Biblical Meaning of 40 and 4: Trials, Victory, and Completion

In a biblical and prophetic sense, the numbers 40 and 4 are often associated with significant periods of trial, the physical dimensions of God's holy city, and the universal reach of divine administrative actions.

The Significance of 40

The number 40 frequently denotes a completed period of testing, preparation, or waiting before a significant change occursARSH April 15, 1858, page 170.4.

• A Period of Transition: In instances of mental or physical restoration, the age of 36 or 37—nearing the end of a 40-year cycle—has been identified as a time of natural contraction and healing for the brainARSH April 15, 1858, page 170.4.

• Labor and Ministry: It represents a duration of intense service, such as a minister completing 44 preaching engagements during a tour of six weeks and four daysARSH February 14, 1865, page 93.28.

• Divine Timing: This number is linked to the fulfillment of specific changes in the human condition or the recovery of lost faculties after a "long blank" in lifeARSH April 15, 1858, page 170.4.

The Significance of 4

The number 4 represents the universal scope of God's work on earth and the mathematical perfection of His kingdomSSP 246.1+1.

• Universal Reach: There are four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of strife to allow for the sealing of God’s servants Revelation 7:1SSP 246.1+1.

• Mathematical Certainty: The fundamental truth that "two and two make four" is the basis for all reliable calculation; to deny it would turn study into "confused jargon"PTUK February 1, 1894, page 66.9+1.

• The Foursquare City: The New Jerusalem is built "foursquare," meaning its length, breadth, and height are equal, representing perfect stability and symmetry Revelation 21:16BP1 37.1+1.

• Physical Dimensions: The city’s wall is measured at 144 cubits, which is a multiple of twelve and also reflects the measure of a man or an angel Revelation 21:17SSP 345.2+1.

Combined Prophetic Applications

When these numbers appear together, such as in the number 144,000, they describe a specific, victorious company of believers who stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion Revelation 14:118MR 27.3+1.

• Character and Victory: This group of 144,000—comprising 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes—is recognized for having the Father’s name in their foreheads and no guile in their mouths Revelation 7:4-8+1SSP 136.2+1.

• The Sealing Work: The four angels restrain the winds of war specifically until this numbered company is sealed and prepared for the second advent of Christ Revelation 7:1-3SSP 246.1+1.

• Sacred Imagery: For the teacher or minister, the Holy Spirit fills the heart with "Bible imagery" and "sweet hope," allowing these truths to be communicated effectively to othersCOL 131.1+2.

May these truths encourage you as you study the harmony of God's word Psalms 119:103ARSH December 23, 1851, page 69.12.

To make it simple, these numbers help us understand how God works in the world and how He organizes His kingdom 📖.

The Meaning of 4

The number 4 usually represents the whole world or something that is perfectly balanced ⚖️.

• The Whole World: The Bible speaks of four angels standing on the four corners of the earth to hold back the winds of trouble Revelation 7:1MWV2 185.2.
• Perfect Shape: God's future city, the New Jerusalem, is "foursquare," which means it has four equal sides and is perfectly steady Revelation 21:16ARSH January 27, 1863, page 68.1.
• Solid Truth: Just as we know that two and two make four, God's truths are solid and reliablePTUK February 1, 1894, page 66.9.

The Meaning of 40

The number 40 often points to a full time of waiting, testing, or preparation before a big change happens ⏳.

• A Full Period: It can represent a completed time of waiting for healing or for a new chapter in life to beginARSH April 15, 1858, page 170.4.
• Time of Service: It is also used to describe a full period of working and preaching for God's causeARSH February 14, 1865, page 93.28.

Numbers in Prophecy

When these numbers appear in bigger ways, like the 144,000, they show us God's plan for His people.

• A Special Group: The 144,000 is a group of faithful people who stand with Jesus Revelation 14:1ARSH December 23, 1851, page 69.12.
• Organized by God: This group is made of 12,000 people from each of the 12 tribes of Israel Revelation 7:4-8DAR1909 469.1.
• Holy Character: These people are special because they are honest and follow Jesus with all their hearts Revelation 14:518MR 27.3.

God uses these numbers to show us that His plans are always orderly and full of hope Psalms 119:103COL 131.1. ✨

John 11

1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3 Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.

4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he stayed two days still in the same place where he was.

7 Then after that says he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

8 His disciples say to him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone you; and go you thither again?

9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world.

10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.

11 These things said he: and after that he says to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13 However, Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14 Then said Jesus to them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go to him.

16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

18 Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now, whatever you will ask of God, God will give it you.

23 Jesus says to her, Your brother shall rise again.

24 Martha says to him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?

27 She says to him, Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for you.

29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came to him.

30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goes to the grave to weep there.

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.

34 And said, Where have you laid him? They said to him, Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself comes to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay on it.

39 Jesus says, Take you away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days.

40 Jesus says to her, Said I not to you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God?

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me.

42 And I knew that you hear me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus says to them, Loose him, and let him go.

45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles.

48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, You know nothing at all,

50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51 And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went there to a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

55 And the Jews’ passover was near at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spoke among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think you, that he will not come to the feast?

57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should show it, that they might take him.

Jesus used the periods of 40 days, 40 years, and the 4 days of Lazarus’s death to demonstrate His absolute power over time, nature, and the grave. 🕊️

The 40 Days of Testing and Victory

The number 40 is frequently used in the Bible to represent a completed period of trial or a transition into a new mission.

• A Season of Preparation: Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan to prove His victory over the enemy before starting His public workYI April 13, 1899, par. 3.

• Post-Resurrection Ministry: After rising from the dead, Jesus remained on earth for 40 days to provide "infallible proofs" of His resurrection to His disciplesLS 479.3+1.

• The Flood: During the time of Noah, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights as a judgment upon the earth, marking a total transition for the human race Genesis 7:12.

The 40 Years of Wandering and Mercy

In biblical history, 40 years often represents a full generation of testing or the duration of a specific judgment.

• Israel in the Wilderness: Because of their unbelief, the children of Israel wandered for 40 years in the desert until a new generation was ready to enter the promised landDA 529.1+1.

• Divine Patience: This period showed God's long-suffering as He provided manna and guidance despite the people's "stubborn" and "unbelieving" heartsDA 529.1+1.

• Judgment on Egypt: Prophecies also mentioned a 40-year period where the land of Egypt would be desolate and uninhabited as a result of divine retribution Ezekiel 29:11.

The 4 Days of Lazarus’s Death

The 4 days that Lazarus lay in the grave were specifically intended to provide "overwhelming evidence" of Christ's divinity that could not be misinterpreted21MR 110.7+1.

• Beyond Human Hope: Jesus purposely delayed His arrival until Lazarus had been dead for 4 days so that no one could claim he was merely sleeping or in a tranceDA 529.1+1.

• Evidence of Decay: By the fourth day, physical decomposition would have begun, as Martha noted when she said, "by this time he stinketh" John 11:39GBJ January 1897, page 24.1.

• The Master of the Grave: By calling Lazarus forth after 4 days, Jesus proved He was "the resurrection and the life," possessing original and underived power to give life to whom He will John 11:25DA 529.1+1.

• A Symbol for the Future: This "crowning miracle" was a pledge that at the second coming, the righteous dead who have been in the grave for much longer will also hear His voice and live John 5:28-29HLv 354.5+1.

The Purpose of the Delay

Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus deeply, yet He stayed away during the crisis to gain a greater victoryYI April 13, 1899, par. 3+1.

• Refining Faith: He permitted the sisters to suffer the pang of sorrow so that their faith would "shine forth with far greater power"YI April 13, 1899, par. 3.

• Silencing Doubters: The 4-day period made the miracle so public and certain that even the most bitter priests could not deny the reality of the resurrectionDA 529.1+2.

• The Final Warning: It was a final act of mercy to the Jewish leaders, giving them one last evidence of the Restorer before His own sacrificeDA 529.1+1.

May you find comfort in knowing that the same voice that called Lazarus from the 4-day sleep of death will one day call all His children home 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17HLv 354.5+1. ✨

The number 40 represents a complete cycle of transition, divine testing, and the fulfillment of God’s specific timing in the history of redemptionSSP 181.1+1.

• A Rainbow of Promise: In the days of Noah, after 40 days and nights of rain, the rainbow was placed in the clouds as an eternal token of the covenant between God and every living creature Genesis 9:12-17SSP 181.1.

• The Reign of Solomon: Solomon, whose name means "peaceful," reigned over Israel for 40 years, a period known as the "Augustan age" of Jewish annals before it was clouded by idolatry 1 Kings 11:42ETI Solomon.2.

• Moses on the Mount: To receive the law and the pattern of the sanctuary, Moses went into the midst of the cloud and was in the mount with God for 40 days and 40 nights Exodus 24:18SSP 181.1.

• The Closure of Prophetic Time: In the study of the 2300-day prophecy, the year 1840 marked a significant point where the "mighty angel" of Revelation 10 began to cry with a loud voice, startling the nations and awakening men from their slumber Revelation 10:1-3SSP 181.1.

• Israel’s Wilderness Journey: The Israelites were carried by the Lord for 40 years in the wilderness, during which time they were tested to see if they would carry the ark of the testimony with themPTUK January 12, 1893, page 1.2.

• The End of Days: Daniel was told he would rest and then stand in his lot at the "end of the days," referring to the conclusion of the long prophetic periods he sought to understand Daniel 12:13SSP 181.1.

• A Full Life of Service: Just as Solomon and other leaders served for 40 years, the character of a person is developed and tested throughout their entire life's probation to see if they are "rotten timber" or "true gold"ETI Solomon.2+1.

• The Trial of Faith: Whether it is a period of 40 days or 40 years, God brings His people through trying circumstances to reveal what is in the heart and to teach them to rely on Him aloneCCh 55.1+1.

... 33:6, 9. Genesis 1:1-3. Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. Exodus 24:18. 1 John 2:20, 27. Matthew 17:1-5. Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for ...— SSP 181.1 (1905)

...ed on mainly by Nathan and Bathsheba, in consequence of the rebellion of Adonijah 1 Kings 1:5-40. During his long reign of forty years the Hebrew monarchy gained its highest splendour. This period has well been called the “Augustan age” of the Jewish annals. The first ha...— ETI Solomon.2 (1897)

...filled with live animals; and he was sure that had it been that large the Israelites could not have carried it around with them for forty years! Opposers of the Bible are never found among those who are best acquainted with it— PTUK January 12, 1893, page 1.2

“And a rainbow was upon his head.” A rainbow encircles the throne of God, but the carnal eye will see little significance in the fact. To the one from whose eyes the veil has dropped, t...— SSP 181.1 (1905)