The Bible has an inclination for number seven. For example, seven days ago in creation, Joshua and his men walked seven times around Jericho, the Book of Revelation presents seven letters written by Jesus to the seven churches, as well as seven seals, seven cups, and seven trumpets. Seven, like the “number of perfection. “Even the infamous number 666 alludes to the fact that it is not 777.
Matthew uses number seven in the first section of his gospel (Mt 1. 17 to 4. 17). Describing the birth of Jesus and the period before Jesus began preaching, he cites seven accomplishments of Old Testament prophecies: the child, Jesus, was born a virgin (1:22-23); his birth is in the city of Belém (2. 5-6); flight to Egypt and the consequent return (2. 15); the massacre of innocents in Bethlehem (2:17-18); residence in Nazaré (2,23); the ministry of the forerunner, Jean-Baptiste (3. 1-3); and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in the northern regions, where people walking in darkness saw a great light (4:13-14). Careful verification of each of these seven events will reveal the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
- Christmas.
- And what comes next.
- Is deeply rooted in the Old Testament; in each movement.
- Jesus fulfilled a role that had been predicted by more than a millennium of prophecy.
- No aspect of the Messiah’s ministry of redemption occurred without being considered beforehand.
- At the time of Jesus’ birth.
- The full scope and center of the Old Testament was highlighted: “However.
- Coming from the fulness of times.
- God sent His Son.
- Born of woman.
- Born under the law?”(Gal 4.
- 4).
Is our salvation something God has long planned?Out of time, to be exact: in the councils of eternity, in a covenant that was made between the three peoples of the Trinity, that is, the so-called “covenant of redemption”. The scriptures speak of the Lamb as “dead since the foundation of the world?”(Ap 13. 8). The second psalm seems to describe a pre-temporal account of the terms of the covenant established between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost:
I will proclaim the Decree of the Lord: He said unto me, Thou art my Son, today I have begat thee; ask me, and I will give you nations for inheritances, and the confines of the earth for your possession. rod you will dominate them and break them like a potter’s vessel (Psalm 2. 7-9).
For eternity, the Lord has loved His people. Christmas is a visible demonstration of this; Calvary, the cost of that; resurrection and ascension, triumph and effectiveness of this love. Therefore, it is not surprising that the creatures surrounding the throne of the Lamb in heaven proclaim: “Worthy is the Lamb who was sacrificed to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, and glory and praise?”(Revelation 5. 12)?seven blessings.