Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a buzz word these days as the threat of COVID-19 is shadowing the minds of many, plowing trust six feet under and above the ground; covering faces, voices, and minds with masks driven by a cruel taskmaster: fear. So, what is the character and function of this triangular acronym? A few taps on the computer keys and Google will provide the technical information and answer questions such as: what is it? How does it work? What is it used for e.t.c.? However, as far as the character side of PCR it may not be so clear. In Hebraic thought everything has a character and function. The language of the Bible is not only historical, it’s also figurative or parabolic, and it’s message is hidden and must be revealed (Deut 29:29, Psa 78:2, Prob 1:6, Matt 13:11-13, Eph 3:3-5). For example, the “mountains and the hills… break… into singing… and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isaish 55:12). Sounds like a great choir! Actually, it’s a coded message for something much richer. PCR is a tool used to magnify genetic material (DNA or RNA), including that of viruses, ultimately to decipher a ‘message’. Using a three-tiered process of denaturing, isolating the desired segment of DNA or RNA, then multiplying it (from thousands to millions of copies) (1), the hope is that the testing will reveal the truth: positive or negative. Not so simple! A positive does not mean disease. The idea is to take a small amount of genetic material (e.g. from a nasal swab), put it through this process, and see if it matches. There are many other factors; what are called ‘confounding variables’ that can confuse the results including other viruses, timing of the samples relative to the symptoms of the person, non-specific genetic or viral material e.t.c. Luke 8:11 says, “Now the parable is this the seed is the word of God”–Jesus. In the seed is the genetic material. David understood the spiritual PCR when he said, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3) The word magnify is amazing, with far deeper meaning than the surface reflects. Here is just a glimpse of this pearl through the WordStudy Dictionary:

H1431 Magnify

Hebrew: gadal

A verb meaning to become great, make great, magnify, grow up, grow; promote. It refers to the natural process of a person’s development, a child’s growing up (Gen 21:8, Gen 21:20; Gen 25:27; Exo 2:10-11). It indicates that something or someone becomes great or influential in wealth (Gen 26:13; Jer 5:27); value (1Sa 26:24); or importance (1Ki 10:23; Ecc 2:9; Dan 8:9-10). It indicates the greatness of the Messiah that extends throughout the earth (Mic 5:4)

Jesus said, “…if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed…” in the revelation of Him, your mountains (symbolic of the mind) can be healed to become like His mind and nothing will be impossible for you (Matt 17:20). The Scriptures teach us that first is the “natural; and afterward the spiritual” (1 Cor 15:46) i.e. the natural, historical perspective precedes the spiritual understanding if we have “eyes and ears and a heart” to preceive it (Matt 13:11-15). The PCR is a magnifier of small amounts of genetic material and is really a neutral and limited tool. The FSH (1John 5:7) is the Holy Trinity that wants to duplicate not just a fragment of His DNA in us, but to remove all mixture of ‘fallen’ DNA, sin, and replace it with Himself (Col 1:27, Eph 4:13, Rom 12:2). It’s not religion. It’s the ultimate unveiling of “this Mystery”; the ultimate polymerase chain reaction which is “Christ in you the hope of glory” (Col 1:27). So until next time, “let the Words of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16). Shalom,

Pastor Roni.

References:

yourarticlelibrary.com>biology
WordStudy Dictionary: Magnify
All Bible references: New King James Version
# PCR the deepest look into your DNA