The Fantastic Four
Cenacrew, what do we do? We seek, we learn, we grow! (Okay, we’ll work on the chant, but you get the idea). Welcome back to another deep dive into the weird and wonderful world of numbers in the Bible! This time, we’re talking about the big 4—no, not the accounting firms, not the Beatles, and certainly not the Four times I’ve promised myself I’d start eating healthy (and failed). No, today, we’re diving into how the number Four pops up in Christianity and the Bible. Buckle up—this is going to be a divine ride!
Four: The Number of Creation
From the very beginning—literally—Four has been a big deal. Genesis tells us that on Day Four, God got serious about interior decorating and created the sun, moon, and stars. Not just to look pretty, but to give light and mark time—because even before humans existed, we needed to know when Monday was coming.
Speaking Of Structure, The Number Four Represents Order And Balance. Think About It: Four Seasons, Four Classical Elements (Earth, Wind, Fire, And Water), Four Cardinal Directions (North, South, East, West)—it’s as if the universe itself was built on a solid, Four–Legged Foundation. And that brings us to our next point.
The Four Gospels: Jesus’ Life, Four Ways
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the OG biographers of Jesus Christ. Each Gospel gives us a different take on Jesus, kind of like movie remakes but with fewer special effects and more salvation.
Matthew: Jesus as King (Written for The Jews), Mark: Jesus as Servant (Written for The Romans), Luke: Jesus as Son of Man (Written for The Greeks) and John: Jesus as Son of God (Written for The Whole World)
It’s the ultimate Four-sided view of the most important life ever lived. Think of it like a documentary with Four different narrators, each highlighting something different.
The Four Living Creatures: Heaven’s Elite Squad
Ezekiel and Revelation give us a description of Four Living Creatures hanging out in front of God’s throne. These aren’t your average neighborhood pets; each one represents different divine attributes:
A Lion: Strength And Kingship, an Ox: Service and Sacrifice, a Man: Intelligence and Wisdom and an Eagle: Sovereignty and Swiftness
It’s basically the ultimate superhero team—except instead of fighting crime, they’re guarding the throne of God.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: The Original Dystopian Squad
Now we get to the part of the Bible that sounds like the plot of an intense action movie: the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Each horseman represents a different aspect of God’s judgment:
White Horse: Conquest, Red Horse: War, Black Horse: Famine and Pale Horse: Death
Basically, if you see these guys coming, it’s time to grab your emergency kit and start repenting.
Four and Jesus: Signs, Miracles, and a Cross
Four shows up in Jesus’ ministry in some fascinating ways. The cross had Four points (just like the sign of the cross we make today).The Gospel was meant to be preached to the Four corners of the earth (Matthew 28:19).Jesus’ miracles touched all Four elements: Earth: He made mud to heal a blind man, Water: He walked on it and turned it into wine, Wind: He calmed a storm and Fire: His transfiguration made His face shine like the sun.
Talk about a well-rounded ministry.
Four in Biblical Symbolism: From Virtues to Resurrections
The number Four is sprinkled all over Christian tradition. We got the Four Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude. We agree that there are Four Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
There are Four Rivers in the Garden of Eden: Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, Euphrates. We have Four Resurrections in the Bible: Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son in Nain, Lazarus, and (of course) Jesus Himself
Even humanity is described in Fours in Revelation 5:9—redeemed from every tribe (ethnic), language (linguistic), people (cultural), and nation (political).
Four-midable and Foundational
So, what have we learned today? That Four is more than just the number of years it takes to get a degree (if you don’t procrastinate). It’s a symbol of creation, balance, structure, and divine order. Whether it’s the Four Gospels, The Four Horsemen, Or the Four Directions Of The Earth, the Bible uses this number to show God’s power, plan, and purpose.
And with that, we wrap up this installment of our number series. Cenacrew, what do we do? We seek, we learn, we grow! (Okay, seriously, we need to work on this chant). Until next time, keep your faith Four-tified!(you see what I did there?)
