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As with many questions related to Biblical scripture and prophecy, the answer is by no means simple. The book of Revelation, which details the apocalypse, doesn't include a definitive list of "seven signs." Over time, popular culture and various Christian sects created this concept based on their interpretations of events prophesied to take place before Armageddon, or the final battle of good and evil on Earth. Many people believe that the seven signs directly correlate to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse described in Rev. 6:1-12. Expanding on that notion, others speculate on Revelation's list of
seven seals, seven vials, and seven trumpets and what these symbols represent in today's world. For example, some say the Red Horseman and the second seal could represent a third World War, while others believe that the fourth seal, plagues and pestilence, represents modern diseases such as AIDS or cancer. The number seven is a popular symbol throughout the Bible. And one school of thought supports a less literal interpretation of the seven signs. Advocates of this theory point out that not only is "seven" used frequently, but also many
sections of the Bible aside from Revelation are considered "prophetic." They conclude that there may not be seven actual signs, and they may or may not all be found in Revelation. For further reading on this complex and weighty issue, visit the Biblical Prophecy category in the Yahoo! Directory.
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