THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EIGHT

Born again believers know that some numbers have a special significance when found in the Bible.  For instance, "one" symbolizes unity (Deut. 6:4; Mk. 12:29; Jn. 17:11, 21-23; etc.).  "Two" represents a uniting or union, as in marriage or have two witnesses (Gen. 2:23-24; Deut. 17:6; Eph. 5:31-32; Rev. 11:3; etc.).  "Three" has to do with divinity, as in the evidence in Christ's Resurrection after three days (Mt. 12:38-40); the formula for Baptism (Mt. 28:19); and the members of the Trinity as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 13:14.  The same could be shown for the numbers "four," "five," "six," and "seven."  But I especially want to look at the number "eight."

The number "eight" has to do with new beginnings resulting from God's mercy and His grace.
 
*  The Creation Week, like any other week in history, took seven days (Gen. 1:1 - 2:3).  We see the "eighth" day as the start of human history. 
*  The Hebrew child was initiated into the religious community by circumcised on the eighth day, (Gen. 17:10-12). 
*  There were "eight" persons saved from the Flood for the very purpose of the human race having a new beginning (Gen. 7:7; 1 Pet. 3:2; 2 Pet. 2:5; etc.). 
*  David was the "eighth" son of Jesse (1 Sam. 16:10-11). 
*  A leper was cleansed on the "eighth" day (Lev. 14:10-23). 
*  The Feast of Wave Loaves, commonly known as the Feast of Pentecost, occurred on the first day of the "eighth" week after the Feast of First Fruits (Lev. 23:10-21).  This feast can be seen as a feast of "new beginnings" because the Church was founded on the day of the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47).       
*  The Feast of Tabernacles, the feast representing the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, lasted seven days; the following day was a Sabbath, a Day of Holy Convocation (Lev. 23:36).  It is that "following day," the "eighth" day, if you will, that represents the beginning of our eternity with God (Rev. 21:1 - 22:21)!

And, while the number "8" clearly represents God's mercy and grace at giving man a "fresh start," it is also ironic that the figure itself, laid on its side, is the symbol for infinity (eternity)!  My "seven days" lasted twenty-eight years, but thank God, my "eighth day" began January 31, 1971!

 

If all you have is "seven days," makes you weak;

it is the "eighth day" that makes us eternal!