SYMBOLS IN REVELATION
Symbol Literal Meaning Bible Reference
Angel Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19,26;
Hebrews 1:14
Ark of Testimony Ark of the covenant, mercy Exodus 25:10-22; Psalm 80:1
seat where God dwells
Babylon Religious apostasy. Confusion Genesis 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Revelation
18:2,3; Revelation 17:1-5
Balaam, doctrine of Advancing our own interests, Numbers 22:5-25
compromise, idolatry
Beast Kingdom, government, political Daniel 7:23
power
Binding of Satan A symbolic chain of Isaiah 14:12-20
circumstances
Black Moral darkness, sin, apostasy Exodus 10:21-23; Jeremiah 4:20-28;
8:21; Acts 26:18; John 12:35; Joel
2:1-10
Blood Life Leviticus 17:11; Deuteronomy 12:23
Bottomless pit Earth in chaos, torn up, dark Genesis 1:1, 2; Jeremiah 4:23-28;
and empty Isaiah 24:1-4,19; Revelation 20:1-3
Bow Success in battle against evil Psalm 7:11,12; Psalm 45:4,5
Corrupt Woman Corrupt apostate church Ezekiel 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hosea 2:5;
Hosea 3:1
Crowns Kingship, victory 1 Chronicles 20:2; 2 Kings 11:12;
Ezekiel 21:26,27; James 1:12; 2
Timothy 4:7, 8; 1 Corinthians 9:25
Cup Meted out suffering and Psalm 11:6; 75:8; Isaiah 51:17,22-23;
judgments Jeremiah 25:15-17; 49:12
Day Literal year Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
Door Opportunity. Probation 2 Corinthians 2:12; Revelation 3:20;
Luke 13:24, 25
Dragon Satan or his agency Isaiah 27:1; 30:6; Psalm 74:13, 14;
Revelation 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3;
Jeremiah 51 :34
Eagle Speed, power, vision, Deuteronomy 28:49; Habakkuk 1:6-8;
vengeance, protection Revelation 12:14
Eating the book Assimilating the message Ezekiel 3:1-3; Jeremiah 15:16
Egypt Symbol of atheism Exodus 5:2
Eye salve Holy Spirit to help us see truth; Ephesians 1 :17-19; Psalm 119:18; 1
Discernment to understand John 2:20, 27; John 16:7-13
word; Antidote for spiritual
blindness
Faithful witness Christ John 18:37; John 3:11; Revelation
1:5; Revelation 3:14; 19:11
False prophet Apostate Protestantism Revelation 16:13, 14; 13:13, 14; 19:20
Forehead Mind Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9
Fornication Illicit connection between Ezekiel 16:15, 26; Isaiah 23:17;
church & world James 4:4; Revelation 14:4
Four Beasts or Living Heavenly beings with special Revelation 5:8-10; 4:6-9; 6:1-7; 14:3;
Creatures responsibilities 5:7; 19:4
Four Corners of Earth Four directions of compass Jeremiah 49:36
Garments Covering of righteousness Genesis 35:2; Isaiah 61:10; Isaiah
52:1; Zechariah 3:3-5; Romans 13:14
Gold True riches of heaven, faith, Psalm 19:7-10; Galatians 5:6; James
scripture 2:5; Job 23:10
Hand Symbol of work Ecclesiastes 9:10
Harlot Apostate church, religion Isaiah 1:21; Jeremiah 3:1-3, 6-9
Heads Major powers, rulers, Daniel 7:6; Daniel 8:8, 22; Revelation
governments 17:3,10
Hidden Manna Christ John 6:49, 50, 53; Matthew 13:44
Horn Power and strength. King or Deuteronomy 33:17; Zechariah 1:18,
Kingdom 19; Psalm 89:17, 24; Daniel 8:5, 21,
22
Horse Symbol of battle; Special Exodus15:21; Isaiah 43:17; Jeremiah
representatives, angels 8:6; Ezekiel 38:15; Zechariah 10:3;
Zechariah 1:8-10; 6:1-8
Image A likeness Exodus 20:4; Genesis 1:26; 5:3;
Deuteronomy 4:25 ; Romans 8:29
Incense Prayers of God's people Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3, 4
Israel True followers of Christ Romans 9:6-8; Romans 2:28, 29;
Galatians 3:29
Jezebel Immorality, idolatry, apostasy 1 Kings 21:25; 2 Kings 9:22
Key of David Power to open and close the Revelation 3:7, 8; Isaiah 22:22
sanctuary
Keys Control, jurisdiction Isaiah 22:22; Matthew 16:19
Lamb Jesus; Sacrifice John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Genesis
22:7, 8
Lamb's Wife New Jerusalem Revelation 19:7-9; 21:2, 9, 10
Lion Strength and Jesus Christ Genesis 49:9; Revelation 5:4-9;
Psalm 7:2
Locusts Destruction; Destructive Joel 1:4; Deuteronomy 28:38
agencies
Lord's Day The Sabbath Isaiah 58:13; Matthew 12:8; Exodus
20:10
Man child Jesus Psalm 2:7-9; Revelation 12:5
Mark Sign, seal, mark of approval or Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3;
disapproval Ezekiel 9:4
Measuring Rod God's law. God's word James 2:10-12; Ecclesiastes 12:13,
14; Isaiah 8:19,20; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17
Merchants Advocates of Babylon's Isaiah 47:11-15; Nahum 3:16;
teachings Revelation 18:3, 11, 15, 23
Moon Permanence. Moses' system Psalm 89:35-37; Hebrews 10:1, 11
of types and sacrifices
Morning Star Jesus Revelation 22:16
Mountains Political or religio-political Isaiah 22,3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23;
powers Jeremiah 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22,
23; Daniel 2:35, 44 ,45
Mystery of God The gospel Ephesians 1:9, 10; 39; 6:19;
Colossians 1:26, 27
New Jerusalem The Holy City of Heaven Revelation 3:12; 21:2
Oil Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5
Open Door Unlimited opportunity 1 Corinthians 16:9; Acts 14:27; John
10:7-9; Hosea 2:15; Colossians 4:3
Rainbow Token of covenant keeping Genesis 9:11-17
Red (color) Sin, corruption. Persecution, Isaiah 1:18; 26:21; Psalm 75:8;
destruction Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 32:6,11;
Jeremiah 46:10; Nahum 2:3
Reins Seat of will, affections Psalm 7:9; 16:7; 26:2 (875); 73:21;
Proverbs 23:16; Jeremiah 17:10
Seal Sign, mark and seal mean Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3;
same thing Ezekiel 9:4
Second Death Lake of fire Revelation 21:8; 20:14
Serpent Satan Revelation 12:7-9; Revelation 20:2
Seven Candlesticks Seven Candlesticks in Holy Exodus 25:31-40; Revelation 1:20
Place of Sanctuary; Seven
Churches
Seven Heads Seven political powers Revelation 17:9, 10; Isaiah 2:2-4;
Jeremiah 17:3
Seven lamps Jesus, Word of God John 9:5; John 1:9; Psalm 119:105 ;
Revelation 4:5
Sickle Symbol of harvest. End of Matthew 13:39; Revelation 14:14
world
Sodom Moral degradation Ezekiel 16:46-55; Jeremiah 23:14;
Genesis 19:4-14
Stars Angels Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job
38:7
Sun Jesus and the gospel John 9:5; Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2;
Matthew 17:2; John 8:12
Sword Bloodshed, destruction Isaiah 3:25; 13:15; Acts 12:1, 2;
Jeremiah 48:2
Testimony of Jesus Spirit or gift of prophecy Revelation 19:10; 22:9; 1 Corinthians
13:2
Thief Suddenness of Jesus' coming 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10
Time Literal year Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; 11:13;
Revelation 12:6,14; 11:2, 3
Torment Test, prove by trial 1 Corinthians 3:13; Hebrews 12:29;
Isaiah 33:14
Twenty-four Elders A group redeemed from earth Revelation 5:9,10; 4:4; 7:9-14
Two-edged Sword God's Word. Sword of Spirit Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12;
Matthew 10:34; Isaiah 49:2
Two Witnesses Old and New Testaments John 539; Zechariah 41-14; Psalm
119:130, 105; John 12:48
Waters People, nations Revelation 17:15
White (color) Purity Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18
White robes Victory and Righteousness Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:8; 3:5;
Zechariah 3:1-5; Revelation 7:14;
Galatians 3:27
Winds Strife, commotion, "winds of Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-
war' 13; Zechariah 7:14
Wine False doctrine, false teachings. Jeremiah 25:15-18; 51:7; Matthew
Jesus Blood of atonement 26:21-29
Wings Speed Habakkuk 1:6-8; Jeremiah 4:13;
Exodus 19:4
Woman, Pure True Church Jeremiah 6:2; Isaiah 51:16; 2
Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22-35
Woman, Impure Apostate church Ezekiel 23:2-21; Revelation 14:4;
Hosea 2:5; Hosea 3:1; Ezekiel
16:15-58
Wormwood Sorrow, bitterness Jeremiah 9:15; 23:15; Lamentations
3:19
Wrath of God Seven last plagues Revelation 15:1
