Recognizing the physical and spiritual signs and seasons this world passes through,
alerts us to the signs and seasons of the Coming of Christ.
What could 2023 hold for the world? Well, honestly, no one really knows for sure, but what if God has hidden clues? In 2021 I began looking at the Periodic Table of Elements a little more closely. I discovered a correlation between the year we were in and the matching number or element on the table. I was not looking to see any predictions but rather was looking at it from a spiritual viewpoint to see if anything popped up. And it did! I encourage you to read my articles Looking back, Looking Forward, An Interesting Perspective of 2020, 2021, which I authored in 2020, and Looking Forward 2022, which I authored in December 2021. In both of these articles, I discuss the correlation between the Periodic Table of Elements to what was happening in the world at the time. The similarities are astounding. God gave us the elements, and yes, men named and numbered them, but God controls all of it. Psalm 37:23 tells us that God orders our steps, and Proverbs 25:2 says "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing and the glory of kings to seek it out." So I began seeking answers for purely personal reasons, and I discovered the Table. Here is a short synopsis of what I found: (for a more detailed explanation, read the blogs I noted above.)
#21 is Scandium which is used in bright white light bulbs that are mainly used in photography, which in its short form, is a blast of illumination. It’s also used in rechargeable lithium batteries. The year 2021 was one of illumination and recharge concerning national and world events.
#22 on the periodic table is assigned to Titanium, harder than steel and unbreakable yet lightweight and pliable. Again this past year has been difficult. Take the war in Ukraine, for example, not to mention our own economy, politics, and media storms.
So now on to #23. Let’s see if the Period Table of Elements will reveal anything this year. The number 23 on the Periodic Table of Elements is Vanadium. Here is what my research revealed about Vanadium:
1. Named after a Scandinavian goddess known for war, sex, idolatry, gold, and beauty.
2. It’s silver and shiny in color, resists corrosion, it’s found in rock and iron ore, and is an additive to steel to make it stronger and harder. It’s used in armor.
3. It’s only found in South Africa, China, and Russia, with China and Russia holding most of the reserves, meaning they own most of the world’s supply for this element.
You may ask, "what exactly does this have to do with anything prophetic or spiritual coming this year?" Recognizing the physical and spiritual signs and seasons the world passes through alerts us to the signs and seasons of the Coming of Christ. This is NOT a prediction but rather a spiritual observation. This country's largest enemy holds the world's supply of Vanadium which is used in armor. That makes me raise an eyebrow. Sex trafficking is at epidemic proportions. Actually, pandemic.
Let me draw your attention to #1. Vanadium is named after the Scandinavian goddess Freyja, who, according to folklore, is the goddess of war, sex, gold, magic, beauty, and fertility. She kind of sounds like Jezebel. Jezebel was a priestess after the false god Baal, whose claim to fame was war, control, prostitution, and child sacrifice. Jezebel ensured that the nation worshipped her god and killed anyone who would speak against worshipping him or her, for that matter.
So now what? What could 2023 hold? More of the same? Maybe. Probably, but let’s look at this from a Biblical perspective. Since Vanadium is the main ingredient in armor, could God be telling the church, just as He has for thousands of years, to put on His armor? Perhaps it’s time we pick up our spiritual weapons.
1. The belt of Truth
2. Breastplate of righteousness
3. Shoes of peace
4. Shield of faith
5. Helmet of salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
These things are stronger than Titanium (22) and are the additive like Vanadium (23) that makes us stronger in the kingdom. The apostle Paul says we are more than conquerors, meaning we are to be spiritual victors, but we cannot do anything outside of the power of the Holy Spirit. We need these weapons! We get these weapons by spending time with God and studying His word. It’s how we gain strength. Communicating with the Creator gives us what we need to face any challenge coming our way.
Perhaps the takeaway from the Periodic Table of Elements is that in 2023, just like every day of our lives, we need to put on the whole armor of God, lest we fall prey to an unrelenting enemy.
The number 23 reminds me of the Big 23. The 23rd Psalm. No matter what this world may have in store, whether it's war, sickness, natural disasters, loss of marriage, friendship, money, or possessions, for in this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33), we have an everlasting hope that transcends this world.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.