Skip to content

Topics Research

Question

How do the numbers 12 (and its multiples: 24 elders, 144 cubits, 12,000 stadia, 144,000 sealed) and 4 (living creatures, horsemen, angels at corners, winds, universal formulas like 'every kindred, tongue, people, and nation') function as structural and symbolic numbers in Revelation? Document every occurrence of each number. Does 12 consistently represent God's people and 4 represent creation/universality? How do these secondary numbers relate to the primary structural number 7?

APOSTLES — GENERAL

  • Luk 6:13
  • Mat 10:2-4
  • Mar 3:16-19
  • Luk 6:13-16
  • Act 1:13
  • Mat 4:18-22
  • Mat 10:1
  • Mat 28:19-20
  • Mar 3:14-15
  • Luk 22:28-30
  • Act 4:13
  • Mat 16:19
  • Mat 18:18
  • Mat 19:28

A title distinguishing the twelve disciples, whom Jesus selected to be intimately associated with himself LUK 6:13. Names of MAT 10:2-4; MRK 3:16-19; LUK 6:13-16; ACT 1:13,26. Selection of MAT 4:18-22; 9:9,10; 10:2-4; MRK 3:13-19; LUK 6:13-16; JHN 1:43. Commission of MAT 10; 28:19,20; MRK 3:14,15; 6:7-11; 16:15; LUK 9:1-5; 22:28-30; JHN 20:23; 21:15-19; ACT 1; 2; 10:42. Authority of MAT 16:19; 18:18; 19:28. FALSE 2CO 11:13; REV 2:2.

CHERUBIM — SYMBOLICAL

  • Gen 3:24
  • Exo 25:18-20
  • 1Ki 8:6-7
  • Exo 26:1
  • 1Ki 6:23-29
  • Eze 41:18-20
  • Eze 28:14-16
  • Eze 1:1-28
  • Eze 10:1-22

Eastward of the garden of Eden GEN 3:24. In the tabernacle EXO 25:18-20; 37:7-9. The ark of the covenant rested beneath the wings of 1KI 8:6,7. In the temple 1KI 6:23-29; 2CH 3:10-13. In Ezekiel's vision of the temple EZK 41:18-20,25. FIGURATIVE EZK 28:14-16. SYMBOLICAL EZK 1; 10.

SERAPHIM (SERAPHS) — CELESTIAL BEINGS

  • Isa 6:2
  • Isa 6:6

Celestial beings ISA 6:2,6. See CHERUBIM.

SEAL — FIGURATIVE

  • Dan 12:9
  • Rev 5:1
  • Jhn 6:27
  • Rom 15:28
  • 2Co 1:22
  • Eph 1:13
  • Eph 4:30
  • Rev 7:3-4
  • Rom 4:11

FIGURATIVE: Of secrecy DAN 12:9; REV 5:1. Of certainty of divine approval JHN 6:27; ROM 15:28; 2CO 1:22; EPH 1:13; 4:30; REV 7:3,4. Circumcision was regarded as a seal of righteousness ROM 4:11.

SEVEN — MISCELLANY OF SEVENS

  • Rev 1:4
  • Rev 1:12
  • Rev 1:16
  • Rev 1:20
  • Rev 3:1
  • Rev 4:5
  • Rev 5:1
  • Rev 5:6
  • Rev 8:2
  • Rev 10:3
  • Rev 12:3
  • Rev 13:1
  • Rev 15:1
  • Rev 15:6
  • Rev 15:7
  • Rev 17:3
  • Rev 17:7
  • Rev 17:9
  • Rev 17:10

Seven congregations in Asia REV 1:4,20. Seven seals REV 5:1. Seven thunders REV 10:3. Seven heads and seven crowns REV 12:3; 13:1; 17:9. Seven kings REV 17:10. Seven stars REV 1:16,20; 3:1. Seven spirits REV 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6. Seven eyes of the Lord ZEC 3:9; 4:10; REV 5:6. Seven golden lampstands REV 1:12. Seven angels with seven trumpets REV 8:2. Seven plagues REV 15:1. Seven horns and seven eyes REV 5:6. Seven angels with seven plagues REV 15:6. Seven golden vials REV 15:7. The scarlet-colored beast having seven heads REV 17:3,7.

WORSHIP — GENERAL

  • Exo 20:3
  • Mat 4:10
  • Rev 19:10
  • Rev 22:8
  • Rev 14:6-7
  • Rev 15:4

To be rendered only to God EXO 20:3; DEU 5:7; 6:13; MAT 4:10; LUK 4:8; ACT 10:26; 14:15; COL 2:18; REV 19:10; 22:8. Of angels, forbidden REV 19:10; 22:8,9. COMMANDED REV 14:7; HEB 10:25.

THRONE — GENERAL

  • 2Ch 18:18
  • Psa 9:4
  • Psa 47:8
  • Psa 89:14
  • Psa 97:2
  • Psa 103:19
  • Isa 6:1
  • Isa 66:1
  • Mat 5:34
  • Heb 8:1
  • Heb 12:2
  • Rev 14:3
  • Rev 14:5
  • Mat 19:28
  • Mat 25:31
  • Rev 1:4
  • Rev 3:21
  • Rev 4:2-10
  • Rev 7:9-17
  • Rev 19:4
  • Rev 21:5
  • Rev 22:3

FIGURATIVE: Of God 2CH 18:18; PSA 9:4,7; 11:4; 47:8; 89:14; 97:2; 103:19; ISA 6:1; 66:1; MAT 5:34; 23:22; HEB 8:1; 12:2; REV 14:3,5. Of Christ MAT 19:28; 25:31; ACT 2:30; REV 1:4; 3:21; 4:2-10; 7:9-17; 19:4; 21:5; 22:3.

GATES — SYMBOLICAL

  • Rev 21:12
  • Rev 21:13
  • Rev 21:21
  • Rev 21:25

SYMBOLICAL REV 21:12,13,21,25.

WIND — FIGURATIVE

  • Hos 4:19
  • Jer 22:22
  • Hos 13:15
  • Mat 7:25
  • Jhn 3:8
  • Eph 4:14

FIGURATIVE HOS 4:19. Of the judgments of God JER 22:22; HOS 13:15; MAT 7:25. Of the Spirit JHN 3:8. Of heresy EPH 4:14.

JERUSALEM — NEW JERUSALEM

  • Rev 21:1-27
  • Rev 22:1-5

New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21-22.

LEVI — TRIBE

  • Gen 29:34
  • Gen 35:23
  • Gen 34:1-31
  • Gen 49:5-7
  • Exo 6:16

Son of Jacob GEN 29:34; 35:23. Avenges the seduction of Dinah GEN 34; 49:5-7. Jacob's prophecy regarding GEN 49:5-7. Descendants of, made the ministers of religion. See LEVITES.

MANASSEH — TRIBE

  • Gen 41:50-51
  • Gen 46:20
  • Gen 48:1-20
  • Rev 7:6
  • Num 1:34-35
  • Num 26:29-34
  • Jos 16:9
  • Jos 17:5-11

Son of Joseph and Asenath GEN 41:50,51; 46:20. Adopted by Jacob on his deathbed GEN 48:1,5-20. Called MANASSES REV 7:6. The two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, were reckoned equally among the primogenitors of the twelve tribes (taking the places of Joseph and Levi). Reallotment of territory to, by Ezekiel EZK 48:4.

CREATION — GENERAL

  • Gen 1:1
  • Gen 1:1-31
  • Gen 2:1-25

Beginning of GEN 1:1. History of GEN 1; 2. See GOD, CREATOR. See JESUS, CREATOR.

PRIEST — TWENTY-FOUR DIVISIONS

  • 1Ch 24:1-19
  • 2Ch 8:14
  • 2Ch 31:2
  • 2Ch 35:4-5
  • Ezr 2:36-39
  • Neh 13:30
  • Luk 1:8-9

Twenty-four divisions (shifts) of 1CH 24:1-19; 28:13,21; 2CH 8:14; 31:2; 35:4,5; EZR 2:36-39; NEH 13:30. Chosen by lot LUK 1:8,9,23.

TONGUE — LANGUAGE

  • Gen 10:5
  • Gen 10:20
  • Isa 66:18
  • Rev 7:9
  • Gen 11:1-9
  • Act 2:1-18

Language GEN 10:5,20; ISA 66:18; REV 7:9. Confusion of GEN 11:1-9. Gift of ACT 2:1-18,33; 10:46; 19:6; 1CO 12:10,28,30; 14.

NATION — GENERAL

  • Isa 30:1-2
  • Psa 9:17
  • Isa 60:12
  • Pro 14:34

Sins of ISA 30:1,2. Perish PSA 9:17; ISA 60:12. Righteousness exalts PRO 14:34.

TRUMPET — GENERAL

  • Num 10:1-10
  • Rev 1:10
  • Rev 4:1
  • Rev 8:1-13
  • Rev 9:1-14
  • Rev 10:7
  • Rev 11:15

Uses of, prescribed by Moses NUM 10:1-10. SYMBOLICAL MAT 24:31; 1CO 15:52; 1TH 4:16; REV 1:10; 4:1; 8; 9:1-14; 10:7; 11:15.

PERFECTION — MORAL COMPLETENESS

  • Gen 6:8-9
  • Mat 5:48
  • Eph 4:11-13
  • Col 1:28
  • Heb 6:1

Moral completeness. Ascribed to Noah GEN 6:8,9. UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO GEN 17:1; DEU 5:32; MAT 5:6,48; EPH 4:11-13; PHP 3:12-15; COL 1:21,22,28; HEB 6:1.