The Sevens of Revelation Part I
In the book of Revelation, which is the Biblical account of the prophetic vision given to the apostle John concerning the end of time, there are several sets of sevens. First we see Jesus, standing among seven candlesticks, with seven stars in his right Hand. Then we see Him addressing the angels of seven specific churches. Then we see the Lamb, which is Jesus, loosing seven seals of a scroll that only He can loose, each of which is accompanied by major events. After the seventh seal is loosed, seven angels are given seven trumpets, and one by one they sound off, each trump also being accompanied by major events. After the seventh trump, the same seven angels are given seven bowls of God’s Wrath to pour out one by one upon specific things; each pouring is also accompanied by major events. The bowls are the actual destruction of the earth, by which those who take the mark of the beast are tormented and destroyed.
The purpose of this study is to show you the similarities between each of the numbered events in the book of Revelation. For instance, if you make seven columns, and you line the seven letters up with the seven seal events, as well as the seven trumps, and the seven bowls of wrath, you can see that all items in each column share specific similarities. For example the second trump and bowl both feature destruction for the sea; the third trump and bowl events both feature doom for the fountains and rivers of waters; the fourth letter and seal both mention death etc. These similarities are absolutely overflowing within these numbered events, and they can actually teach us a few things about the book itself.
First let me say that each number will be called a column, i.e. the first letter, seal, trump, and bowl are in the first column, the second letter, seal etc. will be the second column. We’ll be looking at each column individually. I will also include the seven days of creation, even though the similarities there can sometimes be a little more interpretive. I will go ahead and say this; the single major reveal is in regards to the angels of the churches. When reading these letters to the churches, notice that they are ordered very specifically. There are two types of churches; Jesus has good things to say about five of the churches, and then he reveals that He also has an issue with them that they need to repent of, or else He will come against them and remove their lamp stand from before Him; we’ll call these the “troubled” churches. While for the other two churches Jesus has nothing but good to say of them; we’ll call these the “good” churches. The troubled churches are the book ends i.e. the first and the last, the good churches are one in from the bookends i.e. the second and the sixth, and the middle three are also troubled churches. Also remember that the seven stars in Jesus’ Hands are the seven angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks that John sees Jesus walking amongst are the seven churches themselves, Revelation 1:20.
In each column of this study, you will see colored points labeled (A-1), (B-1), (C-1) etc. These will tie related information together. The number accompanying each point represents the number of times that information has appeared so far in the column being studied i.e. (A-1) is the first appearance of a piece of information, (A-2) is the second appearance of the same or a very closely related piece of information, etc.
COLUMN #1
THE FIRST LETTER TO THE ANGEL OF THE FIRST CHURCH REVELATION 2:1-7
”1) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holds the seven stars (which are the seven angels; Rev 1:20) in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (which are the seven churches; Rev 1:20) 2) I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how you can not bear them which are evil: and you have tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars: 3) And have borne, and hast patience, and for my names sake have labored, and have not fainted. 4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love. 5) Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, lest you repent. 6) but this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7) He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; to him that overcomes will I give to eat of the (A-1) tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
THE FIRST SEAL REVELATION 6:1-2
”1) And I saw when the lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts (probably the first beast, which is like a lion; Rev 4:6-7?) saying, Come and see. 2) And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given to him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."
THE FIRST TRUMP REVELATION 8:7
”The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the (B-1) earth: and the third part of (A-2) trees was burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up.” Ezekiel 38:22?
One thing to note about the seven trumps is that with each one a third of something is destroyed, with the exception of the seventh trump, which makes sense in light of the fact that all of the seventh events contain highly similar occurrences i.e. lightnings, thunderings, voices etc. But also the fifth trump is void of a third of something being destroyed.
THE FIRST VIAL / BOWL REVELATION 16:2
”And the first went, and poured out his vial (Thayer’s #5357, [a vial is a] broad shallow bowl, a deep saucer) upon the (B-2) earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image."
THE FIRST DAY OF CREATION GENESIS 1:1-5
”1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the (B-3) earth. 2) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3) And God said, “Let there be light:” and there was light 4) And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5) And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day."
COLUMN #2
THE SECOND LETTER / ANGEL / CHURCH REVELATION 2:8-11
”8) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things say the first and the last, which was dead and is alive; 9) I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10) Fear none of those things, which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be you faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life. 11) He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death (which is the lake of fire Revelation 20:14)."
THE SECOND SEAL REVELATION 6:3-4
”3) And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast (like a calf; Rev 4:6-7?) say, Come and see. 4) And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword."
THE SECOND TRUMP REVELATION 8:8-9
”8) And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the (A-1) sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9) And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.” See Jeremiah 51:24-25 & 42, Mark 11:23.
THE SECOND VIAL / BOWL REVELATION 16:3
”And the second angel poured out his vial (bowl) upon the (A-2) sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. "
THE SECOND DAY OF CREATION GENESIS 1:6-8
”6) And God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7) And God made the firmament, and divided the waters, which were under the firmament (the (A-3) sea) from the waters, which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8) And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day."
COLUMN #3
THE THIRD LETTER / ANGEL / CHURCH REVELATION 2:12-17
”12) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things says he who has the sharp sword with two edges; 13) I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan's seat is: and you hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells. 14) But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15) So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16) Repent; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17) He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the (A-1) hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.” In John 6:35 & 48-63 Jesus teaches that he is the living bread (manna) that came down from heaven, never the less, letter may be referring to a literal hidden manna, since the earth will be dealing with a literal famine and water shortage.
THE THIRD SEAL REVELATION 6:5-6
”5) And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast (which has the face of a man; Rev 4:6-7?) say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6) 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.” This horse brings (A-2) famine.
THE THIRD TRUMP REVELATION 8:10-11
”10) And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the (B-1) rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11) And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” There is a (A-3) shortage of water.
THE THIRD VIAL / BOWL REVELATION 16:4-7
”4) And the third angel poured out his vial (bowl) upon the (B-2) rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. 5) And I heard the angel of the waters say, You are righteous, O Lord, which are, and was, and shall be, because you have judged thus. 6) For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. 7) And
I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments."
THE THIRD DAY OF CREATION GENESIS 1:9-13
”9) And God said, “Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear:” and it was so. 10) And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he seas: and God saw that it was good. 11) And God said, “Let the Earth bring forth (A-4) (the very things that are “hurt” in the loosing of the third seal of Rev 6:5-6) grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the Earth:” and it was so. 12) And the Earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 13) And the evening and the morning were the third day."
Point (A) in the third column is one of the most important revelations in this study. The third seal brings famine; the third trump brings a shortage of water; but before that even happens God has promised the Hidden Manna to those who remain faithful. Christians often cringe at studying the book of Revelation because of things like famine, war and death, yet God has promised to sustain the faithful with hidden manna, and He has also promised a blessing to those who read this book, Revelation 1:3.
COLUMN #4
THE FOURTH LETTER / ANGEL / CHURCH REVELATION 2:18-29
”18) And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19) I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first. 20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, exept they repent of their deeds. 23) And I will kill her children with (A-1) death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 25) But that which you have already hold fast till I come. 26) And he that overcomes and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my father. 28) And I will give him the morning star. (which is Jesus, Rev 22:16) 29) He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.”"
THE FOURTH SEAL REVELATION 6:7-8
”7) And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast (like a flying eagle; Rev 4:6-7?) say, Come and see. 8) And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name that sat on him was (A-2) Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” See Ezekiel 14:21; where God calls these his four sore judgments: the sword, the famine, the noisome [evil] beast, and the pestilence.
THE FOURTH TRUMP REVELATION 8:12-13
”12) And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the (B-1) sun was smitten, and the third part of the (B-1) moon and the third part of the (B-1) stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shown not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. 13) And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” Mathew 24:29
THE FOURTH VIAL / BOWL REVELATION 16:8-9
”8) And the fourth angel poured out his vial (bowl) upon the (B-2) sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. 9) And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory."
THE FOURTH DAY OF CREATION GENESIS 1:14-19
”14) And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15) And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth:” and it was so. 16) And God made two great lights; (B-3) the greater light (the sun) to rule the day, and (B-3) the lesser light (the moon) to rule the night: he made the (B-3) stars also. 17) And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18) And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19) And the evening and the morning were the fourth day."
The big question with column 4 is; what does Death have to do with the sun, moon and stars?
