Renting A Tarot Card Reader?
"And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand."
Mtt. 13: 10-13
I am about to throw a monkey wrench into the works with this one. But please bear with me and hear me out - ok?
Numerology- it is latin base word meaning (numerus = a number) and (ology = to study). It means to study numbers. It is associated with the occult.
We know we have all been taught (you have heard it said it is written but I say) the meanings of numbers as it pertains to the Bible. But I would like to pose this question. Is it solid spiritual to do this? Is it even really biblical to do this?
I ask this because to my best understanding and spiritual witness we are to ask the Lord for interpretations of all things from Him and to have set patterns or meanings for something is like doing formulas. The same could be said of colors & their meanings, stones & their meanings, etc.
Seriously and honestly folks, I have lived in many places where the literal witch crafters and voodooists and psychics abound and they have pat meanings for these things. And to be real honest every time I hear someone say this number or that color means this thing, I get a real check in my spirit. Always have. When I see folk who are christians doing the same as 'rent a tarot card reader' I get really uncomfortable. See the deal about the tree of knowledge of good & evil is that it is a MIXTURE... the evil is a mix- impure... that is the rub. God is righteous not right or wrong.
‘Cuz see this one thing I do know- God is not afraid to be ask questions, evil on the hand is always scared. And when cornered and it usually comes out making accusations to cover up- it is called lying or self-justification. So what is the history of these ‘christian’ teaching on numbers and their meanings?
I do believe that there is the "real thing" in order for there to be a counterfeit. The patterns, numbers and colors we have in the scriptures, especially regarding the tabernacle, are the real things, especially in light of the fact that the letter to the Hebrews in the NT says that Jesus is the reality. I believe there are principles in scripture that the Holy Spirit illuminates for us and bring our attention to, but to make a "science" or system out of them, NOT.
Much of this numerology is taken from the “Kabbalah”
(Main Entry: ca·ba·la Variant(s): or cab·ba·la or cab·ba·lah /k&-'bä-l&, 'ka-b&-l&/ Function: noun Usage: often capitalized Etymology: Medieval Latin cabbala Date: 1521
1 : a medieval and modern system of Jewish theosophy, mysticism, and thaumaturgy marked by belief in creation through emanation and a cipher method of interpreting Scripture
2 a : a traditional, esoteric, occult, or secret matter b : esoteric doctrine or mysterious art)
and before that from Babylon and other ancient cultures who were into numbers and all kinds of occult practices. There really is no place in the Bible where it lays this kind of practice out. There were and are "oral" Jewish teachings that were handed down from Moses to the “trusted ones” before scribes began to write things down.In a class on the Hebrew alphabet and according to this teaching, God gave the Hebrew alphabet to Israel. Each letter does have a numerical value and also a spiritual meaning and symbolism which IF taught properly can be a real blessing.
Then there were the "oral" teachings that were passed down to the "trusted" ones and they say part of that knowledge was "mystical". The Jews have three levels that they interpret all scripture on. The first level is very basic and natural. The second is that which is higher and on a more philosophical level. And the third level is the "mystical" or spiritual level and can only be understood spiritually. These Jews do not have the insight of the Holy Spirit as we do and so this creates a "gap" in there somewhere between us. Someday there will not be a gap, we will be one in Christ when He completes their redemption and brings them to Himself and they receive Jesus as their Messiah.
All ancient civilizations had their alphabets with the letters being assigned their corresponding numbers and the coding or numerology has been around forever. It is believed that when Israel was brought captive to Babylon that they (Isreal) learned the ways of the Chaldeans or Babylonians and this was one of their practices. They also intermarried (which God told them not to do...especially the priests) and learned pagan ways! Some of the priests and rabbis got caught up in this and brought it back after their 70 years of captivity and incorporated it into some of their "oral law" and religious practices that they handed down. (See the books of Nehemiah and Ezra.)
Then in the 13th and 14th centuries during the time of the Renaissance, there were a few individuals who began delving into "mystical" things much like the “New Agers” of our time have. They supposedly sat at the feet of some Jewish rabbis who (if they felt a person was worthy to be taught and trusted with the oral law) would teach these "mystical" things to them. The Kabbalah is a "mystical" work of books” that get into numerology, mysticism, the male and female aspects of God, the "lights of perfection", etc. I know that New Agers can and do believe in healing and the laying on of hands and "spiritual body readings" with their hands in which heat and healing power come from them into a person's body, but by what spirit do they do these things?
I see and know that the “Bible Code” and other such things are just another tactic of the enemy to pervert the things of God. It is a counterfeiting of what is real and dabbling into things that are not allowed. It is just another attempt to try to find the "secrets or hidden" things by means other than revelation by the Holy Spirit. I would put that right up there with water witching, tarot cards, casting lots, throwing dice or bones, opening up a Bible and where ever it opens and putting your finger on a random scripture for guidance or another attempt to find "hidden knowledge or secret messages/revelations" for oneself.
I am not saying that there are not principles and revelations that are gleaned from the scripture, but unless the Holy Spirit give illumination or revelation, we can only speculate and opine as to these things. The scriptures are still the best source if we rightly understand them with the Holy Spirit's help.
It is this static, “mystical” system and those who use it and abuse with it that I am attacking. This really is my BIG BEEF with churchy folk and religion... it keeps folk in bondage period. How? - it causes men to focus on other men and their systems of interpretation instead of going to the Living God for interpretation, understanding, knowledge and wisdom.
I am for Jesus and since that is so I am thrust into a position of being against certain things... numerology (even well thought out and presented supposedly 'Christian' teachings) among them.
I firmly believe I and every other saint has a God given right and mission to ask questions of anyone who proposes a teaching or word as from God. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking these questions. We have been taught otherwise and even brow beaten in to believing that to do so is to question 'divine' authority... HOG WASH!
I challenge you just as the Lord has challenged me- read thru all of the gospel accounts... see if Jesus did not answer every question anyone posed for Him. Now He may have answered with a question to them and He may have even answered with something they did not understand and in many cases not like the answer- He answered them nonetheless.
If we are as He says sons of God by His work and grace, what do we have to fear in asking Him anything? I say and know- nothing, we have nothing to fear. It is only that which has something to hid that is afraid of being questioned be it hidden wounds or agendas or reputations or anything. Jesus was and is open and honest... so is His body. I know because I have seen both... man- I have been both. But no more... now by His grace I am able to be questioned without shame or worry about anything and if not then I definitely know that that is a place God is dealing with my self life about.
Pepper singin’~ To The One Who Is The Way, The Truth, and The Life!
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