, silver, brass); and one non-metal (wood).
f) The coverings of the Tabernacle were four, - three animal (goats' hair, rams' skins, and badger skins); and one vegetable (fine linen).
g) The ornamentations of the curtains were four, three being colors (blue, purple and scarlet); while one was a pattern (the cherubim).
h) The Priests and Levites were of four orders or persons: one was Aaron and his sons (Aaronites); the three were the sons of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (Levites).
i) The Manna (Exodus 16:14,31) has a four-fold description, three referring to sight or appearance (small, white, round); and one to taste (sweet).
j) Of the four prohibited or unclean animals, three chewed the cud, but did not divide the hoof (camel, hare, and coney); while one divided the hoof, but did not chew the cud (the swine); and thus the swine stands out in marked contrast to the other three.
k) Of the four Houses of God (i.e., erected by Divine plan) in the earth, three were, or will be, material, viz., the Tabernacle, the Temple (Solomon's), and Ezekiel's; whilst the one is a Spiritual house (1Peter 2:5).
l) Four houses were built by Solomon; three were for himself, - his own house (1Kings 7:1), the house of the forest of Lebanon (verse 2), the house for Pharaoh's daughter (verse 8); while one was the House of the LORD (1Kings 6:37).
m) God's four sore judgments in the earth (Ezekiel 14:21): three are inanimate (the sword, famine, and pestilence); while one is animate (the noisome beast).
n) In Jeremiah 15:3, they are still four, but three are animate (dogs, fowls, and beasts), and one is inanimate (the sword).
o) Of the four kinds of flesh in 1 Corinthians 15:39, three are animals (beasts, birds, and fishes); while one is human (man).
p) The four glories of 1 Corinthians 15:40, 41: three are celestial and are detailed (the sun, moon, and stars); while one is not detailed and is terrestrial.
q) The body is sown and raised (1Corinthians 15:42-44) in three ways that relate to corruptibility:
r) In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) the kinds of soil are four; but three are characterized as being all alike in contrast to the one (viz., the wayside, the stony ground, and the thorns). These are all unprepared! while the one is good because it is prepared! The essence of the parable lies in this. It reduces the four soils to two, and confirms what is said of the two religions.
s) In the Lost Son's welcome (Luke 15), three things were material (the robe, the ring, and the shoes); while one was moral (the kiss).
t) "The Seventy" went forth with a four-fold prohibition (Luke 10:4), of which three related to matters (carry no purse, no scrip, no shoes); while one related to action ("salute no man by the way").
The End ...
0. Introductiona) The Number 4 represents creation, which marks God’s creative works. It is the signature of the world. The material creation was finished on the 4th day — with the sun, moon and stars ordained for 4 things: Signs, Seasons, Days and Years. It is interesting to note what other mention(s) for 4 can be found in the Bible.
1. How does the number four symbolize the seven parables of Matthew 13?
a) The seven parables of Matthew 13 are divided into four and three; and while the three are spoken inside the house (verse 36) to the disciples, and reveal esoteric (or inner explanatory) truth, the four relate to exoteric truth, and concern the outward aspect of things in relation to the world, and hence were spoken outside the house (verse 1).
b) But it is as composed of three PLUS one that we see the most marked illustrations of the ideal significance of the number four, the "one" marking an election out of the earth.
c) Of the four great offerings, three were connected with blood and life; while one was meal. The meal offering (Leviticus 2) was either baked in three ways (oven, flat-plate, or frying-pan); or not at all.
d) The sin offering (Leviticus 4) was offered for three classes of individuals:
- The Priest that is anointed (verse 3),
- The Ruler (verse 22),
- The Common person (verse 27) -
e) The materials of the Tabernacle were four, three being metals (gold, silver, brass); and one non-metal (wood).
f) The coverings of the Tabernacle were four, - three animal (goats' hair, rams' skins, and badger skins); and one vegetable (fine linen).
g) The ornamentations of the curtains were four, three being colors (blue, purple and scarlet); while one was a pattern (the cherubim).
h) The Priests and Levites were of four orders or persons: one was Aaron and his sons (Aaronites); the three were the sons of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (Levites).
i) The Manna (Exodus 16:14,31) has a four-fold description, three referring to sight or appearance (small, white, round); and one to taste (sweet).
j) Of the four prohibited or unclean animals, three chewed the cud, but did not divide the hoof (camel, hare, and coney); while one divided the hoof, but did not chew the cud (the swine); and thus the swine stands out in marked contrast to the other three.
k) Of the four Houses of God (i.e., erected by Divine plan) in the earth, three were, or will be, material, viz., the Tabernacle, the Temple (Solomon's), and Ezekiel's; whilst the one is a Spiritual house (1Peter 2:5).
l) Four houses were built by Solomon; three were for himself, - his own house (1Kings 7:1), the house of the forest of Lebanon (verse 2), the house for Pharaoh's daughter (verse 8); while one was the House of the LORD (1Kings 6:37).
m) God's four sore judgments in the earth (Ezekiel 14:21): three are inanimate (the sword, famine, and pestilence); while one is animate (the noisome beast).
n) In Jeremiah 15:3, they are still four, but three are animate (dogs, fowls, and beasts), and one is inanimate (the sword).
o) Of the four kinds of flesh in 1 Corinthians 15:39, three are animals (beasts, birds, and fishes); while one is human (man).
p) The four glories of 1 Corinthians 15:40, 41: three are celestial and are detailed (the sun, moon, and stars); while one is not detailed and is terrestrial.
q) The body is sown and raised (1Corinthians 15:42-44) in three ways that relate to corruptibility:
- The body is sown "in corruption, raised in incorruption";
- The body is sown "in dishonor, raised in glory";
- The body is sown "in weakness, raised in power";
r) In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) the kinds of soil are four; but three are characterized as being all alike in contrast to the one (viz., the wayside, the stony ground, and the thorns). These are all unprepared! while the one is good because it is prepared! The essence of the parable lies in this. It reduces the four soils to two, and confirms what is said of the two religions.
s) In the Lost Son's welcome (Luke 15), three things were material (the robe, the ring, and the shoes); while one was moral (the kiss).
t) "The Seventy" went forth with a four-fold prohibition (Luke 10:4), of which three related to matters (carry no purse, no scrip, no shoes); while one related to action ("salute no man by the way").
The End ...
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