One
This number, when used figuratively, conveys the thought of singleness, uniqueness, as well as unity and agreement in purpose and action.
Two
The number two frequently occurs in a legal setting. The accounts of two witnesses agreeing add to the force of the testimony. Two witnesses, or even three, were required to establish a matter before the judges. This principle is also followed in the Christian congregation. Doing something a second time--for example, repetition of a statement or vision, even if only a parallel way--firmly established the matter as sure and true (as in Pharaoh's dream of the cows and the ears of grain at Gen. 41:32). In Daniel's prophecy the beast having "two horns" symbolized duality in rulership of the Medo-Persian Empire. (See Dan. 8:20, 21 and Rev. 13:11)
Three
The number three is used at times to represent intensity, emphasis, or added strength. "A threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two." (Ecc. 4:12) For example, the intensity of Jehovah's holiness and cleanness is emphasized by the declaration of heavenly creatures: "Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah." (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8)
Four
Four is a number sometimes expressing universalness or foursquareness in symmetry and form. It is found three times at Revelation 7:1. Here the "four angels" (all those in charge of the "four winds," ready for complete destruction) stood on earth's "four corners" (they could let loose the winds obliquely or diagonally, and no part of the earth would be spared). (Compare Dan. 8:8; Isa. 11:12) The New Jerusalem is "foursquare," equal in every dimension, being in fact cubical in shape. (Rev. 21:16) Other figurative expressions using the number four are found at Zech. 1:18-21; 6:1-3; Rev. 9:14, 15.
Six
This number at times represents imprfection. The number of the "wild beast" is six hundred and sixty-six, and is called a "man's number," indicating that it has to do with imperfect, fallen man, and seems to symbolize the imperfection of that which is represented by the "wild beast." The number six being emphasized three times emphasizes the imperfection and deficiency of that which the beast represents or pictures.
Seven
Seven is used frequently in the Scriptures to signify completeness. At times it has reference to bringing a work toward completion. Or it can refer to the complete cycle of things as established or allowed by God. By completing his work toward the earth in six creative days and resting on the seventh day, Jehovah set the pattern for the whole sabbath arrangement, from the seven-day week to the Jubilee year that followed the seven-times-seven-year cycle. (Ex. 20:10; Lev. 25:2, 6, 8) The seven congregations of Revelation, give a complete picture of all the congregations of God on earth. The seven heads of the "wild beast" at Rev. 13:1 show the limit to which the beast would be allowed to develop. Multiples of seven are used in a similar sense of completeness. Seventy (7x10) is employed prophetically in the "seventy weeks" of Daniel's prophecy, dealing with Messiah's coming.
Eight
The number eight was also used to add emphasis to the completeness of something, thus sometimes representing abundance. For example, as a fitting climax to the final festival of the sacred year, the festival of booths, the eighth day was to be one of holy convention, solemn assembly, a day of complete rest.
Ten
Ten is a number denoting fullness, entirety, the aggregate, the sum of all that exists of something. It may be noted also that, where the numbers seven and ten are used together, the seven represents that which is higher or superior and ten represents something of a subordinate nature. The ten plagues poured upon Egypt fully expressed God's judgments upon Egypt and were all that were needed to humiliate fully the false gods of Egypt and to break the hold of Egypt upon God's people Israel. Jesus used the number ten in several of his illustrations to denote entirety or a full number of something. (Matt. 25:1; Luke 15:8; 19:13, 16, 17) The fullness of the period of test that God allows them to undergo is expressed at Revelation 2:10: "The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison that you may be fully put to the test, and that you may have tribulation ten days.
Twelve
Jacob had 12 sons, who became the foundations of the 12 tribes of Israel. Their offspring were organized by God under the Law covenant as God's nation. Twelve therefore seems to represent a complete, balanced, divinely constituted arrangement. The twelve apostles formed the secondary foundations of the New Jerusalem, built upon Jesus Christ. There are twelve tribes of the "sons of [spiritual] Israel", each tribe consisting of 12,000 members. (Rev. 7:4-8)
Forty
Periods of judgment or punishment seem to be associated with the number forty, in a few instances. (Gen. 7:4; Ezek. 29:11, 12) Ninevah was given forty days to repent. (Jonah 3:4) Another use of the number forty points out a parallel in the life of Jesus Christ with that of Moses, who typified Christ. Both of these men experienced forty-day periods of fasting.