End Times Bible Prophecy – Week 39
Symbols in Revelation
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People sometimes avoid reading the Book of Revelation
because of the many symbols it contains, and they figure it’s impossible to
interpret them. However, numerous Bible scholars agree on what some of the symbols represent.
It has also been argued that John the Apostle, who wrote
the Revelation, used symbols to avoid misguided scrutiny by the Roman Empire.
The Romans could have viewed the message about the return of Jesus Christ as the
King of Glory as a political threat, which would have unleashed greater persecution
of the early Christians.
In Chapter 1 of Revelation, Jesus tells John the meaning of
the seven candlesticks and seven stars that Jesus referred to as follows:
Rev. 1:20 – “The mystery of the
seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden
candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the
seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”
Clearly, Jesus did not want to keep us in the dark. And,
although some things are not easy to interpret, that should not prevent us from
reading the Book of Revelation. Also, the Bible lets us know that some things
will not be clearly known (sealed) until the Lord considers it to be the right
time.
For example, in the Book of Daniel, the prophet Daniel
receives visions and prophecies about the near future and about End Times in
the far future. The Lord instructs him to write these things down, and when
Daniel asks about things in the far future, the Lord tells him those things are
sealed – for then.
Daniel 12:4 (NKJV) - “But
you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end;
many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
Daniel 12: 9 (NKJV) - And
he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and
sealed till the time of the end.
Daniel 12:4 (NASB) - "But
as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of
time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."
Daniel 12: 9 (NASB) – “He
said, "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up
until the end time.”
References to several symbols in the Book of
Revelation or the Apocalypse are also found in both the Old and New testaments:
Verses Symbol Meaning
Genesis
3:1 serpent satan
Rev. 12:19
Exodus
12:3 lamb redemption
Rev.
5:6
Daniel
7:24 10 horns kings
Rev.
13:1
Genesis
37:9 woman nation/city
Rev.
12:1
Zacharias
4:12 2 candlesticks 2 prophets
Rev.11:3
Ezekiel
2:9-10 sealed scroll judgment
Rev.
5:1
Isaiah
1:2 prostitute spiritual adultery
Jeremiah
3:1
Rev.
17:1-16
Next:
More on aspects of prophecy in the Bible.
Background and commentary
John the apostle is considered the writer of the Apocalypse
or Revelation. He wrote down what the risen Lord Jesus Christ both told and
showed him in a series of visions of the future. The letters to the seven
churches in Asia Minor are messages that apply to the Christian church overall
as well as to individual believers.
John 15:4 “Remain in me, and I
will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the
vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
1 John 2:16 (NIV) –
“For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world.
1 John 2:16 (NLT) –
“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for
everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not
from the Father, but are from this world.”
Jesus Christ, the Savior – You must be born
again
If you don't know Jesus, then this is a good day to talk to Him about it. Your eternal future depends on it.
The sinless Jesus Christ took on the sins of the world AND
the punishment for those sins so that we could be saved.
Today, if you do not know Jesus, receive His free offer of
salvation and put all your trust in Him.
John 1:29 (NLT) – “The next day
he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb
of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
2 Corinthians 6:2 –
“
For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of
salvation.”
Acts 2:38 (NLT) – “Peter
replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
Shalom
Faith Today Christian Ministries
Exalting the name of Jesus!
Find the Book of Revelation and other books of the Bible online Look up scriptures
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