SCRIPTURE
Matthew 18: 21-22 New Testament
The study of biblical numernolgy is very interesting and helpful in interpreting scripture.The number seven is an important number from the Bible. Seven means completeness. When its mentioned in scripture twice it means total completeness, perfection, and holiness. It goes back to its first reference in the creation story. God created everything in six days and on the seventh day he rested. It was complete, perfect, and good.
When Peter asked Jesus in this scripture above, how many times he must forgive someone, seven times? "No," Jesus replied, "Not seven times but 77 times!" Wow! Not literally.
LESSON
The Lord's Prayer says to forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, but it doesn't say how many times. Here in Matthew's gospel, the prayer itself (as written in Matthew, he used the word debts, not transgressions, in case you're confused) it says "as" we forgive our debtors. We must forgive first, "as" , then God will forgive. In other words, repent to put the wheels in motion so to speak. 💕