In summary:
- the Gematria of the sons of God adds up to 153,
- the sum of ordinal and divine perfection, Σn17, the factors of which are 17 x 9, [ordinal and divine perfection] x [finality, judgement, last days]
- fish represent Christians
- none of them were lost.
Have we got a number here which is symbolically referring to the final number of the redeemed? Are those fish, 153 fish, in terms of Bible numerics symbolic of the final number of Christians? If so, I need to tell you that Tania and I belong to a church of 152 and we are looking for the last one to come and join us and then we will have the full compliment and Jesus will be coming back to take us away. Who would like to come? Sign up by email or contact me directly. We will arrange a pick up for you before the Rapture. Is that what it means?
NO, it is not being used in that way. How many times do we take something that is symbolic and turn it into something absolute? That is what happens in a particular false sect when they look at the 144,000 in the book of Revelation. That is nonsense. That is not the point of this. The point of it is that it is a symbolic statement that God knows the final number of the redeemed and that final number will be absolute perfection according to God’s foreknowledge. None will be lost. All destined for salvation will be saved. He knows the number of people who are truly His.
When I had found some of these things I sent an e-mail to Dr Basil Brown and asked him if I was on the right track. The answer I got back: “Ian that’s great. Well done for taking me seriously and following up on this . . . . Keep digging. There is more. You will need to solve the problem of mem-sophit.” When I get to heaven I am going to find John and ask him to explain to me all he meant. I have found additional pieces but none that really fit so well with John’s Gospel as does the above. This all fits so well with the theme of his Gospel. It brings together so many of John’s minor themes. It is all so comprehensive and neatly packaged. It is impressive. It can only be God’s inspiration behind the scenes. But yes, Prof Brown was right. You will need to solve the problem of the mem-sophit.
There are all kinds of fruity, wacky and glaringly weird theories as to the meaning of the 153 fish out there. Some hold a small portion of the truth. Others are clearly out in far left field. For me any answer or theory has to fit in with the book of John and John’s purpose in writing. I believe this does! It is all neatly tied up with a bow. Anything that does not fit with what John would have thought as he wrote has to be discarded.
That is why I do what I do. Why I work with Wycliffe. If the 153 fish truly do have something to do with the final number of the redeemed, then the unreached tribes / languages of the world should be included. Read Matt 24:14:
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
Matthew 24:14
As a witness to all ἔθνεσι from ethnē – this means people or ethnic groups not nations or nation states. God wants the Gospel to reach all the ethnic groups then the end will come. It is important for them to have God’s word in their language and to have the opportunity to believe that Christ is the Son of God, the Messiah and by entering into believing relationship with Him they have eternal life in His name.
I only hope that something of what I do in the Bible Gems each day will spark something in you to gain more passion for the Word of God. I trust you will learn to dig for yourself. I would love for you to teach me the things you have found from your own digging for Gems and Gold. I don’t have enough years of life to plumb the depths of Scripture alone; I need your help. Share your fish people!
In The Scope Of Eternity, It Is More Profitable For One’s Heart To Be Filled With God’s Word Than To Have One’s Pocket flowing With $.
Robb Thompson
Revelation is when God bypasses the limitations of your mind and shows you things you otherwise wouldn’t know.
Ian Vail
Instead of finding a solution to life’s problems every now and then, you can walk each day in a ‘spirit of wisdom and of revelation.
Bob Gass