What about the numbers in Revelation? Part 8

Revelation 8

1. seventh seal, half an hour
2. seven angels, seven trumpets
6. seven angels, seven trumpets



The opening of the seventh seal, the last seal, is really the beginning of the seven trumpet judgments. Looking back at Revelation so far, each seal brought a specific person/event onto the scene. The idea that they are symbolic is just foolishness and not worthy of discussion.

John now tells us that there are seven specific angels before the throne of God. Each angel has a trumpet. As can be seen in the rest of the chapter, each trumpet is sounded to bring forth a specific judgment.

Trumpet 1: 1/3 of the trees and grass are burned
Trumpet 2: 1/3 of the sea turned to blood, 1/3 of sea creatures dead, 1/3 of ships destroyed
Trumpet 3: 1/3 of the waters became bitter, killing those who drank it
Trumpet 4: 1/3 of the heavens were darkened affecting the light of day and night

Again, one must note the precision of John's language. He does not merely generalize. He gives exact numbers. It should be noted that the above judgments have NEVER occurred at any time.

Once again we recognize that John uses numbers in their actual manner and not in generalizations. That makes 8 for 8 so far.

Slippery slopes can be dangerous

What about the numbers in Revelation? Part 7

Revelation 7

1. 4 angels, 4 corners of the earth, 4 winds
2. 4 angels
4. 144,000 bondservants
5-8. 12,000 from each tribe of Israel
11. 4 living creatures

John begins the chapter by stating that there are 4 angels at the 4 corners of the earth. I am not sure if it means 4 angels for a total of 16 angels at each corner or 1 angel at each corner for a total of 4 angels. I would tend toward the latter explanation. At any rate, we know that a globe does not have 4 corners. It does however have 4 points that are each a corner, North, East, South, and West. Each angel is holding back a specific wind.

We have already discussed the identity of the 4 living creatures mentioned in verse 11. The real question in this chapter is the identity of the 144,000 bondservants. We know that 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes gives us the number 144,000. Let us examine the possibilities:

1. symbolic of the redeemed of all the ages
2. symbolic of the redeemed since the cross, in other words, the church
3. 144 thousand, 12 thousand from each of the 12 tribes



Option one and two certainly have some overlap since amills and postmills are still working on when the church began. Some of them actually think it started in the garden. Yeah I know, crazy. I would like to examine the merits of this view though. The following are all good reasons why someone might think that 144,000 specifically named people are symbolic of something larger:

a.
b.
c.
d.

Point "c" is specifically compelling. It is probably the strongest argument the allegory, symbolic, meaningless camp has.

Option three, that 144 thousand refers to a specific group is the only possible explanation that values truth. John did not use a generic term like "many" or "a great number" or something similar. He used an exact number arrived at an exact mathematical equation.

In verse 9 of this chapter, John DOES use a general phrase when describing another people. He also mentions that this general group is made up of all tribes of the earth, not only the 12 tribes of Israel.

Not surprisingly, this chapter uses numbers like the first 6, actual and not symbolic. I am seeing a pattern developing here.

What about the numbers in Revelation? Part 6

Revelation 6

1. 7 seals, 4 living creatures
6. 4 living creatures, 3 quarts
8. 1/4 of the earth

We have already seen what the 7 seals and the 4 living creatures refer to. For this brief chapter in Revelation, we will see only 2 other specific numbers used to describe something.

First, we are told that during the time of the third seal, a denarius (a days wage), was only going to be sufficient to purchase a quart of wheat and 3 quarts of barley. To the very best of my knowledge, 3 quarts probably always means 3 quarts. I will accept the plain and obvious meaning of what the text says.



During the fourth seal, the rider with the name Death and Hades will be given authority to kill by various means over 1/4th of the earth. If this means what I think it does, then the rider with the name Death and Hades will be given authority to kill by various means over 1/4th of the earth. I cannot say with certainty that I am going agaist the grain on this one, but I do think the confused amillenialists will have to put their coffee down and reread this paragraph, slowly. I know amills are still trying to figure out if earth means earth or heaven or Israel or their backyard or some other location. At any rate, 6 chapters into Revelation and so far every reference is actual and not symbolic (except possibly the 24 elders - but probably not).

Who said it?

Check out this list of quotes regarding the future times. Who said what might just surprise you.





Quotes

What about the numbers in Revelation? Part 5

Revelation 5

1. 7 seals
5. 7 seals
6. 4 living creatures, 7 horns, 7 eyes, 7 spirits of God
8. 4 living creatures, 24 elders, thousands of thousands
14. 4 living creatures

In this chapter, we are introduced to some new things (seals, horns, eyes). We also have some things that were in previous chapters (living creatures and elders). The elders and living creatures are specific orders of angels as we have already seen.

The 7 seals mentioned in verses 1 and 5 refer to a scroll that Jesus is holding. This scroll is something that Jesus has earned by his death and resurrection. He alone is worthy to open it. In order to do so, each seal must be broken.

Horns are used to represent authority. Within the animal kingdom, horns are used to exert power and inflict wounds. Here, John refers to 7 horns. This is something he has actually seen. If this is meant to communicate complete and total power and authority, then John has done his job. Surely, such an image would convey that thought. However, I will point out again, that John saw 7 horns. He did not see something like 7 horns. That such an image would have another meaning is consistent with Scripture. What we must keep in mind though is that the meaning is accurately determined only when we see the image for what John saw it for.

Next John refers to 7 eyes, which are the 7 Spirits of God. John interprets the eyes for us. Since God is spirit, and only Jesus Christ has bodily form, God the Spirit would have to show us something to communicate his presence. Here, he chose eyes as the way to communicate his presence.

Finally, John says that he saw and heard many angels. He said there were myriads and myriads and thousands and thousands. The word for myriad means
an unlimited number or ten thousand. No mind is able to comprehend such numbers. This is exactly what John wants us to know - that the angels who are before the throne of God cannot be numbered by us.

Again, we find that each number John were used in an actual sense and not figuratively. Even though the horns and eyes were meant to communicate something specific, John actually did see 7 horns and 7 eyes. This is completely consistent with the normal use of language.

What about the numbers in Revelation? Part 4

Revelation 4

4. 24 thrones, 24 elders
5. 7 lamps of fire, 7 spirits of God
6. 4 living creatures
10. 24 elders

John was called up to look through heaven's door. Inside, we find the 24 elders (v. 4 & 10), and also 24 thrones. The identity of the 24 is certainly debatable. I know of three main views.

The 24 elders represent either:
1. 24 Angels
2. Israel and the Church as a group (12 tribes + 12 apostles = people of God)
3. The church as a complete, redeemed people. This view looks back at the priesthood divided into 24 groups. The church is the only group that is spoken of as a priesthood. Israel as a whole was never a priesthood as only one tribe were priests (Levi).



All three views have merit and support. However, only one is correct. The 24 elders are angels. The text has the elders speaking in third person, which is an indication that they are not speaking of themselves as the redeemed. That they are crowned and clothed with white does not mean they are redeemed. I believe that numbers are significant in Revelation. If this was a description of the church, it is extremely veiled and unknown in any other scriptural reference. While I don't have a problem with the other views, I strongly favor the angelic view.

These angels each have a throne to sit upon (v4).

John then mentions 7 lamps burning fire, which are the 7 spirits of God. As previously noted, the 7 spirits of God correspond to Isaiah 11:2. Since God is spirit, John could not actually see God. He did however see 7 fire burning lamps. These lamps are not symbolic of God. They were real that John would be able to communicate the presence of God.



The last reference to a number in this chapter is to 4 living creatures. These 4 living creatures are the same as those mentioned in
Ezekiel 1. Although John does not explictly state what order of angels these creatures are, they are apparently the Cherubim (most likely given their description and activity).

I am willing to concede that the reference to the 24 elders may not be angels, and are instead representative. That would be the first use of a number that is symbolic and not actual. If the angelic view is right, then this chapter is the same as the first 3 as far as numeric use is concerned. All numbers are actual and not symbolic.