The "Sevens" of Revelation

The last book of the Christian Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, is the most controversial canon in the entire Holy Bible with its apocalyptic message. Written by the Apostle John in the 1st Century A.D., this book contains many references to the number seven (7).

It is a known fact the word "seven" occurs in Revelation more than any other book in the Bible; it [seven] occurs more than all the other books in the New Testament combined. Unusual format or a divine message?

The number "seven" is regarded as the number of perfection, which represents fulfillment and completion. The calendar is a good example. Most of mankind have followed a seven-day week calendar since the beginning of time (categorically speaking); but why? The most common answer relates to the Creation theory.

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." ~ Genesis 2:2-3

The Creator completed His great work of creating and constructing the entire universe and all its creatures within the first seven-day period of human history. Which takes us back to the final book of the Christian Bible and the prominent "sevens". God started with the number "seven" in the Book of Genesis, so why not end with the same holy number in the Book of Revelation?  

In the Book of Revelation the holy number (7) is referenced 24 times:

1. Churches (1:4, 11, 20)
2. Spirits (1:4, 3:1, 4:5, 5:6)
3. Golden Lampstands (1:12-13, 20, 2:1)
4. Stars (1:16, 20, 2:1, 3:1).
5. Lamps (4:5).
6. Seals (5:1, 5:5).
7. Horns (5:6).
8. Eyes (5:6).
9. Angels (8:2, 6).
10. Trumpets (8:2, 6).
11. Thunders (10:3, 4).
12. Thousand (11:13).
13. Heads (12:3, 13:1, 17:3, 7, 9).
14. Crowns (12:3).
15. Angels (15:1, 6-8, 16:1, 17:1, 21:9).
16. Plagues (15:1, 6, 8, 21:9).
17. Bowls (15:7, 17:1, 21:9).
18. Mountains (17:9).
19. Kings (17:10-11).    
20. Years of Judgment (11:3, 16:6, 14, 13:5)

The "seven" references continue with:

1. Beatitudes [using the word "blessed"] (1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14). 
2. Attributes of the Lamb (5:12)
3. seventh dispensation completing Scripture (20:1-10).
4. seven divisions of each of the letters to the seven churches 

As a short monograph for the division of the seven letters, the following is a specific pattern that includes the following "seven" elements: 

1. Church Name - The name of the church that summarizes each individual letter.
2. Jesus' Name - Jesus gives himself a name that relates to that church.
3. Commendation - Jesus gives the church a description and recommendation.
4. Admonition - Jesus gives the church a warning and promised judgment. 
5. Exhortation - Jesus gives the church thanks and encouragement.
6. Closing - Jesus gives the church a final proclamation of their faults.
7. Promise - Jesus makes a covenant with the church that overcomes.   

There is a mathematical formula going on in the Book of Revelation that should not be ignored. The geometric principle is clearly intentional and meaningful; to ignore it, would be to miss the message of the Revelation. There are many other numbers that are prominent in the last tome of the Bible as well, such as:

• 4 - [Horsemen of the Apocalypse] (6:1-8)
• 10 - [Kings/Kingdoms] (17:12)
• 12 - [Gates/Pearls] (21:12, 21)
• 666 - [Number of the Beast] (13:18)
• 1000 - [Years] (20:1-7)
• 144,000 - [12,000 chosen from each of the Twelve Tribes of Israel] (7:1, 4, 14:1, 3)

According to Hebrew tradition, every number has a symbolic significance. Such numbers as 3, 7, 10, and 12 are known as "perfect numbers". It would appear these numbers [listed above] are also associated with an End Time message that the Apostle John related, yet the number seven is more extrusive in the Revelation than any other book in the Bible. 

Many ask why? The best answer takes us back to the Creator's perfection, fulfillment and completion of His original plan for mankind.

Many biblical scholars and theologians believe the First Covenant (the Old Testament), beginning with Genesis, describes the history of the preparation of a coming Savior. The New Covenant (the New Testament) details the coming of that promised Savior. And, the Book of Revelation structures that Savior's return, (aka: Second Coming of Jesus).

Why the Creator chose the number "seven" to announce His plans for an End Time scenario continues to stump even the greatest of experts and savants in our modern world. Only the Great Mathematician of the Universe holds such knowledge. And, He is not yet ready to relinquish His hold upon it.

"The book of Revelation, therefore, above all else, is designed to assure us that what God has said is true; that what He has promised, He will do. The book of Revelation is real, future history, as sure as Genesis is real, primeval history. Its characters are real and the events it prophesies will indeed come to pass." ~ Jay Mack, M.Div