In Christianity, the number seven is frequently used to symbolize completion, perfection, and divine wholeness. It appears in many contexts throughout the Bible, from the seven days of creation to the seven churches in Revelation.
The concept of seven as a symbol of divine completeness is rooted in the biblical narrative of God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh. Here's a more detailed look at the significance of seven in Christianity: Creation and Sabbath:
God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, establishing the Sabbath as a day of rest and a symbol of completion and divine rest. Perfection and Completeness: The number seven is often associated with the idea of perfection, wholeness, and the fulfillment of divine purposes.
Symbolic Use in Revelation: The Book of Revelation prominently features sevens, such as the seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls, often representing the entirety of God's dealings with humanity and the culmination of his plan.
Other Symbolic Meanings: Seven can also represent spiritual completeness, divine intervention, and the fulfillment of promises and oaths. Examples: The number seven appears in various contexts, including the seven-day feasts in the Old Testament, the seven deacons chosen by the apostles, and the seven spirits of God in Revelation.
1. Seven as a holy number God describes the Sabbath as a holy day, the seventh day of the week (Deuteronomy 5:12-14). Although mankind can work for six days, six being the number often associated with man, they dedicate the seventh one, the number associated with God, to God. In the Jewish calendar, in addition to the seven days of the week, one resting, they had a resting year after 49 years (7x7) of work. During this year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25), no work would be done, slaves would be freed, and property would be restored to its rightful owners.
2. Seven feasts or Jewish holidays
Speaking of the Jewish calendar, we see seven different feasts take prominence throughout Scripture:
Passover: Celebrating their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites once a year would gather together (Leviticus 23:5) to sacrifice a lamb (later represented by Jesus, who was sacrificed around the time of Passover), and partake of a meal. Still celebrated today, this meal includes bitter herbs, unleavened bread, and baked eggs, among other items; to remember the time in Egypt.
Unleavened Bread: Right after Passover, this feast (Leviticus 23:6) includes a seven-day celebration with meals using bread made without yeast to remember their time after Egypt when they wandered in the wilderness.
First Fruits: From Leviticus 23:9-14, this feast celebrated when they entered the Promised Land, and included three offerings, where Israelites would offer their first fruits to the Lord.
Feast of Weeks: Seven weeks after the First Fruits, this festival would include an offering of two loaves of leavened bread, known later as Pentecost.
Feast of Trumpets: When the trumpet was blown, it was a signal for field workers to come to the Temple. In New Testament terms, the trumpet is also associated with end times (Revelation 8-9).
Yom Kippur: One of the highest of the holiest days, this would be a holiday where the Israelites would come together to confess their sins (Leviticus 23:27).
Feast of Tabernacles or Booths: The third of the harvest festivals, this feast celebrated God’s provision and protection when they wandered in the desert.
3. Seven Churches in Revelation
The book of Revelation starts by addressing seven different churches (Revelation 2-3) who are in varying degrees of their spiritual walks. Some, like Smyrna, appear to have strong walks in the faith (Revelation 2), while others, like Laodicea, have no good marks and a terrible lukewarm spiritual fervor (Revelation 3:14-22).
4. Seven x 10 (70) years of captivity
When the Israelites enter captivity, they resided in Babylon for 70 years (7x10, Jeremiah 25:8-12). Every seven years was supposed to be a year of rest (the year of Jubilee had other items in addition to this). Israelites failed to observe 70 Sabbath years, hence the 70 years in captivity.
5. Seven in Relation to 666
As mentioned before, six tends to be associated with man. God created man on the sixth day. The devil’s number, or the number of man rather than the number of God (7), is 666 (Revelation 13:18). By contrast, seven is greater than six. Although the devil will create false religions, governments, and economic systems, as stated in this article, he will not be able to overcome seven.
6. Seven x 10 Weeks until God’s Everlasting Righteousness
In Daniel (Daniel 9), he mentions a period of 70 weeks which, at the end of those weeks, God will bring about everlasting righteousness. Theologians haven’t agreed on when this period started or ended, but at the 70th week, God will put an end to sin.
7. Seven Seals, Trumpets, Bowls, and More in Revelation
In Revelation, we have quite a few series of punishments, pouring out the wrath of God upon the earth. Throughout Revelation we see a pattern of sevens in terms of God’s judgment. The seventh seal introduces the seven trumpet judgments that wreak destruction with hail and fire. The seventh trumpet calls forth seven angels who carry the seven bowls of God’s wrath.
God can indeed manage His creation in seven. What Should Christians Remember about the Number 7? Seven is a holy number that often represents completion or divine fulfilment. God has used seven multiple times throughout Scripture for Jewish festivals, and he isn’t done yet. We will experience the fullness of seven in the seventieth week mentioned in Daniel as well as witness the various sevens mentioned in Revelation that have yet to take place.
All in all, we should remember that not every seven mentioned in Scripture is a holy seven. We should always exercise caution when it comes to biblical symbolism and check everything against Scripture and the original context. But when we do read through the Old and New Testament, we can see God using numbers to bring about his kingdom. Through analyzing this number, we can see the intricate patterns by which God has used in history, throughout Scripture, and in the age to come.
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