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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

NEW MATH

This month the CW has selected the theme of “nine” as the topic. Please go to the links on the right side of the page and see what my friends have to say about the number nine. 



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Did you read my post on November 9? [Timely Blessings] There I explain that—even though November is the 11th month in our Gregorian calendar—its name “novem” means nine because originally, November was the ninth month on the year.  

For me, the word “novem” is all about math. And math reminds me of Jesus. 

When we read scripture, we see the same numbers come up again and again—40 as in the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent in the desert; the 40 years the Jews wandered the desert. 

We also see 12s—the 12 tribes of Israel; the 12 disciples; 12 pearly gates; 12 foundations of New Jerusalem.  

Threes, of course, are vital theologically because God is God in three persons—the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit; along with the three days of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. 

Then there’s the number seven. Seven means perfection.

When God created heaven and earth, He took six days and then rested on the seventh. John’s Book of Revelation shows us God’s 7 churches in Asia, 7 spirits before His throne, 7 golden lamp stands, 7 stars that are the seven angels of the 7 churches, 7 trumpets, 7 seals, the Lamb with 7 horns and 7 eyes, 7 plagues, 7 golden bowls filled with the wrath of God.  

Revelation also tells us that the sign of the beast is 666. In Hebrew tradition, because seven is perfection, the number six often refers to anything that falls short of perfection. Like man.  

The number 666 in Revelation is humanity’s number. Is the number six used three times for the sign of the beast to correlate with our falling short of each person in the Trinity? And Satan’s falling short of his creator?  

Why am I talking about six and seven when the theme for November is nine? 

Because of the “new math.” 

When Jesus became the blood sacrifice that made us acceptable to God, the number of the beast was washed from our foreheads. Although we are still one less than God’s perfection, we are no longer marked as sixes. We now belong to Him.

Under the new covenant, Jesus—our heavenly math teacher—gives us new math:


The Trinity                               3

Plus Humanity’s number      6 

Equals                                      9


Math is good.  

Even though November is no longer the ninth month in our modern calendar, each November I’ll still be reminded about the meaning of the month and the number 9. And that’ll remind me to praise God for Jesus’ new math that includes you and me.


PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we know that your scripture is full of symbolism and that no one but you is perfect. We recognize that we fall short of your glory in so many ways. Thank you, Jesus for being our sacrifice that washes away the mark of the beast and allows us to join your perfect family. Amen.


WHAT ABOUT YOU? Want to share another important numerical reference from scripture?
                       

22 comments:

Victor Travison said...

I can think of a few more biblical nines. 9 tribes settled on the western side of the Jordan River. (Well, it was actually 9 1/2, but who counts fractions?) 9 ungrateful lepers went on their way without thanking Jesus for healing them.

Then there's 900. Deborah and Barak's army faced down 900 iron chariots. Most of the ancients lived more than 900 years. And let's not forget the 99 sheep who stayed in the fold while the Master searched for the lost one.

~ VT

chris said...

that's brilliant Carol !!

i can only come up with one thing to add...

Jesus is #1

:)

MGalloway said...

Fun post!

Some more numbers: 144,000 (Revelation) and the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21 will be 12,000 x 12,000, x 12,000 stadia (or 1,400 x 1,400 x 1,400 miles approximately). That's either one gigantic pyramid or maybe a gigantic cube.

Cindee Snider Re said...

Carol, what a clever "nine" post! Love it! I, too, will remember November differently now. Thank you, and sweet, beautiful Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family!

Jack Brown said...

brilliant Carol I'd like to add to the mention of 3.
Peters denial of Jesus...and his 3 I Love Yous
biiiig hug

Paula said...

Love this , Carol....I see I need to catch up on your blogs......;)

From Carols Quill said...

@ Cindee - thank you and sweet, beautiful Thanksgiving blessings back at you!

From Carols Quill said...

@ Jack - I love those particular "3's" too.

From Carols Quill said...

@ Paula - LOL - I love seeing you here. Actually I love seeing you everywhere! See you Saturday. Here. In real life.

Anonymous said...

Love the number blog and all the great comments. You struck a cord!

From Carols Quill said...

@ C.H. - thanks. Hope the chord was musical!

Keri Mae said...

I'm always intrigued by numbers in the Bible. And I love your new math! And also Chris's comment, "Jesus is #1!"

Have a lovely Thanksgiving :)

E. G. Lewis said...

Lots of fun with numbers. I'm sure you've come across the lists of threes in nature. There's also 12...Twelve Tribes, Twelve Apostles, etc. Judaism, and therefore Christianity, is a highly symbolic religion, which adds to perception of God. Great post.

Michael Johnson said...

Nice post. I like the math angle. Very clever.

From Carols Quill said...

@ Keri Mae, E.G. and Mike -- thanks for the comments. Math can be such fun when Jesus is involved!

Sheila Hollinghead said...

Love your new math!

Thanks for sharing!

From Carols Quill said...

Thanks Sheila!

Scott Fields said...

You've stumbled on something huge here, Carol! We could recast the entire discussion about spirituality, theology, eschatology . . . everything!

For instance: 40 is the number of testing, of course; but if we add nine to that, we get 49, which is seven, seven times, which is, like, how many times we're supposed to forgive someone, or something, but if you add twelve, then divide THAT total by nine, then you get--um . . . carry the, uh . . . waitasecond, I lost where I was going with that . . . uh . . . oh well. Whatever the result is, it's probably important.

All kidding aside, Carol, this is one bit of math I've never seen the authoritative "Bible accountants" come up with. Very clever, and very appropos. Thanks for the thought. ;-)

lynnmosher said...

Oh, what an interesting post, Carol! Loved it!

From Carols Quill said...

@ Scott - you are a riot! Glad you enjoyed the math.

@ Lynn - thanks sweetie!

Traci B said...

I've never been a big math fan, but I like yours, Carol. Great post. :)

From Carols Quill said...

@ Traci - wow - you took time away from NANO to read my post? Thank you, dear Traci!