Apocalyptic Number Seven

I recently obtained a 1724 edition of Thomas Bradbury’s The Power of Christ over Plagues, a volume of ten sermons on various portions of Exodus and the book of Revelation. It interesting to note the way in which Bradbury expounded the presence of the number seven in the Apocalypse. There is nothing fanciful in his exposition. This is impressive on account of the fact that the majority of theologians in the 17th Century approached the book of Revelation in a chiliastic or historico-prophetical manner. These approaches relied heavily on post-canonical historical events. Bradbury reads more like an “inaugurated millennialist,” or an advocate of “recapitulation,” interpreting the symbols in the grammatico-historico-theological manner in which they ought to be interpreted. The first sermon in the work is an exposition of Revelation 16:9. In this sermon Bradbury gives an exposition of the significance of the number seven in the interpretation of the book:

“Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, who has power over plagues; and repented not to give Him glory.”

In this book we read of the number seven upon the most important occasions. First, the seven Spirits before the throne; and as this Title is placed between the Father, who is and was and is to come, and Jesus Christ, the faithful and true witness, the interpretation of it is most easy and glorious, if we understand it as the Holy Ghost; the Character of Seven Spirits signifies the variety of gifts in which He is known to the world; for there are diversities of administrations, but the same Spirit.

Secondly, there are seven golden candlesticks, among which the Son of Man keeps His walk, and shows His glory: And,

Thirdly we are told of the Seven Stars which He holds in His right hand. these two are expounded as soon as they are named. The former are the Seven Churches in Asia, which He has set up as lights in the world: and the later are the Angels of those Churches, whom He either admires or reproves, and through them delivers both His rebuke and His commendation to the whole society.

Fourthly, there were Seven Seals to a Book in the hand of Him who sat on the throne. Whatever this signifies, we may, in general, suppose that the book itself contained a goodwill towards man, and the Seals were so many impediments in the way of divine love. For, when none in Heaven, nor in Earth, neither under the Earth was able to open the book, nor to look thereupon, John tells us that he wept much, because none was found worthy to do it; till, at last, one of the elders ordered him not to weep, because the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, had prevailed to open the Book and to loose its seven seals.

Fifthly, the Lamb in the midst of the throne had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the Earth. It was this Lamb that opened the seals, which action is considered these two ways. 1st. As the effect of His merit. The Elders, the Angels, and the Saints, fell down before the throne, saying, You are worthy to take the Book, and to open the seals thereof; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood, out of every Kindred, and Tongue, and People and Nation. 2dly. It is regarded as an instance of His greatness: Ten Thousand times ten Thousand, and Thousands of Thousands cry out with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power, and Riches, and Wisdom, and Strength, and Honor, and Glory, and Blessing.

Sixthly, we have a large account of Seven Trumpets, which so many several Angels sounded; and these are sometimes called Seven Thunders.

Seventhly, The Angels poured out Seven Vials upon the Earth. The Trumpets and the Vials seem to be the same, and some learned men seem to think the Seals are so too; and that, in this variety of a Three-fold interpretation, we are to consider no more than one course of judgments. You must not suppose that this book was all one scene, but rather, what the Apostle received at several times and places. The first was on the Isle of Patmos, the second when he was caught up into heaven, the third when he was in the wilderness, the fourth, upon the sands of the sea, and the fifth, on an exceedingly high mountain. Thus it pleased the Lord of the whole Earth, to tell him over and over again, what the methods of providence should be in maintaining His Kingdom. And, you may observe that every vision is more impressing than the former. The first was only the opening of so many seals–things which may be looked upon without so much concern or fear. Therefore, the second was the  sounding of the Trumpets, to make those hear, who had no mind to see: and the Third is the pouring out of Vials, to make those feel, that would neither see nor hear.

The similitude between these representations may convince us either, (1st), that they all relate to the same providence: what we are told of the Vials, is but a variation of the form, under which we had read of the trumpets; or (2dly), If they refer to different seasons, we see that God keeps the same round of judgments in one age, that He has done in another; and the history of the times that are past is a sample to those that are future. Indeed it does not, to me, appear so evident, that the seven seals have the similitude to the Trumpets and Vials have to one another. It may not be amiss to show you how these two are directed and formed.

(Revelation 7:7) The first Angels sounded, and there followed Hail and Fire mingled with Blood, and they were cast upon the Earth. The first of the Vials shows us the effect of this judgment.

(Revelation 16:2) Effect of the Judgment: The first Angels went and poured his Vial upon the Earth, and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon men, who had the mark of the beast and upon them that worshiped his image.

(Revelation 8:8-9) The second Trumpet was sounded by the Angel, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea, and the third part of the sea became blood; and the third part of the creatures that were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

(Revelation 16:2) Correspondent to this, the second Angel poured out his Vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man, and every living soul died in the sea.

(Revelation 8:10) The Third Angel sounded, and there fell a great star from Heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell on the third part of the rivers, and the fountains of waters; There is not much difference between this and what you read of

(Revelation 16:3) the Third Angel, that poured out his Vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters, and they became blood.

(Revelation 8:4) The Fourth Angel sounded, and the third part of the Sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars.

(Revelation 16:8) Thus we read that the Fourth Angel poured out his vial upon the Sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.

(Revelation 9:1) The Fifth Angel sounded, and a smoke came out of the pit, and Locust out of the smoke.

(Revelation 16:8) This seems to be no more than a larger account of what we are told of the Vial, that was poured upon the seat of the Beast, and that his kingdom was full of darkness, and they gnawed their tongue for pain.

I need not run the comparison between the other two. What I have mentioned, is sufficient to my purpose. It plainly appears that the sounding of the Trumpets and the pouring out of the Vials are either two representations of the same calamity, or a representation of such Plagues, as are cast into the same mold.