NUMBER SEVEN (7-4)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) Number 7 is a great number of spiritual perfection. A number which, therefore, occupies so large a place in the works, and especially in the Word of God as being inspired by the Holy Spirit. As a number the actual word and number "Seven" is used as no other number is. Seven and its compounds occur in multiples of seven in the Old Testament.

i) Seven occurs 287 times, or 7 x 41.
ii) "Seventh," the fractional part, occurs 98 times, or 7 x 14.
iii) "Seven-fold," occurs 7 times.

b) It is interesting to note what other mention(s) for 7 can be found in the Bible.

1. What are the 7 sprinklings performed at the temple?

a) The seven-fold sprinkling implies that it was perfectly and spiritually efficacious. On the great Day of Atonement the blood was sprinkled "ON the mercy-seat eastward." This was Godward, and therefore it was once done and on the mercy-seat. But "BEFORE the mercy-seat" it was to be sprinkled 7 times. Before* the mercy-seat seven times, because this was the perfect testimony for the people that the atonement for their sins was accomplished.

* It was directly before the Tabernacle that the blood of the red heifer was sprinkled seven times, Numbers 19:4. The leper also was cleansed in the same place with a seven-fold sprinkling of the blood of the killed bird (Leviticus 14:7,11).

b) The directions for the Day of Atonement are given in Leviticus 16; but from other Scriptures we learn that there were seven sprinklings on that great day, to mark the perfection of accomplished atonement: -

i) On the mercy-seat (Leviticus 16:14).
ii) Before the mercy-seat (Leviticus 16:14).
iii) Before the veil (Leviticus 4:17).
iv) On the horns of the golden altar (Exodus 30:10).
v) On the horns of the brazen altar (Leviticus 16:18).
vi) Round about upon the altar (Leviticus 16:19).
vii) The blood that was left poured out at the foot of the brazen altar (Leviticus 4:18).

The End ...