Why conceal Bible prophecies in Symbols? And Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand” – Luke 8:10. Many of the apocalyptic prophecies were given while the prophets were in a hostile foreign land. One reason God cloaked the prophecies in symbols was to protect the messages.
Animals and their Parts
• Horse = Strength and Power in Battle Job 39:19, Psalms 147:10, Proverbs 21:31
• Dragon = Satan or his agency Isaiah 27:1; 30:6, Psalms 74:13-14, Revelation 12:7-9, Ezekiel 29:3, Jeremiah 51:34
• Beast = Kingdom / government / political power Daniel 7:17, 23
• Lamb = Jesus / sacrifice John 1:29, 1Corinthians 5:7
• Lion = Jesus / Powerful King i.e. Babylon Revelation 5:4-9, Jeremiah 50:43-44, Daniel 7:4, 17, 23
• Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia Proverbs 28:15, 2Kings 2:23-24, Daniel 7:5
• Leopard = Greece Daniel 7:6
• Serpent = Satan Revelation 12:9; 20:2
• Tongue = Language / Speech Exodus 4:10
• Wolf = Disguised Enemies Matthew 7:15
• Dove = Holy Spirit Mark 1:10
• Ram = Medo Persia Daniel 8:20
• Goat = Greece Daniel 8:21
• Horn = King or kingdom Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21-22, Zechariah 1:18-19, Revelation 17:12
• Wings = Speed / Protection / Deliverance Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37
Colors
• White = Purity Revelation 3:4-5; 7:14; 19:14
• Blue = Law Numbers 15:38-39
• Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
• Red/Scarlet = Sin/corruption Isaiah 1:18, Nahum 2:3, Revelation 17:1-4
Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects
• Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare Isaiah 13:12
• Silver = Pure Words & Understanding Proverbs 2:4; 3:13-14; 10:20; 25:11, Psalms 12:6
• Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver dross = Impure Character Ezekiel 22:20-21
• Water = Holy Spirit / Everlasting Life John 7:39; 4:14, Revelation 22:17, Ephesians 5:26
• Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
• Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
• Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Psalms 92:12; 37:35
• Seed = Descendents / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16
• Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
• Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9
• Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16
• Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35
• Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39
• Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39
• Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19
• Stars=Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9, Job 38:7
• Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22
• Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2-3, Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24-25, Ezekiel 17:22-23, Daniel 2:35, 44-45
• Rock = Jesus / truth 1Corinthians 10:4, Isaiah 8:13-14, Romans 9:33, Matthew 7:24
• Sun = Jesus / the gospel Psalms 84:11, Malachi 4:2, Matthew 17:2, John 8:12; 9:5
• Winds=Strife / commotion / “winds of war” Jeremiah 25:31-33, 49:36-37; 4:11-13, Zechariah 7:14
Miscellaneous Objects
• Lamp = Word of God Psalms 119:105
• Oil = Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6, Revelation 4:5
• Sword = Word of God Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12
• Bread = Word of God John 6:35, 51-52, 63
• Wine=Blood/covenant / doctrines Luke 5:37
• Honey = happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9
• Clothing = Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6
• Crown = A Glorious Ruler or Rulership Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 28:5, Isaiah 62:3
• Ring = Authority Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11
• Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21, Luke 1:19, 26, Hebrews 1:14
• Babylon = apostasy / confusion / rebellion Genesis 10:8-10; 11:6-9, Revelation 18:2-3; 17:1-5
• Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4, Romans 4:11, Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2-3
• Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11, Revelation 7:2-3
• White Robes=Victory / righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14
• Jar / Vessel=Person Jeremiah 18:1-4, 2Corinthians 4:7
• Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin
• Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6, 14; 13:5
• Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6, Numbers 14:34
• Trumpet = loud warning of God’s approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5
Actions, Activities, and Physical States
• Healing = Salvation Luke 5:23-24
• Leprosy / Sickness = Sin Luke 5:23-24
• Famine = Dearth of Truth Amos 8:11
People and Body Parts
• Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2, 2Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:23-27
• Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezekiel 16:15-58; 23:2-21, Hosea 2:5; 3:1, Revelation 14:4
• Thief = Suddenness of Jesus’ coming 1Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2Peter 3:10
• Hand = Deeds / Works / Actions Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 59:6
• Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25, Ezekiel 3:8-9
• Feet = Your Walk / Direction Genesis 19:2, Psalms 119:105
• Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1John 2:11
• Skin = Christ’s righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6
• Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27, Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9
• Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9-10
Bible Numbers
Many of the numbers in the Bible have deeper prophetic significance. Both in the Old and New Testaments, numbers reveal hidden concepts and meanings that commonly escape the casual reader. And throughout history, men with great minds, like Augustine, Isaac Newton, and Leonardo Di Vinci, showed more than just a passing curiosity regarding the importance of biblical numbers. Once more, Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are numbered” Matthew 10:30. Obviously, Bible numbers should be carefully considered.
1 – represents absolute singleness and unity (Ephesians 4:4-6; John 17:21-22.) (We presume readers need no more than these two citations, as most of the biblical information regarding unity and singleness is common knowledge.)
2 – represents the truth of God’s Word; for example, the law and prophets (John 1:45), two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1), and a sword with two edges (Hebrews 4:12). See Mark 6:7 and Revelation 11:3. It is also used 21 times in the books of Daniel and Revelation.
4 – represents universal truth, as in the four directions (north, south, east, west) and the four winds (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:1; 20:8). In acts 10:11, a sheet with four corners symbolizes the gospel going to all the gentiles.
5 – represents teaching. First, there are the five books of Moses. Second, Jesus taught about the five wise virgins and used five barley loaves used to feed the 5,000.
6 – represents the worship of man, and is the number of man, signifying his rebellion, imperfection, works, and disobedience. It is used 273 times in the Bible, including its derivatives (e.g, sixth) and another 91 times as “threescore” or “60.” Man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26, 31). See also Exodus 31:15 and Daniel 3:1.
This number is especially significant in the book Revelation, as “666” identifies the beast. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18).
7 – represents perfection, and is the sign of God, divine worship, completions, obedience, and rest. The “prince” of Bible numbers, it is used 562 times, including its derivatives (e.g., seventh, sevens). (See Genesis 2:1-4, Psalms 119:164 and Exodus 20:8-11 for just a few of the examples.)
The number seven is also the most common in biblical prophecy, occurring 42 times in Daniel and Revelation alone. In Revelation there are seven churches, seven spirits, seven golden candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps, seven seals, seven horns, seven eyes, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven thousand slain in a great earthquake, seven heads, seven crowns, seven last plagues, seven golden vials, seven mountains, and seven kings.
10 – represents law and restoration. Of course, this includes the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20. See also Matthew 25:1 (ten virgins); Luke 17:17 (ten lepers); Luke 15:8 (healing, ten silver coins).
12 – represents the church and God’s authority. Jesus had 12 disciples, and there were 12 tribes of Israel. In Revelation 12:1, the 24 elders and 144,000 are multiples of 12. The New Jerusalem city has 12 foundations, 12 gates 12 thousand furlongs, a tree with 12 kinds of fruit 12 times a year eaten by 12 times 12,000 or the 144,000. (See chapter 21.)
40 – represents a generation and times of testing. It rained for 40 days during the flood. Moses spent 40 years in the desert, as did the children of Israel. Jesus fasted for 40 days.
50 – represents power and celebration. The Jubilee came after the 49th year (Leviticus 25:10) and Pentecost occurred 50 days after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2).
70 – represents human leadership and judgment. Moses appointed 70 elders (Exodus 24:1); The Sanhedrin was made up of 70 men. Jesus chose 70 disciples (Luke 10:1). Jesus told Peter to forgive 70 times 7.
Adapted from http://www.revelationbibleprophecy.org/prophecy_symbols.html#
Symbols of Revelation – Literal Meaning
Ark of Testimony
Ark of the convent/mercy seat where God dwell
Exodus 25:10-22 (127); Psalm 80:1 (917)
Balaam, doctrine of
Advancing our own interests, compromise, idolatry
Numbers 22:5-25 (259)
Beast
Kingdom, government, political power
Daniel 7:23 (1310)
Binding of Satan
A symbolic chain of circumstances
Isaiah 14:12-20 (1041)
Black
Moral darkness, sin, apostasy
Exodus 10:21-23 (103): Jeremiah 4:20-28 (1112); 8:21 (1120);
Acts 26:18 (1641): John 12:35 (1573): Joel 2:1-10 (1334)
Blood
Life
Leviticus 17:11 (191), Deuteronomy 12:23 (311)
Bottomless pit
Earth in chaos, torn up, dark & empty
Genesis 1:1, 2 (1); cf Jeremiah 4:23-28 (1112); Isaiah 24:1-4, 19 (1822)
Bow
Success in battle against evil
Psalm 7:11-12 (863); Psalm 45: 4,5 (890)
Crowns
Kingship, victory
I Chronicles 20:2 (682), II Kings 11:12 (619), Ezekiel 21:26,27 (1242);
James 1:12 (1774); II Timothy 4:7,8 (1750); I Corinthians 9:25 (1679)
Cup
Meted out suffering and judgments
Psalm 7:11,12 (866); 75:8 (912) Isaiah 51:17,22-23 (1088);
Jeremiah 25:15-17 (1146); 49:12 (1188)
Door
Opportunity
II Corinthians 2:12 (1693); Revelation 3:20 (1804)
Probation
Luke 13:24,25 (1521)
Eagle
Speed, power, vision, vengeance, protection
Deuteronomy 28:49 (337), Habakkuk 1:6-8 (1365), Revelation
12:14 (1813)
Eating the book
Assimilating the message
Ezekiel 3:1-3 (1211); Jeremiah 15:16 (1131)
Egypt
Symbol of atheism
Exodus 5:2 (93)
Eyesalve
Holy Spirit to help us see truth. Discernment to
understand word; Antidote for spiritual blindness
Ephesians 1:17-19 (1715), Psalm 119:18 (947); I John 2:20,27
(1791); John 16:7-13 (1578)
Faithful witness
Christ
John 18:37 (1583); John 3:11 (1550); Revelation 1:5 (1800);
Revelation 3:14 (1804); 19:11 (1821)
False prophet
Apostate Protestantism
Revelation 16:13,14 (1817); 13:13,14 (1814); 19:20 (1822)
Fornication
Illicit connection between church & world
Ezekiel 16:15,26 (1229); Isaiah 23:17 (1050); James 4:4 (1777);
Revelation 14:4 (1815)
Four Beasts or Living Creatures
Heavenly beings with special responsibilities
Revelation 5:8-10 (1805), 6:1-7 (1806), 14:3 (1815); 15:7 (1816), 19:4 (1821)
Garments
Covering of righteousness
Genesis 35:2 (57), Isaiah 61:10 (1099), Isaiah 52:1 (1088)
Gold
True riches of heaven, faith, scripture
Psalm 19:7-10 (871); Galatians 5:6 (1711); James 2:5 (1775);
Job 23:10 (839)
Hand
Symbol of work
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (1013)
Harlot
Apostate church/religion
Isaiah 1:21(1025); Jeremiah 3:1-3, 6-9 (1109)
Heads
Major powers, rulers, government
Daniel 7:6 cf Daniel 8:8,22 (1311); Revelation 17:3,10 (1888)
Hidden Manna
Christ
John 6:49,50,53 (1558); Matthew 13:44 (1419)
Horn
Power and strength
Deuteronomy 33:17 (348); Zechariah 1:18,19 (1377)
King or Kingdom
Psalm 89:17,24 (923); Danies 8:5,21,22 (1311)
Horse
Symbol of battle
Exodus 15:21 (112), Isaiah 43:17 (1076); Jeremiah 8:6
(1119); Ezekiel 38:15 (1273); Zechariah 10:3 (1385)
Special representatives/angels
Zechariah 1:8,10 (1376); 6:1-8 (1380)
Image
A likeness
Exodus 20:4 (119); Genesis 1:26 (2); 5:3 (7); Deuteronomy
4:25 (296); Romans 8:29 (1657)
Incense
Prayers of God’s people
Psalm 141:2 (961); Revelation 5:8 (1805); 8:3,4 (1818)
Israel
True followers of Christ
Romans 9:6-8 (1658); Romans 2:28,29 (1650); Galatians 3:29 (1710)
Jezebel
Immortality, idolatry, apostasy
I Kings 21:25 (593); II Kings 9:22 (615)
Key of David
Power to open and close the sanctuary
Revelation 3:7,8 (1803); Isaiah 22:22 (1049)
Keys
Control/jurisdiction
Isaiah 22:22 (1049); Matthew 16:19 (1425)
Lamb’s wife
New Jerusalem
Revelation 19:7-9 (1821); 21:2,9,10 (1823)
Lion
Strength and Jesus Christ
Genesis 49:9 (84); Revelation 5:4-9 (1805); Psalm 7:2 (862)
Locusts
Destructive/destructive agencies
Joel 1:4 (1333); Deuteronomy 28:38 (336)
Man child
Jesus
Psalm 2:7-9 (860); Revelation 12:5 (1813)
Mark
Sign/seal/mark of approval, or disapproval
Romans 4:11 (1652); Revelation 7:2,3 (1807); Ezekiel 9:4 (1220)
Measuring rod
God’s law
James 2:10:12 (1775); Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 (1016)
God’s word
Isaiah 8:19,20 (1034); II Timothy 3:16,17 (1750)
Merchants
Advocates of Babylon’s teaching
Isaiah 47:11-15 (1082); Nahum 3:16,17 (1363);
Revelation 18:3,11,15,23 (1819)
Moon
Permanence
Psalm 89:39,37 (924)
Moses’ system of types and sacrifice
Hebrews 10:1,11 (1766)
Morning Star
Jesus
Revelation 22:16 (1826)
Mountains
Political or religio/political powers
Isaiah 2:2,3 (1025); Jeremiah 17:3 (1133); 31:23 (1157);
Jeremiah 51:24,25 (1195); Ezekiel 17:22,23 (1234);
Daniel 2:35,44,45 (1298)
Mystery of God
The gospel
Ephesians 1:9,10 (1714); 3:9 (1716); 6:19 (1721); Colossians 1:26,27 (1729)
New Jerusalem
The Holy City of Heaven
Revelation 3:12 (1804); 21:2 (1823)
Oil
Holy Spirit
Zechariah 4:2-6 (1378); Revelation 4:5 (1804)
Open Door
Unlimited opportunity
I Corinthians 16:9 (1689); Acts 14:27 (1618); John 10:7-9 (1567);
Hosea 2:15 (1322); Colossians 4:3 (1732)
Rainbow
Token of covenant keeping
Genesis 9:11-17 (12)
Red (color)
Sin, corruption
Isaiah 1:18 (1025); 26:21 (1053); Psalm 75:8 (912); Jeremiah 46:10 (1183)
Persecution
Ezekiel 32:6,11 (1260); Jeremiah 46:10 (1183); Nahum 2:3 (1362)
Reins
Seat of will, affections
Psalm 7:9 (863); 16:7 (867); 26:2 (875); 73:21 (911); Proverbs
23:16 (993); Jeremiah 17:10 (1133
Second Death
Lake of fire
Revelation 21:8 (1824); 20:14 (1823)
Serpent
Satan
Revelation 12:7-9 (1813); Revelation 20:2 (1822)
Seven Candlesticks
7 Candlesticks in Holy Place of Sanctuary
Exodus 25:31-40 (128
Seven Churches
Revelation 1:20 (1801)
Seven Heads
Seven political powers
Revelation 17:9,10 (1818); Isaiah 2:2,4 (1025); Jeremiah 17:3 (1133)
Seven Lamps
Jesus, Word of God
John 9:5 (1565); John 1:9 (1546); Psalm 119:105 (950);
Revelation 4:5 (1805)
Sickle
Symbol of harvest – End of world
Matthew 13:39 (1419); Revelation 14:14 (1816)
Sodom
Moral degradation
Ezekiel 16:46-55 (1231)
Stars
Angels
Revelation 1:16,20 (1801); 12:4,7-9 (1813); Job 38:7 (854)
Sword
Bloodshed, destruction
Isaiah 3:25 (1028); 13:15 (1039); Acts 12:1,2 (1612); Jeremiah 48:2 (1185)
Testimony of Jesus
Spirit/gift of prophecy
Revelation 19:10 (1821); 22:9 (1825); I Corinthians 13:2 (1684)
Time
Literal year
Daniel 4:16,23,25,32 (1303); 7:25 (1311); 11:13 margin (1317);
Revelation12:6,14 (1813); cf 11:2,3 (1811)
Torment
Test, prove by trial
I Corinthians 3:13 (1672); Hebrews 12:29 (1772); Isaiah 33:14 (1062)
Twenty-four Elders
A group redeemed from earth
Revelation 5:9,10 (1805); 4:4 (1804); 7:9,14 (1801)
Two-edged Sword
God’s word – Sword of spirit
Ephesians 6:17 (1720); Hebrews 4:12 (1760); Matthew 10:34
(1412); Isaiah 49:2 (1084)
Two Witnesses
Old and New Testament
John 5:39 (1556); Zechariah 4:1-14 (1378); Psalm 119:130,105 (951);
John 12:48 (1573)
White robes
Victory & Righteousness
Isaiah 61:10 (1099); Revelation 19:8 (1821); 3:5 (1803);
Zechariah 3:1-5 (1378); Revelation 7:14 (1808); Galatians 3:27 (1709)
Winds
Strife, commotion, “winds of war”
Jeremiah 25-31, (1147); 49:36,37 (1190); 4:11-13 (1112);
Zechariah 7:14 (1382)
Wine
False doctrine/teachings
Jeremiah 25:15-18 (1146); 51:7 (1194)
Jesus blood of atonement
Matthew 26:21-29 (1444)
Wings
Speed
Habakkuk 1:6-8 (1365); Jeremiah 4:13 (1112); Exodus 19:4 (118)
Wormwood
Sorrow/bitterness
Jeremiah 9:15 (1121); 23:15 (1142); Lamentations 3:19 (1205)
Wrath of God
Seven last plagues
Revelation 15:1 (1816)
Adapted from http://www.goodnewsaboutgod.com/studies/spiritual/revelations/symbols_revelation.htm – Lorraine Day, M.D.
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