The number three represents divine perfection. The number 3 is associated with the Godhead, for there are 3 persons in God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The first occurrence of the number 3 is in Genesis 1 and describes the 3rd day of creation. “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so” (Genesis 1:9). On the 3rd day, the earth was caused to rise up out of the water, symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three is the number of the resurrection, for it was on the 3rd day that Jesus rose again from the dead (Luke 24:7).
God’s attributes are 3: omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. There are 3 great epochs of time – past, present, and future. Matter is made up of solids, liquids, or gases. Time consists of the past, present, and future. Space can be measured in length, width, and depth. Man was made in the image of God, with a form (body), soul (mind), and spirit.
Jesus himself represents the number 3 in many aspects, even though he is most mentioned as the number 2 deity - the Son. There are 3 years of Jesus’ ministry which testify to the completeness of Israel’s failure to accept him as their Messiah (Luke 13:7). Jesus’ 3-fold “it is written” replies to Satan show that the Word of God is the perfection of all ministry (Matthew 4). The 3-fold voice from Heaven revealed the completeness of God’s approval of His beloved son Jesus (Matthew 3:17 and John 12:28).
The perfection of Jesus in regard to his 3 offices on earth is shown in His being prophet, priest, and king, raised up from among His brethren (Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Acts 7:37).
There are 3 witnesses in heaven that testify that Jesus Christ came by water and blood (which refers to his baptism and crucifixion): the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7). There are 3 that bear witness in earth: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood (1 John 5:8).
At Jesus’ crucifixion, Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. The writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. The inscriptions of the cross in 3 languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Latin) show the completeness of His rejection by Jews and Gentiles alike (John 19:19).
I believe Jesus was crucified in the year AD 33 (3 x 11). It was at the 6th hour that he was crucified (John 19:14) with two other people (three people total), and it was for three hours (from the 6th to the 9th) that darkness enveloped the land (Matthew 27:45). Jesus’ death came in the 9th hour (3 x 3) when he uttered 3 words: “It is finished.” (John 19:30).
In Israel, according to the Hebrew calendar, the 9th hour is 3:00 PM. So in other words, in the year AD 33, at 3 PM Israel time, there was darkness in the land of Israel for 3 hours after which Jesus uttered his last 3 words - “It is finished.” Mankind’s salvation was now secure and complete for all who put their trust and faith in Him. Three days later, as proof of Jesus’ deity, Jesus was resurrected from the grave and was seen and heard by many.
We believe the number 33 represents Jesus. Jesus was a descendant of King David, who was the 33rd generation from Adam. Matthew 1 gives the genealogy of Jesus. “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). David was described by Samuel the prophet as “a man after the Lord’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). David reigned over all 12 tribes of Israel from Jerusalem for 33 years.
Jesus started his ministry at 33 years of age (some say 30) and was crucified in AD 33. The word “firstfruits” is mentioned 33 times in the Bible (NKJV). Christ is the firstfruits of the dead. “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Jesus will one day return to set up His millennial kingdom for He is King of kings and Lord of lords. The “kingdom of heaven” is mentioned 33 times in the Book of Matthew. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). The “kingdom of God” is mentioned 33 times in the Book of Luke (NKJV). “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31).
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