Significance of 888 in the Bible
In the Bible, the number 888 often appears as a sign of divine perfection. It carries a special meaning that has been attributed to the number since early times. For example, in the book of Revelation, the author twice mentions the number “eight” in regards to the new Heaven and new Earth: “And there shall be a new Heaven, and a new earth: the first Heaven and the first earth shall be no more. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
In the same chapter of Revelation, it is written that the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, will stand in the midst of the throne, signifying the fulfillment of the prophecy given to King David. Jesus is described as having ‘a name written, that no man knoweth, but He himself.’ The name is never revealed but commentators have speculated it to be “probably the secret name used by God in the Old Testament.” Because of this, some religious scholars believe that the number 888 could refer to the name of God, although this is not universally accepted.
The number 888 is also echoed in the book of Daniel where it is written “his body was like the beryl, and his face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” This is seen as a parallel to the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:15: “His feet were like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice was as the sound of many waters.”
Biblical Significance of the Number 888
The significance of the number 888 has been derived from the Bible in which it occurs as part of several passages. In the book of Revelation, three chapters containing the number 888 provide symbols of the perfection of God and the coming redemption of man. In Daniel 8:14, 888 is associated with the Messiah who appears in the scene with a body “like the beryl.” This could point to Jesus’ resurrection in the book of Revelation and suggests redemption for those who believe in Him.
Additionally, in Daniel 8:21, 888 is tied to the prophecies of Daniel given to King Nebuchadnezzar. He is told that the events of his vision will come about in the last days, which could further allude to Jesus’ second coming mentioned in Revelation chapters 21 and 22. This could suggest that the 888 mentioned in Daniel is connected to the Heavenly Jerusalem and its depiction of Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Given its significance, the number 888 has been used by Christians throughout history as a symbol of excellence and redemption. For example, many Christian mystics have meditated on the number, seeking to attain a deeper understanding to the mystery of Jesus Christ. In the Book of Common Prayer, Psalm 119 is recited on Sundays and this prayer uses the phrase “for ever, even for ever and ever,” which when read aloud in Hebrew becomes “le-olam wa-olam,” which also forms the number 888. Therefore, 888 has come to be seen by some as a representation of God’s eternal presence and spiritual guidance.
Biblical Numerology and the Number 888
The number 888 also has a place in the study of biblical numerology. Numerology is the practice of using numbers to decipher secret meanings in scripture. According to numerologists, the number 8, which is the root of the number 888, is symbolic of new beginnings, regeneration, and completeness. This is because the number 8 when written as two circles symbolises two halves of a circle coming together, signifying completeness.
Furthermore, ancient Jewish mysticism also believes that the number 888 is significant as it appears in both the Old and New Testaments and is seen as a bridge between the two Covenants. This could again suggest that 888 is connected with the coming of Jesus and the salvation of those who believe in Him.
Although the exact meaning of 888 remains a mystery, the fact that it appears in several passages of the Bible gives rise to the belief that the number is a symbol of spiritual perfection and redemption. Not only does it point to the coming of the Messiah, but it also provides hope for those who are faithful to God, trusting in His promises and seeking to follow His divine plans.
Early Church Interpretations of the Number 888
In early Christian literature, the number 888 has been described as representative of Jesus Christ. The eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, alpha, represents God and the eighth day of the week, the day of resurrection, was the day upon which Jesus rose from the dead. When the numerical value of the letters in the Greek spelling of Jesus is added together, they equal 888. This notion was popular among early Christians as they sought to bring together the Old and New Testaments, symbolising the unity of the Church and faith in Christ.
888 also appears in early Christian emblems, giving further weight to its symbolic value. One example can be found in the stained glass windows of the Basilica of St. Sabina, in Rome. This window depicts Jesus in the middle, flanked by Mary and Mary Magdalene, and the number 888 appears in the border of the window, signifying Jesus’ perfection, as well as the completeness of the Church throughout her history.
Modern Interpretations of the Number 888
Today, the number 888 has been further associated with the faith and its teachings. For instance, 888 is sometimes used to symbolise the spiritual perfection of Jesus’ teaching as ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ It is also a representation of the hymn ‘Shine Jesus Shine,’ mirrored in the three verses of the song.
Further, 888 is seen as a sign of hope, signifying the promises of Jesus, in particular, the promise of eternal life promised in Revelation 21:4: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
A number of charities have also adopted 888 as their symbol, including the ‘888 Foundation’ which aims to benefit communities in developing countries. Similarly, 888 is also used for global fundraising initiatives that seek to raise funds for causes such as famine relief and medical aid.
Meaning of 888 in Gaming and Pop Culture
With the advent of technology, 888 has taken on a new meaning in pop culture. It has become a popular number in various types of online gaming and has been used to create digital slots machines and card games. Similarly, 888 is also used in various marketing campaigns, with many companies and websites aiming to create an ‘888’ feel or experience, suggesting that the number connotes an attitude of fun and positivity.
Furthermore, 888 is often seen as a ‘lucky’ number in many countries. It is commonplace to hear people wishing ‘Good Luck, 888’ when a friend is about to take an exam or embark on a journey. This could suggest that 888 is seen as a way to offer hope for a positive outcome.
Conclusion
The number 888 has a mysterious and spiritual significance throughout the Bible. It appears in many passages, paralleling the coming of the Messiah and his second coming. It is a symbol of divine perfection, redemption, and hope, and has been used in early literature, churches, and biblical numerology to represent Jesus Christ and His promises. Today, 888 is also used as a symbol for gaming, pop culture, and charity initiatives and is seen as an auspicious omen of fortune and luck.
