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Yeshua Bible Code
The Numbers and Predestination: From Man's Perspective (Part 1 of 2 parts)
(The following are just my own views on this subject based
upon my own study
It is because predestination effects the way we interpret most all Scripture. This is especially true when it comes to the study of the numbers. This is because, in a way, numbers are the raw stuff that predestination is made up of.
I believe the Bible teaches that there are two viewpoints when looking at the subject of predestination. Man has the limited view; God has the comprehensive view. The numbers can be viewed both ways. Both perspectives are correct. The first perspective is in keeping with what man is by his very nature: God created him with a free will. The second perspective is based upon who God is by intrinsic being: He is the Sovereign LORD. Let me add that on some of these issues surely Christians are free to differ. Some emphasize one perspective more than another. However, I believe the correct position is found in embracing both perspectives while realizing God's viewpoint is unfathomable. For this reason this document only attempts to explain things as I see it末that is, from man's perspective as I have observed it in the numbers. I admit, as such, that I offer no real solutions to this ancient debate, I basically come as one telling you what he has observed in the revelation in the numbers. Thus my assessment of the revelation is admittedly weak or even faulty.
A) PROPHECY AND PREDESTINATION From Man's Perspective
Here we have Daniel the prophet reading the Book of Jeremiah (a contemporary of his), and coming to understand when his national exile would end. The prophecy by Jeremiah seems quite simple to understand: "When seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon" (Jer. 25:11,12). However, why didn't Daniel understand this prophecy fully until after it was all but fulfilled and Babylon had fallen? Furthermore, why did Daniel pray at all?末Why pray for that which is already prophesied and destined to happen? In addition, why does it seem that the actual number of years of captivity was only 68 years (605 B.C. to 538 B.C.) and therefore short of the 70 years specified? There is one simple answer for all these questions: Prophecies as to dates and times (as well as all prophecy in general), are necessarily flexible to allow responsible man to pray and work them into being. Therefore, prophesied dates and times are not fatalistic rigid mechanisms, but instead they work within man's freewill as a responsible moral agent. This is why Daniel was burdened that the time of God's mercy might not be DELAYED, (see Daniel 10:13). "Delay" is an important word and worthy of emphasis: The Word of the LORD will come to pass as predetermined, but not fatalistically. What I mean is this: What God has predestined to happen will happen. However, to who, what, where, when, and how it happens reflects man's action as much as God's will末God will fulfill His word to the letter but only according to His grace and truth in dealing with responsible man. Nevertheless remember, that at this point I speak here in accordance with man's perspective, not God's. (I must confess that to me God's vantage point is incomprehensible. Personally, I do not understand how that the infinite will of God cannot but swallow up mans' will completely. Is this fatalism? Am I defeating my own arguments? Maybe, but after all, I have only set out to tell you what I have seen in the numbers末even if it still remains a mystery to me. In the numbers I see God's will being performed but also man's末but with God's will prevailing. Is this determinism? Is this fatalism? I think the answer is found in the unspeakable love of God. "God is love" (1John 4:8, 16; cf., Eph. 3:19). If the Divine being was not love, than I suggest it would indeed be cold fatalism末such as we see in the eastern religions. But somehow His love enlivens the footprints (i.e., the numeric patterns in history)末the patterns breathe hope at all times. But fatalism exudes hopelessness. But I observe great hope in the numbers末tenderness, and love. I have seen it even if I do not understand it! What is the difference between a masterpiece of art that breathes emotion and feeling rather than a cold snap shop from a camera of the same thing末I don't know, but there is a difference末a big difference! The masterpiece reflects the personality of the artist but the photo merely the thing photographed. So it is with predestination as observed in the numbers.) A good example to show the difference between predestination and fatalism within prophecy is in the story of Judas Iscariot who betrayed Messiah. "And truly, the son of man goeth, as it was determined (or predestined), but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!" (Luke 22:22). It was "predestined" (literally "to limit or define, to mark off the border") that Messiah would be betrayed (see Acts 2:23), and yet, Judas is still held responsible. Fatalism would mean Judas is merely an involuntary means to an end predestined by God. It would not be fair, I think, for Messiah to pronounce a "woe" upon Judas who, then, would be but a puppet in God's hand if fatalism is correct. Fatalism and human responsibility are mutually exclusive. It is very difficult to understand this subject since we mortals tend to make simplistic solutions that our finite minds can grasp. This is why the prophet Ezekiel was constantly addressed by God as "son of man" (emphasizing his humanity), whereas Ezekiel, in turn, responded to God as "the Sovereign LORD" (emphasizing God's transcendence; Ezek. 4:14,16 NIV). Friends, this is all I know and can say with certainty, that, in this revelation given to me into the numbers I have observed predestination without it being fatalistic. I have seen how mercy and truth meet. I have seen the gentleness of the Almighty. Through this study, I hope you will see HIM too. "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it" (Psalm 139:6).
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