Seven Phases of Biblical Journeys - A Blueprint

Introduction

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.

Each journey is divided into seven phases, with a numerical relevance column highlighting symbolic numbers associated with each phase, drawn from various biblical references.

Overview of the Phases

Below is a brief overview of what each phase represents across the four journeys:

The table below details each phase across the four journeys, with relevant scripture references from the NASB.

Table: Seven Phases of Biblical Journeys

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

Lev 25:8-10

2 Chro 36:21

Josh 6:1-20

Fun with Numbers

During the time of testing, trials and favour/grace (that is Phase 5) we will find:

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.

Conclusion

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."

Addendum:

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