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Why Forgive 70x7 Times?

 

 

Grace Period of God is 7?

 

According to the Scriptures, 7 seems to be the grace period of God.

 

Cain

 

In our last post "Did Lamech Escape Judgement by Changing God's Words?", we mentioned that God gave Cain's descendants 7 generations' time to repent. However, they DID NOT! In the end, they were totally wiped out when judgement of God came in the form of the Great Flood.

 

King Nebuchadnezzar

 

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon also sinned against God by declaring that he was the one who built his empire, and thus forgetting God's grace to him. God gave him 7 years to repent during which he was driven out into the wilderness to live like an animal.

 

But king Nebuchadnezzar was wiser. He repented of his sins, and his kingdom was restored back to him after 7 years. (Readers please read this fascinating story and the confession of king Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4)

 

 

Repentance or Judgement ?

 

We can see from the above examples that God often gives to sinners a grace period of 7 specific time units. Sinners need to either repent during this period, or judgement will come in the end.

 

 

If God Forgives 7 Times, Why Should We Forgive 70x7?

 

This command of "forgiving 70x7 times" was given by Jesus when his disciple Peter asked Him about forgiveness. Apparently, Peter had the same question.

 

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ~ Matthew 18:21-22

 

 

Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

(Matthew 18:23-35)

 

Peter's question was answered beautifully in the "Parable of the Unforgiving Servant" told by Jesus. When the servant in the parable did not forgive his fellow servants, his master said to him:

 

"You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?" ~ Matthew 18:32-33

 

We were all sinners before we were saved! If God forgives all our sins, shouldn't we also forgive our brothers? If God who has no sins forgives 7 times, shouldn't we do more than that?

 

 

But 70x7 Times Forgiveness is Not for Everyone!

 

However, it should be noted that this "70x7 times forgiveness" must not be used as an excuse to sin against Christians. It is because this command is NOT for everyone!

 

First, Peter was asking about a "BROTHER", someone who follows Jesus, and has the ability to overcome sins through the Holy Spirit in him. Second, forgiveness is only for sinners who REPENT and ASK FOR FORGIVENESS!

 

Therefore, Christians must not let anyone take advantage of us by practicing without discrimination this "70x7 forgiveness" command. In fact, apostle Paul in the New Testament also judged and reprimanded brothers who did not repent! For more details, please read our blog post "Love Your Neighbors as Yourself, NOT Everyone!"

 

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. ~ Matthew 18:15-17

 

 

And Why 70x7?

 

70x7 is Not a Random Number! Even though many people believe 70x7 means unlimited times, this interpretation is NOT stated in the Bible! In fact, if forgiveness is unlimited, there would not have been any judgement on the evil doers!

 

So why choose this number? You can find our proposed answer in our eBook "70 Weeks Prophecy".