The Editor, Sir:

Prophet Dr. Phillip Phinn has been bold in his pronouncement with regards to his conviction that the Most Honourable Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, being the seventh in the successive line of Prime Ministers for this country, is a divine fulfilment. He has gone further to say that she and her party will retain power when the people of this country go to the next general election that is due this year. All this is grounded in his conviction that the number seven carries strong spiritual importance.

Numbers do have significance and adequate care to do proper interpretation must be taken, particularly when this is being done by a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We live in a country that is said to be a Christian nation and many among us are susceptible to the influences of charismatic preachers. I believe that this country has produced some of the finest theologians and whenever we speak we stand the risk of being seen as presenting our own political convictions rather than being the agency through which the divine works.

For persons who are involved in occultic practices, the number seven is used or interpreted as the number for 'perfection'. For them, seven is a lucky number, as is seen in gambling, especially those who use the dice.

Numerical symbol

From a theological or Biblo-centric perspective, the number seven is the numerical symbol which exemplifies the 'totality or completeness' of a thing meaning, 'to be full or satisfied'. On the seventh day, God rested from the work of creation since it was full, complete, good and perfect. In relation to time, seven marks the completion of a week of seven days used by all nations. In Daniel's "time-oriented" prophecy (Daniel 9:24), the number seven also points to spiritual perfection or completeness for the Jewish people.

Portia Simpson Miller is the seventh Prime Minister of Jamaica. Wanting her own mandate does not negate this fact - she is the seventh Prime Minister. Could it be that she has brought to completion or totality the reign of her party? Or is it that she 'will bring to completion a divine purpose?'

If Bruce Golding and his party win the next general election, he would become the eighth Prime Minister of Jamaica. Following Prophet Dr. Phillip Phinn's numerological approach, we should not focus only on the number seven, but also on the number eight, which stands for 'new beginning'. For example, God rested on the seventh day, which is now celebrated as the Sabbath. The Sabbath marks the end of the week - the end of seven days: the completion or totality of seven days. The eighth day after the Sabbath is a new beginning, the beginning of a new week.

Following this principle then, it could be argued that after the next general election, Jamaica could be in for a change - a new beginning. Bruce Golding could well become the eighth Prime Minister of Jamaica and usher in a new day for this country.

I would hope that, as we look to the future, we would all pray that the divine hand of God will direct us as a people so that when all is said and done, we will enjoy peace, unity and prosperity.

I am, etc.,

Rev. MARK HARDY

saveradical@yahoo.com

P.O. Box 3316

Kingston 8

Via Go-Jamaica