Tag: the-last-supper

Introduction

From the earliest pages of Scripture, God is revealed as a God of blessing. In creation, He blessed Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:28); in covenant, He blessed Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:2–3); in worship, He commanded Aaron to bless the people with His name (Numbers 6:24–26). Blessings are not peripheral but central to God’s purpose for His people.

The Prayer teaches us how to ask for blessings; the Supper assures us they are secured in His Cross.

In this article, we will explore how the blessings of God are (1) defined in Scripture, (2) prayed for in the Lord’s Prayer, and (3) fulfilled in the Lord’s Supper. Together, these two gifts of Christ shape the entire rhythm of Christian life.

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1. The Scope of God’s Blessings

God’s blessings are not limited to material prosperity, though this is included. They are comprehensive and holistic, touching every dimension of life.

1. 🕊️ Spiritual Blessings (Eph. 1:3; Rom. 5:1)
   • These include forgiveness of sins, peace with God, joy in the Holy Spirit, and adoption as children of God. The greatest spiritual blessing is reconciliation with the Father through Christ.
2. 🍞 Material Provision (Deut. 28:1–14; Matt. 6:11)
   • God promises to supply daily needs — bread, water, health, fruitful labor, and prosperity. Material blessings remind us of God’s care for our physical lives.
3. 🤝 Relational Blessings (Ps. 128:1–6; Prov. 3:3–4)
   • God blesses families with love, children with fruitfulness, and communities with favor and harmony. These blessings nurture covenant relationships among His people.
4. ❤️ Inner Security (Jer. 17:7–8; Phil. 4:6–7)
   • This is the peace of heart and mind that comes from trusting God. Even in trials, the believer is anchored, like a tree planted by streams of water.
5. 🌟 Guidance & Wisdom (Prov. 9:10; James 1:5)
   • God blesses those who seek His will with discernment and clarity. Wisdom is not merely knowledge but a Spirit-filled ability to walk in righteousness.
6. 🙌 Beatitude Blessings (Matt. 5:3–12)
   • Jesus pronounced blessings on the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the pure, the peacemakers, and those who suffer for righteousness. These blessings are paradoxical: they often come through weakness and suffering.
7. 🛡️ Covenant Protection (Deut. 28:7; Matt. 6:13)
   • God blesses His people with deliverance from enemies, safety in times of danger, and victory over evil powers. This is part of His covenant loyalty.
8. 👑 Eternal Blessings (John 3:16; Rev. 21:3–4)
   • The ultimate blessing is eternal life in the Kingdom of God — resurrection, immortality, and fellowship with God forever.

2. Conditions for Receiving Blessings

The Bible also makes clear that blessings are conditional upon faith, obedience, and covenant alignment:

1. Obedience to God’s Word
   • “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands… all these blessings will come on you and accompany you” (Deut. 28:1–2).
   • Blessings are tied to walking in God’s ways.
2. Fear of the Lord (reverence and awe)
   • “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments” (Psalm 112:1).
   • Reverence leads to wisdom and security.
3. Trust and Faith in God
   • “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him” (Jeremiah 17:7).
   • Faith brings stability and fruitfulness.
4. Purity and Righteousness
   • Jesus’ Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12) show that humility, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and enduring persecution are conditions for blessing.
5. Prayer and Dependence on God
   • The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to ask daily for bread, forgiveness, and deliverance. Brant Pitre (“The Lord’s Prayer and the New Exodus”, 2006) explains this as part of the “New Exodus”: God blesses when His people call upon Him in dependence and covenant loyalty.

Blessings are therefore not automatic; they flow from a heart aligned with God’s will, and from lives shaped by Christ.

Here is a clear Table of Blessings and Conditions from Scripture:

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Blessing	Constitutes (What It Is)	Condition (Requirement)	Scripture
Spiritual Blessings	Forgiveness of sins, peace with God, joy, eternal salvation	Faith in Christ, repentance, obedience to His Word	Eph. 1:3; Rom. 5:1; Acts 3:19
Material Provision	Daily bread, health, fruitful harvest, prosperity, protection	Obedience to God’s commands; seeking first His kingdom	Deut. 28:1–14; Matt. 6:33
Relational Blessings	Strong families, fruitful children, harmony, favor with others	Fear of the Lord, walking in righteousness	Psalm 128:1–6; Prov. 3:3–4
Inner Security	Peace, stability, strength in trials	Trust and confidence in God	Jer. 17:7–8; Phil. 4:6–7
Guidance & Wisdom	God’s direction in life, discernment, clarity	Reverence (fear) of the Lord, prayer, dependence	Prov. 9:10; James 1:5
Beatitude Blessings	Comfort, inheritance, mercy, vision of God, sonship	Humility, meekness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, endurance under persecution	Matt. 5:3–12
Covenant Protection	Victory over enemies, safety, deliverance from evil	Covenant loyalty, prayer (Lord’s Prayer as dependence)	Deut. 28:7; Matt. 6:13
Eternal Blessings	Resurrection, eternal life, dwelling with God in the New Jerusalem	Perseverance in faith, overcoming trials, belonging to Christ	John 3:16; Rev. 21:3–4

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3. The Lord’s Prayer: Asking for the Blessings

The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9–13) is not merely a set of words but a comprehensive petition that sums up all of Jesus’ teaching. Each line corresponds to a category of blessing:

• Our Father, who art in heaven 🛡️🤝
  • We are adopted children in covenant, under His protection and family care.
• Hallowed be Thy Name 🕊️
  • We align ourselves with His holiness, seeking the spiritual blessing of sanctification and communion.
• Thy Kingdom come 👑
  • We long for the fullness of eternal blessing, the reign of God on earth as in heaven.
• Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven 🌟
  • We ask for wisdom to walk in His will, for divine guidance in our daily steps.
• Give us this day our daily bread 🍞
  • A direct request for provision: food, health, work, and sustenance.
• Forgive us our trespasses… 🕊️🤝
  • We receive spiritual forgiveness and relational healing as we extend it to others.
• Lead us not into temptation ❤️
  • A prayer for inner security and strength against weakness and sin.
• Deliver us from evil 🛡️
  • A cry for covenant protection from the evil one and all spiritual enemies.
• For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory… 🙌
  • The Beatitude blessings are gathered in praise: joy, hope, and endurance in suffering.

In praying the Lord’s Prayer, we are in fact praying for the fullness of God’s covenant blessings.

Petition in the Lord’s Prayer	Blessing it Covers	Explanation
“Our Father, who art in heaven”	Covenant Protection & Relational Blessings	We enter God’s family, acknowledging His fatherhood — the basis of protection, provision, and healthy relationships.
“Hallowed be Thy Name”	Spiritual Blessings	We revere His holiness, aligning our hearts for forgiveness, sanctification, and joy in the Spirit.
“Thy Kingdom come”	Eternal Blessings	We long for God’s reign and the new creation, praying for eternal life in the restored Kingdom.
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”	Guidance & Wisdom	Submitting to God’s will brings clarity, discernment, and divine direction in all things.
“Give us this day our daily bread”	Material Provision	A direct request for daily needs — food, health, prosperity, and physical sustenance.
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us”	Spiritual Blessings & Relational Blessings	Forgiveness restores us to God and reconciles us with others, bringing peace and healing in relationships.
“Lead us not into temptation”	Inner Security	God gives strength and stability in trials, protecting us from falling into sin.
“But deliver us from evil”	Covenant Protection	God shields us from the evil one, granting victory over enemies and spiritual safety.
Doxology: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever”	Beatitude Blessings	Praise unites us with the Kingdom vision of Christ, lifting us to endurance, mercy, purity, and joy.

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3. The Last Supper: Receiving the Blessings

The Last Supper (Luke 22:19–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–26) is the sacrament that seals the blessings prayed for in the Lord’s Prayer. What we ask in prayer, we receive in Christ’s body and blood:

• 🕊️ Spiritual Blessings – His blood poured out for forgiveness secures our peace with God.
• 🍞 Material Provision – In the bread of life, we taste God’s provision not only for the body but for the soul.
• 🤝 Relational Blessings – At the Table, divisions are healed; we are one body in one cup.
• ❤️ Inner Security – The command “Do this in remembrance of me” gives assurance of His abiding presence.
• 🌟 Guidance & Wisdom – The Supper teaches us to live as Christ lived: in obedience, sacrifice, and love.
• 🙌 Beatitude Blessings – To eat and drink is to share in His suffering and anticipate His Kingdom glory.
• 🛡️ Covenant Protection – His blood is the new covenant, the ultimate Passover protection from death and judgment.
• 👑 Eternal Blessings – The Supper anticipates the great wedding feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9).

Thus, the Last Supper is not simply a memorial but a covenantal act in which God’s blessings are received, sealed, and anticipated.

Blessing	How the Last Supper Fulfills It
Spiritual Blessings	Forgiveness of sins through the blood of the New Covenant (Matthew 26:28).
Material Provision	Bread and wine symbolize God’s ongoing provision, “daily bread” now fulfilled in Christ Himself (John 6:35).
Relational Blessings	Shared table fellowship creates unity — one body, one cup (1 Corinthians 10:16–17).
Inner Security	Christ promises His abiding presence: “Do this in remembrance of me” — reassurance in times of trial.
Guidance & Wisdom	The Supper calls us to live by His will, modeling self-sacrifice and love.
Beatitude Blessings	Those who share His sufferings will share His Kingdom blessings (Luke 22:29–30).
Covenant Protection	Participation in Christ’s sacrifice secures protection from judgment (like the Passover lamb in Exodus 12).
Eternal Blessings	The Supper anticipates the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

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4. Prayer and Supper: Two Poles of the Same Covenant

The Lord’s Prayer and the Lord’s Supper are inseparable:

• The Prayer lifts our petitions to the Father.
• The Supper reveals that those petitions are answered in Christ’s sacrifice.
• The Prayer is our daily rhythm of dependence.
• The Supper is our covenant anchor in His once-for-all work.

As Scott observed:

• We cannot rightly say the Prayer without remembering the Cross.
• We cannot celebrate the Supper without meaning to live the way of Jesus.

Scott is correct that the Lord’s Prayer and the Lord’s Supper are inseparable:

• We cannot rightly say the Prayer without remembering the Cross.
  • When we ask for forgiveness, daily bread, deliverance from evil — all are possible only because of the sacrifice remembered in the Supper.
• We cannot celebrate the Supper without following Jesus’ way of life.
  • To eat His body and drink His blood is to commit to living out the obedience, forgiveness, and kingdom-focus expressed in the Lord’s Prayer.

In other words:

• The Prayer teaches us what to ask for.
• The Supper assures us that God has already given it in Christ.

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5. The Last Supper as the Covenant of Blessing

The biblical pattern is clear: God’s blessings always flow through covenant.

• In the Old Testament, blessings were tied to obedience to the Law (Deut. 28).
• In the New Testament, blessings are tied to the New Covenant in Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20).

At the Last Supper, Jesus enacted this covenant — guaranteeing all the blessings of God to those who partake in Him.

The Prayer points forward; the Supper points backward. Together, they hold the Church in the present — living daily in God’s blessings.

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Conclusion

In His wisdom, Jesus gave His Church two enduring gifts: the Lord’s Prayer and the Lord’s Supper. One teaches us to ask for blessings, the other seals them in covenant. One shapes our petitions, the other embodies God’s provision. Together, they form the rhythm of Christian life — prayer and sacrament, request and fulfillment, promise and assurance.

To pray the Lord’s Prayer and to partake of the Lord’s Supper is to live fully in the covenant blessings of God: forgiveness, provision, peace, protection, and eternal life. In these two ordinances, Jesus has given us everything.

Introduction

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1. Psalm 66:11 — The Net of Refinement

“Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.”
— Psalm 66:11

This verse encapsulates the experience of trial under God’s hand. The Hebrew gematria of its two key phrases provides a gateway into its spiritual significance:

Phrase	Hebrew	Gematria
“Thou broughtest us”	הֲבֵאתָ֥נוּ	464
“into the net”	בַמְּצוּדָ֑ה	147
Total		611

The sum, 611, has four divisors: Divisors of 611=[1,13,47,611].

Arithmetic Mean=(1+13+47+611)/4=672/4=168

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2. 168 — The Identifier of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke

According to the system of biblical identifiers (Book + Chapter + Verse):

Verse	Identifier
Luke 11:2	42 + 11 + 2 = 55
Luke 11:3	42 + 11 + 3 = 56
Luke 11:4	42 + 11 + 4 = 57
Total	168

This identifies Luke 11:2–4, the concise form of the Lord’s Prayer, with the number 168.

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3. Spiritual Insight: Into the Net of Prayer

The equivalence between:

• The mean of the divisors of 611 (from Psalm 66:11), and
• The identifier of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke,

is theologically profound:

To be brought “into the net” (Psalm 66:11) is to enter a divine pattern of discipline, refinement, and sanctification—and the very act of praying the Lord’s Prayer aligns the soul with this divine process.

This net is not one of condemnation, but of formation, drawing us into obedience and trust.

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4. John 21:11 — The Net of Redemption

“Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.”
— John 21:11

This verse reveals the net of grace, cast at the command of the risen Christ. It draws in 153 fish, symbolizing the fullness of the elect.

Together, Psalm 66:11 and John 21:11 create a unified narrative:

• Psalm 66:11: Net of testing and discipline
• John 21:11: Net of redemption and wholeness

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5. The 8 Times of the Lord’s Prayer

From the permutations of 153 arise 6 spiritually significant numbers, which define 8 daily prayer times:

10:35 am, 10:53 am, 1:35 pm, 1:53 pm, 3:15 pm, 3:51 pm, 5:13 pm, 5:31 pm

These times serve as a spiritual entry into the net—a practice of daily discipline, surrender, and divine alignment.

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6. The 2130 Revelation: Psalm 66:11 and Psalm 77

The Hebrew gematria of Psalm 66:11 totals 2130.

✅ Psalm 66:11 — Word-by-Word Gematria Breakdown

#	Hebrew Word	Translation	Gematria
1	הֲבֵאתָ֥נוּ	“You brought us”	464
2	בַמְּצוּדָ֑ה	“into the net/prison”	147
3	שַׂ֖מְתָּ	“You laid”	740
4	מוּעָקָ֣ה	“burden”	221
5	בְמָתְנֵֽינוּ׃	“on our loins”	558
	TOTAL		2130

Surprisingly, the total of all verse identifiers in Psalm 77 also equals 2130.

Reference	Description	Value
Psalm 66:11	Gematria of the full verse	2130
Psalm 77	Sum of all verse identifiers (20 verses)	2130

✨ Interpretation:

Psalm 66:11 describes the act of entering the net, while Psalm 77 is a spiritual map of what happens inside that net:

• A descent into doubt (vv.1–9),
• A decision to remember God’s faithfulness (vv.10–12),
• A resurgence of praise grounded in redemptive history (vv.13–20).

This numerical unity teaches us that:

To enter the net (2130) is to enter the journey of Psalm 77—moving from affliction to assurance, and from despair to divine remembrance.

🔄 2. Psalm 77 — What Happens in the Net

This psalm maps the interior journey of the soul inside the net:

Verses	Phase	Description
1–3	Crying Out	Desperation and sleepless anguish
4–6	Questioning	Has God forgotten? Why so silent?
7–9	Crisis of Faith	Doubting God’s mercy and covenant
10–12	Turn to Remembrance	Actively choosing to recall God’s deeds
13–20	Restoration of Trust	Awe-filled meditation on the Exodus: “Your path led through the sea…”

It is the process of spiritual purification — the fire in the furnace, the pressure in the cocoon. The Psalm ends not with escape, but with reoriented faith.

🌅 3. Psalm 66:12 — What Happens After the Net

“You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.”

This is the glorious exit — a movement from:

• Oppression to elevation
• Trial to transformation
• Narrowness to abundance

The Net was never the end — it was the threshold.
The end is abundance (רְוָיָה – revayah) — spiritually, emotionally, and covenantally.

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Conclusion: Into the Net of the Kingdom

To pray the Lord’s Prayer is to enter God’s net—not of punishment, but of preparation and transformation.

• Psalm 66:11 shows the entry into divine testing.
• John 21:11 shows the redemptive purpose of that net.
• Psalm 77 provides the spiritual anatomy of life inside the net.
• Identifier 168 and total 2130 are the divine seals of this mystery.

The Lord’s Prayer is the net of God.
It refines, gathers, delivers—and fills the soul with remembrance of His mighty acts.

To pray at the 8 sacred times is to consciously step into God’s redemptive process and say, with full surrender:

“Thy will be done.”

✅ Yes — praying the Lord’s Prayer at the 8 designated times draws us into the divine net, not to destroy us, but to:

• Refine us like silver (Psalm 66:10),
• Catch us for eternal life (John 21:11),
• And prepare us to receive God’s abundance (Psalm 66:12).

“You brought us to a place of abundance.”

Biblical scholars and theologians have long known that the Lord’s Prayer was a precise summary of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. See some references in the Scholarly Comments section of this website.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ refers to the good news of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, accomplished through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. It is the proclamation of salvation and eternal life available to all who believe in Him. It can be summarized under the following four categories of messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, as they comprehensively encapsulate the major themes and events central to His mission. Here’s how each category relates to the core message of the Gospel:

1. Prophecies About Jesus’ Birth:
   • These prophecies highlight the miraculous and divine origins of Jesus, emphasizing His identity as the promised Messiah. His birth fulfills God’s promises to bring salvation to humanity, establishing the foundation of the Gospel.
2. Prophecies About Jesus’ Life and Ministry:
   • Jesus’ teachings, miracles, and the way He lived demonstrate the nature of God, His love, and His kingdom. His life provides the model for righteous living and the manifestation of divine power and compassion.
3. Prophecies About Jesus’ Death:
   • The death of Jesus is the climax of the Gospel, showing the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins. This act of atonement is central to Christian belief, as it reconciles humans with God and provides a way for salvation.
4. Prophecies About Jesus’ Resurrection:
   • The resurrection is the triumphant victory over sin and death, proving Jesus’ divinity and ensuring eternal life for believers. It is the cornerstone of Christian hope and the promise of a future resurrection for all who follow Him.

These categories collectively narrate the Gospel story—from the anticipation of the Messiah, His life on earth, the sacrificial death, and His victorious resurrection. They align with the essential message of the Gospel as expressed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:

“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Thus, the Gospel can be meaningfully summarized under these four categories.

Mathematically, it is sufficient to show that the total sum of the identifiers of any set of pertinent messianic prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus Christ under the four categories points to the Lord’s Prayer, whose identifier is 168 in the Gospel of Luke and 285 in the Gospel of Matthew.

Accordingly, let us identify the pertinent verses and their identifiers:

1. Prophecies About Jesus’ Birth

• Born of a Virgin: Isaiah 7:14 – “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Identifier=22.
• Born in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 – “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” Identifier=40.
• Descendant of Abraham: Genesis 22:18 – “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.” Identifier=41.
• From the Line of David: Jeremiah 23:5 – “I will raise up for David a righteous Branch.” Identifier=52.
• Herod’s Slaughter of Innocents Foretold: Jeremiah 31:15 – “A voice is heard in Ramah… Rachel weeping for her children.” Identifier=70.
• Called Out of Egypt: Hosea 11:1 – “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Identifier=40.

Sum of all identifiers: 22+40+41+52+70+40=265.

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2. Prophecies About Jesus’ Life and Ministry

• Proceeded by a Messenger (John the Baptist): Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice of one calling in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way for the LORD.’” Identifier=66.
• A Light to the Gentiles: Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Identifier=34
• He Will Teach in Parables: Psalm 78:2 – “I will open my mouth with a parable.” Identifier=99.
• Perform Miracles: Isaiah 35:5 – “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” Identifier=63.
• Zeal for God’s House: Psalm 69:9 – “Zeal for your house consumes me.” Identifier=97.
• The King Comes on a Donkey: Zechariah 9:9 – “See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.” Identifier=56.

Sum of all the identifiers: 66+34+99+63+97+56=415.

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3. Prophecies About Jesus’ Death

• Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver: Zechariah 11:12 – “So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.” Identifier=61.
• Silent Before His Accusers: Isaiah 53:7 – “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth.” Identifier=83.
• Pierced Hands and Feet: Psalm 22:16 – “They pierce my hands and my feet.” Identifier=57.
• Crucified with Criminals: Isaiah 53:12 – “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Identifier=88.
• Mocked and Insulted: Psalm 22:7 – “All who see me mock me.” Identifier=48.
• Given Vinegar to Drink: Psalm 69:21 – “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” Identifier=109.
• His Side Pierced: Zechariah 12:10 – “They will look on me, the one they have pierced.” Identifier=60.
• Cast Lots for His Clothing: Psalm 22:18 – “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” Identifier=59.

Sum of all identifiers: 61+83+57+88+48+109+60+59=565.

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4. Prophecies About Jesus’ Resurrection

• Raised on the Third Day: Hosea 6:2 – “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us.” Identifier=36.
• Not Abandoned to the Grave: Psalm 16:10 – “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” Identifier=45.
• Ascends to Heaven: Psalm 68:18 – “When you ascended on high, you took many captives.” Identifier=105.
• Seated at God’s Right Hand: Psalm 110:1 – “The LORD says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” Identifier=130.

Sum of all the identifiers: 36+45+105+130=316.

Hence, the total of all the sums is 265+415+565+316=1561.

Now, there are 215 sphenic numbers less than or equal to 1561. We can also get 215 if we consider the fact that 1561 is the 1314th composite number and that an approximation of the function Prime Pi evaluated at 1314 is 215.

But the astonishing result is that the Euler Totient function evaluated at 215 is precisely 168, the identifier of the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Luke.

Book	Chapter	Verse	Sum
42	11	2	55
42	11	3	56
42	11	4	57
			168

The identifier of the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Luke is 168

Conclusion. The Lord’s Prayer is a precise summary of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.