Audio Download

Numbers 16:27-50 Korah’s Rebellion, Part 2

[Study Aired August 21, 2023]

Num 16:27  So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 
Num 16:28  And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.
Num 16:29  If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. 
Num 16:30  But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 
Num 16:31  And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 
Num 16:32  And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 
Num 16:33  They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 
Num 16:34  And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. 
Num 16:35  And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. 
Num 16:36  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 16:37  Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. 
Num 16:38  The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
Num 16:39  And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
Num 16:40  To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
Num 16:41  But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. 
Num 16:42  And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. 
Num 16:43  And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Num 16:44  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 16:45  Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. 
Num 16:46  And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. 
Num 16:47  And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
Num 16:48  And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 
Num 16:49  Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
Num 16:50  And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

Introduction

The first part of chapter 16, which we went through in our studies last week, dealt with the rebellion of Korah. The second part of this study focuses on the result of the rebellion. As indicated in the previous study, rebellion comes up now and then in the body of Christ with the aim to let those who are called and chosen to be manifested. 

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Throughout the history of the church there have been rebellions against the Lord’s anointed men by people who think they are also the Lord’s anointed and therefore have the legitimate right of leadership. We have all rebelled against the Lord during our walk with Him, but He has been merciful to us.

Isa 1:2  Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 
Isa 1:3  The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 
Isa 1:4  Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. 
Isa 1:5  Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 
Isa 1:6  From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

As this age is approaching the end, there will be more contention or rebellion as spoken of by Paul, John and Jude as follows:  

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 
2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 
2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

People being disobedient to their parents spiritually means that they will rebel against those who have brought them up in the Lord, just as we see Korah and his men rebel against Moses and Aaron who led the people of Israel out of Egypt to serve the Lord. It is worth knowing that it is Babylon that has the form of godliness but denies the power of the Lord to transform people to become obedient children of the Lord. As stated in 2 Timothy 3:5, ‘from such turn away’ means that we must leave Babylon. In the next verse, it is Babylon (silly women) who are laden with sin and have been taken captive by their leaders.

A man called Diotrephes severely resisted the work of the Lord being carried out by Apostle John. This is Apostle John’s words regarding this rebellion:

3Jn 1:9  I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 
3Jn 1:10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 
3Jn 1:11  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Here, we are shown a key reason for rebellion. People rebel when they want preeminence among the Lord’s people. As a result, they are not prepared to humble themselves and accept their errors or mistakes. It is because they do not want to appear as weak before the Lord’s people, since they think submitting to leadership is weakness. On the contrary, admitting our faults or mistakes before the Lord’s people is strength.

Jer 3:12  Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger forever. 
Jer 3:13  Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. 

This is what Jude also has to say about this rebellious syndrome by the Lord’s people against leadership:

Jud 1:4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jud 1:8  Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

In the last study, we ended when Moses told the people of Israel to separate themselves from those who rebelled against him, otherwise they, too, would be swept away by the consequence of their actions. Inasmuch as we love our brothers and sisters who rebel against leadership, we have to separate ourselves from them, otherwise this canker will sweep us all away, thus destroying the whole body. 

Num 16:24  “Say to the congregation, Get away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.”
Num 16:25  Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him.
Num 16:26  And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins.” (ESV)

Individually, we are to treat our brothers and sisters who rebel against authority as mere people of the world and not continue to have fellowship with them, otherwise we shall be swept away also.  

Tit 3:10  A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject (have nothing more to do with him); 
Tit 3:11  Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 

This brings us to our study today as we look at the consequence of rebelling against the Lord’s anointed. 

Num 16:27  So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 
Num 16:28  And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.

The people of Israel separated from Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their families as instructed by the Lord. This does not mean that the people of Israel or Moses do not love these men. However, it is better to obey the Lord than to sacrifice our love for rebellious ones, thinking that we know better. This is what is happening in the world. For example, I do not think that anybody who is in Christ hate gays because we all know that we have contributed one way or another to the death of Christ which is more grievous offence than being gay. However, this does not mean that we should fellowship with them as some churches of this world do. Our stance makes the world hate us.

1Co 5:1  It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife.
1Co 5:2  And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

Verse 28 shows us the reason the Lord brings all these rebellions against leadership in the house of God. It shows us who are chosen and holy. Verse 28 of Numbers 16 is therefore another way of saying the following:

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Num 16:29  If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. 
Num 16:30  But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 
Num 16:31  And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 
Num 16:32  And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
Num 16:33  They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

The common death that all humanity faces is when we release our last breath as we give up the ghost. That is not the end of those who rebelled against the Lord’s authority since everybody will die. What happens to those who rebel is that the earth opens her mouth to swallow them. The question is, what does it mean for the earth to open its mouth to swallow them? In the Bible, the earth signifies the Lord’s people who are not ready to hear the truth of the word of the Lord. In other words, the earth represents Babylon.

Jer 22:29  O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

In the Book of Revelation chapter 12, after the woman has given birth to the man-child and he is taken up to heaven, the woman is pursued by the Devil to destroy her. The Devil spews out water like a river (flood) to overtake her to sweep her away with the torrent. However, the earth helps the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon has spewed out of his mouth.  These verses show us what it means for the earth to open its mouth to swallow our rebellious brothers and sisters.

Rev 12:13  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 
Rev 12:14  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 
Rev 12:15  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Rev 12:16  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Rev 12:17  And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

We all know that the water that comes out of the mouth of the Devil is false doctrines, as he is the father of lies and nothing that comes out of his mouth is truth. It is these false doctrines spewed by the devil through his messengers that are taken in by Babylon (the earth). Since Babylon is taking in the flood from the devil, it means that the devil has deceived it, and therefore there is no need to destroy her as the Devil turns his effort to the Lord’s elect (Rev. 12:17).

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

So, the earth opening its mouth to swallow Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their families means that they are deceived by the devil’s lies and therefore become spiritually dead even though they still think they are spiritually alive. That is another way of saying that they are cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Rev 3:1  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 

Mat 8:12  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 24:51  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Here again, there is the need to understand the meaning of gnashing of teeth to understand what it means to be cast into outer darkness. There are two examples in the Bible which show us what it means to gnash our teeth. In both cases, it was when they saw the righteous blossoming (his horn being exalted with honor) that they gnash their teeth.

Psa 112:9  He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
Psa 112:10  The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Luk 13:28  There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

This means that to be thrown into outer darkness and gnashing our teeth is being in a position to see the horn of the righteous being exalted, but because of the spiritual darkness in which we find ourselves, there is no way we can find repentance. In their frustration, they gnash their teeth.

Heb 12:16  Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 
Heb 12:17  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Num 16:34  And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
Num 16:35  And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

As indicated earlier, if we do not separate ourselves from our brothers and sisters who rebel against leadership, we will find ourselves being swallowed by the earth. We therefore need to flee from those who rebel.

Joh 10:5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

The two hundred and fifty men who filled their censers with fire and incense at the command of Moses, to ascertain who really is chosen and holy ended up being burnt by fire. This fire from the Lord is the same as fire resulting from the word of the Lord.  As Jesus explained, the fire from the Lord signifies the tribulation or persecution that arises as a result of the word of the Lord. To the elect, this fire, which is our fiery trials, results in righteousness. To those who rebel against the Lord’s elect, the tribulation and persecution which come on them ends up making them offended, and therefore they become spiritually dead.

Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

This was what happened to the people of Israel when they left Egypt and were being pursued by the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. The pillar of cloud, which is Christ or His words, came between the Egyptians and the camp of the Israelites. To the Egyptians, it was a cloud and darkness. That is being in outer darkness. To the other, the word of the Lord becomes a light shining in darkness until the day dawns!! 

Exo 14:19  And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
Exo 14:20  And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Num 16:36  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 16:37  Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.
Num 16:38  The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
Num 16:39  And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:
Num 16:40  To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

Eleazer was told to collect the bronze censers brought by those who have been burned to death and to hammer them out to overlay the altar. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except the descendants of Aaron should come and burn incense before the Lord. Failure to do so will result in suffering the same fate as Korah and his followers. These verses show us that those who rebelled against leadership have in a way contributed to helping us offer our bodies as living sacrifice to the Lord before they went “rogue”.  Through their teachings, we were able to lay a good foundation to grow in Christ. This shows that we are not to take for granted our salvation. As David said concerning Ahitophel when he joined Absalom against David, they both took counsel together in the house of God. This means that those who rebelled were part of what every joint supplies before they fell.

Psa 55:13  But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
Psa 55:14  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

This is the warning the Lord is giving to us as His elect:

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 6:7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
Heb 6:8  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 
Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Num 16:41  But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. 
Num 16:42  And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
Num 16:43  And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Num 16:44  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 16:45  Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

If we continue to drink milk, as we were doing in Babylon, it becomes difficult to discern good from evil. However, as we grow past the milk of the word of the Lord and begin to eat strong meat, we are able to discern good from evil.

Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 
Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The people of Israel, who represent Babylon, were not able to distinguish between the elect, signified by Moses and Aaron, and the false messengers represented by Korah and his company. To them, Moses and Aaron have killed the men of God. In other words, they are calling evil good and good evil.

Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

When we cannot test the spirit to know who is of the Lord, we run the risk of losing all that we have gained in Christ, because there are many false messengers of Christ parading as the Lord’s elect.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

The whole story of the man of God from Judah, who came to Bethel to confront Jeroboam and the people of Israel about their way of worshiping the Lord and was deceived by an old prophet in that city and therefore lost his life, is to remind us to be cautious and always test the spirit to see if it is of the Lord. The man of God from Judah losing his life is to let us know how we can easily lose the treasures we have received and therefore miss the mark of His higher calling.

1Ki 13:1  And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings.

1Ki 13:3  And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the LORD has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’”
1Ki 13:4  And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him.” And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself.
1Ki 13:5  The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.
1Ki 13:6  And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” And the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him and became as it was before.
1Ki 13:7  And the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” 
1Ki 13:8  And the man of God said to the king, “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place,
1Ki 13:9  for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’”
1Ki 13:10  So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel.
1Ki 13:11  Now an old prophet lived in Bethel. And his sons came and told him all that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told to their father the words that he had spoken to the king. 

1Ki 13:14  And he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak. And he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.”
1Ki 13:15  Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.”
1Ki 13:16  And he said, “I may not return with you, or go in with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place, 
1Ki 13:17  for it was said to me by the word of the LORD, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.’”
1Ki 13:18  And he said to him, “I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.’” But he lied to him.
1Ki 13:19  So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank.

1Ki 13:24  And as he went away a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his body was thrown in the road, and the donkey stood beside it; the lion also stood beside the body.

Our mandate as the Lord’s elect is the same as the man of Judah. We are not to eat anything from Babylon, and we are not to return the same way we came to Babylon. We came to Babylon from the world, and we are not to go back to the world.

Num 16:44  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 16:45  Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.
Num 16:46  And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
Num 16:47  And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.
Num 16:48  And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 
Num 16:49  Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.
Num 16:50  And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.

As the Lord’s elect, we must show mercy in our dealings with everyone. In spite of the people of Israel accusing Moses and Aaron of killing their men of God, they were concerned about their welfare and intervened to stop the plague. The 14,700 people who died represents the whole of, or the complete number (significance of 4 and 7) of, our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are of one mind (significance of 1) against the Lord’s elect. This means that our brothers and sisters in Babylon are all spiritually dead, but they think they are spiritually alive in Christ. In the fullness of time, the elect will show mercy to all humanity to save all our brothers and sisters in Babylon.  

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

May the Lord’s name be praised. Amen!!