Numbers in the Bible have significance. There is a whole book (Numbers) dedicated to the numbering of the tribes of Israel. There is much to learn in understanding the meaning of Numbers. It is important to impose the law of first mention when applying numerics to Scripture otherwise one can get caught up in a potentially dangerous realm of knowledge that is anti-Biblical. (To be covered in a future article)
There are three numbers that have apprehended me over the past several months. These numbers have significance and meaning for the day and hour in which we live. This study helps in being able to discern the times and seasons in which we live. Today’s church is praying for revival where the glory of the Lord fills all the earth (Isa 60:1-2). When will this take place; are we close to that long awaited season and what should we be looking for?
The glory of the latter day church will far exceed anything that has been seen before (Hag 2:9). This is significant when viewing the outpouring of glory at the dedication of Solomon’s temple as well as the birthing of the New Testament church in the upper room. The key in understanding this truth can be found in the number 120. Let’s look at a few verses:
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years (Gen 6:3).
The number 120 has the meaning of being “the end of all flesh”. (We are applying the law of first mention in the above verse). This came at a time of great evil upon the earth, much like our own.
And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated (Deut 34:7).
Moses lived for 120 years. His life can be broken down into 3 periods of 40 years. The first 40 years were spent in Egypt where he came to know his CALL as a deliverer. The 2nd 40 years (40-80) were spent in obscurity in the wilderness. It was here where Moses was CHOSEN. Many are called but few are chosen (Math 22:14). Where does one get chosen? The Bible mentions being chosen while in the furnace of affliction (Isa 48:10). Does this help our understanding regarding the three friends of Daniel (Dan 3)? These three men were distinguished and preserved while in the fiery furnace. The 3rd 40-year period of Moses life was when he was FAITHFUL in leading the children of Israel through the same wilderness he experienced while in obscurity. Perhaps Moses helps to give definition to the following verse in Revelation.
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful (Rev 17:14).
The above speaks of the 2nd coming of the Lord. Do you notice the quality of people who will be accompanying the Lord? Would you not like to be in that company? Let’s carry the number 120 forward to even greater insights. There is an important link to make when looking at the glory that was poured out at Solomon’s Temple and at the time of the upper room. Let’s first look at Solomon’s temple.
Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God (2 Chr 5:12-13).
There were 120 priests in unity, making one sound resulting in God’s glory filling the house. Let’s now fast-forward to the time of Pentecost in the New Testament.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty (Acts 1:15).
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting (Acts 2:1).
Do you see a similarity between these two outpourings? The number 120 is seen once again. There is also the message of unity that is evident.
Here’s another interesting truth. We are currently in a jubilee year. Do you know how many jubilees (50 years each) that have taken place since Joshua crossed the Jordan? There have been 70. Do you know how many jubilees there have been since the time of creation to Joshua? The answer is 50. This means that there have been a total of 120 jubilees from the time of Adam till now. 120 jubilees equate to 6000 years (120 jubilees times 50 years). Did you also know that this is the 70-year anniversary since Israel once again became a nation?
Now let’s consider the following verse which helps tie all of this together.
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Pet 3:8).
In the beginning we see God at work in the six days of creation (Gen 1:31-2:1). The Lord rested on the seventh day from all His work. We know that there has been approximately 4000 years from Adam to Christ. The church age consists of 2000 years. The 7th day represents the Millennium period that will take place after the 2nd coming. The fact that we are coming to the close of the 120th jubilee since the time of Adam (50 times 120) suggests we are living in exciting times. The above is not meant to pinpoint exact dates but rather to provoke us to take note of the day we are living in. This is the gifting of Issachar; to know the times and seasons of the Lord (1 Chr 12:32).
There are many treasures that can be gleaned from Scripture. Jesus desires that His Church be prepared, vigilant and growing in knowledge in the lead-up to His return (Pro 25:2). We will uncover valuable insights from another Biblical number in the next article.
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14).