The Numerics of Prophecy
As Revealed in The Book of Revelation
The Bible is replete with prophecies related to the end-time. Isaiah wrote in 750 BC, “Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, cruel with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he will destroy its sinners from it. For the stars from heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine” (Isaiah 13: 9-12).
A great interest is beginning to peak in the study of the future as it appears the time of the end is near. Jesus said that we will not know the day or the hour, but we will be able to discern the season by the signs of the time. Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) stated in regard to this time in the future of man, “About the time of the end, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the prophecies of the Bible, and insist on their literal interpretation in the midst of much clamor and opposition.” Peter tells us as much in 2 Peter 3:3-4. “Knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’”
But we know better because He has given us a more sure word of prophecy. Amos states in 3:7, “Surely the Lord does nothing, unless He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets.” Although we are not prophets God has given us the wisdom to understand the things written by the prophets. Within this context we are given many encoded prophecies concerning the Book of Revelation and the apocalypse or the Tribulation therein. These prophecies are scattered throughout the Bible in a careful, deliberate system of symbols, messages, patterns, harmonious text, and numerics found within. However, one thing is sure, proper interpretation cannot be attainted by taking one particular mode of interpretation and applying it throughout the study of Revelation or the Old Testament Scriptures pertaining thereto.
As the title suggests, the numbers we find in the prophetic messages of Scripture add an element of understanding to our study thereby providing a much deeper meaning to the text than that which appears on the surface. In fact, without the analysis of the Biblical numerics of associative prophetic Scripture the context therein, at times, provides little information.
It is evident when reading the Book of Numbers that its contents are relative to counting the Israelites. This was basically census taking in preparation to enter the Promised Land. In contrast, the Book of Revelation contains many numbers and is basically concerned with the things of God and things of man and the judgment of his sinful ways in the end times. The numbers therein correlate with heaven and earth activities directed by God in the last days. These last days cover the time frame from the writing of the Book to eternity.
The Book of Revelation is often called the Book of sevens. The number seven is used 54 times, whereas the number four is used only 42 times. In contrast, the number three is used 11 times and the number six is used eight times. Therefore, the numbers four and seven must be the primary numbers that relate to the activities of the apocalypse as it should be as these two correlate to heaven and earth respectively.
When relating these numbers with our Arabic system of 1, 2, 3, etc. we find no significance except each number means a cumulative total of what we are counting. However, in the Greek and Hebrew systems of the time their respective numbering systems were directly associated with their alphabets. For instance, Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega” (Revelation1:11). These two words are the names of the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet. If Jesus has spoken in Hebrew then He would have said, “I am the Aleph and the Tav”. These are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
The numerical value of each Greek and Hebrew letter, when studied carefully reveals some hidden proof about the truth of God or His intensions. Christ tells us in Revelation 13:18 to use the numbers in the Book to obtain the wisdom therein. So, by direction, we must question the significance of the numbers found in prophecy books like Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. As we analyze these prophetic numbers, we find harmonious agreement from one end of the Bible to the other relative to the meaning of numbers such as one, two, three, seven, twelve, etc. The precision with which these numbers fall into place cannot be accounted for except by the supernatural power and wisdom of God and Christ who directed the writing. However, we will not analyze all the Biblical numbers, but only those that apply to the Book of Revelation.
Dr. Ed Vallowe states, “Numbers are used to convey spiritual truths in at least three ways;
- By the actual use of the number,
- By the number of times a special word or phrase is used by the Holy Spirit, and
- By the gematria or numerical value of a word or phrase.”
Alpha and Omega
Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega” (Revelation 1:11). Since Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet it has a numerical value of one, which stands for unity. It symbolized the unity of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Being a prime number it naturally signifies the beginning. In Scripture it stands for source, unity, sovereignty, creation, and God. On the other end, Omega being the last letter in the alphabet, has a numerical value of 800, and having a base of eight stands for new beginning. Christ said in 1:18, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” We know He was the beginning of creation, but the end of what? Relative to the Book of Revelation, He is the end of the world as we know it, and He will also end the rule of the Gentiles forever. Since He is also the New Beginning He is stating that He is the end of all sin in the world and the beginning of eternity. In the beginning there was a perfect world and in the end there will again be a perfect world.
Three
The number three stands for Resurrection, Divine Completeness and Perfection. It also speaks of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The number three can also be associated with restoration. It is called a divine number because it is mentioned so often in connection with holy things. In Revelation we see three or one-third used 33 times. There are the three measures of barley (6:6), three angels (8:13), three unclean spirits (16:13), and the three gates on each side of the temple (21:13) just to name a few. However, the number three carries other significance when counting words or phrases. In 4:8 it means worship as the four living creatures praise God saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Also the Trinity is implied as Christ speaks of heaven in chapter 22. On the other hand there are the three of the false trinity, the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and Satan. In 16:13 these are known as “the dragon” (Satan), “the beast” (Antichrist), and “the false prophet” (religious leader).
As stated above, three can stand for Divine Completeness, which in the case of Revelation can mean the Lord’s destruction of all things evil. In this regard there are the three plagues to come upon Babylon which are death, mourning and famine (18:8). There are the three angels from heaven telling the inhabitants of earth the bad news of the three woes. Then we have the three plagues that kill a third of mankind – fire, smoke and brimstone (9:18).
Also, within the context of the number three is one-third. In its association with the earth we find a third of the trees are burned, a third of the sea turned to blood, a third of sea creatures die, and a third of all ships destroyed (8:7-9). We also see in the subsequent verses a third of the waters became bitter, a third of the sun, the moon and the stars darkened, and finally a third of the day was dark as well as the moon did not shine for a third of the night. What is the significance of this one-third phenomenon? According to Keith Harris, since the world rejected one-third of the God Head who is Christ, and since the world is His it follows that He will reject or destroy one-third of the earth, i.e. creation.
Four
Four is the second most significance number in Revelation as it is used some 42 times directly and some indirectly such as in 5:9, “Out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Four is the number of creation and the world. In 4:6 we find the “four living creatures full of eyes in front and back.” These four are like a lion, a calf, a man, and a flying eagle. They represent creation as untamed beast (lion), domesticated beasts (calf), mankind (man), and fowls (eagle).
However, as we progress through Revelation we see the number four also pertaining to judgment. In 7:1 we find four angels at the four corners of the earth ready to harm the earth and the sea. These are soon released, the result being that one-third of all trees, and everything green burned up (8:6-7). The number one-fourth also plays a big part in the judgment as did one-third. As seen in 6:8, Death and Hades are released to kill one-fourth of mankind. Therefore, we see that the number four indirectly means trial, testing, experience and weakness of men in relation to God’s wrath and judgment. Then in 9:13-21 we find there are four angels who are specifically created for this moment in history to kill a third of the people on earth. Note, at this time this one-third is of those remaining on earth after one-fourth of mankind is killed as cited in 6:8. Based on a population of six billion people on earth at the beginning of the seven year Tribulation this equates to the death of billions people.
Six
The number six stands for man – his weakness, and the manifestation of sin. Six also stands for the evils of Satan. To the Jews, the number six had a sinister meaning as it fell one short of the sacred number seven. Christ tells us in 13:18, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.” Although the number six or one-sixth occurs only eight times in Revelation it nonetheless is inherent throughout the Book as it applies in the judgment of mankind and the works of the unholy three. See Six Hundred Sixty Six for additional information on multiples of six.
Seven
Revelation is called the book of sevens as the number occurs some 54 times. And, each time the number is used it portrays some significant event under the control of God. Seven stands for Completeness and Spiritual Perfection. It also means things are finished, nothing more can be done to add to the event, the text or expression issued by God. Within the Book of Revelation we read about the seven churches, the seven seals, the seven trumpets, the seven bowls, the seven demons, the seven new things, and the seven spirits of God. Seven sevens make up the Book. All these sevens are explained in Revelation with the exception of the “seven Spirits before the throne” (1:4). And we find this reference again in 5:6, “A Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” These seven spirits are listed in Isaiah 11:2. They are “The spirit of the Lord, wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord.” The term “fear of the Lord” means reverence or to be reverent, meaning to have a deep love or causing to worship and pay homage to a divine being.
Seven times in Revelation blessings from the Lord are promised to His people. These are as follows:
- “Blessed is he reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (1:3)
- “Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (14:13)
- “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (16:15)
- “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” (19:9)
- “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (20:6)
- “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (22:7)
- “Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates of the city.” (22:14)
Eight
The number eight occurs only two times in the Book of Revelation. Eight means New Beginnings. In 17:11, “The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is the seventh and is going to perdition.” This text speaks of the original seventh world empire which was ancient Rome. The text then states it is also the eighth making reference to the revived Roman Empire, which is now being created. The European Union is the forerunner of this last world empire. Christ will terminate this eighth empire as the text states it will go into perdition. This will eliminate the rule of the Gentiles forever, “For I do not desire, brethren that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11:25) Christ will eliminate this final Gentile rule at the second coming, and at that time Israel will recognize Him as the True Messiah. The result of this is the beginning of the thousand-year reign, thus a New Beginning.
The other eight in the Book refers to the eighth stone, beryl, in the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem. (21:20) Beryl has six colors – bluish green, yellow, white, crimson, reddish purple and deep green. The two greens represent the regenerative life of earth’s vegetation. The yellow represents impurities, which have been cast out. Crimson represents the blood shed on the cross where as the reddish purple represents the blood bought royal atmosphere of the new earth. Here again, New Beginnings.
Ten
The number ten stands for Testimony, Law and Responsibility, which by definition signifies it contains judgment and rewards. Most of the text concerning the number ten in Revelation relates to the beast (Antichrist) and the Antichrist system of government. (13:1) It also stands for Testimony as we see I 5:11 with the host of heaven praising the Lamb of God. “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” And there are the ten kings (ten horns) cited in 17:12. These represent the ten kingdoms of the world at that time whose leaders give their power and authority to the Antichrist. They and the Antichrist will use this authority and power to catapult the world into total dominance under his rule
Twelve
In Revelation the number twelve is used in one form or another some 21 times. In chapter seven we find the selection of the 144,000 Jews in ranks of 12,000 representing the twelve tribes. The basic number twelve stands for Governmental Perfection. It signifies God’s perfect divine accomplishment actively manifested. Herein we see the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven (21:2) made up of twelve gates, twelve angels, and twelve foundations and on them the name of the twelve apostles. The City will be twelve thousand furlongs in length, breadth and height. And finally, the tree of life will have twelve manners of fruit one for each of the twelve months of the year. In other words, this will be a perfect place as God’s government will prevail.
Twenty-Four
In 4:4 we find twenty-four elders around the throne of God sitting on twenty-four thrones. The number twenty-four stands for Priesthood. The priest is one who intercedes for another, one who is a transgressor. The question is who are these twenty-four elders? Some scholars state they represent the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles, yet there is nothing in Scripture to support this assumption. However, the first time we read of twenty-four elders is not in Revelation but in 1 Chronicles chapter twenty-four. “There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar were sixteen heads of their fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar. Thus, they were divided by lot, one group as another, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of the house of God, from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar.” (1Chronicles 24:4-5) The duties of these are found in Numbers 3:7-7, “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle.”