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Symbols — the Key to the Revelation

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Symbols — the Key to the Revelation Symbols — The Key to the Revelation This publication was originally produced in the 1960s. The original contributors to this work have gone on to their eternal reward. As light has progressed since that time, it was felt that the contents should be reviewed and updated to reflect current light and understanding. Reviewed and updated by Earl R. Borders Printed 2016 by The Church of God, God's Acres 675 N. Cedar Street Newark, OH 43055 GodsAcres.org GospelTrumpeter.com Do not copy or reprint without express written permission. All Rights Reserved. A ALTAR: A sacred place, referring to where Christ performed the role of the high priest (Revelation 8:3-5) or a reference to Christ (Revelation 6:9; 11:1; Hebrews 13:8-10). ANGEL: When used as a symbol, it means a messenger that God employs to carry out His will (the ministry; Revelation 1:20). The same is true of the devil's agents (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Messengers of God and of Satan; as opposing forces, Michael versus the dragon and his angels—ministry (Revelation 12:7). ANTI-CHRISTS: Spirits against Christ (1 John 4:1-3) and people who have left truth that possess these spirits (1 John 2:18-19; 2 John 7). ARK: The chest that contained the law of God (Revelation 11:19; Hebrews 9:4). The law of God is now written in the heart (2 Corinthians 3:3). Also, it represents where God's presence met with man in the Old Testament; a picture of the presence of God (Exodus 25:21-22). ARMAGEDDON: In the Old Testament a place where decisive battles occurred (2 Kings 23:29); a picture of the spiritual conflict of ecclesiastical powers; the Kingdom of God versus false religion. The final conflict between wickedness and righteousness in the seventh trumpet age (Revelation 16:14-16). ARMIES: Forces resolved on subduing; a picture of the militancy of the church in the evening time (Revelation 19:14). In the Revelation it is spiritual warfare. "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal" (2 Corinthians 10:4). In symbols we see an example in Michael (Christ) and His people against the dragon (paganism) and his people (Revelation 12:7-8), as well as in Revelation 19:13-16. ATE: To take in, make a part of you; symbolizes receiving the contents of the Book in the mind and heart (Revelation 10:10). B BABYLON: This word means confusion and has its origin in Genesis 11:9. In Revelation it symbolizes false religion. The papal church is symbolized as the mother and Protestantism as her daughters (Revelation 17:5, 18). It is a symbol of the false churches on earth and also paganism (Revelation 16:13). It is called a "great city," consisting of "three parts": papal Rome, Protestantism, and paganism (Revelation 16:19). BALANCE SCALES: A symbol of measurement; in Revelation particularly, of truth or the Word of God. The rider of the black horse (Revelation 6:5-6) is pictured meting out truth at a starvation rate. "They shall eat bread by weight" (Ezekiel 4:16). Notice Amos 8:11. True and false measure (Proverbs 11:1). A "false bal- ance" symbolizes false doctrine (Proverbs 20:23; Revelation 6:5). BARLEY: The opinions of men set forth as doctrine (Revelation 6:6). Barley was used as provender for horses, also bread for the poor; a symbol of the doctrines of men during the apostasy. BEAST: A religious system established by men. Wild beasts denote the nature of these false religions and systems (Revelation 13:1, 11; 17:3). In Revelation 4:6-7 the word beast should be translated as "living crea- 1 ture." It is not the same Greek word as in Revelation, Chapter 13. (See also Ezekiel, Chapter 1.) In Revelation 5:8-10, the four beasts are a symbol of the redeemed of all ages. BINDING AND LOOSING: Prohibiting and permitting (Matthew 16:18-19; Revelation 20:1-7). BLACK: Represents darkness and apostasy (Revelation 8:12; 6:5-12). BLACK (AS SACKCLOTH): Darkness produced by disobedience to truth that resulted in death (Revelation 6:12). BLOOD: There are several applications: (1) the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5; 5:9; 7:14; 12:11); (2) a symbolic picture of the work done by the blood in the morning-time message (Revelation 8:7); (3) those guilty of the blood (Revelation 8:8); (4) guiltiness of harming the saints (Revelation 17:6). BORNE ON EAGLES' WINGS: God's protection and deliverance of His people from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11). Also, a symbol of God's protection for His people to enable them to be hid away in seclusion during the Dark Ages (Revelation 12:14). BOTTOMLESS PIT: Earthly, man-made, religious positions without a Bible foundation produced by a fallen ministry (1 Corinthians 3:11; Revelation 9:1-3; 11:7). The position the dragon was placed in by truth and a true ministry (Revelation 20:1-3). BOW: The new covenant; also, an article of warfare (Genesis 9:13; Revelation 6:2; Zechariah 10:4). BRASS: A strong kingdom (Daniel 2:32); the Grecian kingdom. Represents great strength and hardness (Daniel 10:6; Revelation 1:12-15; Daniel 7:9). Also, the authority of Christ to put His foot down on wrong (Revelation 2:18). BREAD: The Word of God (true doctrine; Matthew 4:4) or false doctrine (Isaiah 4:1). BRIDE: The true Church of the Living God on earth (Revelation 19:6-7; 21:9; John 3:27-29). BRIMSTONE: Perpetual torment of the enemy (Revelation 20:10); denotes punishment (Deuteronomy 29:23); judgments of God (Revelation 9:17-18; 14:10; Luke 17:29-30). C CALF: One of the living creatures (Revelation 4:7); a symbol of the saints in the period of time when it was necessary to die as sacrifices (Revelation 5:8-9). CANDLESTICK: The Church of God (Revelation 1:20; Zechariah 4:2). CHAIN: The word is used one time in the Revelation (Revelation 20:1). In this context it represents the power to bind, which is in the Spirit (Matthew 12:28-29). So, it symbolizes the Spirit of God. CITY: A church in her aggregate (complete or whole), whether false (Revelation 17:18) or true (Matthew 2 5:14; Revelation 21:2). CLOUD: A large number (or multitude) witnessing or that are testifying (Hebrews 12:1; Revelation 10:1; 14:14); armies destined to conquer that cover a country (Ezekiel 38:9-16). CROWN: Victory, dignity, honor, denoting power to reign (Revelation 6:2; 19:12). D DARKNESS: Ignorance, spiritual blindness (Isaiah 9:2; 1 John 2:8; Revelation 8:12). This darkened condition produces affliction, sorrow, and gloom that comes from a refusal of light and truth (Revelation 16:10). DAY: In prophecy it represents the New Testament dispensation (Isaiah 12:1; 26:1). Refers to a new day ("day dawn"; 2 Peter 1:19). This New Testament dispensation is called the Gospel Day. In Revelation one day is used for one year (Revelation 11:3; 12:6; Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6). DOOR: The way of entrance, the way opened to discover things previously closed or hidden; access to under- standing things (Revelation 4:1). Christ is the door to the church (John 10:9). DRAGON: Pagan or heathen Rome. The seven heads are forms or heads of government; the ten horns are kings (or kingdoms) into which Rome was divided (Revelation 13:3; 17:12). The tail of the dragon is the rise of the spirit of paganistic unbelief. A spirit that causes a ministry in the evening time to fall and decry teachings of holiness, a Bible standard, divine healing, and a clear message on the church and Babylon. Also, a resurgence of paganistic religions. DRUNKEN: Intoxicated with false doctrines, worldly pleasures, and influence. The woman (papal church) was drunken on the blood of the saints (Revelation 17:6). Those who are under the power of superstition and idolatry are unreasonable. They are drunken on the wine of Babylon's false teachings (Jeremiah 51:7-8). E EAGLE: One of the living creatures of Revelation 4:7. It represents the part of the redeemed of all ages (Revelation 5:8-9) that is in this evening time. Rising above earthen religion, the eagle is the only creature that can look straight into the sun, a picture of a people swiftly moving to brighter light. EARTHQUAKE: Quaking of earthly things under the power of God; spiritual awakening (Revelation 8:5; 6:12; 11:19; 16:18); the downfall of pagan Rome where the earthquake was felt (Revelation 8:5); a picture of God rearranging the religious landscape. There was one earthquake in the morning time (Revelation 8:5), one in the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12), and one in the seventh seal (Revelation 16:17-18). It represents moral shaking (Haggai 2:6-7); shaking as an earthquake (Haggai 2:21-22; Revelation 6:12); removing man-made teachings and ideas and leaving only a kingdom that is unmovable (Hebrews 12:26-28). EGYPT: Bondage; sinful; spiritually associated with Sodom (Revelation 11:8); in religion the symbol of religious organizations that leave people in bondage and wickedness; a portrayal of a city (Babylon) rejecting Christ as the head of the church (their teachings came from a system that came from the bottomless pit). 3 EUPHRATES: The river on whose banks the literal city of Babylon was situated. Cyrus entered through the dry bed of the river after diverting its waters.
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