Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, April 22, 2023. It is Day 14; and Day 7 of Week 2 in our Count to Pentecost.

For many days, Israel camped at Elim where they enjoyed 12 wells of water and the food and shade of 70 palm trees. Just as a matter of interesting Biblical information, we find the numbers 12 and 70 frequently appear in Scripture. They all appear to be a pattern of using these numbers in dealing with leadership or government and foundations. Here are a few of the references.

• In Genesis 10, we learn of 70 nations
• Genesis 46 tells us that 70 souls went into Egypt
• Jacob had a family with 12 sons who eventually grew into the 12 tribes of Israel
• Man is generally given threescore and ten (i.e., 70) years
• Jeremiah 35:11 tells us Jerusalem had 70 years of rest while Judah was in Babylon
• 70 men were chosen as elders for the tribes of Israel

The Bible makes distinct mention of 12 people who were specially anointed; five of these men were priests while seven of them were kings.

(1) Aaron, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.
(2) Nadab, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.
(3) Abihu, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.
(4) Eleazar, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.
(5) Ithamar, Exodus 29:7,9, etc.
(6) Saul, 1 Samuel 10:1
(7) David, 1 Samuel 16:13
(8) Absalom, 2 Samuel 19:10
(9) Solomon, 1 Kings 1:39.
(10) Jehu, 2 Kings 9:6
(11) Joash, 2 Kings 11:12
(12) Josiah, 2 Kings 23:30

Jesus appointed and sent out 70; He chose 12 Apostles; He is introduced publicly at 12 years of age. There are many other situations where God describes a group of twelve, including 12 men sent to spy out Canaan, 12 loaves of bread, 12 stones for the altar, 12 jewels on the high priests’ breastplate, 12 foundations for new Jerusalem, 12 gates, 12 pearls, 12 angels.

New Jerusalem is 144 (12 X 12) cubits, and there is a special group of 144,000 (also a multiple of 12).

There are many mysteries still contained in God’s Word; and, it is not until the 7th trump that the mystery of God will be finished.

Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. God is preparing leaders for important work ahead in His great plan for mankind. Those of us called now in this present Church age are sharing an exciting journey. May God bless us to enjoy the journey as well as the fellowship of all that our God has now called to take part in what He is doing in this end time.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God