The Book of Revelation, often regarded as the final testament of the Bible, is steeped in profound symbolism, particularly through its recurring numbers. These sacred numbers serve as keys that unlock deeper meanings behind the prophetic visions, inviting readers to delve deeper into their implications. In the exploration of the symbolism woven throughout Revelation, the fascinating world of numerology and imagery captivates scholars, theologians, and curious minds alike. From the repeated references to the number seven, symbolizing divine perfection, to the chilling array of fantastical beasts, every element is imbued with significance. Such numerology inspires us to contemplate themes of wholeness and divine order, encouraging a balanced perspective in our journey of faith. While the source material focuses on biblical interpretation, the principles of understanding symbolic numbers and their influence on order and completeness resonate with holistic approaches to energy balancing and personal growth.
The numbers within the book of Revelation reveal the awesome truth that God will finish the work that He began. The book is the pinnacle and crowning glory of the Bible told through numbers. While most prophecies only foretell of God’s master plan, this book completes the picture by delineating the chronology of their fulfillment. Understanding these symbols provides a framework for contemplating divine order, which can be a source of spiritual insight for those seeking harmony in their lives.
The Symbolism of Common Numbers in Revelation
Numbers in the Bible are often (usually?) meant symbolically, not just literally. The most common numbers in the Book of Revelation are One, Four, and especially Seven. Some of the most common numbers recorded in the King James translation of the book of Revelation are 3, 4, 7, 10 and 12. This is noteworthy as the numerals 3, 7, 10 and 12 are spiritually perfect and signify completeness. Seven is by far the most frequent cardinal numeral in this prophetic Bible book. Four, the next most common, is utilized as a digit 19 times. It is followed by the numbers 3, 10 and 12 all of which are recorded 9 times.
The Number Seven: Divine Perfection and Completion
The number 7 often represents divine completion, reflecting the seven churches and the seven seals. It is the sacred number of analysis and combination. When man began to analyze and combine numbers, he developed other interesting symbols. The number 7 stands for the sacred, the complete, and the divine.
The Number Four: The Cosmic Number
When he thought of the world he thought in terms of four. Four became the cosmic number. In Revelation there appear four living creatures symbolical of the four divisions of animal life of the world. There are four horsemen symbolical of the destructive powers of the world at war. The world in which men lived and worked and died was conveniently symbolized by "4".
The Number Twelve: Divine Governance
The number 12 denotes divine governance, seen in the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. It signifies a complete, divinely ordained order.
The Numbers Five and Ten: Human Completeness
Next, man turned from the study of his home and the world about him to study himself. Perhaps our decimal system arose from the intensive study by a man of his own fingers and toes. That was a crude and cruel age where many were maimed and crippled through disease, accident, or warfare. A perfect, full-rounded man was one who had all his members intact. So the number "5" doubled to "10" came to stand for human completeness. The whole duty of man was summed up in "10" commandments. The picture of complete power in government was that of a beast with ten horns. In Revelation the dragon, the first beast, and the scarlet beast have ten horns each, and in the case of this last beast the ten horns are called ten kings — complete world power as it appeared to belong to Rome with her provincial system. As a multiple, "10" occurs also in many of the higher numbers of Revelation; "70" = a very sacred number, "1000" = ultimate completeness—completeness raised to the nth degree, etc.
The Number Three: Measures and Time
Three measures of barley will be sold for a "penny," the equivalent of one day's wages, during the Great Tribulation period.
The Number Six and the Number of the Beast
One last number must be treated in this study of symbolism. To the Jew the number "6" had a sinister meaning. As "7" was the sacred, "6" fell short of it and failed. "Six" was the charge that met defeat, with success just in its grasp. It had within it the stroke of doom. It had the ability to be great but failed to measure up. It was for the Jew what "13" is for many today—an evil number. Some building skip from floor twelve to fourteen because thirteen is a bad rental proposition. Many hotels have rooms 12, 12A, and 14, but no 13, because no one wants to sleep in that room. It is possible that the dread of this number goes back to a night when thirteen man broke bread at the same table. From that room went one to commit the blackest betrayal in history and one to make the supreme sacrifice of history. Thus "6" was an evil number for the Jews. It is important to keep this in mind when we come to the number "666" in Revelation.
The number 666 is associated with the beast, specifically identified as the number of a person. This calls for wisdom: let anyone with understanding calculate the number of the beast. The text suggests that numbers in Revelation cannot be understood with real numerical value, nor even as round numbers. They are purely symbolic, and we must discard our mathematical ideas and seek to discover their symbolic significance.
Fractional Numbers and Incomplete Time
In Revelation two witnesses preached "3 and 1/2" years—an indefinite time; the court of the Temple was trampled by the ungodly "3 and 1/2" years; the saints were persecuted "forty-two months;" the church was in the wilderness "1,260 days." Always "3 and 1/2" or its equivalent stood for the indefinite, the incomplete, the dissatisfied; but in it all were the hope and patient waiting for a better day when truth would be delivered from the scaffold and placed on the throne usurped by wrong.
Objects as Metaphors for Spiritual Realities
The objects depicted in Revelation serve as powerful metaphors that illustrate deeper spiritual realities. These symbols are part of an abundance of figurative language. Many objects are used symbolically. Birds, beasts, persons, cities, elements of nature, weapons, qualities (light, darkness, etc.), precious stones—all these and many others are made to serve the writer's purpose as he gives to us his picture book of the triumph of righteousness over evil.
The Scroll
Take, for example, the scroll that contains the fateful glimpses of the future—a symbol of God’s ultimate plan and purpose.
The Lamb
The lamb, representing Jesus Christ, embodies sacrifice, redemption, and hope in a world often overshadowed by darkness.
The Beasts
The beasts in Revelation represent various destructive powers or entities that oppose divine order. The dragon, the first beast, and the scarlet beast are depicted with specific attributes, such as ten horns symbolizing complete world power.
The Nature of Numbers in Revelation
The word "NUMBER" (ἀριθμός; also once "to number/count" = ἀριθμέω) appears in several contexts: - Revelation 5:11: Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. - Revelation 7:4: And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel. - Revelation 7:9: After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. - Revelation 9:16: The number of the troops of cavalry was two hundred million; I heard their number. - Revelation 13:17: So that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
It is noteworthy that some numbers are never used in the Book of Revelation, such as Eight, Forty, or Hundred. This absence is as significant as the presence of others, suggesting a specific symbolic framework.
The Symbolic View of Numbers
A large part of the unscriptural dispensationalism of the past and present is based upon a false view of the value of the numbers employed by the writer. The conclusion from this observation of the symbolic use of numbers is that the numbers which occur in the book of Revelation cannot be understood with real numerical value, nor even as round numbers. They are purely symbolic, and we must discard our mathematical ideas and seek to discover their symbolic significance.
The Concept of Ultimate Completeness
The number 1000 represents ultimate completeness—completeness raised to the nth degree. This concept of a heightened state of wholeness is a powerful theme. For individuals seeking personal growth and balance, the idea of moving toward a state of completeness can be a guiding principle. While the source material does not offer specific practices for achieving this, the symbolic meaning suggests a journey toward a higher state of being.
The Mark of the Beast
The mark of the beast, associated with the number 666, represents a system that controls commerce and social interaction ("so that no one can buy or sell"). This symbol warns against systems that restrict freedom and impose control, encouraging vigilance and wisdom in navigating worldly structures.
Applying Symbolic Insights to Holistic Living
While the source material is strictly biblical in its focus, the underlying principles of symbolism and numerology offer a lens through which to view holistic living. The recognition that numbers carry specific vibrations and meanings is a cornerstone of numerology. In the context of the provided texts, the numbers 7, 12, 10, and 4 are presented as symbols of perfection, governance, and completeness.
Contemplating Divine Order
The text encourages readers to "contemplate themes of wholeness and divine order, encouraging a balanced perspective." This contemplation can be a form of meditation or spiritual reflection. For those interested in energy harmonization, the concept of divine order suggests that there is a perfect, harmonious structure underlying reality. Aligning one's life with this perceived order—through ethical living, spiritual practice, and mindful action—can be seen as a path to harmony.
The Role of Hope and Patience
The fractional numbers (3 1/2, 42 months, 1260 days) symbolize periods of trial and incompleteness. However, the text notes that within these periods lies "the hope and patient waiting for a better day." This is a crucial insight for personal growth. Challenges and periods of uncertainty are part of the journey. Maintaining hope and practicing patience are essential qualities for navigating difficult times and emerging into a state of greater completeness and truth.
The Power of Metaphor
The use of objects like the scroll and the lamb as metaphors illustrates how tangible items can represent profound spiritual concepts. In a holistic lifestyle, individuals might use physical objects (such as symbols of peace or nature) as focal points for meditation, helping to bridge the gap between the material and the spiritual. The text does not prescribe specific objects for personal use, but the principle of imbuing objects with meaning is clear.
Numbers Never Used: The Mystery of Omission
The observation that numbers like Eight, Forty, and Hundred are never used in Revelation invites deeper inquiry. While the text does not explain the specific reason for this omission, it highlights the intentionality of the numerical symbolism. In a holistic context, this encourages discernment—not just in what is present, but also in what is absent. It suggests that a complete understanding requires looking at the full pattern of what is included and excluded.
Conclusion
The Book of Revelation presents a complex tapestry of numbers and symbols that are intended to be understood primarily in their spiritual and symbolic meanings rather than their literal values. The most common numbers—7, 4, 3, 10, and 12—represent concepts of divine perfection, cosmic order, human completeness, and divine governance. The number 6 and its triple repetition, 666, symbolize a falling short of perfection and the presence of evil or imperfection. Fractional numbers like 3 1/2 represent periods of trial and incompleteness, yet carry the seed of hope.
Objects within the visions—scrolls, lambs, beasts—serve as powerful metaphors for spiritual realities, divine plans, and worldly powers. The overarching message is one of the triumph of righteousness over evil and the ultimate completion of divine purpose.
For those on a path of spiritual growth and seeking holistic balance, these biblical symbols offer a rich field for contemplation. They encourage the pursuit of wholeness, the cultivation of patience during trials, and the wisdom to discern the deeper meanings behind the structures of the world. By embracing these symbols, we can discover a profound understanding of spiritual truth that resonates in our lives today, inspiring a balanced perspective and a deeper connection to the divine order.