Meaning of 2004 - Weakness
The Year 2004
January 1 (Day 1,
Unity): The meaning of 2004
is weakness. The number, 4, stands for the weakness of Earth
in relation to the Ruler of Creation in Heaven and the weakness of man
in need of Salvation and God's Grace. The four seasons and the rule
of the Sun, Moon, and stars represent the weakness of Earth in dependence
upon the Lord of Creation (Genesis
1:17-18). The number, 4, represents the weakness of earthly
(material) creation under the authority of the Heavens. There is, however,
strength when the authority of God is added to the weakness of Earth, just
as the four fingers of the hand are weak and the addition of the thumb
gives strength. The four pillars in the Gate of the Tabernacle represent
the weakness of man in need of Salvation (Exodus
27:16; 38:19). New believers who have not grown Spiritually
and are without the Edification
Complex of the Soul are weak (1
Corinthians 8:7-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:14). Suffering and
fasting may also cause weakness
Whereas, the members of the Godhead were related
to the meanings of the last three years, 2001 (Love of the Father), 2002
(Divine Division of the Son), and 2003 (the Justice of God the Holy Spirit),
the year, 2004, represents the weakness of man in total dependence upon
God. After the Judgment of the Holy Spirit in 2003, people will be
weak in 2004.
Relationship of Earth to Heaven
On Day 4 of re-creation, God set the heavens
in the proper relationship to Planet Earth. This included the Sun, Moon,
Solar System, the stars, and all other heavenly bodies. The Universe
was synchronized for the creation of man for the Appeal Trial of Satan.
Genesis 1:14-16
14 Then God commanded, "Lights come into being
in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night.
They were for signs, for seasons, for days and years; 15 They were for
lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the Earth; therefore,
it was so. 16 And God made two great lights: the greater light for
the rule of the day, and the lesser light for the rule of the night; He
made the stars also.
Thus, the number four represents the relationship of the Earth to the Heavens.
This relationship is defined as a set of clocks to measure increments of
time, seasons, and history. The two great lights,
the Sun and the Moon, established clocks for mankind to measure days, months,
years. Relationships to the
ages of history were measured by the movement of planets and by the
constellations.1 The four winds and the four seasons represent
the weakness of Planet Earth in dependence upon the control of the Lord
of Creation.2 Four months are required for crops
to grow until the harvest (John
4:35). This illustrates the weakness of the Earth in dependence
upon the God of Heaven.
Genesis 1:17-19
17 God placed them in the firmament of the heavens
to shine upon the Earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night,
and to separate the light from the darkness. And God observed that
it was Good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning, the fourth
day.
The Light represented God, and the darkness represented
Satan in his appeal trial in the Angelic Conflict. Through the lights
in the sky, mankind is able to reach God consciousness and desire the gospel
in order to receive Salvation.
The design of Creation demands a Creator.
Relationship of Angels to Heaven
Four living creatures before the Throne of God represent
the weakness of angels in relation to the Creator. Each of the living
creatures have four faces (Revelation
4:6-8). Similarly, the 4 angels who propel the Lord's
spaceship, have 4 faces and 4 wings (Ezekiel
1:4-28; 10:1-22) (ref. Control
Room in Heaven).
Relationship of Believers to God
Man's relation to God is described by the four dimensions
of the Space-Time
Coordinate System with its X, Y, Z and Time Axes. The three dimensions,
X, Y, and Z, are characteristic of the Earth, and Time is determined by
the Earth's relationship to the lights in the heavens (Genesis 1:14-19).
The Christian's Edification Complex of the Soul, which represents his relationship
with God, may also be described in four dimensions (Ephesians
3:17-19).
Weakness of Man at Salvation
In
order to demonstrate the weakness of mankind in need of Salvation, the
Lord ordered that the Tabernacle
be built with a gate of four posts covered with cloth of four colors as
the only entrance (Exodus
27:16; 38:18-19). The gate represented
Jesus Christ, the only way of Salvation (John
14:6). Those who entered the gate and went to the Brazen Altar,
the symbol of Salvation, were weak in a state of total depravity.
They came through the gate at God consciousness and received the Gospel
in Common Grace at the Brazen Altar. After seeing the animal sacrifice
that represented the future work of the Savior, Jesus Christ, in payment
for the sins of the world, God, the Holy Spirit made the Gospel clear.
Those who used their volition to believe in the future Savior, Jesus Christ,
received Efficacious Grace for Salvation. Believers were spiritually
regenerated and received Eternal Life, which they could never lose (John
10:28).
All of the work of Salvation was accomplished
by grace. It was all God's free gift. Man, in his weakness,
simply made the decision to believe in the future Redeemer, the Lord Jesus
Christ, and that was the moment of his Eternal Salvation. Thus, the
number, 4, stands for man's weakness in need of Salvation (1
Corinthians 9:22).
Weakness in the Four Generation Curse
As a part of the Abrahamic Covenant, Israel would
be enslaved in Egypt for 400 years in round numbers (Genesis
15:13). Israel actually spent 430 years in Egypt, where 43 is
for fulfillment (Exodus
12:40-41). The time Israel spent in Egypt was further described
as four generations (Genesis
15:16). In those days a generation was 100 years. Today,
it is approximately 20 years.
The Four
Generation Curse (also ref. Marriage
Grace) is explained in the Decalogue, The Ten Commandments (Exodus
20:5). According to the Four Generation Curse, after four successive
generations reject grace, the nation will be destroyed under the Fifth
Cycle of Discipline. According to animal
types, the fourth generation in Marriage Culture is symbolized by the
mule. The mule type is not only without an understanding of Bible
Doctrine and grace, but is also anti-authority.
Do not be like the horse or mule, which
are without understanding.
With bit and bridle his mouth is to be controlled;
Otherwise it will not come near you. (Psalm 32:9)
Weakness of the Fourth Cycle of Discipline
The Fourth Cycle of Discipline includes invasion
by a foreign army, pestilence, and economic recession (Leviticus
26:23-26). Under the weakness of the Fourth Cycle of Discipline the
pastors are apostate, national leaders are stupid, animals suffer, the
land languishes, and there is a breakdown of Marriage Culture. The
Prostitute of Babylon destroys Marriage Culture. The Northern Kingdom
of Israel under the Fourth Cycle of Discipline is described by Hosea (Hosea
4:1-6). And the Southern Kingdom of Judah under the Fourth Cycle
is described by Jeremiah (Jeremiah
3:1-10; 15:1-3). Jeremiah prophesied 4 dooms that would occur
in the Fifth Cycle of Discipline. And being scattered to the four
winds represents weakness of those who are cast out under the Fifth Cycle
of Discipline (Jeremiah
49:36).
Weakness of the Fourth Cycle of Personal Punishment
Weakness and sickness are associated with Intensified
Punishment of the Fourth Cycle
of Personal Punishment. Intensified punishment will make
a person weak or sick (1
Corinthians 11:30). Punishment may be related to health,
failures, disasters, and other circumstances of life.
Weakness of the Fourth Cycle of Personal Blessing
Weakness and suffering are associated with the Fourth Cycle
of Personal Blessing (Matthew
5:4, 10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Testing may make a person
weak, but it also makes the person a candidate for the grace of God.
The testing may include undeserved suffering, which is an opportunity for
undeserved blessing. After entering the Promised Land, Israel was
forbidden for the first four years to eat the fruit of the trees that were
planted (Leviticus
19:23-25). In the fourth year the fruit was to be set
aside as holy to the Lord. Thus, the sanctification of first fruits
of the 4th year represented the weakness of man in dependence upon the
Lord. In the 5th year, which represents grace, the people could eat
the fruit.
The Weakness of Israel Facing Esau
Esau symbolized the original terrorist enemy of Israel. When Jacob
chiseled Esau out of his birthright, Esau sought to kill him and Jacob
fled for his life. Years later, when Jacob returned home with his
wives and flocks, he was weak and in danger of being destroyed by his brother
Esau, who was waiting for him with 400 men (Genesis
32:6). Jacob prayed for help in the crisis, and the angel
of the Lord came to answer him. Jacob wrestled with Him and the Lord
struck him in the hip so hard that it injured his sciatic
nerve and left him cripple and hobbling. Jacob's name was changed
to Israel. His fear of Esau was overcome with the use of the Problem
Solving Device, Occupation with Christ, but he was so weak in his leg that
he hobbled. Israel met Esau, who was with his 400 men, and
was not harmed (Genesis
33:1-4).
Weakness of Christ on the Cross
The Lord Jesus Christ was weak during His crucifixion.
Christians, who are positionally in union with Christ, are also weak from
human viewpoint (2
Corinthians 13:4). Beginner Christians are weak (1
Corinthians 8:7-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:14). Even mature Christians
in suffering may be weak (1
Corinthians 4:9-10).
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
The four horsemen of the apocalypse are angels sent
to judge the world in the Great Tribulation (Revelation
6:2-8). Consequently, the world will be weak and helpless under
the power of the four horsemen. Similarly, four horses patrol the
earth to execute divine Judgment (Zechariah
1:8-11), and 4 horns represent the weakness of defeated Israel under
the powers of invading armies (Zechariah
1:18-21). Four chariots pulled by horses represent the weakness
of those judged on the earth from the Supreme Court of Heaven. The
judgments will be in the four directions of the compass, or the four winds
(Zechariah
6:1-8).
Little Finger
Weakness is represented by the little
finger, which is the fourth and the weakest finger (1
Kings 12:10). It represents the hidden person of the soul and
the events of childhood, which is the weak part of life. The four
fingers of the hand are weak without the thumb, and the four toes are weak
without the big toe. A person without thumbs cannot use a sword,
and a person without big toes cannot flee (Judges
1:6-7). Four fingers without the thumb represent weakness in
service, and four toes without the big toe represent weakness in walking,
which represents the strategic and tactical advance.
Logistical Grace Testing Causes Weakness
Although God provides food, clothing, and shelter
through Logistical Grace, He may reduce or temporarily withhold them in
testing (1
Corinthians 4:11). The congregation of Israel faced the no-water
test after leaving Egypt (Exodus
15:22; 17:1; Numbers 20:2). Extensive fasting causes a person
to be physically weak (Psalm
109:24).
Failure to Rebound
Failure to Rebound
before communion can cause weakness (1
Corinthians 11:30).
Four Winds and Four Corners
The four winds, which correspond to the jet streams,
represent the four directions of the compass. A square or
rectangle with four corners is weak compared to a triangle (Job
1:19). Four corners represent
the boundaries of a rectangle, or plane. The analogy of the four
corners of the earth means the furthest extremities of the earth.
The four winds and four corners are often used to describe the same result
on the Earth. Weather angels on the four corners of the Earth
control the four winds (Revelation
7:1). The 4 winds stir up the Mediterranean Sea from which
comes 4 beasts, which represent evil dictators (Daniel
7:1-8).
The Diaspora will be dispersed in weakness in all directions
just as the four winds blow in four directions (Zechariah
2:6). The Diaspora will return in weakness at the
Second Advent from the four corners of the earth and the four winds (Isaiah
11:12; Mark 13:27). The army that destroyed Elam came
from the four winds and scattered it to the four winds (Jeremiah
49:36).
Walking on All Fours
Insects and animals that walk on all fours (Leviticus
11:20-21, 27, 42) are weak compared to man. These animals
lack the brain power to walk upright. Babies crawl before they can
walk because it takes time for their brains to develop the capacity to
walk upright.
The Divine Solution for Weakness
The Spiritual Life of the Christian in the Church
Age will include weakness from the beginner stage through Spiritual Maturity
and beyond. At every stage of Spiritual growth, the Ten
Problem Solving Devices are available to solve the problem of weakness.
Those who are weak are candidates for the Grace of God (1
Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Conclusion
The year, 2004, represents weakness. The number,
4, represents the weakness of the Earth and material creation in dependence
upon the Creator just as the four fingers are weak without the thumb, which
provides strength. All of creation, both material and immaterial,
is weak in dependence upon the Creator. The number, 4, applies to
the weakness of mankind and angels in dependence upon God. The unbeliever
is weak without Salvation, and the Christian will be weak after Salvation.
At every stage of Spiritual Growth, the Ten Problem Solving Devices are
available to solve the problem of weakness. Weakness is an opportunity
for the Grace of God.
Passing the test of weakness with the divine solution will parlay the
suffering of the year, 2004, into divine blessing and eternal reward.
Just as every person begins as a child and every one has a little finger
as a reminder of weakness, the realization of weakness is indicative of
objective reality in relation to God. God, in His Sovereign Design,
has a monopoly on Happiness, freedom, and strength. The Christian
is not designed to be Spiritually weak, but human weakness must be overcome
with Spiritual strength. The erection of the Edification
Complex of the Soul will make the Christian strong to overcome the
weakness of the flesh.
To avoid confusion, some things must be understood about what the number,
4, is not. The number, 4, which represents weakness in relation to
God, is not formed by combination, factoring, addition, or subtraction.
It is like a prime number that is defined by the Bible. For example,
3 oranges and 1 apple do not equate to four. And 3 pieces of fruit
in one bowl and one piece of fruit in another bowl do not equate to four.
Such cases of 3 and 1 are often a sign of human good. Human good
is a false weakness. It is a display of man's works in opposition
to divine Grace. Nor do 2 apples in one bowl and 2 apples in another
bowl equate to four. If God had wanted to say, "Four," He would have
put the 4 apples in one bowl.
Similarly, the true meaning of the number, 4, may depend upon the relationship
to the origin. The fourth hierarchical level is usually more prestigious
and powerful than the lower three. However, those who achieve the
4th level may be statistically fewer (weaker) than those who populate the
lower levels. The one who comes in fourth in a race may be weaker,
but if the first three were going to destruction, the first may be the
weakest and the last may be the strongest. The first may be last
and the last first. Four strands are stronger than two, but they
may also be weaker in terms of being less flexible and more expensive.
Practically, the number, 4, does not stand out, since weakness is more
common than strength. It is not a high-profile number. It is
a number that is so common that it may be taken for granted. The
year, 2004, will be a time of weakness after the severe Judgment of the
year, 2003. The Church was severely Judged in 2003. The economy
was Judged. The military and security forces of the nation were Judged.
Even with the victory in Iraq, strength has been depleted. The year,
2004, will be a time of weakness after suffering. And in the weakness,
it will be an opportunity for God to demonstrate His strength. Those
who survived the Judgments of 2003 in Grace, will be uniquely qualified
to survive the weakness of 2004.
For those who have been called to live in this
period of human history, it is a rare opportunity to utilize Bible Doctrine.
The single digit numbers will come true each year. Each year bears
special significance in the Spiritual Life and in Spiritual Warfare.
-
2001 - the unity of God
-
2002 - divine division
-
2003 - the Justice of the Holy Spirit
-
2004 - weakness
-
2005 - grace or a giant
-
2006 - man
-
2007 - categorical punishment
-
2008 - new birth
-
2009 - Plagues of Egypt
-
2010 - Laws of Establishment
This sequence means that God is evangelizing the
world and testing believers in the Spiritual Life. The issue is not
worldly success or prosperity. It is response to the Love of God.
Those who defy God will be judged, and those who obey him will be tested
and promoted on the battlefield.
In 2001,
the color for unity was white. In 2002,
the color for God's separation was orange. In 2003,
the color for the Justice of God the Holy Spirit was violet. In 2004,
the color for weakness in capacity for life will be yellow. In 2005,
the color for Grace will be white/yellow.
References
1. Larry Wood. "The
Ages," February 2001. http://www.Biblenews1.com/creation/ages1.html
2. Larry Wood. "Control
Room in Heaven," September 1997. http://www.Biblenews1.com/creation/control1.htm
