The Meaning of the Number Seven

It doesn’t take long when reading the bible to realize God uses numbers to convey meanings not explicitly stated. This is not to say that the numbers are lucky or unlucky in a superstitious or numerological manner but just that in some instances God uses numbers to inform. Once you get through the first chapter of Genesis and into about 2:2-3 you should be asking yourself- ‘why did God make a 7-day week?’ The answer isn’t so the Seventh Day Adventists have something to start a church over and accuse everyone else of taking the mark of the beast. But you continue reading and you see God threatening vengeance "sevenfold" (Gen.4:15), telling Noah to take the clean beasts by sevens (Gen.7:2-3), sending Egypt seven years of plenty and seven years of famine (41:29-30). Then you find God instructing Israel to observe feasts (7 of them- Lev.23) where they eat unleavened bread for 7 days (Ex.12:15-16), or to make atonement in the seventh month (Lev.23:27), instructing them to rest on the seventh day (Ex. 16:23-30), letting the land rest on the seventh year (Ex.23:11). Then in making the tabernacle the candlestick had seven lamps (Ex.25:37), sanctifying the altar took seven days (Ex.29:37), sprinkling the blood seven times to consecrate (Lev.4:6) and to cleanse the leper (Lev.14:7), they were to number 7 weeks of months and 7 weeks of years (Lev.25) and on and on even in the book of Revelation where the number explodes in significance from the first chapter on. If you look at a lot of commentators, they will say the number seven indicates ‘completeness’ or ‘perfection’; while true I think this is too vague. I think God is more specific about what this means although he has concealed the thing somewhat. We should look at where the number seven seems to hold the most significance. The shadows and types and similitudes (Heb.10:1, 1:1, Col.3:17) in the Old Covenant would only point to it so we can’t look there for the answer. Since we know that the law leads us to Christ (Gal.3:24, Rom.10:4) we should see where the fulfilment would be found in him. The verse that appears to bring together the number seven with the person and work of Christ (the Anointed) is in Revelation 5 where the Lamb of God appears worthy to open the seven seals of the book of judgment (5:5). Notice v6- "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, 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." Jesus is the Lamb (Jn.1:29, 1 Pt.1:19) that "wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (v9). Israel was instructed to offer a lamb every morning and evening day by day continually (Ex.29:38-41). So, at what generation he appears they would understand he would be brought as a lamb to the slaughter as the LORD laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isa.53:6-7). We see him here in heaven with 7 horns and 7 eyes. What do these things mean? Obviously, they are symbolic as this is not his actual resurrected appearance (Rv.1:13-17). So, let’s start with the seven eyes because we are told out right they are "the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth" (v6). What would this mean since there is only one Spirit (Eph.4:4)? Well, it appears that the seven spirits of God mentioned in Revelation are the ones listed in Isaiah 11 where most commentators I’ve found seem to coalesce in agreement. I see no other connection anywhere in scripture. Notice Isaiah 11:1-2 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him..." Clearly the Branch on whom the Spirit rests is Christ (Christ means Anointed One with the Spirit of God, Ac.10:38, Isa.61:1, Lk.4:14-21, Heb.1:9). This matches with the BRANCH in Zech.3:8-9 ... I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: The branch is connected there with the stone the Lord lays (v9) which has 7 eyes. Zech.6 explains that this BRANCH (v12) shall build the temple of the LORD and bear the glory (v13). Of course, in Zechariah's day they were rebuilding the temple after Babylon, but this is just a foreshadow of Christ building the millennial temple and as being the chief corner stone of the church (Eph.2:20-1, Mt.16:18, 21:42, Isa.28:16). But notice again that the 7 eyes on the stone in chapter 3 are explained in chapter 4. The stone is the foundation (v9) stone "with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth." (v10)

Thus the foundation stone the LORD laid with the seven eyes which are the eyes of the LORD, is also the BRANCH (Zech.6:12-3). And when you understand this it matches the Revelation passages: Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in 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 that thou livest, and art dead. Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded 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 beasts, 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.

It is as though the 7 spirits are manifested facets of the 1 Spirit of God (Eph.4:4). Like light through a prism manifests the 7 colors of the rainbow. In this case the Spirit rests upon Christ and in the judgment of men (Isa.11:3-5) is seen in the spirit of the LORD (his presence- Ps.51:11, 139:7), the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Since these seven are spirit in essence and yet distinct facets or dimensions of God’s nature they are identified as the seven spirits of God.

The eyes of the LORD are also referring to judgment, notice this: Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Heb.4:12-13 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Job 34:20-1 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

So, the Lord judges men with respect to his presence, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and their fear of him. This is why the priests would sprinkle blood 7 times (Lv.4:6, 17, 51, 16:14, 19, Num.19:4) making atonement for Israel in these 7 areas. Also, the oil sprinkled seven times (Lv.14:16, 27) indicating God manifesting these 7 upon the cleansed leper. Also, it is why God would punish Israel in the last week (seven years Dan.9:27) seven times (years) -see Leviticus 26:18-9, 21, 24, 28. So, what about the seven horns? Well if the number seven is referring to the eyes of the Lord which are the seven Spirits of God which are the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne (symbolized by the candlestick in Ex.25:31-40) which are upon Christ who is anointed with these seven, then the horns are related to the seven spirits. And what do the horns represent? Well we know God desired sacrifices "that hath horns and hoofs" (Psa.69:31). We see the priests and prophets anointing with a "horn of oil" (1 Sam.16:1, 13, 1 Ki.1:39- the horn as the source of the anointing) and even the anointed himself associated with a horn (1 Sam.2:10, Psa.92:10, 132:17). We see the righteous and the wicked both spoken of as having horns- "All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." (Psa.75:10) We see also the altars constructed with 4 horns on the corners (Ex.27:2, 30:2, Psa.118:27) probably representing the horn of the unicorn (Num.23:22, 24:8, Dt.33:17, Psa.22:21). The horn appears to represent the glory of strength and thus action, notice Psalm 89:17 "For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted". We see the horn being exalted is as their strength is being glorified in God’s favor. Also, in 1 Samuel 2:10 "and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed." Here, giving strength is exalting the horn. The horn is a crown of strength on their head and their highest point. Hanna rejoiced that "mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies" when her prayer was answered for a son in response to cruel mocking from her adversary. When the LORD "exalteth the horn of his people" (Psa.148:14) "his horn shall be exalted with honour" (Psa.112:9). When the wicked exalt themselves and harden their hearts in pride the scripture warns them "Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck." (Psa.75:5) For "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (Prv.29:1) God exalts the horn of the righteous (glorifies their strength) but the wicked exalt their own horns (glorify their own strength). It’s pictured like an ox (1 Cor.9:9, 1 Tim.5:18) or bullock with its head high and the horns exalted. Or in the case of a singular horn it would appear as the unicorn (which is probably the Elasmotherium) which horn would be glorious in strength (Dt.33:17) as they push people whithersoever they will. They would push with their horns (Ex.21:29, 32, 36, 1 Ki.22:11, Dan.8:3-4) and scatter (Zech.1:19-21). The horn is not just of the individual person but is collectively seen also of the nation. In this sense the horn is the king while the full strength of the nation (the glory of their strength) is concentrated into him as the horn of the head. This usage is found in Daniel 7:7-24, 8:3-9, 20-1 as well as in the corresponding passages in Revelation 12:3, 13:1, 17:3, 7, 12, 16. As a king he is the glory of the strength of the nation. This definition of the horn (the glory of strength) will fit for the king of a nation or for the individual. When we apply this to Christ (Rev.5) with 7 horns we would have to connect the seven horns with the seven spirits of God since this is the meaning of the number seven. It would appear then that the glory of the strength of each of the seven spirits find their full manifestation in the glorified Christ (Jn.3:34). In Revelation 5 not only does Christ try the hearts of all men having the seven eyes of the LORD but the glory of the strength of these seven will be seen as judgment is exercised upon all men pushing them and scattering them (Isa.11:3-5, Jn.5:22, 27, Ac.17:31); this is the context of Revelation chapter 5. As he opens the seven seals in the proceeding chapters, he makes an end of sin and finishes the last week of years prophesied by Daniel upon his people Israel and the holy city Jerusalem (Dan.9). How have you responded to his presence? Do you resist his Spirit (Act.7:51) and grieve him (Eph.4:30)? Do you commune with the Holy Ghost (2 Cor.13:14) and follow him (Rom.8:14, Gal.5:18)? Judgment will come regarding this. What about wisdom, the principle thing (Prv.4:7)? Were you wise in your own eyes (Prv.3:7, Isa.5:21)? Did you seek wisdom that is earthly, sensual, devilish (Jam.3:14-16)? Why didn’t you ask of God in faith who giveth wisdom liberally (Jam.1:5-6)? The eyes of the LORD know about this. How about understanding? In all your getting did you get understanding (Prv.4:7)? Did you lift up your voice for it, and seek it like you did money? (Prv.2:3-5) He that searcheth the hearts knows. And what about counsel? Did you ever darken council by words without knowledge (Job 38:2)? Did you establish your purposes with good counsel and advice (Prv.20:18)? Did you let the Lord guide you with his counsel (Psa.73:24, Rev.3:18)? No? Why not? Do you think the eyes of him with whom we have to do will not take into account every idle word (Mt.12:36)? How about your might? Did you love God with all your might (Dt.6:5)? Did you glory in your own might (Jer.9:23)? Were you strong in the Lord and the power of his might (Eph.6:10)? Did you not make God your strength (Psa.52:7, Isa.26:4)? Woe unto them that go down to Egypt (Isa.30:2-3, 31:1). And how about the fear of the Lord? Was there a heart in you that would fear him and keep his commandments (Dt.5:29)? Did you tremble at his word (Isa.66:2) or just pay it lip service and exalt the words and doctrines of men (Mt.15:7-9) with the fear of man (Mt.10:28, Prv.29:25)? Did you hate pride and arrogancy and the evil way (Prv.8:13)? The day will declare it for the fire of his eyes shall try every man’s work of what sort it is (1 Cor.3:13) and every thought and intention will be known on that day (Heb.4:13) Grace be unto you, and peace… from the seven Spirits which are before his throne (Rev.1:4)