Re: Divine Epistemology - Knowing God
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2026 11:30 am
That's accurate. I read widely. Anyone who has studied gematria to any depth would likely be familiar with his works, especially if they were not Christian as was the case with me at that time). Even so, I was always mystified how a man who openly delights in wickedness could have collected so much insight into gematria (mixed with a lot was no good at all). But I understand now. He was drawing from the treasure of God's Wisdom as revealed in the Holy Bible, despite his open rejection of Christ. He was a very sad man.Geert van den Bos wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2026 10:45 amwhat you exactly said I don't know anymore, but that you were acquainted with his works
God used gematria to lead me to Christ. I had been studying Hebrew gematria for a couple years and had become so convinced that I wondered if I might become a Jew. But Christ had other plans. I'll never forget the wonderment I felt when I saw the value of His Name
JESUS = 888
I had already worked out many Hebrew words and phrases relating to that number. I knew it was the value of Messiah spelled full:
Mem (90) + Shin (360) + Yod (20) + Chet (418) = 888
When I saw that, God's Spirit lit it up in my soul and I remembered THE LORD WHO SAVED ME when I was a totally lost 19 year old kid confused by drugs and grief after my father's suicide (which left me an orphan since my mother had been absent since I was a baby). God sent an evangelist name John to preach the Gospel. I resisted, thinking I was "too smart" to believe such fairy tales. John persisted. He led a youth group for troubled kids. He took me to a Praise the Lord festival in Vancouver Washington. Everyone seemed crazy, claiming God told them this and God told them that. By the second day, I was very frustrated and went off by myself. I prayed my first sincere prayer, with tears. I said "God, you talk to everyone else. Why don't you talk to me?" God said "Read Psalm 27". So that's what I did, and my heart burst open in a flood of tears as I read verse 10:
Psa 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
I KNEW that God Almighty was talking to ME. He directly addressed the central tragedy my life. How I could ever fall away after that seems like a mystery, but now I understand it as God's perfect will. But that's another story. Now I can sing Psalm 136 with the renew heart He has given me. With pure joy in the LORD!
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.