Numbers

Because the book of Revelation is stated to be a book of “signs”, a symbolic prophecy (Rev 1:1), the tenancy for some is to take things a bit too far and assume that just about everything stated is symbolic in nature.

Although Revelation abounds in symbolism it also contains many literal passages, therefore the true student of the Word should exercise caution before jumping to any hasty conclusions, we would not wish, in our haste for understanding, to assume that which is clearly meant to be taken as a literal statement to be symbolic in nature merely to up hold our own or someone else’s preconceived ideas. This of course applies both ways with many assuming a literal application to that which is clearly to be taken as symbolic.

Numbers like words can have symbolic meaning; “seven” for instance is a spiritually complete number. But it seems that in nearly every usage, numbers are quite literal, even if they have the added symbolic significance. Hence, the seven churches represent the ONE spiritually complete Church. But there are, in fact, seven actual stages in the development of that church, thus the number is both literal and symbolic.

Here’s the important part to remember, it is the WORDS to which the NUMBERS are attached that are usually the symbols.

Thus for instanced, “forty two months” as it is taken from (Rev 11:2) is literally 42, but NOT actually months. It is 42 months of years, i.e. 1260 years (42 x 30 days per month equals 1260).

“But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.”

Time as a rule in Revelation is interpreted symbolically, and it should, as a general rule, be computed at a day for a year (Compare Num 13:34, Ezek 4:6, Dan 9:24-26).

“And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.”

Likewise in regards to Rev 7:4, although the number 144,000 is to be taken as literal, the reference to the “children of Israel” is not, the expression “of all the tribes of the children of Israel” is a spiritual designation or reference to the true Church, “the Israel of God” (Gal 6:16). The tribes listed DO NOT represent Israel at all; they represent those who will be part of the body of Christ — the antitype of the Aaronic priesthood.

Here is the key, “One hundred and forty-four thousand (the number, taken literally) of all the tribes of the children of Israel (the words attached, taken symbolically).

The same principle applies in regards to the individual numbers taken from each tribe as did with the complete number; the words to which the numbers are attached are the symbols.

Viz., the words “of the tribe of” are symbolic whereas the number, 12,000 is to be taken as a literal number.

These 12,000 sealed individuals taken from each tribe are in reality a representation of symbolic tribes, i.e., of the twelve basic character traits or personality groups to be found in the Church when glorified.

For example,

“Of the tribe of Judah (the spiritual [or symbolic] designation) of those who possess a lion like nature yet who are very lamb like in patience, a class who most ideally represents their Lord and who effectively bring “praise” to the Heavenly Father) [of this tribe] twelve thousand (the literal number) were sealed.”

“Of the tribe of Gad (the spiritual [or symbolic] designation) of those who possess great leadership abilities, disciplined, proficient communicators and coordinators) [of this tribe] twelve thousand (the literal number) were sealed”

“Of the tribe of Naphtali (the spiritual [or symbolic] designation) of those who possess the spirit of perseverance and determination to do God’s will in spite of their shortcomings) [of this tribe] twelve thousand (the literal number) were sealed”

And so on and so forth, you get the idea.

In Revelation 7:1 the number four occurs three times, this number appears to be a symbol of universal breadth and completeness of coverage, the expression “The four corners of the earth” is still used even today to mean that very thing.

“He that sits upon the circle of the earth” (Isa. 40:22) is well aware that this planet is an oblate spheroid, and not a flat plane with borders. Since no mention is made in the vision as to whether the four corners or the four sides are compass-oriented (i.e. to be taken literally), this detail apparently is not pertinent to the interpretation of the scene.

We will take a look at some other clues to understanding Revelation in our next post.