Installment 2: "Predecessor Bot"Theory
Given the theory that the Wachowskis knew what they were doing (numerologically) this will help back the "Predecessor Bot" theory.
First of all, remember - Neo was a name number 7. Number 7 fits the description of The One, to a tee.
Name Number 7
The Magician - You will have to pass many tests before you come to the realization of your highest purpose in life. Appearance can be deceiving and you must learn the difference between the real and unreal, lasting values and the evanescent evaluation. The secrets of the universe may be opened to you and the mystic initiation is great within you. Study, prayer and meditation are the paths to your development. Eventually, you will evolve as an understanding and sympathetic individual with a great heart and noble soul. You may have many obstacles to overcome, however your determination to develop and evolve will give you the highest life rewards.
(When reading this, remember the fact how life always repeats itself (different characters, different places). Remember how people from different civilizations create similar myths as we do. Different characters, same events).
The Merovingian
The Merovingian is the collector of souls, he is refuge for the fallen programs (exiles), metaphorically the Fallen Angels.
When you analyze "The Merovingian," you get again - a name number 7.
The Merovingian, in the bot theory, would be the first "One," witnessing all of the predecessors leading up to Neo, the current one. "Your predecessors had much more respect." A quote that starts the thinking, if he was a previous one, perhaps his followers, Neo's predecessors. Think of Trinity as The Merv's Persephone. "He was so much like you when we came here, so in love."
The above quote is another link to believing The Merovingian is a previous "One." Morpheus showed an undoubtable level of respect for The Merovingian, which ties into my next "One."
When the Oracle describes him to Neo, she says he is a powerful program, who was tainted by greed. He has survived every iteration (as far as we know) but at what expense?
Morpheus
"Morpheus has been here since the beginning." The beginning of what? Not the beginning of time, but perhaps the beginning of the "current/new" Zion. Morpheus seeks The One. He teaches The One. Take this however you will "Are you saying I can dodge bullets?" "No, I am saying - when the time is right - you won't have to." Could Morpheus have known this? If he did, I would say it is from previous knowledge. I believe he was "The One" before Neo.
Morpheus is also a number 7.
Morpheus is the most recent "One," in this theory, and gives him reason to exist in this iteration.
Seraph
"I protect what matters most." This is not the quote of a number 7 - but belief toward him being a predecessor is shown in the end of Revolutions. "I have beaten you before," and the other quotes Smith says that escape me at this very moment.
Look back to Thomas Anderson, the number 4. He is focused around his career. Seraph is a number 4. Seraph is short for Seraphim, which is a term for the angels.
Look back to Thomas Anderson for the description of a 4. Seraph protects the Oracle 24/7, unless he is doing an errand for her. Think of her as the land lady. This could be an example.
Seraph is quick to fight Neo, to see who he truly is. He would know how the One had fought, because he had been him. Seraph is obviously not like The Merovingian, sidewinding to exist in every iteration - or like Morpheus, the most recent. His reason for existence is to protect the Oracle - what matters most.
This switch of purpose-to-exile-to-purpose makes sense if you think of it as reverting back to the first stage of "The One" (Thomas Anderson for the sake of the argument). This also makes sense as to why Seraph would be a 4, but we can believe that he was a predecessor without being a 7, due to his conversation with Smith.
If you do not think of the predecessors evident as "bots," but as just people with a new purpose or new life in The Matrix.
Smith will be described in the next installment as to why he could possibly be The One or just the negative part of the equation that must always be there.