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The Dispensations.
pp. 143, 144
(These notes, contributed by a reader, should be read in connection with
articles of "Fundamentals of Dispensational Truth".
Readers of THE BEREAN EXPOSITOR and lovers of the Word know the scriptural
significance of numbers, but possibly some may not have noticed how the different
Dispensations are in accord with the other occurrences in the Word.
The definitions given below are culled from Appendix 10 of that much valued Word,
The Companion Bible:--
Adam unfallen.--One denotes unity and commencement. First day, Light.
1.
Fall to Flood.--Two denotes difference; if two different persons agree in
2.
testimony it is conclusive, otherwise it implies enmity, opposition, division, as
was the work of the second day.
Flood to Call of Abram.--Three denotes completeness. The number includes
3.
resurrection, for on the third day the earth rose up out of the deep.
Call of Abram to Exodus.--Four denotes creative works and always has
4.
reference to the earth and things under the sun.
Exodus to Destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.--Five denotes Divine
5.
grace. It is God adding His blessing and gifts to the works of His hands, and
it is the leading factor in the Tabernacle measurements.
Destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar to Ministry of our Lord.--Six is
6.
the human number. Six (and multiples thereof) is the hall-mark of all
connected with man. The great men who have stood out in defiance of God
(Goliath, Nebuchadnezzar, and Antichrist), are all emphatically marked by
this number.
Our Lord's Ministry and that of those that heard him until Acts 28:.--Seven
7.
denotes spiritual perfection. It is the number or hall-mark of the Holy Spirit's
work. He is the Author of God's Word, and seven runs through it as the
water-mark in paper.
The Mystery.--Eight denotes resurrection, regeneration, a new beginning. The
8.
eighth is a new first. It has to do with the Lord who rose on the eighth or new
first day. Together with its multiples it is impressed on all that has to do with
the Lord's names, people, and works.
The Day of the Lord to the Millenniums.--Nine denotes finality of judgment: it
9.
or its factors is seen in all cases where judgment is the subject.
The Millennium.--Ten denotes ordinal perfection.
10.
The Final Rebellion.--Eleven denotes disorder, disorganization, being one
11.
short of the number twelve.
The New Heaven and New Earth.--Twelve denotes governmental perfection. It
12.
is the number or factor of all numbers connected with government, or things
appertaining thereto in the heavens or on the earth.