The Divine Significance of the 66 Books in the Bible

The Bible, a volume that has withstood the test of time, is considered by many Christians to be a closed canon. This means that the books chosen for inclusion in the Bible are considered to be divinely inspired and complete. Understanding why 66 books were ultimately chosen requires delving into theological, textual, and scriptural contexts.

Scriptural Basis for the Closed Canon

One of the key passages that Christians often refer to in support of the closed canon is Revelation 22:18-19 (ESV). According to this scripture, God warns those who hear the words of the prophecy to not add to or take away from the words of this book:

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city which are described in this book.

This passage underscores the importance of the Bible being complete and unaltered. It is seen as a divine mandate that the scriptures remain as they are, without any additions or deletions.

Another key passage is John 20:31, which emphasizes the purpose of the Bible:

But these have been written down so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and because of believing you may have life by means of his name.

This passage highlights the importance of the Scriptures in confirming Christian faith and providing a source of spiritual life.

Theological and Scriptural Context

In addition to scriptural warnings, there are a few other theological and scriptural considerations that support why 66 books were chosen. The Church did not include certain proposed books like the First Letter of Clement and the Shepherd of Hermas because the authors of these books suggested a different view of authority than that of the apostles.

Another intriguing aspect is the significance of the number 66 in scripture. The number 6 is seen as divine in the context of creation—man was created on the 6th day (Genesis 1:27). When a number is doubled in scripture (e.g., "Verily, verily"), it often asserts its divine meaning. However, when tripled (as in the Trinity), it signifies a challenge to the divine nature of the Trinitarian relationship in Christianity.

So how do we know we have the correct amount of books? Well, the Church believed they decided. But if you study the “Tabernacle of Moses.” Where God reveals that there is a Tabernacle in Heaven, and Moses was to replicate it exactly. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle:

See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Heb. 8:5

This text from Hebrews 8:5 speaks to the importance of adhering to the divine pattern in the construction of the tabernacle. Similarly, the symbolic significance of the 66 books of the Bible can be seen as following a divine pattern.

Symbolism and Numerology

The number 66 is a significant number when we examine the structure of the books in the Bible. The Candlestick mentioned in Revelation 13:18 provides a numerological framework for understanding the 66 books:

It is God who decided how many books we needed for the time we are in. Not man.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105

The passage in Revelation 13:18 states:

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast for it is the number of a man his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

This number, 666, is often associated with the beast of Revelation 13. By examining the structure of the Bible, particularly the tabernacle of Moses, we can find that:

The three groups of bowls, knobs, and flowers on the tabernacle shaft total 39 books (13 for each side plus 12 in the main shaft). When multiplied by 3, 39 equals 117, which can be split to form 39 old and 27 new testaments (3 x 9 27, 39 27 66).

This intricate structure supports the idea that the 66 books were divinely ordained to provide a complete and meaningful framework for understanding spiritual truth.

In conclusion, the 66 books in the Bible are seen as a divine and complete collection of scripture, important for faith, life, and spiritual guidance. Whether through scriptural warnings or theological and numerical analysis, the 66 books stand as a testament to the divine purpose behind the Bible.