The Angel says the heads are 7 hillswhere the Woman sits. The word "Hills" makes the link or leap to Rome. The KJV and NIV translate the word as hills. Most others use mountains. If the translators were consistent we would be saying the "Hill of Olives" " Hill Zion". The word is used 64 times (Strong's 3735) , 62 times translated mount or mountain. Daniel in chapter 7 has 4 beast with a total of 7 heads with the final beast having 10 horns. They are 4 different kingdoms. How then is all the heads on the 7 headed beast in REV 17 all Rome ?
Ahem...
First of all, this has NOTHING to do with physical hills or mountain in Italy or 7 emperors. These are all speculations from carnal minds without biblical validation. We MUST compare Scripture with Scripture to find God's definition for the number 7, heads, and mountains. The
interpretation always belongs to God which
we must find it in His Holy Word, not national geography, history book, weather, Jerusalem Post, Google map, etc.
Genesis 40:8 KJV
[8] And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
Tonight, I will explain how we can understand the number 7 (seven) in Scripture. The number seven rather than representing the perfection is often numerical symbology illustrating the
'totality or completeness' of whatever is in view. It is the 'all inclusiveness' of a thing.
For example, the seven Churches of Asia (Revelation 1-3) represent the 'totality' of God's congregations (
nothing to do with dispensationalism). This can be clearly seen as God says
Christ stands in the midst of the seven candlesticks. This signifies that Christ stands in the midst of
all Churches 'which are represented by these seven Churches' of Asia. Likewise, they are called seven golden candlesticks signifying that they are to be what the Old Testament called the [
tamiyd], the 'Continual' or the 'Daily.' They are to be the light of the world shinning
continually. This can also be seen in the seven stars of the seven candlesticks (Churches) which are the seven messengers of the Churches, and they are in God's right hand. These are
all the messengers of the Churches whom God holds securely and who do His will (
the right hand). The truth is, when God talks to these seven Churches, He is not talking to just those, nor talking to physical churches in Turkey, rather He is talking to
all believers and to all Churches throughout time! The totality of them which spans throughout time. We, today, are part of the seven (totality) Churches to whom God gives these warnings and encouragements!
Revelation 2:7
- "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches: To Him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of Life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
God is talking to US, and all ELECT, and that is why these things found themselves recorded on pages to become scripture. To think that these messages were only to the seven Churches of that literal place in Asia is very foolish. Please notice that they are directed to '
he who hath an ear to hear.' That is all true believers. Not only the 1st century believers! The totality or complete Church throughout time. And the number seven signifies this
totality. It is a Blessing to the faithful Church, and a warning to the unfaithful church. Overcome, and live, forsake God, and He will remove your Candlestick out of it's place. The seven Churches of Asia stand to represent all the Churches. The complete Church from then until our day.
Another place to see this symbolism is in the episode of the
seven baskets full of fragments that was taken up when Jesus did His miracles.
Matthew 15:37
- "And they did eat, and were filled, and they took up of the broken that was left, seven baskets full."
It is the totality of baskets taken up. The number seven illustrates that these baskets were 'completely' full. Upon careful consideration of the example, it illustrates there was still enough left over for the totality of all who are to eat of the leftover crumbs of bread. The baskets left were still totally full. Sufficient to the task. This, of course, is the spiritual 'signification' that there are enough crumbs left over for the Gentiles also. Remember the parable of the dogs eating the crumbs from their master's table?
Mark 7:28
- "And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs".
..it is enough! The crumbs from the children's (Jews) table is enough to feed the 'totality' of the dogs (
gentiles) who come after! Selah! There is spiritual signfication behind this! The seven baskets of crumbs signify that totality. For example, the miracle of Christ feeding Israel was both enough for them, and enough crumbs left over for the totality of those Gentiles who would eat the leftovers. It would feed both the First, and the Last. This is just part of the magnificent spiritual pictures that God incorporates into His Holy Word.
The number seven signified the completeness of what is being spoken about.
Likewise, we can see the exact same application of the number seven in the opposite of Christ. As in the
totality of authority in the kingdom of Satan. This is illustrated in the
seven heads of the dragon as revealed in Revelation chapter twelve.
Revelation 12:3
- "And there appeared another Wonder in Heaven, and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads."
The seven heads are seven mountains (Revelation 17:9) which are
symbolic of kingdoms. Not physical mountains or hills! The heads signifies authority, so the number seven equals the totality of authority (heads) of this dragon and of
his rule throughout time. The crowns signify that it is a kingdom and the seven his complete rule throughout time in it. Thus we see in this symbolism a picture of the totality of the dragon's (Satan's) rule. That is why it says (Revelation 17:10) that five of the heads of this beast had already fallen at the time of the writing of Revelation.
Those rules of Satan were over. It said, one is, and one is yet to come, and there was a final 8th (which was part of the seven). For example, it's part of
'this totality,' and he would rule a short time near the end of the world when Satan is loosed. The Seven illustrates the totality of the time of the rule of this beast. God uses this number in this way to show us
certain Spiritual truths. It illustrates the totality of his authority (heads) and rule. He is the prince of the power of the air. When the seventh king falls, that will be the end of him, the finish of the totality of his rule and authority.
Related to this is the ten horns of this Beast that signifies a rule for 'a short time.' The
number ten here illustrates the
fullness of time while not being the complete (totality of) time. So we see seven as the totality of his time, and the number ten as a short period he reigns in within the totality. The very context and content of Revelation Chapter seventeen also confirm this. As the ten kings had received no kingdom as yet, but would reign later, one hour with this beast. The ten kings represent the false prophets and christs in the church who have not yet rule God's congregation since the Cross, until Satan loosened where they will receive power from him to rule with him for one hour. This has nothing to do with ten emporors of Rome, ten nations of European Union, or even ten regions of the world, etc. Everything have to do with God's New Testament congregations all over the world.
The whole Bible is replete with the numerical symbology of the number seven. There were seven seals to the book that is opened by the Lamb, which were indicating that it is completely or totally secure in these seals. No one could open it but God. Likewise, the seven trumpets are indicating the totality of God's judgments. From start to finish, when we reach seven, it is finished. Or in the seven vials which are the totality of the Wrath of God that is to be poured out upon the earth. All these things show this spiritual signification of the number. Even when Mary Magdalene was healed:
luke 8:2
- "And certain woman, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called magdalene, out of whom went Seven Devils."
Mark 16:9
- "Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared unto mary Magdalene, out of whom went Seven devils."
Jesus cast out of her seven devils to signify the
totality of the rule of Satan over her. In other words, she was in spiritual bondage of Satan. Likewise, when we are saved, we are made free from Satan where he no longer has rule over us. The number seven signified the total removal of Satan from within her, and now God would make His abode there. And what agreement has the Temple of God with the temple of idols? None. Satan is totally cast out. The Number seven illustrates his total rule in the unsaved. But by Grace of God he is totally cast out when we become Saved.
Leviticus 4:6
- "And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord, before the veil of the sanctuary".
There we see that the blood was to be sprinkled seven times, which signifies that the person is 'totally' forgiven and made completely clean. Likewise:
Matthew 18:22
- "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven".
In these verses God is illustrating that the number of times we should forgive someone is 'seventy times seven.' In other words, we are not to forgive just some sins, or even literally four hundred and ninety sins (70x7), but by the use of seven it is illustrating that
we must forgive in totality. We must have complete forgiveness as often as we are sinned against, just as Christ has forgiven 'all' our sins. See? The number seven is multiplied by seventy (10x7) to emphasize total fullness and bring home the point that we must love as we are loved, unconditionally. As Christ continues to forgive us all our transgressions, so we are likewise to forgive in 'totality.'
Another example is in Revelation, where the Holy Spirit of God is signified by 'Seven spirits, and seven eyes.'
Revelation 3:1
- "And unto the Angel of the Church at Sardis write, these things saith He that hath the Seven Spirits of God, and the Seven stars; I know thy Works, that thou hast a name which thou liveth, and art dead."
Revelation 4:5
- "And out of the Throne proceedeth lightnings and Thunderings and voices; and there were Seven lamps of fire burning before the Throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."
Revelation 5:6
- "And I beheld, and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures,, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having Seven Horns, and Seven Eyes, which are the Seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."
The horns in scripture '
Signify' Power. As you can see in Revelation chapter seventeen, the ten horns that were on the Beast were said to be ten kings which had received
no power (when it was written) but would receive power to rule with the beast. For example, Kings symbolize Rule, and Horns symbolize Power (horns of an animal are a figure of his power). Likewise, these horns here in Revelation chapter five signify God's Power. Unlike Satan's rule in power, God's rule in power is omnipotent. The seven horns signify the 'totality' of his rule and power, and the seven eyes illustrate the 'totality' of the watch of the Holy Spirit. Eyes equate to seeing/knowing. Seeing everything and know everything! There is one Holy Spirit, but the number seven here is numeric symbolism illustrating His presence over the totality of the world. And the same application with the Seven eyes. It illustrates his 'total' watch over the earth where He sees all. The Holy Spirit of God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent. The number seven illustrates the magnificent totality of this.
(7 horns - Omnipotent) The totality of His Power!
(7 spirits - Omnipresent) He is all (totality) Everywhere!
(7 eyes - Omniscient) He is all (totality) knowing/seeing!
Psalms 12:6
- "The Words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified Seven Times."
Seven times illustrates 'complete' Purity. In other words, there is no impurities found God's word anywhere. T
otal infallibility of the Word. The spiritual significations of the number seven are seen all throughout scripture.
Revelation 5:1
- "And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with Seven Seals."
This book was sealed totally so that none could open it but God, Himself. The number seven again signifying this total sealing.
Revelation 10:3
- "and He cried with a loud voice, as when a Lion Roareth, and when He cried Seven thunders uttered their voices."
Seven thunders signifies the totality of God's voice. His Word will be complete, finished! The mystery is over. When that which is complete or perfect comes we will then know, even as we are known. We see the same principle as it speaks of the seventh trumpet sounding. It's the 'last' trumpet, the 'totality' of the trumpets accomplished.
Revelation 10:7
- "but in the days of the voice of the Seventh Angel, when He shall begin to sound, the Mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the Prophets."
Again, the totality being illustrated by the number seven. It's finished, ended, all fulfilled, all complete! The Sabbath of Rest is Come. The labours in this world are over.
This is how the number seven is used in scripture to illustrate this spiritual significance. It shows us the
totality of whatever is in view. This is also seen in multiples of the number such as seventy, seven hundred or seven thousand. A good example is when Jesus sent the seventy out two by two. They represented the totality of the Church. Much like the seven Churches of Asia do.
Now you need to reconsider about the seven mountains where woman sit. What do you think God is really talking about here. And no, this has nothing to do with RCC or Rome.
