Perfect Power, Perfect Understanding

So, when I was younger, my mom would tease about my youngest brother saying: We had to have him because he made us perfect with 7 children.  My mom was referring to the symbolism of the number 7 and how it stands for perfection.  Well, in my new testament class we have also been learning about a lot of number and object symbolism.  My teacher gave us a list of numbers and their meanings:
3 = Heaven or the Godhead
4 = Earth or men/women
6 = Imperfection or bad
7 = Perfection, complete, or whole
8 = New beginnings
12 = Priesthood or Authority/power
40 = preparation or judgement.
After we finished learning about the number symbolism, we started to learn a few of the objects symbolic meanings.  We were taught that wings are our agency.  Eyes are to see, know, or understand.  Horns symbolize power.

Now, all of this background in this symbolism was to help us understand The Revelation.  What stuck out to me was the 6th verse in chapter 5 of Revelation.  It says: "And I beheld. and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." After knowing the symbolism of the number 7 and of the horns and eyes it makes so much more sense.  This "Lamb" had perfect understanding and perfect power.  He saw everything and had the power to change things.  If you haven't already figured it out, I'll tell you.  This scripture is talking about Christ.  He is the Lamb of God.  He was slain for us, even though he had perfect power.  It was because of his perfect understanding that God had a plan and needed Him, that he was willing to die for us.  I am so glad to know about these symbols because it helps me grow in knowledge and understanding. Christ truly did die for me and for you.  It is a beautiful thing.  He died so that we might live.

I'm peculiar. Are you?

Do you ever feel weird?  Strange?  Different than most people?  I often do.  In the scriptures, such as 1 Peter 2:9, it tells us that we are a "peculiar" people.  My new testament teacher explained that peculiar doesn't mean the same thing in this context as we usually think about it.  He told us that peculiar means purchased.  We are purchased by Christ's infinite atonement.  One thing that really stuck out to me was when my teacher asked me what my price was.  He explained to us that the price of a soul is infinite because it is based on our capacity to become like God.  We have infinite potential.  We are of great worth.  It reminds me of a few other scriptures.  D&C 12:10 says: "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God."  Moses 1:39 says: "For behold, this is my work and my glory -- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  God loves us and wants us to return to Him.  It is his work.  He glories in us becoming like him.  So, it makes sense that our worth is infinite and that we would have a loving Savior pay the infinite price for us.  We truly are purchased by Christ.

Not only this, 1 Peter 2:9 tells us that we are chosen and that we have been called out of the darkness into "marvelous light".  How wonderful is that.  Heavenly Father doesn't want us to wander lost in the darkness.  He is calling us to the light and he has shown us the way, through his son, Jesus Christ.  It truly is marvelous!