Number 9

The Bible’s Number 9…

#9 Watching for Jesus return-Persevering in service while bringing fruit to the Kingdom, future events, references to things that will happen

For the Godly believer, the Redemption Pattern theme for number nine is an encouragement to keep faithfully serving while we watch with anticipation for the return of the Lord. The ninth commandment, found in Deuteronomy 5:20, says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” In its relationship to the Redemption Pattern, step nine seems to be telling us that while we are serving and waiting for the Lord’s return we are to be a good witness to others in setting examples and sharing our testimony so they may also come to know Jesus. The evidence surrounding number nine suggests the catching up of the Church occurs related to this step and and is already complete when the Lord finally returns to earth in the last days.

Things often found associated with nine

  • Persevere, serving, persecuted
  • Watching, being on alert, being ready
  • come, come down, come to you, coming
  • enduring
  • follow me
  • get up stand up

Example verses

Following are some example verses that have strong content pointing to the theme of one:

THE UNRIGHTEOUS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD: As it relates to salvation, the theme for number nine is often related to the contrast of good versus evil, making clear the consequences of sin. In this number, where God tells us of the salvation to come, He also tells us there is no escape for the wicked.

Romans 2:9 “There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek.”
1 Corinthians 6:9 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals….”

REMEMBER WE ARE SINNERS (SAVED BY GRACE): As saved believers, we are never to forget we are sinners and are saved only by God’s grace and our faith in Jesus to save us:

Micah 7:9 (the 900th chapter) says, “I will bear the indignation of the LORD Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me….”

We are reminded salvation is available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. God is not partial, and Jesus will judge everyone equally.

Psalm 9:8 says, “And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.”
Romans 9:24 says, “…He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”
Ephesians 6:9 Paul reminds us, “…masters …give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

CONFESSING AND REPENTING: Many references related to nine are about the covenant God made with His people and our need to confess our sins and repent and be Godly, reminding us this is a part of our life as believers.

Luke 15:7 “…there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

FALLING AWAY OR INSINCERE COMMITMENT: Also related to salvation and nine are God’s warnings to those insincere or even deceiving religious leaders and people who lead others to death.

Matthew 23:27 says, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”
Ezekiel 13:9 tells false prophets, “So My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will have no place in the council of My people, nor will they be written down in the register of the house of Israel….”

WITNESSING BY TELLING AND DISCIPLING OTHERS: Paul never stopped telling others about Jesus Christ, and this is to be the work of believers as well.

Acts 28:23 (the book’s 999th verse) “…he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.”

WITNESSING THROUGH EXAMPLE: Scripture associated with nine often reminds us to be examples to others.

2 Thessalonians 3:7, 9 “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you… in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.”

 

 

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