As the year draws to a close, I find myself, once again, reflecting on the past year and looking ahead with anticipation to the new. Continuing my journey through the Table of Elements and how it may hold keys to the times we are living in, last year’s focus was on the 24th element, which is Chromium.
Chromium is a vital nutrient for the body, and it’s the most reflective of all the elements. While its historical significance is limited, its reflective quality offers profound spiritual insights. Let’s take a look:
Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world,” and called us also to be lights, reflecting His character and love. Let’s take a moment and reflect on 2024. Did anything stand out to you regarding this theme of reflection? A few things did for me. This year, we witnessed the fall of many “kingdoms” – within the nations of the world and within the global church. These collapses prompt a deeper question: Did these kingdoms truly reflect God’s purposes, His love, and His divine order? I’ll let you answer that for yourself.
Last year, I speculated on the significance of 2024’s digits. Adding them together (2+0+2+4) gives us the number 8, a number often associated with transformation in Biblical numerology. Looking back, 2024 has indeed been a year of transformation. We’ve seen the exposure of hidden works within kingdoms, both the church and the nations. Exposure always brings about transformation. Sometimes for the good and sometimes not so good. My hope is that this exposure marks the beginning of a transformation into something greater.
In the global church, I sense we’re at the cusp of a powerful shift – a return to Spirit-filled ministry characterized by miracles, signs, wonders, edification, discipleship, and most importantly, a renewed passion for winning the lost. We’ve already tasted a small portion of this in the college revivals of ’24, and I believe there’s more to come.
Now, on to 2025. Let’s see what 25 has, if anything, in store for us. The 25th element on the Table is Manganese. It is a hard, brittle, silvery metal often found in minerals in combination with iron. As a transition metal, manganese plays a crucial role in various industrial applications, particularly in the production of stainless steel. It improves strength, workability, and resistance to wear, making it indispensable in modern manufacturing. It is also used as an oxidizing agent and a rubber additive, as well as in glass making, fertilizers, and ceramics. Oddly enough, Manganese sulfate functions as a fungicide.
Manganese is equally vital for human health. It’s an essential dietary element that supports macronutrient metabolism, bone formation, and the body’s defense against free radicals, as it is a critical component in dozens of proteins and enzymes. It is found mainly in the bones but also plays key roles in the liver, kidneys, and brain.
Now, let’s unpack all this in terms of spirituality and spiritual warfare. Perhaps 2025 will bring more iron-like components to our world, which I hope is not the case, but given the fact that we are indeed living in the end times, it bears consideration. However, while this might be the case, there should also be a reflective component to the global church. Like the transition metal, Manganese, we might find ourselves stepping into a crucial role within society - transforming our communities while embodying strength, flexibility, and resilience. In the midst of a world filled with brittle kingdoms, may we become indispensable to the work of God’s Kingdom.
Perhaps 2025 will also be a year of spiritual fortification, where we are nourished by the “spiritual nutrients” of God’s Word and presence. As we grow stronger in faith, we will be equipped to stand firm and defend against the “free radicals” of our spiritual adversary, becoming a people prepared to reflect His glory in every sphere of influence.
If we look at the digits of 2025 (2+0+2+5), we get the number nine. In biblical numerology, the number nine is associated with both judgment and blessing. Let's look at some positive nines:
Pregnancy lasts nine months.
The Bible has nine subdivisions:
The books of Moses,
History,
Wisdom,
Prophets,
Gospel,
History of the early church,
Letters from Paul,
Letters from others,
Revelation
There are nine fruits of the Spirit:
love,
joy,
peace,
forbearance,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness,
and self-control.
Now, the judgments:
All forms of the word death occur 999 times in the Bible
There were nine sieges on Jerusalem mentioned in the Bible
In the Book of Haggai, chapter 1, there are nine different judgments
There were nine stonings mentioned in the Bible.
Ok, enough with the nerdy list that actually goes on and on regarding the number nine. In my book, Dressing for the Battle, Armed to Win, I discuss the ninth gemstone, the ninth tribe, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar, and the constellation over that month. It's good news! Destiny, winning, and overcoming. It's available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible, and the link is below.
As we enter a new season, let’s remain steadfast, reflecting Christ and embracing the transformation He is bringing – both within ourselves and across the world.
Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16
Dressing for the Battle: Armed to Win, The Breastplate of Righteousness: Gimler, Jenean: 9798655199682: Amazon.com: Books
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