Mortal Man
Genesis 4:25, 26
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. (Genesis 4:25)
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. (Genesis 4:26)
Seth
Although Adam and Eve had many children (Genesis 5:4) only three of their male children were named because through these three individuals the history of the entire human race is played out in the old world — the antediluvian age. The first child born was a murderer, the second male child named was a martyr, and now we have the third male child named Seth. The meaning in the name of Seth is found in what Eve said, For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel,; Seth was appointed by God, set in the place of Abel, substituted for the slain man of God, the 2nd man Abel was appointed by God to be the first man of faith to suffer at the hands of his murderous religious brother.
The Seven, the Eighth, and the Second Connected
The name of Seth is mentioned a total of eight (8) times in Scripture, it is recorded seven (7) times in the Old Testament and all in the Book of Genesis — of course, it is a coincidence — NOT! I understand that there are many who feel that the numbers within Scripture is fanciful thinking — again, it is what it is. You cannot bury your head from the facts in Scripture. I cannot ignore what the Holy Spirit of God has placed in the Word of God. He makes no mistakes, He does not mis-speak; unlike man who cannot use the word ‘lie’ so the definition of lie now becomes ‘mis-speak,’ a lot of politicians mis-speak. Have you noticed how the immoral media defines morality?
The number seven always points to God’s perfection. In this man, Seth, God’s purpose and plan for His perfect man to come is perfected. Seth like the Christ to come is appointed, He is set, He will be placed in time to fulfill God’s perfect plan. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Galatians 4:4) The final and 8th mention of Seth, and the only mention of the name Seth is in the New Testament in the Gospel of Luke 3:38 in the genealogy of Christ through Joseph the husband of Mary. Which was [the son] of Enos, which was [the son] of Seth, which was [the son] of Adam, which was [the son] of God. The eighth mention places Seth as the son of Adam (man) and the son of God. The eighth mention is also the second man in the list, the son of God. How is this all connected? All is placed in Scripture for a purpose, but we sometimes find it difficult to understand clearly with our hearts because of dim eyes, dull minds, and hardened hearts.
Seth Appointed
The definition of ‘appointed’ takes on various situations: for instance, To name to fill an office, or position. To fix or set, as a date or time, by authority or mutual agreement. To furnish or equip, especially appropriately. To direct the disposition of (property) to a beneficiary in exercise of a power granted for the purpose by a preceding deed.
Nothing has ever taken or will ever take the Almighty God by surprise. Seth was appointed to fill the position of Abel, a position of faith and in hope of the promise. The seed or line of faith and promise would now proceed from Seth. God’s divine order was reinstated in the man Seth. It is God who sets the timetable for mankind. It is God who is The Authority in all things and over all things. It is God who determines, or appoints faith in man. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)
Seth was appointed, he was set, he was planted, he was ordained by God to be the progenitor of the line of faith and promise. In Chapter 5, the next chapter, we will see this line of faith in a world saturated by evil, violence and abominable sins.
The Appointments of Men and the Appointed of God
It is appointed unto men once to die.
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:19)
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.(Ecclesiastes 3:18)
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 3:19)
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. (Ecclesiastes 3:20)
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.(Revelation 20:12)
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:13)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God appointed heir of all things. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (1 Peter 3:22)
The Appointed Day of Judgment
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)
Let us return to Seth . . .
Enos — Mortal
An interesting point about Seth is what he called his son, and he called his name Enos. Enos means ‘mortal,’ mortal man; truly Seth understood his state before Jehovah that life is fleeting, it is short, it is transitory. Understanding the reality of life should bring all men to their knees before a Righteous and Just God, it is a very basic principle that men are born to die. Through naming his son ‘mortal’ Seth accepted and owned the judgment of God on all mankind — that death was man’s just reward for his rebellion against God. There is a section in the Book of Ecclesiastes that has always fascinated me because it is in total opposition to the thoughts of men. Read and ponder the truth in this statement.
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. (Ecclesiastes 7:3)
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. (Ecclesiastes 7:4)
Why do you think there is so much activity in activity? Stay busy, stay occupied, stay distracted, stay stressed, stay constantly searching for laughter, stay drunk, stay high, stay low, constantly moving, constantly talking, constantly doing anything except thinking about death and the end of your own existence. It is the wise who deals with his own mortality, but the heart of fools desire the house of mirth.
Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. (Psalm 39:4)
Can you imagine what it was for Enos to be called ‘Mortal.’ Hey, Mortal, how are you doing today? Can you fix this for me, Mortal? What are your plans tomorrow, Mortal? To be reminded daily by the name ‘Mortal’ that you are from dust, and to dust you will return throws one totally on the grace and mercy of Jehovah. This state of heart and mind in understanding man’s true place and standing before God is the proper place.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18)
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.(2 Corinthians 12:10)
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (Isaiah 40:28)
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (Isaiah 40:29)
Mortal
The word ‘mortal’ is recorded in Scripture six (6) times. You are probably getting tired of my continually reminding you that there is no coincidence in Scripture. Six, the number of man; six reminding man that he is mortal.
Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? (Job 4:17)
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (Romans 6:12)
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11)
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:53)
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:554)
For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4:11)
Now the good part — God has provided mortal man with the opportunity to acquire immortality, but this comes with a condition. Immortality is not unconditional. All humanity wishes to live forever, but most humans desire immortality only on their terms. The key to immortality is first seen when ‘Appointed’ called his son Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. It is at this point of man recognizing his true state of existence before a Righteous God that he begins to call upon the name of the LORD. This is the first step to God, believing that He is, and that He is a rewarder of such. But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith in God by faith through God leads to coming to God in faith.
From Mortality to Immortality through Jesus Christ
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45)
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. (1 Corinthians 15:46)
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:47)
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:48)
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:49)
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (1 Corinthians 15:50)
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1 Corinthians 15:51)
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52)
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:53)
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54)
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55)
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:56)
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. (Isaiah 25:8)
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14)
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.(Hebrews 2:15)
Immortality
The word ‘immortality’ is recorded five (5) times in Scripture, and all in the New Testament. Is it not interesting that ‘mortal’ is mentioned six (6) times which is the number of man, and ‘immortality’ (that which man desperately seeks for and desires) is mentioned five (5) times. Grace is associated with the number five, and this number has been addressed before and we will continue to see different aspects of this number under grace in other articles and posts. But for now, let us attempt to keep it simple.
Five and Grace
Five stands for the grace of God, the number 5 can be acquired by the following numbers: (4+1=5) or (2+3=5) (this set of 2+3=5 consists of prime numbers which will lead us into another area). The first set of 4+1=5 can correspond to 4 the number of the world, and because the number four can be divided by 2 and can be divided again, number 4 also takes on the world in weakness, the world in man’s state of constantly being divided, nation against nation, man against man; the world in social and governmental flux and change. When we have 4+1 we see God’s interaction added to man in turmoil. We see represented through this basic baby math God’s Divine strength represented in the number one (1). God in His Goodness bestowing on man that which man does not deserve, or is worthy of — grace — thus, adding to man God’s divine gift of grace.
The following are a few very basic examples of the number five in relationship to God through His dealings with man. The first mention of ‘grace’ is found in Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. The number connected to Noah is found in Genesis 5:32 And Noah was five hundred years old. Later in posts to follow we will deal with the age factor, however for now, let us look at the documented age of 500 as it relates to grace. Five hundred is five one hundred times. Let’s get to the basics of this number — 500 when divided by 10 is 50. So what, you say! Ten is one of the perfect numbers and signifies God’s divine order in perfection. We have the ten commandments. We have Noah being the 10th generation from God, it was Noah the 10th generation that completed the antediluvian age. God’s divine order completed in the old world.
The number 50 is the number of Jubilee (or jubile) or deliverance — it is 7×7+1 or 7² + 1. The year of jubile (jubilee) is recorded in the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 25 and mentioned fifteen (15) times. It was a special and holy year set aside by God to redeem and deliver Israel from all debt and thus, deliverance for all those who had been enslaved by their own system. A year of deliverance, grace offered by God to set His people free, grace celebrated by the nation Israel, and grace manifested in their dealings with one another to teach them about His grace. Fifty (5×10) — grace multiplied by God’s perfect order to set His people free, to set them at liberty, and to deliver them from the bondage of man.
Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth [day] of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. (Leviticus 25:9)
And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.(Leviticus 25:10)
A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather [the grapes] in it of thy vine undressed.(Leviticus 25:11)
The most interesting use of the number five, however, is found in the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. The number five was present throughout the entire construction; nearly every measurement was a multiple of five. The Tabernacle was constructed as a place for man to approach God — was this not grace? The Tabernacle was constructed as a place where God would dwell among man — was this not grace? And there is much, much more to the number five, but let us continue on with immortality in Scripture. This is not an exhaustive study on the number five and the Year of Jubilee.
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (Romans 2:7)
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.(1 Corinthians 15:53)
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54)
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:16)
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Timothy 1:10)
God has Given Immortality to Man – Eternal Life
God has given to man that which man is not worthy of, nor does man deserve anything from the gracious and good hand of the Almighty God. In the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10, verse 17 a certain man asked the Lord Jesus Christ Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? The God of Life and Light has provided man with all the tools that man needs to exist and survive in this world, and He has also provided Himself as the way to Himself in mankind’s search for eternal life.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15)
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)
For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (Titus 1:2)
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:11)
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:21)
The Immortal One
The word ‘immortal’ is mentioned only once in Scripture. Of course, this could not be otherwise for there is only One who is immortal, the King eternal.
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)
© Copyright 2016, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)