No, God will not only forgive you 490 times. The phrase "seventy times seven" ( 70 × 7 = 490 7 0 × 7 = 4 9 0 ) in Matthew 18:21-22 is interpreted as a symbolic, non-literal instruction meaning there is no limit to God's forgiveness. It signifies that God's grace, mercy, and willingness to forgive are infinite, rather than a restricted, countable number.
The number 490 implies perfect forgiveness. It means, he isn't counting. When you truly forgive someone, as the number 490 implies, you set them free from their obligations to you. You don't count how many times they do you wrong, even if you know they may do it again in the future, even many times.
There is no limit on how many times you may ask forgiveness from God, even for the same repeated sin. This should not, of course, encourage us to keep on sinning.
That translates to “there is no limit; there are no conditions on forgiveness.” Jesus also didn't mention a limit or line based on the kind of offense done against you. As a Christian, it's clear, all-inclusive, and non-negotiable.
There's no single #1 worst sin; it depends on the religious or moral framework, but pride is often called the root of all evil (Christianity/Islam), while the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (unforgivable sin) is considered the gravest in the Bible. Other severe sins include child abuse (Catholicism) and sins that "cry to Heaven" (like shedding innocent blood or oppressing the poor).
Repentance is always available, even if you've made the same mistake again. The Lord has said, “As often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me” (Mosiah 26:30). Be one of “His people,” and return to the Lord whenever you stray.
There is no sin too deep, too grave, or too habitual that God cannot forgive. He wants to walk with you to freedom. Come to confession and hear those precious words of freedom spoken to you from the heart of Jesus: I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
We must always fight against backsliding, but if we do backslide, we know that when we renounce our sin and return to God, there is forgiveness and reconciliation. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The Hebrew word tamim has a numerical value of 490, and it means "to complete," "perfect," or "finished". The number 490 is also associated with forgiveness and the Hebrew phrase "Let your heart be perfect".
The Book of Daniel has a prophecy that records that 490 years after Jerusalem is rebuilt, it will be destroyed and an anointed will be cut off. Christians interpret this as referring to Jesus, because he arrives in 33 CE, about 490 years after 445 BCE, when Jerusalem was rebuilt.
Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)
Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! The NIV has 77 whereas the NLT has 490. Interestingly enough, the footnotes for each on BibleGateway say that it could also be translated the other way.
God no longer punishes us for our sin; Jesus took that punishment. God does however discipline us for sin.
Mary was making memories. She was collecting a sort of mental scrapbook. The other key word in this verse is the word, “pondered.” The Greek word means “to throw thoughts together; mull over, draw conclusions, consider, confer mentally.” Another definition for ponder is to wonder at a deep level.
In truth the Bible lists three unforgivable sins, which contradicts what Jesus said about the subject they are as follows:
It is this: If God's eternal purpose is to save sinners and He is able to save even the worst of them, then He can save you! In fact, the knowledge of your sinfulness is the ticket you need to come to Christ for salvation. He has never saved anyone but sinners—not one time!
People sometimes wonder if they have “done enough” to be forgiven of sins. Although it does take effort to repent, ultimately we aren't forgiven because we complete a checklist or do certain tasks. We are forgiven as we accept the mercy offered by Jesus Christ. It is in this way that our natures can be changed.
So, if you're saved but still struggle with sin, it doesn't mean something is profoundly wrong with you; it means you're normal. The key is to continually confess sins, seek forgiveness, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit for ongoing sanctification.
In Hebrews 6:4-6, the phrase "impossible to be renewed to repentance" is part of a warning about falling away from faith. The passage suggests that if someone has once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, and then falls away, it is impossible to bring them back to repentance.
He loves you unconditionally
It might be hard to believe when you're feeling guilty and ashamed, but God really does love His children unconditionally. He knew every sin you'd ever commit, and still, He sent His Son to show you just how deep His love goes (Romans 5:8).