The Number 7
Earlier in this number study we looked at the number six and we saw that it was the number of work. In looking at that number we also saw that the number seven was the Sabbath of rest. Even in that, we see that number 'clearly' illustrated as the totality of the week. It signified the completeness of time as it relates to coming to the Sabbath of Rest. Seven is the complete (finished) week. This is the same principle with this number.
- 7 days alert for Noah, Gen7:4
- 7 days for the dove, Gen8:10
- 7 ewe lambs of Abraham, Gen21:28
- 7 days of eating unleavened bread, Ex23:15
- 7 lamps (menorah) for the tabernacle, Ex37:23
- 7 days of dwelling in booths, Lev23:42
- 7 locks of hair on Samson's head, Judg 16:13
- 7 daughters of Jethro in Exodus 2:16 2.
- 7 sprinkles of blood in Leviticus 4:63.
- 7 lamps in Numbers 8:24.
- 7 nations of Deuteronomy 7:15.
- 7 priests w 7 trumpets on the 7th day in Joshua 6:46.
- 7 feast days for Samson in Judges 14:177.
- 7 sons not worth a daughter like her: Ruth 4:15
In Matthew it’s the SEVEN loaves: 15:34
In Mark it’s the Sadducee story of the SEVEN brothers: 12:20
In Luke it’s the SEVEN devils of Mary Magdalene: 8:2
In Acts it's the SEVEN sons of the Priest Sceva: 19:14
The Revelation Sevens
The seven churches and seven spirits: 1:4
- seven golden candlesticks: 1:12 -
seven stars: 1:16 - seven angels: 1:20
- seven lamps: 4:5 - seven seals: 5:5
- seven horns and seven eyes: 5:6
- seven trumpets: 8:2
- seven thunders: 10:3
- seven heads and seven crowns: 12:3
- seven plagues: 15:1
- seven golden vials: 15:7
- seven mountains: 17:9
- seven kings: 17:10
The whole Bible is replete with the numerical symbology of the number seven. There were seven seals to the book that is opened by the Lamb, which were indicating that it is completely or totally secure in these seals. No one could open it but God. Likewise, the seven trumpets are indicating the totality of God's judgments. From start to finish, when we reach seven, it is finished. Or in the seven vials which are the totality of the Wrath of God that is to be poured out upon the earth. All these things show this spiritual signification of the number. Even when Mary Magdalene was healed
luke 8:2
"And certain woman, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called magdalene, out of whom went Seven Devils."
Mark 16:9
"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared unto mary Magdalene, out of whom went Seven devils."
Jesus cast out of her seven devils to signify the totality of the rule of Satan in her. When we are saved, we are made free from Satan where he no longer has rule over us. The number seven signified the total removal of Satan from within her, and now God would make His abode there. And what agreement has the Temple of God with the temple of idols? None. Satan is totally cast out. The Number seven illustrates his total rule in the unsaved. But by Grace of God he is totally cast out when we become Saved.
Leviticus 4:6
"And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord, before the veil of the sanctuary".
There we see that the blood was to be sprinkled seven times, which signifies that the person is 'totally' forgiven and made completely clean. Likewise:
Matthew 18:22
"Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven".
In these verses God is illustrating that the number of times we should forgive someone is 'seventy times seven.' In other words, we are not to forgive just some sins, or even literally four hundred and ninety sins (70x7), but by the use of seven it is illustrating that we must forgive in totality. We must have complete forgiveness as often as we are sinned against, just as Christ has forgiven 'all' our sins. Seven is multiplied by seventy (10x7) to emphasize total fulness and bring home the point that we must love as we are loved, unconditionally. As Christ continues to forgive us all our transgressions, so we are likewise to forgive in 'totality.'
Another example is in Revelation, where the Holy Spirit of God is signified by 'Seven spirits, and seven eyes.'
Revelation 3:1
"And unto the Angel of the Church at Sardis write, these things saith He that hath the Seven Spirits of God, and the Seven stars; I know thy Works, that thou hast a name which thou liveth, and art dead."
Revelation 4:5
"And out of the Throne proceedeth lightnings and Thunderings and voices; and there were Seven lamps of fire burning before the Throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."
Revelation 5:6
"And I beheld, and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures,, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having Seven Horns, and Seven Eyes, which are the Seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."
Psalms 12:6
"The Words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified Seven Times."
Seven times illustrates 'complete' Purity. In other words, there is no impurities found God's word anywhere. Total infallibility of the Word. The spiritual significations of the number seven are seen all throughout scripture.
Revelation 5:1
"And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with Seven Seals."
This book was sealed totally so that none could open it but God. The number seven again signifying this total sealing.
Revelation 10:3
"and He cried with a loud voice, as when a Lion Roareth, and when He cried Seven thunders uttered their voices."
Seven thunders signifies the totality of God's voice. His Word will be complete, finished. The mystery is over. When that which is complete or perfect is come, we will then know, even as we are known. We see the same principle as it speaks of the seventh trumpet sounding. It's the 'last' trumpet, the 'totality' of the trumpets accomplished.
Revelation 10:7
"but in the days of the voice of the Seventh Angel, when He shall begin to sound, the Mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the Prophets." Again, the totality being illustrated by the number seven. It's finished, ended, all fulfilled, all complete! The Sabbath of Rest is Come. The labours in this world are over
Revelation 2:7
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches: To Him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of Life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
Matthew 15:37
"And they did eat, and were filled, and they took up of the broken that was left, seven baskets full."
. Revelation 12:3
"And there appeared another Wonder in Heaven, and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads."
The seven heads are seven mountains (revelation 17:9) which are symbolic of kingdoms. Seven equals the totality of authority (heads) of this dragon and of his rule throught time. The crowns signify that it is a kingdom, and the seven his complere rule throughout time in it. Thus we see in this symbolism a picture of the totality of the dragon's (satan's) rule. That is why it says (revelation 17:10) that five of the heads of this beast had already fallen at the time of the writing of Revelation. Those rules of Satan were over. It said, one is, and one is yet to come, and there was a final 8th (which was part of the seven). i.e., it's part of 'this totality,' and he would rule a short time near the end of the world when Satan is loosed. The Seven illustrates the totality of the time of rule of this beast. God uses this number in this way to show us certain Spiritual truths. It's not the perfection of Satan, but illustrates the totality of his authority (heads) and rule. He is the prince of the power of the air. When the seventh king falls, that will be the end of him, the finish of the totality of his rule and authority.
Related to this is the ten horns of this Beast that signifies a rule for 'a short time.' The number ten here illustrates the fullness of time while not being the complete (totality of) time (more on this in the study of the number 10). So we see seven as the totality of his time, and the number ten as a short period he reign in within the totality. The very context and content of Revelation Chapter seventeen also confirms this. As the ten kings had received no kingdom as yet, but would reign later, one hour with this beast.
Horns in scripture 'Signify' Power. As you can see in Revelation chapter seventeen, the ten horns that were on the Beast were said to be ten kings which had received no power (when it was written) but would receive power to rule with the beast. i.e., Kings symbolize Rule, and Horns symbolize Power (horns of an animal are a figure of his power). Likewise, these horns here in Revelation chapter five signify God's Power. Unlike Satan's rule in power, God's rule in power is omnipotent. The seven horns signify the 'totality' of his rule and power, and the seven eyes illustrate the 'totality' of the watch of the Holy Spirit. Eyes equate to seeing/knowing. There is one Holy Spirit, but the number seven here is numeric symbolism illustrating His presence over the totality of the world. And the same application with the Seven eyes. It illustrates his 'total' watch over the earth where He sees all. The Holy Spirit of God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent. The number seven illustrates the magnificent totality of this.
(7 horns - Omnipotent) The totality of His Power!
(7 spirits - Omnipresent) He is all (totality) Everywhere!
(7 eyes - Omniscient) He is all (totality) knowing/seeing!
This is how the number seven is used in scripture to illustrate this spiritual significance. It shows us the totality of whatever is in view. This is also seen in multiples of the number such as seventy, seven hundred or seven thousand. A good example is when Jesus sent the seventy out two by two. They represented the totality of the Church. Much like the seven Churches of Asia do.
