Essentially, one must understand that 22 represents both the juxtaposition between Chaos / Judgement and Hope / Salvation, as well as the Completion / Finality of God’s Redemptive plan - It really is central to the End-Times.
As shown elsewhere on this site, it is the number for Israel, which is God's vehicle for redeeming fallen mankind to Himself, both through a physical nation, that brought us the Messiah and the Bible; and a spiritual nation, in that every believer will be grafted into Israel as Paul shows in Romans 11: 11-24
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? Romans 11:11-24
Importantly, this passage also points to a time when the physical nation will be restored:
12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? Romans 11:12
And then “All Israel Shall Be Saved”:
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. Romans 11:25-27
So, the number 22 represents Israel, God's vehicle or instrument through which He will redeem all of humanity, both Gentile and Jew and it points to a prophetic time when All Israel will be Saved, which will be during the Tribulation, just prior to Jesus' 2nd Coming. And as stated above, this means that it represents both the juxtaposition between Chaos / Judgement and Hope / Salvation, as well as the Completion / Finality of God’s Redemptive plan.
This connection between 22 and God's Plan of Redemption can also be seen in the following facts:
The Plan of Redemption:
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Revelation in Hebrew - The totality of God’s written revelation to mankind would be delivered through the 22 letters that formed the Hebrew Alphabet. This is emphasized through a number of passages in the bible that use these letters as the foundation of an acrostic narrative or poem, such as Psalm 119, that is comprised of 22 sections of 8 verses that each start with a different letter of the alphabet.
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NT Hebrew - Also, there is strong evidence to support that much of the New Testament was originally written in Hebrew before being translated into Greek. More on this can be seen in the work of Nehemia Gordon with the following link being a good place to start: nehemiaswall.com/discovery-hebrew-new-testament-manuscripts
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Music - This relation of 22 and 8 can also be seen in music, which at its core is for worshipping the God of creation, who Redeems us
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Essentially all musical notes are divided in Octaves (8 notes) with the 8th note beginning a new Octave, like Jesus who gave mankind a new beginning when he arose on the first day of the new week, or the 8th day. Importantly, its connection to 22 can be seen as follows:
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3 (the Godhead) Octaves of 8 (Jesus) = 22 Notes - CDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGABC
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Creation - 22 also appears to be related to the totality of God’s creation that He desired to share with mankind and reveal Himself through - following are 22 Things God Created / Formed in Genesis 1
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Heavens
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Earth covered in darkness
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Light
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Day
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Night
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Firmament
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Waters above
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Waters below
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Dry land
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Seas
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Grass
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Herbs
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Fruit trees
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Sun
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Moon
- Stars
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Moving sea creatures
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Fowls / Birds
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Animals
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Creeping things
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Beasts
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Man
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Book of Revelation - The final book of the bible that shows the completion of Gods Redemptive plan is comprised of 22 chapters.
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The whole Bible is comprised of 3 sections of 22 books for a total of 66:
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Section 1- Genesis to Song of Songs (God and His Love);
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Section 2 - Isaiah to Acts (the coming Saviour);
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Section 3 - Romans to Revelation (Eternity).
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The 3 sections mirroring the famous scripture John 3:16 - That God who so loved the world (Song of Songs - 22nd book), sent his only begotten son that whoever believed in Him (Acts 44th book, 2 x 22) would not perish but have eternal life (Revelation 66th book, or 3 x 22).
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As above, God formed the nation of Israel to bring the Saviour of the World to attain Redemption for all of Mankind. As such, it is important to note that Israel that is central to God’s end-time plan for mankind was established by Jacob and his sons and significantly, Jacob who had his name changed to ISRAEL was the 22nd generation from Adam.
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NOTE: the name ISRAEL, which means “God Prevails” not only represents a nation, but is a picture of all believers who like Jacob strive with God until they receive their blessing (salvation). In this regard, it should be noted that the word often translated Strive or Struggle is in Hebrew שָׂרָה (Sarah) and in Strong’s Dictionary as H8280 it means 'to prevail' -- or have power (as a prince). Importantly 4 versions of this word, listed in Strong’s Dictionary, are seen to reflect both the idea of being set free and becoming a son and daughter of the king, as per below:
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So essentially, we Prevail with the 'God who Prevails' (ISRAEL).
It is about our victory with the all-powerful (omnipotent) God, who Prevails over sin and death and who changes our name to reflect our new status with Him. It is a picture of Overcoming to receive our salvation - as it states in Revelation 2:17 (NKJV)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”
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22 and its themes of Hope; Salvation; and Redemption continue with Israel’s greatest King - David, from whose lineage the Messiah would be born:
1) David
2) Solomon
3) Rehoboam
4) Abijah
5) Asa
6) Jehoshaphat
7) Jehoram
8) Ahaziah
9) Athaliah
10) Jehoash
11) Amaziah
12) Uzziah
13) Jotham
14) Ahaz
15 Hezekiah
16) Manasseh
17 Amon
18) Josiah
19) Jehoahaz
20) Jehoiakim
21) Jehoiachin
22) Zedekiah
Essentially, as can be seen from the list above, there are 22 Kings if Judah, but if you consider them from the perspective of descendants in the same way as God does it becomes clear that Jesus is actually the 22nd and final King of Judah - noting that one of the terms related to Jesus as the Messiah is “the son of David”.
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The Feasts of the Lord are essentially an outline of the plan of Redemption and as such are divided into two:
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the Spring Feasts (associated with Jesus First Coming) and
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the Autumn Feasts, which are related to His Second Coming.
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In this regard, it is important to note that the Autumn Feasts, which encapsulate events from the Rapture to Jesus second physical coming, are all celebrated over a 22 day period beginning with the Feast of Trumpets on the 1st of Tishrei and concluding with Shemini Atzeret (the 8th day Gathering), at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles on the 22nd of Tishrei.
NOTE: I believe that the origin of 22 and its theme of Redemption is linked into Adam and Eve and the first death that resulted from SIN. Essentially, if Adam and Eve fell when Adam was 99 (the reason God gave the promise of the son in a foreshadow of Redemption to Abraham when he was 99), it meant that Adam had walked with God for 98 (2 x 49) years. Then when Adam was 120 (Cain and Abel being born as twins, when Adam was 100 - the source of the first generation), Cain killed Abel and God chose to use that as a marker of his limit to strive with sin, when God for the first time directly brought a curse upon a man, saying to Cain in Genesis 4:11-12 (NKJV):
11 So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”
So, the difference of 22 (120-98) became integral into His plan of Salvation, which is why Israel itself (Gods vehicle of salvation) is defined by 22.
22 and its various Themes
Above it was noted that 22 is associated with themes of Chaos / Judgement; Hope / Salvation and Completion / Finality.
Theme of Judgement and Chaos
22 is associated with Chaos and Judgement with three of Israel’s evil Kings being associated with 22 as follows:
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Jeroboam ruled for 22 years
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Ahab ruled for 22 years
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King Amon began his reign at 22 years of age.
Theme of Judgement and Redemption
Jesus quoted from Psalm 22 on the cross as part of his final act of Redemption being both judged for the sins of humanity while ultimately providing salvation for all who call upon His name.
Theme of Redemption
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The book of Psalms is the 19th from Genesis and the 48th from Revelation - 1948 the year modern ISRAEL (a picture of all believers, as well as a nation) was born. 1+9+4+8 = 22
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League of Nations was formed 1919 and they created Article 22 that formed the 'Mandate system', which would be used to redefine all of the borders in the Middle East and would then on July 22 1922 be used by the League of Nations to approve the Palestinian Mandate, which officially sought to establish a homeland for the Jews.
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Just as God had to sacrifice His Son to redeem humanity Jacob / ISRAEL (a picture of Redemption) lost his son Joseph (a type of Jesus) when he was sent into the world (Egypt) to be judged and to prepare the way of Salvation for ISRAEL, who was finally reunited with his son exactly 22 years later. This is a picture of God saving His people after a period of 22 years.
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Interestingly this occurred when Jacob /ISRAEL was 130 years old which is a number that represents being appointed (noting that Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born, or appointed as a replacement for Able). So ISRAEL’s salvation both for individuals (Jews and Gentiles grafted into the promises) occurs at the appointed time.
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Also of note is the fact that Joseph as a type of Jesus died when he was 110, which is 5 (Grace while alive) x 22. Also his role as a type of Saviour started when he was 17, which was also the day that Jesus was resurrected - God is consistent with His numbers.
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Another type of Jesus was Joshua who also died at 110 (5 x 22). Interestingly his name in Hebrew is the same as for Jesus, which in Hebrew was Yehoshua, or as Nehemiah 8 shows in its shortened form - Yeshua. Essentially as another foreshadow of the end-times / Rapture, when Moses died at 120 years old (which is the number God gave as representing the limit of how long he would strive with man), Joshua / Yeshua came to take all of God’s people into the promised land.
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In Greek Gematria Jesus (888) Christ (1480) = 8+8+8+1+4+8+0=37 and 3x7 = 21, which again is a picture of divine completeness. With this in mind, it is interesting to note that based upon works such as "The Coming Prince" by Sir Robert Anderson, the first head of Scotland Yard, who wrote the book analyzing the famous 70 Weeks Prophecy in Daniel Chapter 9 that Jesus may have been crucified on the 6th April 32 AD. Since Jesus is said to have been 33 years old when He died, this would have meant that He would have been born in 2 BC and that He would have been 21 (3 x 7) years old, matching the value of the Greek Gematria in 22 AD. Since the book 'The Coming Prince' is no longer under copyright, it can be found at numerous locations on the internet, including at the following link: The Coming Prince, Robert Anderson
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Also, it seems unlikely to be a coincidence that the story of Joseph, as a foreshadow of Jesus with His connection to 22, begins in Genesis 37 the personal number of God and as shown above is the value of the name Jesus Christ.
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Similarly, the story of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac, which is a picture of God the Father sacrificing His Son in our place, occurs in Genesis 22.
Bein Ha-Metzarim - a final thought from History
So, with the understanding of 22 being connected to both Judgement and Salvation, as well as the final acts of Redemption, for all of humanity, and thereby being central to end-time events, it is interesting to note the observance of “Bein HaMetzarim” in modern Israel.
Bein HaMetzarim literally means “Between the Straits”, or Dire Straits, as indicated in Lamentations 1:3 (NKJV) that states:
3 Judah has gone into captivity, Under affliction and hard servitude; She dwells among the nations, She finds no rest; All her persecutors overtake her in dire straits. Lamentations 1:3
It is a period of Mourning that occurs during June / July on the Gregorian Calendar that is commonly known as the “The Three Weeks” because it refers to the period between Shivah Asar BeTammuz (the Seventeenth of Tammuz) and Tishah B’Av (the Ninth of Av)”. However, as it includes both of the FAST days (17th Tammuz and 9th Av) it is actually a period of exactly 22 days, not just 21, as follows:
22 days of mourning
17 Tamuz (4th month) - day 1 - Shiva Asar B’Tammuz - Fasting Day
18 - day 2
19 - day 3
20 - day 4
21 - day 5
22 - day 6
23 - day 7
24 - day 8
25 - day 9
26 -day 10
27 -day 11
28 - day 12
29 - day 13
1 Av (5th month) - day 14
2 - day 15
3 - day 16
4 - day 17
5 - day 18
6 - day 19
7 - day 20
8 - day 21
9 Av - day 22 - Tisha B’Av - Fasting Day
Essentially, the 17th Tammuz is the day in history that is attributed to the destruction of the walls of Jerusalem by the Romans in the second temple period, while the 9th Av (21 days later for a total period of 22 days) is associated with the destruction of the Temple. Together these dates separated by a period of 22 days define the destruction of the Jewish nation both physically and spiritually.
In this regard, it important to note that the 17th Tammuz is also seen as the date of other disasters in their history such as Moses smashing the Stone Tablets, due Israel’s disobedience. So, the connection of this 22-day period to Chaos / Judgement is clear.
However, that is only half the story because as above 22 is also related to Hope / Salvation and the completion of Redemption and while this is seen in the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, who quoted from Psalm 22 with His last breath, it is also important to note that Scripture equates Jesus with Israel in that Matthew 2:13-15 quotes from Hosea 11 to show that Jesus is the true Israel, the faithful Israel who would succeed where the old covenant Israel had failed.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until -- I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Matthew 2:13-15
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