Matthews 22:23-34 Before we can attempt our next major study, it would be advantageous to take a detour in order to collect all the necessary data from the Bible by in order to provide references and proof texts for our search. This preparatory work should make our next undertaking somewhat easier, if the Lord wills. In the Bible, God uses the concept of numerology to underscore a universal truism throughout. By matching and comparing these concepts with applicable numbers confirms the Bible authorship. It is overwhealming to find out that God would write in the Old Testament and have the same theme, each to each, repeated in the New Testament. This could only be possible because God is the writer of the Bible. In this study we will endeavor to look at the number "seven" as God has used it throughout the Bible, and disseminate through its diverse use and see if we could discover what God is telling us. This, hopefully, should make the study of Revelation 5 somewhat easier. In the previous studies, we have seen some usage of the number seven. We have talked about this possibilities back then in the study of Revelation 13; the beast with seven heads, and 1Kings 11 about the 700 wives of king Solomon and we have learned about it's spiritual applications as God has intended for us to see. Therefore, this study, I feel, should be of great value in uncovering the mystery of this number as it is used throughout the Bible. (Listed here is all the references from the Bible of the number "7" we feel may have a strong Spiritual application to the bribging of the Gospel.)
23 ¶ The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27 And last of all the woman died also.
28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
34 ¶ But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
Verse 23 ¶ The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
After Jesus has marveled the crowd with His great wisdom, there came to Him an inquiring Sadducee, and ask about the resurrection. [The word Sadducee means "the righteous" is a religious party at the time of Christ among the Jews, who denied that the oral law was a revelation of God to the Israelites, and who deemed the written law alone to be obligatory on the nation, as the divine authority. Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. They denied the following doctrines:
1a) resurrection of the body
1b) immortality of the soul
1c) existence of spirits and angels
1d) divine predestination, affirmed free will ]
Verse 24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.Here we see the Sadducee quoting from the Old Testament, a doctrine taught by the law of Moses as it is applied here in Genesis 38:1-8
¶ And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2 And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite, whose name was Shuah; and he took her, and went in unto her. 3 And she conceived, and bare a son; and he called his name Er. 4 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and she called his name Onan. 5 And she yet again conceived, and bare a son; and called his name Shelah: and he was at Chezib, when she bare him. 6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar. 7 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. 8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
The application of this law is such that each succeeding brother is commanded to marry his brother's wife until there is a seed which would be the one that carries the name of the older brother. Why is this so? The issue is that the right of the firstborn must be given preference because their sins must be paid for. We read in Exodus 13:2
Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
The Lord is commanding the people of Israel according to this law; that all the firstborn of man and beast belong to Him. We find this same law in the book of Numbers 3:13
Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.
How are we to understand this verse? What does God means that all the firstborn; man and beast belong to Him? The picture that God is painting is that the firstborn of Egypt was killed for their sins. Because they are the picture of the unsaved, there was no one to be their Passover, they had to pay for their own sins. The elect, who is depicted by the nation of Israel throughout the Bible, have a stand-in that paid for the penalty of their sins; pointing to the sacrifice that the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross. Therefore the firstborn of Israel belongs to the Lord. We saw this with Abraham's son when he was commanded to take his only son Isaac to mount Moriah for a burnt offering. We read in Luke 2:23
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
This is a picture of what God desires from us; that all males that are the firstborn are to be his; holy and sanctify unto Him. We also see the application of this in Romans 8:29
¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Christ is our example, He is our older brother to whom we would follow. Similarly God speaks in length about the role of the firstborn of all creation: the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Christ is God and He became the representative of God that would be risen from the dead so we would also follow if we believe on Him. He has set up His program for all those that are saved to follow: Colossians 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
As Christ is the firstborn of all things we are given the mandate of continuing the lineage through the brothers until a seed is provided for the firstborn. This is why it is essential for a seed to be born as we see in 2 Timothy 2:8
¶ Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel
David would have no salvation unless his seed provided the salvation. Even though David is not the firstborn of Jesse's sons, he was undoubtedly chosen to be king of Israel which is equivalent of the firstborn as that is a picture of the elect of God. Therefore the firstborn's seed, David's son, in this case Christ must die for all those that would be saved in order for them to be saved and be given their due inheritance. Unless there is a seed, that had to die for the sins of the elect, there will be no salvation for them.(elect.) Galatians 2:18-19
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 ¶ Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
The importance of the firstborn to have a seed, is so that there will be a Passover or Saviour for mankind ( the elect ). As we read in Colossians 1:18; Had there been no firstborn from the dead, it means that there will be no resurrection for anyone because there needs to be a payment for sin. The Egyptian's firstborn ( picture of the unsaved ) didn't have a Saviour and they all perished, as would the unsaved on judgment day.
Let us look at this law given in Deuteronomy 25: 5-10
[ ¶ If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.This is what we looked at above in Genesis 38. What is very interesting is how we find the punishment of those that disobey this law and it's very revealing how everything we will see will tie in very nicely.
7 And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; 9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house. 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.] .
To spit on ones face is a demeaning and a despicable act as we see those that spit on Jesus face when He was being led to the cross. This reminds us of our treatment as we bring the true Gospel; we are despised hated even and mistreated: Matthew 26:67
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
This mistreatment is from the world as we bring the Gospel. However, loosening the shoes is from those that are believers bringing the Gospel as we see in the account of John the Baptist in Luke 3:16
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
The implication of shoes that he cannot loosen refers to the identity of Jesus as the Christ, God Himself in the form of a man of whom John cannot undo or dispel. His purpose of bringing the Gospel and the saving of souls by the baptism of the Holy Ghost has been revealed to John earlier on in his youth. John 1:36
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
John realized who Jesus is and identifies Him to all that were there as being the Lamb, the Saviour of the world. That being so he realizes that he could not loosen shoes because Jesus is the "Word" the essence of the Gospel Himself, the Firstborn, the seed of David, the Gospel personified, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. Because John is not worthy to loosen Christ's shoes tells us that the wearing of shoes is a sign of those that bring the Gospel. We find the references in Ephesians 6:15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
This is a symbol of those that bring the Gospel; those who have been prepared by God. Therefore anyone whose shoe is loosen is not worthy or are not commanded to bring the Gospel. Looking back to the punishment of the brother that would not marry his older brother's wife thereby denying his brother his line makes for a perfect fit. Here is where we can really appreciate the wisdom of God and how we can authenticate God's authorship of the Bible. The concept of loosening one's shoe is quite revealing and astounding as we will now discover. We see how marvelous the Word of God fits together as we identify the shoes as a picture of bringing the Gospel. The brother that would not marry his dead brother's wife certainly is not fit to bring the Gospel as he has no love for his brother nor others as the Gospel commands.
Furthermore in bringing the Gospel we observe how the Lord Jesus commands His disciples in the manner of how to handle themselves; Mark 6: 7
¶ And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
It is very interesting as we see also in verse 9 as it tells of what they are commanded to wear on their feet. The admonition is to be prepared or be well versed in the word of God. That too is a gift of God that gives the understanding to those that diligently seek Him. [Those that would seek Him are those that are led by God to seek Him; namely the believers. Do not put on two coats has to do with the fact that God will supply all our needs. We are not to be encumbered by anything, or trust anyone other that to trust God for our care both spiritual and physical.] This is always the application when we bring the Gospel as Jesus commanded His disciples when they were sent out. We also see the fulfillment of this when we do it God's way in Isaiah 52:7
¶ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
There can be no doubt that this declaration is due not to those that bring the Gospel having nice looking feet, but rather because they are bringing the Gospel according to the will of God.
Verse 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
We naturally ask the question; Why does God use the number "seven" to describe the need for a seed? Can a twin brother of four or five brothers be able to provide? When we examine the significance of the number seven as God has throughout the Bible, uses it, it reveals something about the nature of God. There is nothing haphazard about God. The significance of this number can be first recognize as the number that points to a rest on the seventh day God rested, and hallowed it. Genesis 2:2-3 2
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Here is the preeminence of all things as God sets out to evangelize the world in the beginning knowing that man will fail and would need the Gospel. Every word every letter in the Bible is God-breathed. In other words, we can count on the absolute, precise and faithful character of God with every word that we read in His Word. Luke 16:17
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
[ If our conclusions are correct as what we have arrived at with our the message conveyed by the number seven, it will confirm our source whether it is of God. If not, then maybe we are trying to force the issue that may not be our duty to proclaim and would pose the question whether God is truly our source of wisdom. This we can not fear because God must be our only guide.] Because a seed needs to be born of the firstborn and the purpose thereof we see the application in reference in the number seven from Numbers 7:89 - 8:19;
And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him. 1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick. 3 And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
In this case God, who dwells between the cherubim, gives the order for Moses to setup. Notice the use of the number seven. The usage in reference to the lamps tells us about the implication that would open the meaning of this concept out for us. We read in Isaiah 62:1
¶ For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
The lamp contain the light. What or Who is the light of the world? We read in John 9:5
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
What happens when Christ is not in the world physically? We find the answer in Matthews 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
So what are we saying here? What we are saying is the believers are the light; John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
This is the light of God through the Gospel that man could be saved. What then are we saying? The bringing of the Gospel is represented by the number seven. The candlestick of God is the body of believers that are instrumental in bringing this light as we see in this verse. We read in Psalm 119:105 ¶
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
By all indications as we study the Bible that there is an insistence wherever the number seven is used that refers to the concept of "Bringing of the Gospel" This we will find that, if there is harmony in our study, this will bear out to be or not to be if we let God speak to us through His Word. It will either confirm our understanding or it will invalidate our having taken this assumption. As we read further in Numbers 8 we will see a new perspective as we start to relate to the work of bringing the Gospel as God has ordained it from way back then. Numbers 8:4-19
And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
[This is a picture of the the believer being prepared for the call as God chastises and bring them into compliance of a humble heart.]
5 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 6 Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them. 7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.
[This, again a picture of the cleansing of our souls by the baptism of the Holy Spirit whereby we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, completing our salvation]
8 Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shalt thou take for a sin offering.
[A picture of the sacrifice by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross]
9 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together: 10 And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites:
[A picture where our sins are taken over by the Levites (representing Christ) ]
11 And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD. 12 And the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bullocks: and thou shalt offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, unto the LORD, to make an atonement for the Levites.
[The Levites also must have their sins cleansed, because the represent Christ the High Priest, before they can perform the sacrifice for the people]
13 And thou shalt set the Levites before Aaron, and before his sons, and offer them for an offering unto the LORD. 14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine. 15 And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering. 16 For they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb, even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto me. 17 For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself. 18 And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
[The Levites representing the firstborn whose must bear the seed that offer the sacrifice for the people]
19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.
[ We are not going to cover each aspect of this chapter in this study but we have included most of it so we can read and meditate upon the selection by God of the tribe of Levi as the High Priests for the people of Israel, as they become the conveyor of God's commandments to His people.] The main idea that we need to understand here is that the prominence of the number "seven" is featured in this verse and the application thereof. Next example we look at is the time of the flood in Genesis 7:4
For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.
Here we see the flood as a picture of the judgment of God. The number 40 represents the spiritual period that we are to preach the Gospel [compare with the same period that the children of Israel were in the wilderness, a picture of how long we are in the world before we reach the promised land; Heaven.] The Gospel is yet preached in the world for seven days.Genesis 7:10
And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.
The water is the Gospel that goes out to the world for yet seven days. After that there will be floods which represents the Word of God that will judge the world by as we find in Genesis 7:10. [John 12:48
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.]
This is the picture we see in the parable of the flood. God's judgment came by way of the flood as we witness in this chapter of Genesis. Further we see in Genesis 8:10 - 12; 10
And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. 12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.
This is very interesting as we see the number "seven" being feature here as it point to the Gospel. The olive leaf is the picture of the Gospel ; when it is preached the Lord will return. Matthew 24:14 14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Further we find in Leviticus 14:7- 8 a reference with regard to a leper being sprinkled seven times;
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. 8 And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.
A leper, a picture of the unsaved elect of God having become saved because he has heard the Gospel is cleansed from his uncleanliness. The most prominent leper in the Bible is perhaps the general of the army of Syria. We see that the prophet Elisha told him to go dip in the river Jordan seven times; 2Kings 5:10 ,14
And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Here is a miracle of the Gospel. God is demonstrating for us that no matter who we are, unless God changes our hearts we cannot become cleansed of our sins and become saved . We read in Leviticus 26:21, 24, 28;
And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.
Here also we see the application of the number "seven" The children of Israel will be punished seven times and seven times will they be chastised for their sins. Why are they chastised? Because that is how long it will take to turn the back. Spiritually it is the Gospel that chastises the elect and turn them back to God. God's chastisement is predicated by His Word; this is what we see. One of the most revealing parables is the feeding of the 4,000 in Matthew 15:32 - 38
Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
In this parable we see the glowing purpose of the Gospel shining through. There were seven loaves and a few fishes. Christ needs no bread as He is the bread of life, yet the emphasis on the number seven which reminds us of our mandate to bring the Gospel. Note that there were "seven basket full" collected after they ate which spell to us that we must be about giving out that bread of the Gospel through our witnessing before His return. How are we to provide the bread of life and the water of the Gospel to those whom the Lord spoke of in Matthew 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
He has given us our tools for the work we must do, so we must be about His work as we are commanded. [ Never again will we read the Bible flippantly as God reveals these thing to us to further understand some of the verses that we never were able to understand before especially the application of the number seven ]
Verse 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
In this this verse as in others we see the numbers two and the numbers three. Now, even though the description of the actual events cannot be ignored, but our main emphasis with the Gospel is to find the message of salvation in any scripture we read. Therefore the use of these numbers is very significant. Wherever we see the number two we generally infer a specific Gospel meaning of those that are ambassadors or witnesses of the kingdom of God. Let us look at the word and how it is used and as we look at some examples of its usage.
1208 deuteroj deuteros dyoo'-ter-os
AV - second 34, the second time + 1537 4, the second time 4, again + 1537 2, again 1, secondarily 1, afterward 1; 47
As we see that there is 47 uses of this word in the new testament. We see in Matthew 22:39
And the second <1208> is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
We see that we are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves by desiring the best for them and that is ; that they too may be saved as we would. We see elsewhere to find in 2Corinthians 1:15
¶ And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second <1208> benefit;
What second benefit? It is none other than that our souls may be saved and that we may be raised on the last day. Interestingly enough as we look further at wherever these two numbers are used; second <1208> and third <5154> we find the following;We read in Luke 12:37-38;
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in the second <1208> watch, or come in the third <5154> watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
How fitting a verse as we see this application referring to the bringing of the Gospel. Interestingly we see also the use of the word "third" watch. We see in 1Corinthians 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily <1208> prophets, thirdly<5154> teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
As if it's a coincidence that we see this word is applied to describe prophets and teachers; of whom are the conveyors of the Gospel. Could it be that this word also is implying those that bring the Gospel are the witnesses and ambassadors for Christ, as we see it associated with the number seven which main predication or affirmation is the bringing of the Gospel. Here we find an interesting reference to the three numbers Acts 23:23:
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
Here is a very very interesting or rather Godly message. We see the numbers; 2 centurions, 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, 200 spearmen, in the third hour. We can expand these examples to confirm what we already have seen elsewhere. What we are seeing is God's way of carefully covering the truth of His kingdom until He decides to reveal it. As believers we do what we must and that is check out His Word under the prompting of the Holy Spirit and declare what He gives us. This, I think, is our purpose as God is our guide.
Verse 27 And last of all the woman died also.
In each of us we will have our appointed time, we will all leave this world when God decides. This verse is pointing out that the women, who is a picture of the believer, will die and leave this world. When we die the next thing we face is judgment day. This day will not come until our work is completed. We read in Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
This is why we bring the Gospel. Basically God will not bring the end until He has ordained it. This is also a witness to those that believe that they can become saved when they are ready. This is not so and can not be so because we don't know the time of God's timetable when Christ will return. This is linked directly to the fact that all the elect must be saved, then the end will come. And similarly we read about that day in Psalm 102:16
When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
Zion being a picture of heaven that is being build up by our bringing of the Gospel, the end will come. We read in Ephesians 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
This is the essence of this work we are commanded to do. God in all His majesty and glory knows the time and the hour of our Lord's coming. That is why we must be about His business and do this work we're commanded. We are saved to bring the Gospel; It is our responsibility and our command from God.
Verse 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.Because the Sadducees have no understanding of the resurrection nor of the Word of God they are left with just a simple, physical and limited view of the majesty and the greatness of the power of God. We find our answer in verse 30. The Sadducees are like most people we come into contact with in our daily lives. Most people do not believe the message of the Bible just like they don't. What is interesting is the picture that is set up here by God. The women, who is the picture of the believer is married to the seven husbands, who represents Christ because they all brought the Gospel by marrying the women. Christ, represented by the seven brothers, will be married to the believers, women, in the resurrection. This however, the Sadducces do not see; a picture of those who cannot see the truth of God;s Word because their spiritual eyes and spiritual ears are not opened.
Verse 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
This is the key. If we know the scripture as we have expounded here by God's revelation to us, and if we understand the dynamics of God's power as He reveals it through His Word, we will not err. The Spiritual application of the above verse 28 really defines the separation of the two worlds that most people seem to confuse often. We have the physical world and the spiritual world. Couple that with how God hides His truth until He chooses to reveal it, makes for proper and timely revelation.
Verse 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Here's a principle that we must understand. Worldly unions or marriages is a picture of the union between Christ and the believers when He returns. Therefore we are not to confuse this with that of Christ. That union will be a spiritual one not a physical one like between a man and a woman. These physical relationship helps us understand as they point to things that are spiritual. God has set it up for our understanding as we are trained and taught. Imagine if there were no physical unions between a man and a woman, how would we understand the marriage between Christ and the believer?. These, however, are only for this physical world. The things pertaining to the resurrection are Godly and God-like. We read in Luke 20:34
And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
We will all lose our physical beings and be joint to Christ as we will ever be with Him if we are saved. We will have a perfect will and a perfect goal and that is to worship the living God.
Verse 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
Verse 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.Here is a verse that confirms the resurrection. If God is the God of the living how can we resolve that if people eventually die? Where is the living? Well, this is the very question that the Sadducces had a problem with; because they cannot see some of these things talked about by Christ, therefore they didn't believe. Again, we recognize this to be a spiritual problem because they are a picture of those who are not saved. The God of the living refers to the resurrection because when we die saved, we become resurrected on the last day and we will live with Christ forever. 2Timothy 2:10-12
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Therefore, if we believe in Him, we will be identified with Him even in the ressurection.
Verse 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.Even though they were overwhelmed with His truth, there is no way of undermining the truth of God. Because the Lord Jesus Christ is the God Himself, He knows their hearts and even what they don't say but think. He will answer the questions pertaining to salvation and eternal life even though most of them do not understand. This is why we are commanded to bring the Gospel as God orchestrates His salvation plan for the elect as He makes us believe on Him.
Acknowledgements Again we thank God for another one of His revelations for our edification. We must confess time and time again that when we start a Bible Study, we do not know exactly how it may end up; what concepts that we may find, some may even be controversial as I'm sure it was in the time of Christ on earth, but we will remain faithful to His promptings and guidances as He directs His work through us. We are just thankful to be used of the Lord to lead lost souls back to His kingdom and may all glory and honor be unto Him.
We must acknowledge the fact that much of what we have find in these studies are what we have been prompted in our own search with the help of the Holy Spirit, we feel, and have not been from what others teachers of the Word have concluded; much to the contrary. However we feel confident that we must declare what may be revealed through our personal studies as that will determine our authority whether it be of the Lord. Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Moreover we read from 2Corinthians 10:13-15
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
Simply we are witnesses for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and therefore we declare what He has given us for the purpose of spreading the Gospel. That is our only purpose: If we are given much, much do we declare, if we are given little such is our limitation as God is the giver of all Godly wisdom. This is our only desire: To be used of the Lord to declare His truth to His people as He purposed those He commands. To God alone be the glory continued.
July 1, 2000 (st)
Post a Question or Comment
All Rights Reserved*ToGodBeTheGlory.com