Symbolology in Prophetic Scripture
Why cloak Bible prophecies in Symbols?
Luke 8:10
And He 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."
Daniel 12:10
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly:
and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
The wicked care not fot the truth but how to feed their fleshly desires.
Matthew 7:7, 8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.Ask, and it shall be given.
This is the counsel of the True Witness to each of His faithful trusting saints in these last days. He knew that we would need His help
in understanding these things, so He says, ask, seek, and knock. He also warned of those deceivers in the same chapter.
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
The false prophets are such because they do not ask seek and knock, but interpret according to their own fleshly wisdom.
One last Scriptural Exhortation:
1 Corinthians 2:12-14
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God;
that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him:
neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
With this in mind let's examine the following symblos and the interpretive Scripture references:
Beasts
• 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, Psalm 74:13-14; Rev. 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34
• Beast = Kingdom/government/political power Daniel 7:17, 23
• Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7
• Lion = Jesus/Powerful 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 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 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 12:9; 20:2
• Black = Apostasy (Falling Away from Truth) Jude 1:12, 13
• Blue = Law/Righteousness Numbers 15:38-39; Psalms 19 (Blue sky)
• Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
• Green = Faith in God's Providence Psalms 23:2; 52:8; Jeremiah 17:7, 8
• 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, Rev. 22:17, Eph. 5:26
• Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
• Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
• Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deut. 21:22-23, Psalm 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 1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24
• Sun = Jesus/the gospel Psalm 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 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 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 Gen. 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Rev. 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 Jermiah 18:1-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7
• Trumpet = loud warning of God's approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5
Time in Prophecy • 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
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
The Human Body
• Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27
• Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezk. 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4
• Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 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, Psalm 119:105
• Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1 John 2:11
• Skin = Christ's righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 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
Numbers
Many of the numbers in the Bible have deeper prophetic or spiritual significance. In both the Old and New Testaments,
numbers reveal hidden concepts and meanings that commonly escape the casual reader.
Obviously, Bible numbers should be carefully considered.
At least 12 numbers in the Bible stand out in this regard: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 40, 50, and 70.
In order to express this truth, some biblical examples have been given below.
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.
3 – represents the Godhead-The Father, ,His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost/Spirit. The angels cry “Holy” three times before the throne of God (Isaiah 6:3). See also Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7, 8.
4 – represents universal truth, as in the four directions (north, south, east, west) and the four winds (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:1; Revelation 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. The 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/or completeness, and is the sign of God, divine worship, fulfilling God's requirements/obedience, and rest.
This “prince” of Bible numbers is used 562 times, including its derivatives (e.g., seventh, sevens).
(See Genesis 2:1–4, Psalm 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 each of the following: Churches, spirits, golden candlesticks, stars, lamps, seals, horns, eyes,
angels, trumpets, thunders, heads, crowns, last plagues, golden vials, mountains, and kings.
There are also seven thousand slain in a great earthquake,
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 has12 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 Revelation 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.
Names and Titles of Messiah Yeheshua in Scripture
Advocate (1 John 2:1) Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18) Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13) Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1) Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2) Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2) Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)
Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13) Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15) Bread of God (John 6:33) Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7) Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20) Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4) Christ (1 John 2:22) Creator (John 1:3)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11) Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5) Faith and True Witness (Rev. 3:14) First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5) Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)
Gate (John 10:9) God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.) Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20) Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23) Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2) High Priest (Heb. 2:17) Holy and True (Rev. 3:7) Holy One (Acts 3:14)
Hope (1 Tim. 1:1) Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27) Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
I Am (John 8:58) Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4) Immanuel (Mt. 1:23)
Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17) King of Israel (John 1:49) King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11) King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Lamb (Rev. 13:8) Lamb of God (John 1:29) Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19) Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45) Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Light of the World (John 8:12) Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5) Living One (Rev. 1:18) Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4) Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36) Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8) Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16) Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15) Mighty God (Isa. 9:6) Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16) Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9) Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30) Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2) Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3) Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30) Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24) Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6) Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Rabbi (Mt. 26:25) Resurrection and Life (John 11:25) Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5) Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4) Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16) Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14) Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20) Son of David (Lk. 18:39) Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14) Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32) Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9)
The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11) True Bread (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9) True Vine (John 15:1) Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Way (John 14:6) Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24) Word (John 1:1) Word of God (Rev. 19:13)
CHART NUMBER 2
How did James Ussher get the year 4004 BC for creation?
Answer: He took the chronologies in Genesis 5 and 11, together with some other Bible passages which we will look at.
To simplify the calculations, we will tie the chronology to the fall of Jerusalem in 588 BC. The detailed calculations cover over 100 pages in the original document!
From Genesis 5 we get the following:
First Genealogy-Genesis 5 |
|---|
| Verse | Event | Age of the Earth |
|---|
| 1:1-31 | Creation | 0 |
| 5:3 | Seth born when Adam, 130 | 130 |
| 5:6 | Enos born when Seth, 105 | 235 |
| 5:9 | Cainan born when Enos, 90 | 325 |
| 5:12 | Mahalaleel born when Cainan, 70 | 395 |
| 5:15 | Jared born when Mahalaleel, 65 | 460 |
| 5:18 | Enoch born when Jared, 162 | 622 |
| 5:21 | Methuselah born when Enoch, 65 | 687 |
| 5:25 | Lamech born when Methuselah, 187 | 874 |
| 5:28 | Noah born when Lamech, 182 | 1056 |
| 11:10 | Shem born when Noah, 502 | 1558 |
| 7:6 | Flood when Noah, 600 | 1656 |
From Genesis 11 we get:
| 11:10 | Arphaxad born when Shem, 100 | 1658 |
| 11:12 | Salah born when Arphad, 35 | 1693 |
| 11:14 | Eber born when Salah, 30 | 1723 |
| 11:16 | Peleg born when Eber, 34 | 1757 |
| 11:18 | Reu born when Peleg, 30 | 1787 |
| 11:20 | Serug born when Reu, 32 | 1819 |
| 11:22 | Nahor born when Serug, 30 | 1849 |
| 11:24 | Terah born when Nahor, 29 | 1878 |
| 11:32, 12:4 | Abraham born when Terah, 130 | 2008 |
| 12:4 | Abraham enters Canaan, 75 | 2083 |