Thursday, August 11, 2016

3:The Number of Deity

The following is a list of Biblical references where God is associated with the number three:

1. Abraham is visited by three angels.
2. The Aaronic blessing is divided into three. Interestingly the priest would also give the Vulcan "live long and prosper" hand sign when delivering the blessing.
3. The Great Shema. While Judaism embraces this passage as they rightly preach the oneness of God, the threefold use of God's name is noteworthy. "Hear O Israel the Lord our God the Lord is one.
4. The tabernacle and the temple were divided into three.
5. The angelic choir sings: "Holy Holy Holy. Lord, God, Almighty." (Rev. 4:8, Is. 6:3)
6. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
7. God appeared to Israel on Mount Sinai during the third month after to days of preparation.
8. Jesus' ministry lasted three years and he rose on the third day.
9. The Christ was prophesied as prophet, priest and king.
10. Old Testament was divided into the Law, prophets, and writings.

The divinity of the ascended and exalted Christ leaps off the page in the book of Revelation. Divine attributes are consistently applied to Christ including various threefold descriptions. Consider a brief section in the first chapter of Revelation,

Revelation 1:4-5
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. 

       who is, and who was and who is to come

       from him who is..., and from the seven spirits, and from Jesus Christ (Note the Trinity).

       faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, ruler of the kings of the earth

Revelation 1:5b-6
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priest to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 

     loves us....freed us...and made us

Revelation 1:8
I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

     who is, and who was and who is to come,

     Alpha and...., who is..., the Almighty

This is but a sampling of threefold descriptions of the person of Christ in Revelation and throughout the rest of Scriptures.



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