Meaning of Numbers: Revelation's Numbers!
What are the numbers of Revelation and what is there meaning in the Bible? What do they reveal about God's prophetic plans for man?
The book of Revelation is the pinnacle and crowning glory of the Bible told through numbers. While most prophecies only foretell of God’s master plan, this book completes the picture by delineating the chronology of their fulfillment. The numbers within the book reveal the awesome truth that God will finish the work that He began in the Garden of Eden.
[See Outline of Book of Revelation!]
Most Common Numbers
Some of the most common numbers recorded in the King James translation of the book of Revelation are 3, 4, 7, 10 and 12. This is noteworthy as the numerals 3, 7, 10 and 12 are spiritually perfect and signify completeness.
Seven is by far the most frequent cardinal numeral in this prophetic Bible book. Four, the next most common, is utilized as a digit 19 times. It is followed by the numbers 3, 10 and 12 all of which are recorded 9 times.
Appearances of Three
Three measures of barley will be sold for a "penny," the equivalent of one day's wages, during the Great Tribulation period. This famine pricing is caused by the third of four horsemen commissioned to bring suffering and death to the earth.
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine (Revelation 6:6, KJV).
Three "woes" are allowed to come upon the earth that will ultimately kill one third of the world's population (Rev. 8:13, 9:12, 14, 18). Three demonic spirits will be allowed to gather humans to fight with the Beast power against a returning Jesus Christ.
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty . . .
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon (Revelation 16:12 - 14, 16, KJV).
The "great city" from which the Beast rules the world will be divided into three parts as part of God's wrath against sin.
And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath (Revelation 16:19).
Appearances of Four
Four is one of the unexpected frequent numbers in Revelation. Four beasts full of eyes will play an active role in praising God and carrying out His will.
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind (Revelation 4:6, KJV).
Four (demonic) angels, restrained at the river Euphrates, will be loosed to gather an army and cause tremendous suffering along with death.
Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them (Revelation 9:14 - 16, KJV).
Four angels will stand on the four corners of the earth holding back its winds so that those who serve and obey God can be identified.
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree (Revelation 7:1, KJV).
Satan the devil, after Jesus's millennial reign on the earth, will be allowed to deceive humanity living in the four quarters of the earth.
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea (Revelation 20:7 - 8, KJV).
Appearances of Seven
Seven is the most frequently used of the numbers. It is utilized in reference to churches and spirits before God's throne (Rev. 1:4), golden lampstands (1:12), stars (1:16), angels to the churches (1:20), Spirits of God (3:1), lamps of fire before God's throne (4:5), seals on a prophetic book (5:1) and the horns and eyes on the Lamb (5:6).
Seven is also used in reference to Spirits of God sent to earth, angels who blow seven trumpets, thunders that speak and heads on a dragon wearing seven crowns.
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 . . .
And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets . . .
And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices . . .
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads . . . (Revelation 5:6, 8:2, 10:3, 12:3, KJV).
Numbers Ten and Twelve
The church at Smyrna is warned it will suffer trials and troubles for "ten days" in order to try their faith (Revelation 2:10). The last great world-ruling kingdom on earth is symbolized by the 10 toes of Daniel 2 and the 10 horns mentioned in chapters 12, 13 and 17.
The true church of God, symbolized by a woman, is pictured with a crown of 12 stars (Rev. 12:1). The New Jerusalem will have 12 gates of pearls, with 12 angels at the gates and the names of the 12 tribes of Israel over the gates. The wall of the glorious city will possess 12 foundations of precious stones wherein will be the names of the 12 apostles.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God . . .
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel . . .
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb . . .
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass (Revelation 21:10, 12, 14, 21, KJV).
Conclusion
The meaning behind the numbers of Revelation reveal not only a God of planning and order, but also one who loves us enough to do whatever it takes to have us live forever in harmony and love. This was his plan from the moment he decided to create humans.