Does God only forgive you only 490 times?

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Aug 17, 2007
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#1
I heard about that God forgives 70 times 7 but I do have a feeling that God only forgives a person 490 times since 7 times 70 equals 490.
 
B

Bornfromabove

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#2
It was just an expression. There is no set limit on how often God will forgive someone. That doesn't give us the right to push our luck though.
 
L

Laodicea

Guest
#3
70 x 7 was a reference to Daniel 9, something they should have understood. As far as forgiveness is concerned the Bible says if we confess our sins He will forgive us but, His plan for us is to not sin. 1 John 2:1
 
B

Bornfromabove

Guest
#4
70 x 7 was a reference to Daniel 9, something they should have understood.
It seems to have contrast to this as well

Gen 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
 
Oct 22, 2011
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#5
I heard about that God forgives 70 times 7 but I do have a feeling that God only forgives a person 490 times since 7 times 70 equals 490.
Based on your opening post it seems that you may be basing your understanding on the following verses,
Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

But have you considered the following verses also in your understanding?

Luk 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Luk 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In Christ, 1Christianwarrior316
 
Dec 19, 2009
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#6
I heard about that God forgives 70 times 7 but I do have a feeling that God only forgives a person 490 times since 7 times 70 equals 490.
I think seventy times seven was a figure of speech. I think the Lord always forgives us, after giving us a good whipping.
 
F

FriendOfGodAtUEA

Guest
#7
No. We may fail 1 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 times and he will still forgive us. That's why Jesus died on the cross. Every sin was laid on him. Praise be to the Lord!
 
S

SantoSubito

Guest
#8
It's a figure of speech that basically means "an undefined large number". --------edited/inappropriate----------- No one knows it's simply an expression for "an undefined large number".
 
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May 18, 2010
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#9
God is infinite therefore anything he does is infinite the point in this us forgiving others 7 X's 77 times is to forgive time and time again.
 

TheAristocat

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2011
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#10
It seems to have contrast to this as well

Gen 4:24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
I love this post. It not only implies that the 70x7 was an expression but also demonstrates how it was. But I dare say the 70x7 here might actually be 77x instead.
 

TheAristocat

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2011
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#11
70 x 7 was a reference to Daniel 9, something they should have understood. As far as forgiveness is concerned the Bible says if we confess our sins He will forgive us but, His plan for us is to not sin. 1 John 2:1
How was it a reference to Daniel 9? I see something like 70 weeks in Daniel 9, but I don't see 70x7. And only the 70 weeks have anything to do with transgression which could be related to forgiveness.
 
L

Laodicea

Guest
#12
How was it a reference to Daniel 9? I see something like 70 weeks in Daniel 9, but I don't see 70x7. And only the 70 weeks have anything to do with transgression which could be related to forgiveness.

There is 7 days in a week and 70 weeks in Daniel 9 that means 70 x 7
 
D

dishchat

Guest
#13
I think it is a parable to improve our patience. Read until vs 35. Jesus use this verse to explain that we should forgive with all our hearts.
 

TheAristocat

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2011
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#14
There is 7 days in a week and 70 weeks in Daniel 9 that means 70 x 7
Yeah, I came across that passage again today when I was reading. Then it had a little notation at the bottom of the page that mentioned the weeks could be translated as 'sevens' so it could be 70x7. That was a face-palm moment.
 
Dec 19, 2009
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#15
I think seventy times seven was a figure of speech. I think the Lord always forgives us, after giving us a good whipping.
I should probably modify this post. Instead of saying, “after giving us a good whipping,” I should probably say “after dispensing appropriate discipline.”
 
B

Bornfromabove

Guest
#16
I should probably modify this post. Instead of saying, “after giving us a good whipping,” I should probably say “after dispensing appropriate discipline.”
I feel like "good whipping" was appropriate.

Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
 
C

Crazy4GODword

Guest
#17
I heard about that God forgives 70 times 7 but I do have a feeling that God only forgives a person 490 times since 7 times 70 equals 490.
Jesus was saying 7 x 70 to show that a person is to forgive alot no matter how many time not even 7x 70. Can a person forgive more than 7x 70 for only one day?
 
T

Timofree

Guest
#18
Colossians 3:13, forgive as the Lord forgave you.......! We have been forgiven in Christ. Just imagine if our salvation was based on our own ability to confess and repent of sin.

Eg. I have a fearful thought, or I lie without being able to confess and repent, 1 second later Jesus comes back. Does that mean hell? Because no imperfection would be able to appear before God?

I believe 1 John 1:9 is written to non believers who need to acknowledge and repent of sin on coming to Christ, not as a constant necessity for salvation. We ARE the righteousness of God in Christ!!! Hallelujah
:)
 
May 18, 2010
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#19
Luk 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
Luk 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Luk 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Luk 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Luk 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Luk 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Luk 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Luk 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luk 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luk 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luk 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Luk 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Luk 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Luk 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace
 
D

dishchat

Guest
#20
Jesus was saying 7 x 70 to show that a person is to forgive alot no matter how many time not even 7x 70. Can a person forgive more than 7x 70 for only one day?
If a person had to forgive 490 times in one day, suppose he sleep 8 hours, it remain 16 hours in a day. Then we devide 16 hours by 490 times we get nearly 2 mins.
So each 2 mins, we are suppose to forgive.