The following document is inspired by the passages in Hebrews 3:7-4:11 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, which speak of different journeys leading to a Sabbath rest. In Hebrews, we see references to God's rest after creation, the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land, Jesus' journey, and the believer's striving to enter God's rest. This document aligns these journeys into seven phases, showing the parallels and connections between them.
The Creation Journey outlines the seven days of creation, culminating in God's rest. Hebrews 4:4
The Hebrew Journey follows the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Hebrews 4:8
The Messiah Journey traces Jesus' life from birth to ascension. Hebrews 4:10(NASB)
The Disciple/Saint Journey represents the believer's path from unbelief to entering the heavenly kingdom. Hebrews 4:11
Each journey is divided into seven phases, with a numerical relevance column highlighting symbolic numbers associated with each phase, drawn from various biblical references.
Below is a brief overview of what each phase represents across the four journeys:
Phase 0: The initial state before the journey begins, characterized by sin, chaos, bondage, or unbelief.
Phase 1: The beginning of the journey with light, belief, faith, or emergence.
Phase 2: Separation or turning away from the old state to a new state, repentance.
Phase 3: Birth or passage, often through water. Burial and new life.
Phase 4: Guidance or the receiving of the law or Spirit.
Phase 5: A time of testing or trials. Also, of favour/grace.
Phase 6: A new creation or crossing over, often with judgment. Another burial and resurrection.
Phase 7: The rest or fulfilment, holiness, the goal of the journey.
The table below details each phase across the four journeys, with relevant scripture references from the NASB.
Phase | Creation Journey | Hebrew Journey | Messiah Journey | Disciple/Saint Journey | Numerical Relevance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase 0 Initial state, chaos, bondage, absence, unbelief |
Formless and Dark Gen 1:2 |
Slaves in Egypt Exodus 1:8-14 |
No appearance John 1:1-2 |
Unbelief Eph 2:1-3; 2 Cor 4:4 |
|
Phase 1 Light, belief, emergence, faith |
Created Light and separated light from darkness Gen 1:3-5; John 1:4-5; Acts 26:18 |
Believed miracles Came out of Egypt Exo 4:31; Exo 10:21-23; Exo 12:31-33 |
Born Came out of Egypt John 8:12; Matt 2:2; John 12:46; Isa 9:2; Matt 4:16; John 1:4-5 |
Faith 2 Cor 4:6; Eph 5:8; Acts 26:18 |
Deut 6:4 |
Phase 2 Separation, turning, sinlessness, repentance |
Separate water and turns expanse into heaven Gen 1:6-8 |
Turn from Egypt to God Split the waters Exo 14:21-22; Exo 14:28; Gal 4:7-8; Rom 6:15-18 |
Sinless Life Matt 2; Matt 4:17; Heb 4:15 |
Repentance Acts 3:19; Psa 51:7; Acts 2:38; Acts 26:20; Gal 4:7-8; Rom 6:15-18 |
Lev 16:8 |
Phase 3 Birth, passage, baptism, death to self |
Land sprouts vegetation Gen 1:9-13 |
Journey through Red Sea Exo 14:29; 1 Cor 10:1-2 |
John's Baptism Mark 1:9-11 |
First Death/Baptism Rom 6:4; John 15:5; Col 2:12; 1 Cor 10:1-2 |
Hos 6:2 |
Phase 4 Guidance, law, Spirit, light |
Created lights in Heavens. Lights to govern Light and Darkness Gen 1:14-19 |
Giving of the Law Pillar of Fire and Cloud Exo 20; Exo 13:21; 1 Cor 10:3-4 |
Receives Holy Spirit Matt 3:16; Luke 3:22; John 16:13 |
Holy Spirit 2 Cor 1:21-22; Acts 2:3, 2:17; 1 Cor 6:19; Rom 8:14; John 14:26; Joel 2:28; Psa 119:105; 2 Cor 3:3; 1 Cor 10:3-4 |
Eze 1:5-14; Eze 2:2 |
Phase 5 Testing, wilderness, trials |
Created Sea Creatures/Monsters and Birds Gen 1:20-23 |
Testing in 40 years wilderness, Moses tested 40 days Exo 16-20; Deut 8:2; Exo 32; 1 Cor 10:3-15; Psa 95:8-11 |
Wandering desert/Temptations and Persecutions Luke 4:1-13; Matt 24:9; Matt 4:1-11; John 16:33 |
Testing, be ready, perseverance, do not fall away 2 Cor 13:1-10; 1 Pet 1:6-7; Mal 3:2-3; James 1:2-4; Isa 40:31; 1 Cor 10:3-15; John 4:13-14; 1 Pet 2:24 |
Matt 25:1-13; Matt 14:13-21 |
Phase 6 New creation, crossing over, resurrection, circumcision, judgement |
Land brings forth Man and land creatures Gen 1:24-31 |
Crossing the Jordan With Ark of Covenant. Circumcised before entering Josh 6-12; Josh 7:1-26; Josh 3:14-17; Josh 5:2-9 |
Death/Resurrection Rom 3:25; Col 1:15-20; John 12:31; Matt 28:18; Matt 25:31-46 |
Second Death/Resurrection Have to have circumcised heart before entering Rev 2:11; 1 Cor 3:12-15; Rom 6:12-14; 2 Cor 5:10; Rom 8:1; Col 2:11-13 |
1 Sam 17:4; Rev 13:18 |
Phase 7 Rest, promised land, kingdom, fulfillment |
Holy and Rest Gen 2:1-3; Heb 3:7-4:11 |
Promised Land Josh 21:43-45; Heb 3:7-4:11; Psa 95:8-11 |
Heavenly Kingdom Right hand of Throne John 20:17; Acts 2:31-35; Acts 1:9-11; John 14:2-3; Matt 11:28; Heb 3:7-4:11 |
Heavenly Kingdom Luke 22:25-30; Heb 3:7-4:11; Dan 12:13 |
2 Chro 36:21 |
During the time of testing, trials and favour/grace (that is Phase 5) we will find:
40 = (1+7)×5: Be Faithful and Be Holy!
40 = (2+6)×5: Repent or face Judgement
40 = (3+5)×5: Be Baptized and get Ready and be ready for tests/trials
40 = (4+4)×5: Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit!
This section playfully explores the significance of the number 40, which appears in the time of testing (Phase 5) across the journeys. It suggests connections between the phases and encourages reflection on the symbolic use of numbers in scripture.
By aligning these four journeys, we can see the overarching narrative of God's plan for rest and redemption. From creation to the believer's journey, each phase reflects a step towards the ultimate Sabbath rest. The parallels between these journeys underscore the consistency of God's purpose throughout biblical history, inviting us to strive to enter that rest, as encouraged in Hebrews 4:11 (NASB): "Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience."
Possible studies in each Phase
Phase 0: Seeking God, Word of God, Messianic Prophecy, The Way
Phase 1: FaithObedienceGrace, Discipleship, Message of Cross, OldCovenantNewCovenant, YomKippur
Phase 2: Sin, Sin2, Repentance
Phase 3: Baptism
Phase 4: Holy Spirit
Phase 5: Communion, Church, Apostasy, Apostasy2
Phase 6: Judgment.
Phase 7: SevenPhases