Biblical 7 and 70 Significance
These numbers have special and powerful meaning in the Holy Bible.
To give Dr. Bullinger’s definition from his Appendix 10 of the Companion Bible; gives the start of understanding, which is of special significance currently; as Israel is at the time of writing (2017), in their 69th year of independence as a Nation, since the UN (League of Nations) granted them that Status on May 14th 1948!
“SEVEN. Denotes spiritual perfection. It is the number or hall-mark of the Holy Spirit’s work. He is the Author of God’s Word, and seven is stamped on it as the water – mark is seen in the manufacture of paper. He is the Author and Giver of life: and seven is the number which regulates every period of Incubation and Gestation, in insects, birds, animals, and man”.
“TEN. Denotes Ordinal perfection. Another new first; after the ninth digit, when numeration commences anew”.
From these above definitions, it is seen that the 10th multiple of 7, gives the Ordinally perfect number of 70; which in the Scriptures of the Holy Bible, must have special significance and meaning!
When examining the number of times 70 is used in the Bible, it always has a link with specific events relative to Israel!
Some Occurrence of 70 in Scripture
· Seventy years, the duration of days of a king. (Isa. 23:15)
· The 70 weeks prophecy of the book of Daniel. (Dn 9:24)
· The 70 years of captivity of Babylonian of two of the twelve tributes of Israel. (2Ch 36:21)
· Ezekiel sees 70 ancients adoring the idols. (Ezk 8:11)
· The 70 palm trees of Elim. (Ex 15:27)
· Jacob has fathered 70 children. (Ex 1:5)
· One gave 70 money weight to Abimelech. (Jg 9:4)
· Abdon had 70 sons and nephews.
· The psalmist establishes the ordinary course of the human life at 70 years. (Ps 90:10)
· The 70 peoples of the Earth dispersed after the sacrilegious construction of the tower of Babel, fault that falls down on the whole humanity. (Gn 10)
· Age of Kenan when he fathered Mahalalel. (Gn 5:12)
· The 70 Hebrews who entered with Jacob in Egypt. (Gn 46:27)
· Egyptians cried the death of Jacob during 70 days. (Gn 50:3)
· The law required that mothers went to the Temple of Jerusalem, 70 days after the arrival of a girl, to offer a lamb of one year and a turtledove or a young pigeon.
There is much speculation regarding “70 year cycles” in Jewish history and circles. These can be studied by the individual; but we are only concerned here with the dramatic and highly significant prophetic possibilities, when considering “main events” in the history of Israel in the Old Testament (OT); and the New Testament (NT).
In that context, the following is one of the most outstanding and dramatic examples recorded in Scripture; and concerns the exile and servitude by Israel in Babylon. That was because of their unfaithfulness to their Jehovah God; and was written and recorded by Jeremiah approx. 85 years prior to the event!
“Modern” Bible critics have tried, without success, to denigrate the accuracy of that remarkable prophecy, as it gives the Bible so much authenticity to those people who are prepared to study it; and to accept its messages! However, the determined Atheists will not give up their atheistic stance, no matter what “proof” is produced; and will eventually have to face Almighty God in their flesh at the “resurrection of the Great White Throne”, (Rev. 20:11-15)!
Below are some of the references to that event
'This whole land will be desolation and a horror, and these Nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years’.
'Then it will be when seventy years are completed I will punish the king of Babylon and that Nation', declares the LORD, 'for their iniquity and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation’.
For thus says the LORD, 'When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfil My good word to you, to bring you back to this place’.
In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
The fulfilment and completion of Jeremiah’s prophecy was about to take place (see Ezra and Nehemiah), and God chose that time to detail an even more remarkable prophecy to Daniel in (9:21-27)!
This particular prophecy in Daniel 9 is one of the most important in Scripture because it involves both the Jews and Gentiles in the “end times” (i.e. the end of this Age Time)! However, as this has been dealt with in an earlier paper, it can be seen at: The 490 years Prophecy given to Daniel by Gabriel.
The above shows that the number “70” and its multiples have special meaning in the context of God’s dealings with Israel. The above Link also shows that of the “490” years of Gabriel’s detailed prophecy to Daniel, there is yet “7 years” to run prior to its completion!
Some commentators state that much of Revelation is of 7 years duration; but the writers are of the opinion that it is probably half of that period, i.e. 3 ½ years (see: www.revelationsmessage.co.uk); and probably starts at the stage of Anti-Christ’s declaration that he is God (Dan. 9:27, 11:30 etc., and Matt. 24:15); and continues to verse 35.
Rev. 20 deals in brief with the Millennial (1000 years Reign of Christ). Chapter 21 - 22, in very brief form deals with a totally new Order; and is very limited in detailed information, due to our very limited ability to understand at the present time.
In our view, three and a half years will have elapsed prior to the start of Anti-Christ’s actions against Israel and Jehovah God; and Israel (and probably much of the world) will have enjoyed a time of “peace and safety” (1Thess. 5:2-3 and Dan. 9:27)!
However; as is seen in Revelation 1:10, a change will take place, which is as stated: “the Day of Jehovah” (Isa. 2:12 & 1Thess. 5:2), not Sunday as many ‘Churches’ teach! That point is probably also when the Jews are “re-adopted”, and as per. Hosea 1-3, they are again “Ammi”, My people again. This opinion is given credence by the fact that the Jewish people can IF THEY WILL draw strength from the Holy Spirit for the purpose of their trials in the Tribulation period (Jacob’s Trouble) as described in Revelation 1-3! (See: Rev Chapter 1).
One of the profound discussions in Christian Groups regarding Christ’s next Advent, is the period of time from His birth to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish 2nd Temple by the Romans! This time period is quoted usually as “70 years”. The facts seem to indicate 69-70 years, and AD 70 seems to be established in history.
The reason that the time period is of significance to Christians is due to the possibility that the same time period may have relevance since Israel became a Legal Nation again in 1948! Many Christians look for the possibility of the Lord’s return to Earth in the 70th year, with the ensuing events described in Matt. 24 etc.
There are a number of points to consider in these contemplations:
Our Lord’s Birth date is in dispute; which could make a difference of plus or minus 2-5 years! (See: Birth date of Jesus:).
When the modern Jewish Nation was formed in 1948; were they “Ammi” (My people) as per Hos.1-3? This seems not to be the case as described above, and therefore their “Prophetic progression” is yet to be! (See: Prophetic Area ).
Will the fact of Israel’s soon to be 70th year be of significant to them, in the context of their 3rd Temple, when considering Dan. 9:27 etc.? It is a fact that plans and materials are in place in Israel ready to build the next Temple, as soon as agreement is in place as to the site! (See: The Jewish Temple's Purpose and Meaning).
What will be the reaction of their world-wide enemies when Israel celebrates its 70th year of its modern Nationhood? There have been recent moves to amalgamate opposing Groups in the Mid-East, to be a more effective opposition to Israel, some of which are funded and orchestrated by Israel’s Ancient enemies! (See: Israel - Prophecy - The Last Days).
How will Israel react to further resistance against them? (See: Jacob's Trouble ).
There is little doubt that when the above Links are read and absorbed, that Israel’s emergence as a mature Nation State will not be easily thwarted! However, Satan has yet to have his day with them, as described above, and as described in Satan's Motivation:
As mentioned at the beginning of this Paper, and as Daniel was told by Gabriel, much of the information regarding the “last days” of this Age, will not be known until the time of the events. However, Daniel was given some enlightenment in Chapters 11 and 12; which is for us to contemplate also!
For those of us who are watching world events, we can be confident that the fact of the soon to be 70 years Anniversary of modern Israel, by AD dating, will auger at least celebrations worldwide by the Jewish community; which may well create a backlash from Her enemies!
For watching Christ-Ones (i.e. Christians True), the fact of the variable dating of Christ’s birth means care and an open mind is needed in our interpretation of events relative to a 70 number; but we can also be confident in the eventual outcome for Israel; and also for the Lord’s return to Earth in “Power and Great Glory”, to continue the Work that He undertook in His first Advent, prior to handing to His Father the “completed Work” (1Cor. 15:24)!
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