An fascinating pattern repeats itself throughout scripture: a ratio of one-third. But why? What is the significance behind this pattern that keeps reoccurring in various books of the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament?
Usually, it seems to related to wrath or judgment:
Revelation 12:4 said:
And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
Revelation 9:18 said:
A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths.
Ezekiel 5:2 said:
"One third you shall burn in the fire at the center of the city, when the days of the siege are completed Then you shall take one third and strike it with the sword all around the city, and one third you shall scatter to the wind; and I will unsheathe a sword behind them.
Revelation 8:7 said:
The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
Revelation 8:12 said:
The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.
Revelation 8:9 said:
and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
However, there has to be more to it than that. This pattern is not always associated with judgment:
Zechariah 13:9 said:
"And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' And they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"
Nehemiah 10:32 said:
We also placed ourselves under obligation to contribute yearly one third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God:
It seems to also be related to offering or mercy. The fact that wrath is only poured out on one-third of the earth, mankind, etc. could also be seen as an act of mercy, as only a minority is affected. Perhaps this ratio is a teaching tool, meant to symbolize both wrath and mercy. But, how can that be?
A pastor once brought up an interesting point related to this ratio - one-third of the Trinity (Jesus the Christ and Son of God) was offered up in our place, in which the wrath of God the Father was poured out on Him in our stead. Jesus was struck with wrath, so that mercy could be offered to all of mankind.
I do believe this pastor brought up a great point: the one-third pattern is meant to be a powerful picture of what Jesus (who is part of the Triune God) did for us on the cross. It's also believed that one-third of the angels fell from Heaven, which could also foreshadow this ultimate act of mercy by God.
References:
In Revelation, what is the significance of one third?- BibleAsk
