III. SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROOF
WHAT THIS EVIDENCE MEANS
FOR THE UNBELIEVER
For the unbeliever, the most important question has always been, “What shall I do with my life?” This is a very reasonable question. In fact to not ask this question is to be lazy and irresponsible. Once you decide what you really want to do you can better plan your way to success.
Now if there is a God, and he left instructions for us in the Bible, it would be foolish to make any decision while ignoring him. The numeric proof presented here demonstrates God’s existence. If you’ve ever wondered whether or not there was a RIGHT WAY to live, now you know. There is such a thing as goodness, and there is its opposite (evil). God will judge us. The textual meaning of the proof shows God is ready to help you live the RIGHT WAY.
WHAT SKEPTICS ARE MISSING
Skeptics claim that believers in bible numerics find these features by constructing them. They point out that no two passages contain the same number of features or the same type of features. The skeptics use this to point out that numeric rules are changed to find new patterns when the old ones fail. And if the rules are constantly changed, the odds are not astronomical at all. When all the failed numeric attempts are counted, the end result is simply the odds of 1 in 7.
There are many bible numeric studies with features that appear with no rhyme or reason, but none of them come close to the ordered complexity of Exodus 34:6b-7. None of them are as reasonable. The ones presented here have a reason. Revelation 1:8 gives the plan for the features in Exodus. (I challenge anyone to write a passage in any language bearing the same features as Exodus 34:6b-7.) Besides, it’s humanly impossible to plan for something 1500 years apart (the time period between the writing of Exodus and Revelation). And if it was planned, it would’ve been kept a secret for 3500 years! Why not reveal it earlier?
The skeptic would probably say, “What is meaningful and reasonable to you has no relevance to me.” The believer could explain further, and each time the skeptic could repeat the last phrase. How much more would be enough?
WHAT THIS TELLS US ABOUT THE BIBLE
1. These two verses (Genesis 1:1 and Exodus 34:6b-7) prove God inspired the Bible. There may be other verses of equal importance, but I believe these two are so complete in themselves we don’t really need many more. It is enough to know that these two most significant verses have so many special features.
2. A God who can hide such complex numerics in his word is capable of ensuring the correct transmission of his word. He will make available all we really need to know.
3. The numerics emphasize the seriousness of studying the Bible with respect, reason and integrity. Features are not supposed to be pulled haphazardly from the text just as verses are not supposed to be pulled randomly from the Bible.
4. This verse proves that God is real. And in this verse, God warns us that good and evil are also real. Now if evil is real, Satan is real too. There is no neutral ground. We are either for God, or on the devil’s side. Each person is responsible for their own sin, and for the effects of their sin on others. God will judge (Malachi 4:1).
We have two extra-ordinary verses in the Bible (Genesis 1:1, Exodus 34:6b-7). The Genesis verse is related to many others in the Bible where God claims sovereignty of the universe by reason of creation. The Exodus verse is tied in with Revelation 1:8 and other verses describing who God is and what he desires. Like two witnesses, these two verses agree with many other verses and attest to the inspiration of the Bible.
Aside from these verses about God, the Bible contains the historical witness of God acting directly in the world (see the other section of this site). This is not a generic proof that a god exists but that the God of the Bible exists, and he is like no other. More importantly, the Bible is his message of who he is, what he wants of us and of what he does. He keeps his promises. What he says, he will do (Isaiah 55:6-11).
WHAT THIS PROOF MEANS TO CHRISTIANS
These two verses (Genesis 1:1, Exodus 34:6b-7) are very important proofs for the believer.
1. They are vital witnessing tools since we no longer appear to have prophets, miracles or teachers like Jesus.
2. Bible-based proof is a fundamental part of Christian faith and growth. Who ever heard of a proof or miracle destroying faith? God first draws us (Jeremiah 30:21b). If we don’t respond, it is we who are at fault, not the proof (Habakkuk 2:3-4, Hebrews 10:37-38). We believe and trust. He leads us further. Each time this happens, our faith grows.
3. This isn’t just proof of God’s existence, but a proof teaching us who he is, what he does and what he expects of us. The better we get to know him, the more easily we will recognize his guidance and learn to follow him (Jeremiah 7:23, Exodus 15:26, 1 Samuel 15:23, Matthew 5:17-18).
4. We do not hear much about good and evil today, though it is the main theme of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:19b, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Romans 8:13, Job 28:28). We hear a lot about God’s wonderful love and salvation, so much so even unbelievers think God will understand and automatically save them. The reason why unbelievers have this mistaken impression is because Christians have failed to explain the problem of good, evil and judgement. 45% of the words in Exodus 34:6b-7 deal with judgement and punishment. It’s time Christians returned to the full message of the Gospel on judgement and salvation. No part must be neglected (Matthew 5:17-18, 7:24-27). The lack of any one part distorts the whole message, just as the omission or alteration of a single letter in Exodus would change or destroy many of the numeric features.
Copyright© 2000, 2002 by Jerry Chin
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