The Trinity of Scriptures

In our last study on the significance of the numbers in Scripture we witnessed that the number three is expressive of completeness. Let us proceed farther, considering the trinities of Scripture, for, wherever we turn in the sacred pages, we find trinities delightful to behold. Turn where you will; you will discover that the Holy Spirit has delightfully cast divine truth into the form of trinities.

One of the most impressive benedictions of Scripture is found in Numbers 6:24-26. In this threefold blessing the phrase, "The Lord," is thrice repeated. Some scholars see in it a reference to the Trinity. Then in Isaiah 6:3 is recorded the threefold sanctus, "Holy, holy, holy," and this has its counterpart in the apostolic benediction in II Corinthians 13:14, and also in the three "holies" which are found in Revelation 4:8.

THE THREEFOLD NATURE OF TEMPTATION

Temptation has a threefold nature, and this is summed up in I John 2:16 in the words, "The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." Man has three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil (or demons). Satan has no more tools than these with which to tempt man. He used these tools on the first parents, and they succumbed to the threefold temptation. The appeal to the flesh is found in the words: "Hath God said, ye shall not eat?" (Gen. 3:1). The appeal of the world is seen in the words, "Your eyes shall be opened" (vs. 5). The third appeal is in the words: "Ye shall be as gods" (vs. 5). The result is clearly shown in the statement: "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (world), and a tree to be desired to make one wise (demons), she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat" (vs. 6).

In the testing of the Second Adam, Satan used this same threefold appeal. The appeal to the flesh is seen in the words: "Command that these stones be made bread" (Matt. 4:3). The appeal of the world is seen in the statement: "The devil. . . showeth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them" (vs. 8). The appeal to tie vain glory of life, or demons, occurs in the command: "If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down" (vs. 6). In each test Jesus appealed to the Scriptures, saying, "It is written," and thus the tempter was foiled and went down in complete defeat.

THE THREEFOLD CORRUPTION OF GOD'S WORD

To God's Holy Word may be done violence in three ways: in taking from it, in adding to it, and in altering it. In the temptation of Eve, God's Word was done violence to in all three ways. In comparing Genesis 2:16 with 3:2, it will be seen that he omitted the word "freely"; thus he took from God's Word. Comparing Genesis 2:17 with 3:3, it will be noticed that Eve added to God's Word, for she added the words, "Neither shall ye touch it." Comparing the same verses and reading verse four, we notice that the tempter altered God's Word by incorrect quotation, and by the denial, "Ye shall not surely die."

When the Last Adam was tested. He repeated the words, "It is written," three times, as though to call attention to the occasion of the fall of the first Adam in the perversion of God's Word. "It is written," and I will not omit anything from the Word. "It is written," and I will not add anything to the Word. "It is written," and I will not alter the Word. What a complete testimony to the sufficiency of God's Word!

THE THREEFOLD WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

As a representative of the Trinity during the absence of the Son, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, has a threefold office. His work in the hearts of men is threefold; to convict of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, the sin of failing to believe on Christ the Son; of righteousness, man's utter lack of true righteousness and God's full provision whereby man may be clothed in the righteousness of God; of judgment from which there is no escape, seeing that even the prince of this world has been judged. The work of the Spirit in the believer is also threefold; He empowers for holy living and active witnessing; He reveals divine truth, taking the things of Christ and revealing them unto us; and He indwells the believer as the Comforter.

THE THREEFOLD PROMISE OF CHRIST

Think of this beautiful trinity — a threefold cord which cannot be broken. Among some 30,000 promises of Scripture are three which Jesus gave to His disciples. (1) "I will build My Church (Matt. 16:18); (2) "I will send My Spirit" (John 14: 26); (3) "I will come again" (John 14:3). Think of these promises for a moment. The first promise, "I will build My Church," received its initial fulfilment on the day of Pentecost, because that was the birthday of the Church. The second promise, "I will send My Spirit," also received fulfilment at the same time. All down through the Church Age the Holy Spirit has been active in adding living stones to the Church which is His Body. The third promise, "I will come again," awaits a like fulfilment. It will as surely be fulfilled as the other two promises were.

THREE THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE

There are many other trinities in Scripture, and many significant occurrences of the number three. Let us consider a number of them.

Divine testimony to the well-pleasingness of Christ was given three times (Matt. 3:17; 17:5; John 12: 28).

Christ was crucified the third hour (Mark 15:25), and there were three inscriptions on the cross, indicating the completeness of rejection (Luke 23:38).

The river Jordan was divided three times, making the perfection of divine miracle (Josh. 4; II Kings 2:8, 14).

The spies brought back grapes, figs, and pomegranates — three things testifying to the perfect goodness of the promised land (Num. 13:23-24).

Christ has a threefold work as Shepherd: He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20), and the Chief Shepherd (I Pet. 5:4).

Three Psalms set forth the threefold work of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King. Psalm 22 is the Psalm of the cross; Psalm 23, the crook; and Psalm 24, the crown. Thus Christ's atonement, advocacy, and advent are set forth.

The completeness of apostasy is set forth in Jude 11 in the three phrases, "the way of Cain," "the error of Balaam," and "the gainsaying of Korah."

Three times Pilate said, "I find no fault in Him," testifying to the complete and perfect goodness of Christ (John 18:38; 19:4, 6).

At the birth of Christ the wise men brought three things: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matt. 2:11). The completeness of Christ's work is displayed as these three gifts are the symbols of His death, intercession, and second coming.

There are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Spirit; and these three are one. Likewise, there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these are one (I John 5:7-8).

A sheet was let down before Peter three times (Acts 10:16), giving the completeness of testimony as to the admission of the Gentiles into the church.

The completeness of divine judgment is set forth in the book of the Revelation in the breaking of the seals, the sounding of the trumpets, and pouring out of the vials.

Notice in chapter one of Revelation the usage of the number three.

This revelation is divinely given; divinely sent; divinely signified (vs. 1).

John bare record of the divine "Word of God"; the divine witness, "the testimony of Jesus"; the divine vision, "all the things which he saw" (vs. 2).

Notice the divine blessing upon the reader; the hearer; the keeper of this record (vs. 3).

The divine being Which was; and Which is; and Which is to come (vss. 4, 8).

The Lord is presented as the divine prophet, "faithful witness"; the divine priest, "first begotten from the dead"; the divine king, "Prince of the kings of the earth" (vs. 5).

His people are divinely loved; divinely cleansed; divinely crowned (vss. 5-6).

The divine revelation "the things which thou hast seen"; "which are"; "which shall be hereafter" (vs. 19). Thus, as we are introduced to a book which gives complete testimony concerning judgment and the things to come, and to which nothing shall be added, nor taken away (22:18-19), we see the number three written indelibly upon it, and woven into its fabric as a sign and seal of its complete revelation.

(The next study in this series will be, "Four, the Earth Number")