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God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part Five)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasIn exploring the deeper layers of spiritual understanding, we encounter the concept of gematria, a system of assigning numerical value to words or phrases, often revealing hidden connections within God's Word. This practice, rooted in the belief that numbers hold significant meaning, allows us to uncover profound insights into the structure and intent behind sacred texts. Through gematria, we can perceive patterns and relationships that underscore the divine precision in the messages conveyed by Almighty God, enhancing our appreciation of His intricate design. Gematria serves as a tool to deepen our comprehension of spiritual truths, inviting us to look beyond the surface and engage with the numerical harmony embedded in Scripture. It reflects the meticulous care with which God has crafted His communication to humanity, encouraging us to seek and value the hidden treasures within His teachings. As we apply this method, we align ourselves more closely with the divine mind, fostering a greater reverence for the complexity and beauty of His eternal plan.
Spiritual Leitmotifs: Patterns of Seven
Sermon by David F. MaasThe concept of gematria, as explored through the work of Ivan Nikolayevitsh Panin, reveals a profound numerical structure within the Scriptures. Panin, once a firm agnostic, became a devoted believer after applying gematria, which assigns numerical values to the Hebrew and Greek alphabets. Through this method, he uncovered a consistent heptadic structure, a recurring pattern of the number seven, permeating the texts from Genesis to Revelation. This pattern is evident in elements such as the weekly Sabbath, the seven annual Sabbaths, the Feast of Weeks involving a count of seven, the Feast of Trumpets in the seventh month, the seven years of plenty and famine, the sevens in Pharaoh's dreams, Joshua's seven cycles around Jericho, the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel with its mysterious midpoint break, and the sevens in Revelation including seals, vials, angels with trumpets, and churches. This numerical motif of seven underscores a divine design woven throughout the entirety of Scripture, highlighting a foundational pattern in God's revelation.
Psalms: Book Five (Part One): Psalms for the Winter Blues
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThere is a fascinating aspect to the structure of the Psalms and other biblical elements that involves the use of numbers, specifically the number five, which appears to carry a divine significance. This numerical pattern, often explored through the practice of gematria, reveals a deeper organization within Scripture. The number five is notably prominent in various contexts, such as the five books of the Psalms, the five books of the Law known as the Pentateuch—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—and the five Festival Scrolls, or Megilloth, which include Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. Additionally, the Hebrew sacred year is often divided into five parts corresponding to festival seasons: Passover, Pentecost, Summer, Fall Feasts, and Winter. This recurring theme of five is also evident in significant biblical events and structures. For instance, in Exodus 13:18, the Israelites are described as leaving Egypt arrayed by fives, symbolizing an orderly arrangement under God's guidance. This same phrasing appears in Joshua 1:14 and 4:12, relating to their crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Furthermore, five is a common factor in the measurements of the tabernacle and the temple, underscoring its importance in sacred architecture. Through gematria and numerical analysis, these patterns suggest a consistent framework that ties together various elements of Scripture, highlighting an underlying order and purpose in God's design.
The Beast From the Earth and 666
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe first beast rises out of political turmoil, while the second rises out of an entrenched, worldwide religious system, totally opposed to God's laws.