THE SEVENS OF THE REVELATION
If there is one thing the Revelation is known for, it is the number seven. There are seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls, seven blessings, seven new things, seven cycles or scythes, and more. Seven is the number of completion. A complete musical scale contains seven notes. The complete visible color spectrum contains seven colors.
The number three represents the spiritual realm. It stands for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three entities compose the spiritual realm. The number four represents the physical realm. The world has four cardinal directions, north, south, east and west. In the Revelation 7:1 there are four angels standing at the four corners of the earth. The ancients thought the basic elements of the world were earth, wind, water and fire. The sum of the spiritual, three, and the physical, four, is seven, or completeness. The combination of the physical and spiritual represents completion.
Many of the sevens of the Revelation are divided into groups of four and three. The seven seals, trumpets and bowls of wrath are clearly divided into four and three. For example, the first four seals bring forth the famous “Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.” These seals originate on earth and deal with the world. The remaining three originate in Heaven and deal with spiritual matters. The first four of the seven trumpets and seven bowls of wrath also effect the world, while the remaining three effect spirits and are spiritual in nature.
The seven major personalities, Jesus, the Two Witnesses, the woman Israel, the Dragon, the Beast, the False Prophet and Mystery Babylon, are divided three and four. Three are on the Heavenly side and four are on the “Dark Side.”
In Revelation 12:9, the enemy is clearly defined with four names or titles; the Dragon, the Serpent, the Devil, and Satan. Although Satan is a spiritual being, he represents the physical world. Christians are not of this world. Our struggle is against Satan in this dark world. (Ephesians 6:12)
In Revelation 22:13, Jesus is described by three names, representing His spiritual nature. The names or titles are; Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, First and Last. Paul describes these titles well in Hebrews 12:2, “Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith.” (King James Version)
This division of four and three helps me to understand the Revelation. It helps, but I do not completely understand. What a marvelous, complex book! The Revelation is a wonderful conclusion to the whole marvelous, complex holy Word given to us by the Lord. May His name be praised forever!