There are many connections between Old and New Testament prophecy symbols and they are no accident. The authors of the New Testament prophecies were quite aware of their literary and religious heritage contained in the writings we call the Old Testament, and using these writings. By using symbolism, they made references that were quite obvious to the listeners and readers of that time in that part of the world.

Removed as we are by a great sea of time and a very different culture, it is sometimes difficult for us to recognize the symbolism that was used by these people. We too easily assume modern, literal meanings or interpretations for the symbolic words we find in Biblical prophecy, or else we inflate the symbols into fantastic schemes that can confuse and frighten, it is important to recognize the original applications of these symbols, and the most valuable and important way to approach this study is to compare the way different Biblical authors used the same symbols. In seeing how one person used a particular image or symbol, we can imply how another one used that same symbol.

This is the only rational way to approach interpretation of the New Testament symbols. The Old Testament prophecies are most valuable to us in this regard, for we can look at the symbols used in them, see the events that constituted fulfillment of the particular prophecy in which the symbols were used, and so determine the meaning or interpretation of the symbols. When we then find the same symbols in a New Testament prophecy, used in the same manner, and aimed at the same type of situation, we have a logical system to help us determine the meaning of the symbols in question.

When we do apply the New Testament symbols to the events of the destruction of Judaism and of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and what followed (The Book of Revelation), we find them matching in style, purpose, scope, and imagery with the same symbols in Old Testament prophecies. The usage fits perfectly and comfortably. When these symbols are taken out of their context and culture and projected into our future, there is only confusion, great awkwardness, and the introduction of grave conflicts and error into scripture.

Being a narrative of symbols, when we read about a city called Jerusalem, even though we may not know what it is, we know it is not Jerusalem, for a symbol merely points the way to something else. When we read about a city called Babylon we may not know what it is pointing to, but we know it is a sign, and not the city of Babylon itself. When we see a beast in all its grotesqueness, we may not know what that beast is pointing to but we know it is not a literal beast.

The incorrect interpretation of what these symbols has led so many expounders of te Book of Revelation down dead ends. For example, the name 'The Beast' conjures in the mind of some a picture of a person with animal instincts; another sees it as inhuman; another sees it as simply having ungodly characteristics. All are incorrect; in prophesy, a beast represents a government or governing body. It can be very dangerous to predetermine the appearance or nature of a symbol without knowing what that symbol represents. Chances are you/they will be wrong as very few interpreters stick to the hard and fast rule of uniform symbolism. Today we have people who teach that The Beast is not a literal animal, but symbolic, yet they teach that the mark of this symbolic beast is literal. A symbolic beast cannot have a literal mark.

Types and symbols

It is essential to have knowledge of Biblical symbols and types in the interpretation of the Book of Revelation as they interpret the signs and symbols used in the book. Few Christians, however, have made any sort of in-depth investigation of biblical types and symbols, which may account for the general lack of understanding of the Book of Revelation in the Christian church.

Put simply, a type is an event, either in actual history or using symbolism, that is used as a pattern of how God does certain things, or as a prophetic picture of the good things which He purposed to bring to fruition in Christ Jesus. These types are patterns that often appear over and over again through time.

Several prominent places emphasised in the Old Testament appear to have a 'typical' significance. Egypt represents a state of bondage such as holds the sinner prior to his conversion (Gal. 4:2; Rom. 6:17; 1 Cor. 10:lff) and also is a type of atheism; Jerusalem or Zion typifies the church and finally heaven (cf. Gal. 4:25,26; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 21:2); and Babylon, which held God's people captive in the Old Testament, pictures the condition of an apostate church that has departed from the simplicity of the New Testament pattern (Rev. 11:8; 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2ff). The reference to such places in the Book of Revelation is therefore not a literal one, but to the pattern or example which the locality typifies.

See Also: Numeric Symbols

To substitute the numbers and symbols in the Book of Revelation is what the writer of the book is referring to when he says "let them that have ear to hear, hear what the words being spoken". In other words, applying the numbers and symbols are the 'ears' needed to hear the hidden message in what the writer is really saying. So when reading The Book of Revelation, whenever you come across a symbollic word, simply apply the meaning of that symbol as detailed below to read the verse how the writer intended you to hear it. In a similar way, when you come across a number in The Book of Revelation, substitute it for what that number symbolises to read the verse how the writer intended you to hear it.

Symbols of Christ

One 'like a son of man', Rev 1:13.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, Rev 5:5.

The Root of David, Rev 5:5.

A Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, Rev 5:6

The rider on the white horse, Rev 19:11.

Symbols of God's People

The seven lampstands, Rev 1:20.

The 144,000 sealed from all the tribes of Israel, Rev 7:4-8.

The two witnesses, Rev 11:3

The woman clothed with the Sun, Rev 12:1.

The New Jerusalem, Rev 21:2.

The army of the Lord, Rev 19:19.

Symbols of the enemies of God's People

The red dragon, a representation of persecuting monarchs. Rev 12:3.

The beast out of the sea, Rev 13:1. It refers to Rome (empire and church), being the only power to have influenced the whole of the Church era to any significant degree on a political and spiritual level.

The beast out of the earth, Rev 13:11. The first Beast came from 'out of the sea' whereas the second came from out of the earth. This could mean he was 'home grown', that is he grew out of the domain of the first beast.

The great prostitute, Rev 17:1. a reference to seduction by a counterfeit od the real thing. Also known as Babylon (see below).

Babylon, Rev 17. A type of the city to which God's people were taken where they became slaves after being overpowered by their enemies. Symbolises a place where one is held in captivity after being seduced.

Animals and their parts

Beast = Kingdom/government/political power. Daniel 7:17, 23

Four living creatures = chosen by God to rule his creation (earth).

Horse = Strength and Power in Battle. Can also be any vehicle by which a task is accomplished. Job 39:19, Psalms 147:10, Proverbs 21:31

Dragon = tormentor or persecutor. Isaiah 27:1;30:6, Psalm 74:13-14; Rev. 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34

Birds = anything that steals fruit or planted seeds.

Lamb = Sacrifice. John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7

Lion = King. i.e. Babylon Rev. 5:4-9, Jer. 50:43-44, Dan. 7:4,17,23

Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia. Proverbs 28:15, 2 Kings 2:23-24, Daniel 7:5

Leopard = Greece. Daniel 7:6

Serpent = Satan, seduces humans into sin or falsehood by trickery. Revelation 12:9; 20:2

Tongue = Language / Speech. Exodus 4:10

Wolf = Disguised Enemies that hunt in a time of darkness. Matthew 7:15

Dove = Holy Spirit. Mark 1:10

Ram = Medo Persia. Daniel 8:20

Goat = Greece - not sheep of the flock (Israel, God's people). Daniel 8:21

Eagle = Powerful, mighty, swift judgment and consequence.

Locusts = Invading and attacking.

Head = leadership within an overall structure.

Horn = leadership that has grown out of or evolved from another structure. Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12

Wings = Speed, Protection, Deliverance. Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37

Carcase = A nation that is spiritually dead and/or militarily defeated.

Colours

White = Purity. Revelation 12:9; 20:2

Blue = Law Numbers. 15:38-39

Purple = Royalty. Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26

Red/Scarlet = Sin; corruption; sexual immorality; violence. Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4

Pale = weak

Dark, black = bringing destruction

Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects

Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare, sin dealt with. Isaiah 13:12

Silver = Pure Words & Understanding, redemption. Proverbs 2:4, 3:13-14, 10:20, 25:11, Psalms 12:6

Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver = dross, worthless, impure in character, sin. Ezekiel 22:20-21

Water = Direction by the word of teaching the Word of God which brings Everlasting Life. John 7:39, 4:14, Rev. 22:17, Eph. 5:26

Waters / Sea = a wide area of inhabited land some distance away, rather than home or places within close proximity. The word is used in prophecy in the same way we use the word 'abroard'. The term 'out of the sea' infers a land mass, thus such references are either to countries, continents, empires or kingdoms. Revelation 17:15

Heavens = Religious authorities.

Earth = the place or nation involved in the prophesy.

Fire = The Holy Spirit, The power of the Word of God in judgement. Luke 3:16

Tree = long established people, the nations, creations and the abilities of man. Deut. 21:22-23, Psalm 92:12, 37:35,

Seed = Descendents / Jesus. Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16

Fruit = resulting deeds, actions, attitudes Accomplishments. Galatians 5:22

Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit. Luke 13:6-9

Vineyard = a common area (the planting of The Lord) that should bear fruit. Luke 20:9-16

Field = World, a large area. Matthew 13:38, John 4:35

Harvest = the results of a planting, the time of fruition. Matthew 13:39

Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life that hiner growth and maturity. 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 strongholds. Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45

Rock = Jesus/truth. 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24

Sun = God's truth, Heavenly wisdom, direction and counsel. Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5

Sun/Moon darkened = inability to see the light of the truth.

Moon = the law and statutes, the keeping of which were governed by the cycles of the moon.

Stars = God's people (Abraham's descentants)

Winds = Changing fortunes, strife, commotion - "winds of war". Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14

Earthquake = major political change

Wormwood - a bitter herb. Sorrow, bitter effects of bad judgments. Jeremiah 9:15; 23:15; Lamentation 3:19

Smoke - Desolation or destruction.

Cloud - Power of a spiritual state (when used in reference to God).

Localities

Heavens = Religious or political authorities (a covering, over all).

Heavens rolled like a scroll = Earthly authorities losing dominion or power.

Earth = the place or nation involved in the prophesy.

World = people of the nation involved in the prophesy.

Land = home, the nearby locality.

Nations = groups of people with something in common, usually their ethnic background, language or the region in which they are situated. The word symbolises people (culture) rather than physical countries. It does not refer to empires, governments or political powers; this is sybolised by a beast.

Babylon = apostasy, confusion, rebellion, idolatry, an evil nation. Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 18:2, 3; 17:1-5

Seven Hills = Rome (built on seven hills)

Jerusalem = the place where God meets with His people

Mt Zion = the place of the redeemed, Jerusalem

Egypt = ungodly, atheistic

Pit, Abyss = The destruction of principalities or political powers by violence.

North = towards God. Also Rome, Babylon (apostate).

South = atheism. Also Egypt.

East = wisdom, knowledge, beginnings (the sun rises in the east).

Miscellaneous Objects

Lamp = Word of God. Psalm 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, essentials for living. John 6:35, 51, 52, 63

Wine = covenant/doctrines/ life blood. 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 = symbol of authority. Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11

Angel = Messenger. Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14

Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval

Mark or seal on the forehead = indication of righteousness or of unrighteousness. Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3

Sign = evidence

Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval; ownership or belonging. Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3

White Robes = Victory/righteousness. Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14

Jar / Vessel = Person. Jermiah 18:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7

Trumpet = Consolidation of God's people. Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5

Book = religious document.

Bow = Success in battle against evil. Psalm 7:11,12; 45:4,5

Leaven = corruption, because the fermentation of leaven implied a process of corruption.

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

Travail = pain of childbirth

Wounded = loss of power. Rev 13:3

Tribulation = translates from the Greek as literally "tightly squeezed together". Tribulation then gives a picture more of difficulty and the requirement of skill in navigation (Acts 14:22; Matt 7: 13-14) than punishment, judgement or cruelty, as the word is generally interpreted to mean. It is often used in a similar context to the word 'travail' which refers to the pains of childbirth (Matt.24: 8-9; Gal 4: 19). Thus, when referring to the Church or to God's children, "travail" represents birth pains and "tribulation" the growing pains as one passes through the purifying process. It has nothing directly to do with persecution.

Shaking, trembling = The power of God manifested.

Eating a scroll = The disclosure by God and reception by humans of specific prophetic knowledge.

People and Body Parts

King = any Governmental authority, from an empire through to an inividual in authority, eg. king, prime minister dictator.

Prince = second in command or person under a Governmental authority who is not a decision maker. They themselves have to jurisdiction but operate under the rule and command of another.

Woman = mother, head of a family or group of like-minded people, as it is through women that future generations are born. Often used in prophecy to indicate church leadership.

Pure = Faith, True Church (The Bride). Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27

Corrupt = tainter, impure (The Harlot, prostitute). Ezk. 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4

Woman in white clothed with the sun = the true church. Rev 12:1

Woman in red and purple = church leadership that has assumed an corrupt, authoritive position. Rev 17:4

Harlot, whore, prostitute = unfaithfulness or apostasy to God. Rev 17:4

Woman Riding a beast = The church controls the state (the Holy Roman Empire) Rev 17:3

Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10

Reapers = Angels. Matthew 13:39

Harlot = (prostitute) apostate church/human religion. Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9

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, Psalm 119:105

Ears = ability to accept truth.

Eyes = Spiritual Discernment, insight. Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11

Skin = Christ's righteousness. Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6

Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments. Revelation 17:3, 9, 10

Voice like a sound of many waters = Powerful words of God.

Time

Day = the word 'day' is a reference to a duration of time of unspecified length which has a beginning and an end, eg. The Day of Grace. The terms 'day and night' and 'morning and evening' are often used to describe the beginnings and endings of such days, and are not necessarily a reference to a 24 hour period of time that we describe by the use of the word 'day'.

Day of the Lord = Destruction of a nation by the power of God working through human armies.

A prophetic "day" represents an actual "year" -  Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6. Not to be confused with other Biblical terms for "day" such as 24 hours, "day of creation", "day of grace" , "day of salvation", 1000 years as a day with the Lord.

Example from Daniel's prophecies

Time of Messiah's first coming to earth

70 weeks from order to rebuild Jerusalem

70 weeks = 490 days (7 days x 70 weeks)

Messiah would arrive 490 years after decree was given

Fulfillment of Prophecy: King Arterxexes gave decree in B.C. 457. Jesus died on cross 490 years later in AD 33

30 days = month

360 days = year

"time" = a time measurement of one year - Daniel 4:23.

time calculation:

TIME = 1year (12  months x 30 days = 360 days)

TIMES equals 2 years (24 months x 30 days = 720 days)

1/2 TIME equals 1/2 year (6 months x 30 days = 180 days)

3-1/2 times equals 3-1/2 years 


42 months = 1260 days, which means 1260 years LITERAL TIME


For more information on typology, read A Study of Biblical Typology Comparing Symbols from Old and New Testament Prophesies