More Sevens In Scripture

More Sevens In Scripture

I find it interesting to note that there is a seven-fold division within the Word of God itself. The Old Testament was divided by the Jews into the Law of Moses (the OT historical books - Genesis to Esther), the Prophets (Isaiah to Malachi), and the Psalms (or Writings - Job to Song of Solomon). (See Luke 24:44.) In the New Testament, we have the four Gospels (the life of Christ), Acts (early church history), the Epistles (Romans to Jude), and End-times Prophecy (Revelation).

There are also seven dispensations (by this I mean eras, nothing hyper-dispensational here - not referring to different ways of salvation or doctrines, as some mean when they use this term) of man's history, as presented in the Bible itself.

1. Innocence (in the Garden - from Creation to the Fall)
2. Pre-Deluvian Age (from the Fall to the Flood)
3. The Patriarchs (Fathers of Israel - from the Flood to the Law)
4. The Law (the time of Moses to the time of the Church)
5. The Church Age
6. The Millenium (1000 year reign of Christ on Earth - Revelation 20)
7. Eternity (Revelation 21-22)

Sevens in Revelation:

Seven times the Book of Life is mentioned: Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19.

Seven letters to the seven churches (In Revelation 2-3), as well as a seven-fold division within the letters themselves. See my study, Revelation Chapter One: An Overview (Introduction to the Letters To The Churches). It is also enlightening to notice this internal division in the book of Revelation, as stated by Christ Himself:

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen (John's vision in chapter one), and the things which are (the seven churches and the eras they cover - as mentioned in my series - the seven churches collectively cover the whole church age), and the things which shall be hereafter  (immediately after the last church era is the rapture as pictured in 4:1, then the Tribulation starts and goes until chapter 19, the Millenium and the Great White Throne Judgement in chapter 20, then eternity is covered in chapters 21-22);

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter (after the church era).

Sevens in the Psalms:

The voice of the Lord is mentioned seven times in Psalm 29: verses 3, 4 (2x), 5, 7, 8, 9.

Seven Alphabetical (Acrostic - each verse begins with the next letter in the Hebrew alphabet) Psalms: 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145.

Seven Penitential Psalms: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143.

In Psalm 100, there are seven ways we are commanded to praise God, and seven reasons for doing so - by the way, these reasons will never change if you are a child of God, so you always have a reason to praise God (actually 7 of them!):

Psalms 100:1-5 A Psalm of praise. 1) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2) Serve the LORD with gladness: 3) come before his presence with singing. 1) Know ye that the LORD he is God: 2) it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; 3) we are his people, 4) and the sheep of his pasture. 4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, 5) and into his courts with praise: 6) be thankful unto him, 7) and bless his name. 5) For the LORD is good; 6) his mercy is everlasting; 7) and his truth endureth to all generations.

Seven-fold deliverance/salvation in Psalm 34. Salvation means deliverance, and the context will show what type of deliverance is in view - whether deliverance from enemies or afflictions, or spiritual deliverance from sin, death, and Hell. Notice how the last one sums it all up and emphasizes the spiritual deliverance - salvation - the Lord has given His people:

Psalms 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalms 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalms 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalms 34:22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

And finally, one last seven-fold promise - notice the emphasis:

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Written September 29th, 2004
Jerry Bouey