Numerical Symbolism—II

Let us continue our study of the symbolic use of numbers in apocalyptic literature.

“Five.” Next, man turned from a study of his home and the world about him to study himself. Perhaps the decimal system arose from man studying his own fingers and toes. Be that as it may, early civilizations were cruel, hard, crude. Many men were maimed and crippled through disease, accident, warfare, etc. A perfect, full-rounded man was one who had all his members intact. Thus, the number “five,” doubled to “ten,” came to stand for human completeness. In Revelation, for example, the picture of the complete power of human government was a beast with ten horns. The dragon, the first beast, and the scarlet beast have ten horns each. With the last beast, the ten horns are called ten kings, i.e., complete world (human) power as it appeared (to John’s readers) to belong to Rome with her provincial system. All efforts to find a literal “ten” kings (or Caesars) are destined to fail because the number is not to be understood literally. It symbolizes complete, earthly human power as it appeared to the saints in the first century—who could overthrow Rome? Also, as a multiple, 10 occurs many times in Revelation. “70” is a very sacred number, and “1,000” (10 x 10 x10) is ultimate completeness, fullness, totality raised to the nth degree, nothing lacking. The saints’ “reign” in Revelation 20 has no weakness, but is absolute and entire. That could have been symbolized with simply “10,” but by raising it to third power, God is providing added comfort and assurance. It’s a marvelously soothing message to beleaguered saints in the first century, and just as marvelously misunderstood by so many people today—because they take the number literally. What a tragedy.

“Seven.” Ancient man then began to analyze and combine numbers and came up with some interesting ideas. He took the divine number—three—combined it with the perfect world number—four—and got seven, which was the most sacred number to the Hebrews. The number “seven” is found all through the Revelation—and other Scriptures—expressing sacredness through a union of heaven and earth. There are seven Spirits, churches, golden candlesticks, stars, and sections in the book. When the sacred number seven was multiplied by the complete number, 10, it yielded the very sacred “70.” Thus, there were 70 members of the Jewish high council, and 70 were sent out on another “limited commission” by Jesus. In one of the most beautiful figures in the Bible, referenced in the first article in this series, Jesus presented the idea of unlimited Christian forgiveness when He told Peter to forgive his brother 70 times 7 times.  I have often wondered if God intended some sort of symbolically powerful meaning in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, which ended the Jewish system of worship and tribalism as it had theretofore existed--and has not existed since.  It happened in 70 A.D.
 
“Twelve.” Four and three were also multiplied to give 12, which became a well-known symbol. To the Hebrews, 12 represented organized religion in the world. There were 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles, 12 gates to the Holy City. In Revelation, the number 12 was reduplicated to 144,000 (12 x 12 x 10 x 10 x 10)—religion combined with human completeness to the nth degree. In Revelation 7 and 15, this pictures the security of a perfect number sealed from the wrath of God visited upon the world. Not one of God’s people will be lost when He comes in judgment. The 12 represents God’s faithful, 10 signifies completeness. Again, 120—12 x 10—could have been used to supply the correct message, but God, by multiplying 12 and 10 out to 144,000 is giving an overabundance of assurance that He will not forget even the lowliest of His people, no, not one. What a beautiful figure this is!

To be continued…