Is the number 40 bible speaks of still in power today?

[RedTent]

From the first, the number 40 has meant a time of transformation. A caterpillar spins a web and waits 40 days to become a butterfly. A seed planted in a womb waits 40 weeks and becomes a baby. Noah was protected in the ark 40 days. Moses fasted 40 days and then God gave him the Ten Commandments. Elijah was fed for 40 days miraculously, then he ran for 40 days to Mount Horeb. Jesus fasted in the deserts 40 days and nights, then went out in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I am using Cindy Trimm’s “40 Day Soul Fast” book to gather this information.

Some posters are sure that the special blessings God gave the seventh day for us are no more, that Christ made every day the same. Many say that when God spoke to the Hebrews, it wasn’t for anyone but the Hebrews at that time. Do you think that the special 40 days to renew is in force today or is that gone as well.

 

[crossnote]

40 Represents (in Scripture) judgement and testing, but I'm sure even that will be contradicted.

 

[BlackPlatypus]

This might contribute to this discussion.


[FONT=ARIAL,HELVETICA,SANS-SERIF]The number forty is used by God to represent a period of testing or judgment (the length of time necessary to accomplish some major part of Gods plan in his dealings with various portions of mankind). The 40 days of rain in the days of the flood were the judgments of God. The 40 day periods of fasting, testing, and communing with God that were faced by Moses and Jesus were a form of God's judgments. The forty years that the Israelites spent in the wilderness were also the judgments of God. Various leaders in Israel who reigned for 40 year periods were put there BY God according to His Will and Judgments. Egypt was left desolate for 40 years because of God's judgments. I could go on and on, but I think these examples should suffice for now.


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From the first, the number 40 has meant a time of transformation. A caterpillar spins a web and waits 40 days to become a butterfly. A seed planted in a womb waits 40 weeks and becomes a baby. Noah was protected in the ark 40 days. Moses fasted 40 days and then God gave him the Ten Commandments. Elijah was fed for 40 days miraculously, then he ran for 40 days to Mount Horeb. Jesus fasted in the deserts 40 days and nights, then went out in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I am using Cindy Trimm’s “40 Day Soul Fast” book to gather this information.

Some posters are sure that the special blessings God gave the seventh day for us are no more, that Christ made every day the same. Many say that when God spoke to the Hebrews, it wasn’t for anyone but the Hebrews at that time. Do you think that the special 40 days to renew is in force today or is that gone as well.

 

[RedTent]

This might contribute to this discussion.

There are always layers and layers of meaning in scripture, thanks for pointing out this "layer".

Isn't it also true, that the 40 days are a time of growth, so at the end of the 40 days is a wonderful new beginning. Moses gave us a wonderful way to live in the kingdom of God after 40 days, Christ began His ministry, from tiny seeds a human is born, etc.

 

[crossnote]

Successfully passing through tests always bring blessings, but the number 40 points to the testing or judgement, not the blessings that follow.

 

[BlackPlatypus]

Numbers, the Gematria, has always been part of Judaism. Unfortunately, there are detractors who don't want the full depth of scripture to be discovered. Particularly unfortunate when Jesus said he always spoke in parables so that not everyone would understand.
Those who are keen on learning beyond the mere word of man on the page, to the spirit of God behind the teachings, shall learn the ways of the spirit.

There are some Christians who are just lazy. It's as simple as that. They read and though they don't understand they hold to the printed word only and think that's all there is to it.

The early Christians knew that the teachings of Christ were arrived at from a mystery tradition that has its roots in ancient Judaism.
If you're going to give someone entry into a treasure room you don't tie a string from the doorknob on the door to that room and string it to a sign that reads: FOLLOW THIS AND BE RICH BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAMS!
Because everyone would follow the string and then fight over who owns the treasure.
That's why treasures have maps and secret codes leading to them. So that not everyone can read and grow rich and deplete the treasure for the sharing of it.

There are always layers and layers of meaning in scripture, thanks for pointing out this "layer".

Isn't it also true, that the 40 days are a time of growth, so at the end of the 40 days is a wonderful new beginning. Moses gave us a wonderful way to live in the kingdom of God after 40 days, Christ began His ministry, from tiny seeds a human is born, etc.

 

[RedTent]

Successfully passing through tests always bring blessings, but the number 40 points to the testing or judgement, not the blessings that follow.

Cindy, in her book about going on a 40 day Soul Fast as a means of growing in the Lord, sets her mind on the blessings that comes from the 40 days of testing, not on the negatives of testing and judgment. Are you advocating only seeing the negative of the testing, as opposed to seeing the blessings to follow of going through the testing?

 

[RedTent]

Numbers, the Gematria, has always been part of Judaism. Unfortunately, there are detractors who don't want the full depth of scripture to be discovered. Particularly unfortunate when Jesus said he always spoke in parables so that not everyone would understand.
Those who are keen on learning beyond the mere word of man on the page, to the spirit of God behind the teachings, shall learn the ways of the spirit.

There are some Christians who are just lazy. It's as simple as that. They read and though they don't understand they hold to the printed word only and think that's all there is to it.

The early Christians knew that the teachings of Christ were arrived at from a mystery tradition that has its roots in ancient Judaism.
If you're going to give someone entry into a treasure room you don't tie a string from the doorknob on the door to that room and string it to a sign that reads: FOLLOW THIS AND BE RICH BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAMS!
Because everyone would follow the string and then fight over who owns the treasure.
That's why treasures have maps and secret codes leading to them. So that not everyone can read and grow rich and deplete the treasure for the sharing of it.

I do not understand your point. You must not label doors to treasures? People are lazy? Deplete the treasure? It sort of sounds like those people who say not to listen to how to walk with Christ or ever try because Christ says you can't do it perfectly. It has always seemed to me that following only negative doesn't result in anything positive whether it is in life or following the Lord. Even when scripture gives the "don't do it this way" it asks us to always see the love, justice, and care of the Lord behind the don'ts.

 

[BlackPlatypus]

I'll state it plainly. Jesus said not all were to understand his message. God has an elect. He predestined the lives of people before he created the world.
Not all are to understand Jesus' words and find their way to the kingdom.

 

[dcontroversal]

Well I am a firm believer that God is the master mathematician and the numbers of God speak volumes if people will but listen....even the Hebrew and Greek alphabets have numerical value......all 1's and 0's at the end of the day (IF) you know what I mean!

 

[RedTent]

I'll state it plainly. Jesus said not all were to understand his message. God has an elect. He predestined the lives of people before he created the world.
Not all are to understand Jesus' words and find their way to the kingdom.

How does knowing some people do not understand the words of the Lord tell us whether the 40 days scripture tells of is still in effect? Do you study, pray, meditate on the Lord, read scripture and do your best to humbly understand? That is all that is asked of us, we aren't to watch others to judge their understanding but let the Lord do that. We are just to build each other up. We know this. So what about the 40 days scripture tells of? Should we listen and apply it to our life?

 

[just-me]

From the first, the number 40 has meant a time of transformation. A caterpillar spins a web and waits 40 days to become a butterfly. A seed planted in a womb waits 40 weeks and becomes a baby. Noah was protected in the ark 40 days. Moses fasted 40 days and then God gave him the Ten Commandments. Elijah was fed for 40 days miraculously, then he ran for 40 days to Mount Horeb. Jesus fasted in the deserts 40 days and nights, then went out in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I am using Cindy Trimm’s “40 Day Soul Fast” book to gather this information.

Some posters are sure that the special blessings God gave the seventh day for us are no more, that Christ made every day the same. Many say that when God spoke to the Hebrews, it wasn’t for anyone but the Hebrews at that time. Do you think that the special 40 days to renew is in force today or is that gone as well.

In general the number 40 represents Trials, probation, and testings.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice , though now for a season, if need be , ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth , though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:6-7)

There is a good reason for the history of the Old Testament. It enhances our understanding of the new.

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (Romans 2:9)

 

[BlackPlatypus]

The Gematria was part of the process of God delivering his message to the elect.

How does knowing some people do not understand the words of the Lord tell us whether the 40 days scripture tells of is still in effect? Do you study, pray, meditate on the Lord, read scripture and do your best to humbly understand? That is all that is asked of us, we aren't to watch others to judge their understanding but let the Lord do that. We are just to build each other up. We know this. So what about the 40 days scripture tells of? Should we listen and apply it to our life?

 

[Jason0047]

Some may not agree that God does not regard chapter and verse numbers (Which were added later). However, I believe God was aware of how important chapter and verse numbers would be to Christians today. For what Christian does not know about John 3:16? Why do I say this? Well, the 666th chapter is Ecclesiastes chapter 7. Why is this important? Well, in Ecclesiastes 7:25 it says that Solomon was seeking out wisdom and in Ecclesiastes 7:27 it tells us that he (as the preacher) had counted the number one by one to find out the account. In other words, he seeking wisdom and counting numbers. This is the same thing that is essentially said in Revelation chapter 13. Revelation 13:18 says, "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast".

Why I am bring this up?

Genesis 40 shows Joseph going thru his trial in prison.
Psam 40:1 says, I wait patiently for the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31 says, they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.
Exodus 40 (Last chapter in Exodus) shows the building of the Tabernacle and how God was there. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years with the tabernacle.
Ezekiel 40 mentions a temple (Inner Court) that is 40 cubits in length (Ezekiel 41:2) and each of the 4 courts (in the outer court of the Temple) were 40 cubits in length (Ezekiel 46:22 NIV).

 

[Jason0047]

Anyways, here is a list of some significant things in regards to the Number 40
(That is not related to chapter numbers).

• 
  
  [*]The rains (in Noah's day) fell for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:4).
  [*]Israel ate Manna for 40 years (Exodus 16:35).
  [*]Moses was with God in the mount, 40 days and nights (Exodus 24:18).
  [*]Moses was again with God 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 34:28).
  [*]Moses led Israel from Egypt at age 80 (2 times 40), and after 40 years in the wilderness, died at 120 (3 times 40; Deuteronomy 34:7).
  [*]The spies searched the land of Canaan for 40 days (Numbers 13:25).
  [*]Therefore, God made Israel wander for 40 years (Numbers 14:33-34).
  [*]40 stripes was the maximum whipping penalty (Deuteronomy 25:3).
  [*]God allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 3:11).
  [*]God again allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 5:31).
  [*]God again allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 8:28).
  [*]Abdon (a judge in Israel) had 40 sons (Judges 12:14).
  [*]Israel did evil; God gave them to an enemy for 40 years (Judges 13:1).
  [*]Eli judged Israel for 40 years (1 Samuel 4:18).
  [*]Goliath presented himself to Israel for 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16).
  [*]Saul reigned for 40 years (Acts 13:21).
  [*]Ishbosheth (Saul's son) was 40 when he began reign (2 Samuel 2:10).
  [*]David reigned over Israel for 40 years (2 Samuel 5:4, 1 Kings 2:11).
  [*]The holy place of the temple was 40 cubits long (1 Kings 6:17).
  [*]40 baths (measurement) was size of lavers in Temple (1 Kings 7:38).
  [*]The sockets of silver are in groups of 40 (Exodus 26:19 & 21).
  [*]Solomon reigned same length as his father; 40 years (1 Kings 11:42).
  [*]Elijah had one meal that gave him strength 40 days (1 Kings 19:8).
  [*]Ezekiel bore the iniquity of the house of Judah for 40 days (Ezekiel 4:6).
  [*]Jehoash (Joash) reigned 40 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:1).
  [*]Egypt to be laid desolate for 40 years (Ezekiel 29:11-12).
  [*]Ezekiel's Temple (or Inner Court) is 40 cubits long (Ezekiel 41:2).
  [*]Each 4 courts in the outer court of Ezekiel's temple = 40 cubits long (Ezekiel 46:22 NIV).
  [*]God gave Nineveh 40 days to repent (Jonah 3:4).
  [*]Jesus fasted 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2).
  [*]Jesus was tempted 40 days (Luke 4:2, Mark 1:13).
• Jesus remained on earth 40 days after resurrection (Acts 1:3).
• Women are pregnant for 40 weeks (time of testing).

 

[Jason0047]

Anyways, here is a list of some significant things in regards to the Number 40
(That is not related to chapter numbers).

Source:
The Significance of the Number 40

 

[Jason0047]

Here are a few more on the Number 40:

Noah waited another 40 days after it rained before he opened a window in the Ark.
(Gen 8:6 KJV) And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:

Embalming required 40 days
(although this was an Egyptian custom, the Egyptians recognized the period of 40 for the preparation of going into a new life, what they called the afterlife)(Gen 50:3 KJV) And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days.

Jonah warned the City of Nineveh they had 40 days until God would overthrow the city.
The people repented in those 40 days and God spared the city.
(Jonah 3:4 and 10 KJV) And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Steven tells us about how Moses was in the wilderness of Mount Sinai for 40 years before encountering the burning bush.
(Acts 7:30 KJV) And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.​

Source:
40 in the Bible​

 

[crossnote]

Cindy, in her book about going on a 40 day Soul Fast as a means of growing in the Lord, sets her mind on the blessings that comes from the 40 days of testing, not on the negatives of testing and judgment. Are you advocating only seeing the negative of the testing, as opposed to seeing the blessings to follow of going through the testing?

God sets up the tests, we don't determine the tests. Sounds like a commerial enterprise for Cindy to sell books to the undiscerning christian...but a ble$$ing to her though.

 

[RedTent]

God sets up the tests, we don't determine the tests. Sounds like a commerial enterprise for Cindy to sell books to the undiscerning christian...but a ble$$ing to her though.

I am always amazed at your thinking! Your message is always to look for evil, never grow, never look for Christ. First, you said to look at the how 40 means going through testing, see that not growth!! Now, I may be trying to sell a book, rather than thinking of a possible way God has for us for growth. It sounds as if your mind is so set towards finding and seeing evil that nothing of Christ can reach through. Have you ever thought about reaching towards God? It brings joy.

I have read that the frontal lobe of the brain of older men shrinks and they become bitter, sour old men who only see darkness. You could avoid that by putting on the mind of Christ.