Twelve

Bible Matters 531: Twelve

In the Bible, the Number twelve refers to Governmental Perfection or Divine Authority.  To write twelve in Hebrew, they wrote two Hebrew letters: yod-beth. These signify the hand of the household in harmony under divine authority.   There were 12 sons of Jacob in the Old Testament and 12 apostles in the New Testament. There are 12 foundations in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:14). It also has 12 gates and 12 angels at the gates (Rev. 21:12) and 12 pearls at the gates (Rev. 21:21). The city is foursquare at 12,000 furlongs (Rev. 21:16). The wall is 144 cubits high (Rev. 21:17), which is 12 x 12. All of this is to portray the concept of divine government and order.

Twelve was my number when I played sports in school.  God gave me many messages relating to twelve in the bible.  Twelve is my favorite number.   

God speaks to you at all hours of the day.  When you are working the things of this earth, you never take the time to listen or read God’s word.  Like a rebellious child, you do not listen or see what instruction the Father has for you.  You never know when God’s instruction will come.  God’s word typically comes to me between 3 and  4 AM in the morning.  As in Numbers, you know not when the Lord will appear.  When the Lord speaks, you are to take heed and hear his words.

Numbers 12:5-6 – And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

This is exactly why God made it clear that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses you will know the truth. Twelve times in the bible God tells you how to understand the truth in his word. (See Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15; 1 Kings 21:10; 1 Kings 21:13; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17-18; 1 Corinthians 14:29; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 10:28; 1 Timothy 5:19; Revelations 11:3). 

Paul’s epistles and John’s gospel are the witnesses most often quoted using one witness verses to create false doctrine which results in division amongst the Christian denomination.  That is exactly why Paul quoted five times and John quoted two times that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses you shall know the truth.  If God commands you twelve times to study the bible out of the mouth of two or three witnesses, then you listen and obey. 

Deuteronomy 17:6 – At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

Deuteronomy 19:15 – One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

1 Kings 21:10 – And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

1 Kings 21:13 – And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

Matthew 18:16 – But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

John 8:17 – It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

1 Corinthians 14:29 – Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

2 Corinthians 13:1 – This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Hebrews 6:18 – That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Hebrews 10:28 – He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

1 Timothy 5:19 – Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Revelation 11:3 – And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Paul was so confident that his messages would be abused that he specifically told Timothy how to get the truth out of God’s word.

2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Let’s breakdown this verse:

Scripture – The word is used either in the singular or plural number, to denote the sacred writings or divine oracles, called sacred or holy, as proceeding from God and containing sacred doctrines and precepts.

Given – Sent through the prophets.

Inspiration of God – The infusion of God’s ideas into the mind by the Holy Spirit; the conveying into the minds of men, ideas, notices or monitions by extraordinary or supernatural influence; or the communication of the divine will to the understanding by suggestions or impressions on the mind, which leave no room to doubt the reality of their supernatural origin.

Profitable – Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative; as a profitable trade; profitable business; a profitable study or profession.

Doctrine – The truths of the gospel in general. 

Reproof – To refute; to disprove.  Blame expressed to the face; censure for a fault; reprehension.

Correction – The act of correcting; the act of bringing back, from error or deviation, to a just standard, as to truth, rectitude, justice or propriety; as the correction of opinions or manners.

Instruction – The act of teaching or informing the understanding in that of which it was before ignorant; information.  Precepts conveying knowledge.

Righteousness – Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.

 Paul tells you that you must know how to read, compare, correct and follow God’s word for the truth and instruction on righteousness.  The only way to achieve this is by using the of preponderance of evidence from the testimony of the witnesses.  Do not lean on your own understanding in a single verse from the bible.  Do not be afraid to read and compare. God will direct your paths.  God’s divine authority is established out of the mouth of the witnesses!

Proverbs 3:5-7 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

The first step in hearing God’s word requires you to step away from serving the things of the earth and decide today, that you will serve a higher power.  You will listen, love and heed God’s Instruction. 

John 12:25-26 – He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Proverbs 12:1-3 – Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord : but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

Do you have a favorite number?  Look up some bible verses with that number and see what message God is giving you! (See Bible Number 518 Bible Numbers)

To God be the glory in all you do!  Amen.