John‘s vision is described using rich, vivid images. Those images are either symbolic or literal. It’s difficult to read the Revelation as both because the entire account would become a “grab-bag” of literal descriptions set against a backdrop of cryptic and mystical images, with no possibility of consistent interpretation among readers!
For example, are the dragon of chapter twelve and the swarms of horse-like locusts with gold crowns and human faces of chapter nine symbolic of Satan’s evil attacks on Christ’s people, or are they literally horrible creatures come to life in the last days to terrorize the earth? Most readers would agree they are symbolic representations.
Which of the many numerals referenced in the Revelation are symbolic, and which are literal? For instance, are the “one hundred and forty-four thousand souls” redeemed by Christ (Rev 14) a symbolic number representing all the redeemed individuals on earth, or are they literally the
only people to be saved? If this is a literal number, will they actually have Christ’s name tattooed on their foreheads (Rev 7:3)? The process of mixing symbolic and literal images quickly becomes confusing and ultimately divisive. Few, if any, readers could come to a consensus or unity of faith.
This study suggests that all of John’s images are symbolic and not literal, except for Christ’s direct comments and instructions to John. Complicated or ambiguous passages can be understood by studying other similar Biblical passages that define the symbol and by considering the meaning of the image as used in everyday life.
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, prophetic language is lyrical, marked by metaphor, symbols, and poetry. The Bible is a rich, wondrous, exciting book. It’s a record of people and events that shape the very fabric of our lives today. Its verses, from Genesis to Revelation, are interwoven and intimately related to reveal God’s plan of redemption.
The Bible is meant to be read as a whole, much like a rich tapestry illustrating an event in history. It is meant to be viewed from a distance where the eyes can view the entire panorama. If a person stands with their nose against the material, only a tiny portion of the threads can be seen. Observation from only the nose perspective will reveal little of the overall picture. Standing back and viewing the tapestry as a whole reveals a story that can be seen and understood by all.
History is packed with religious movements growing out of single Bible passages taken out of context and ignoring dozens of others that would put the verse into proper perspective. The serious Bible student will see the Word as a whole, the events it records, and the context of those events:
- When it was written;
- To whom it was written;
- Why it was written;
- The cultural and historical dynamics involved.
- Which images used are literal, and which ones are symbolic?
As these elements are considered, the pages of the Great Book will open, and its verses will begin to make sense and become understandable. Isaiah’s prophetic words are a good example:
(*All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the NIV)
Isa 34:1 Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! 2 The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them; he will give them over to slaughter. 3 Their slain will be thrown out; their dead bodies will send up a stench; the mountains will be soaked with their blood. 4 All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree.…9 Edom’s streams will be turned into pitch, her dust into burning sulfur; her land will become blazing pitch! 10 It will not be quenched night and day; its smoke will rise forever. From generation to generation, it will lie desolate; no one will ever pass through it again.
As this passage is read, it becomes obvious that the language is highly poetic and symbolic. Few would argue that mountains soaked with blood, dissolving stars, and rolled-up skies did not accompany the historic destruction of ancient nations such as Edom by the Assyrians and Babylonians. Edom as a nation disappeared long ago, yet few of the physical phenomena described by Isaiah accompanied its demise.
Intense images, symbolic of nation-building and collapse, portend the rise and fall of peoples and kingdoms. The prophets’ language is consistent throughout the scriptures. The message is dead-on serious and will always be fulfilled, but often, the language is poetic, full of metaphors and dramatic images.
This principle is essential to understanding John’s vision. The images that the Apostle uses in his vision are consistent with those Jesus uses in foretelling the catastrophes the Jewish nation faced (Mark 13). In turn, all are consistent with centuries of Old Testament writings.
Once again, it is here that God gives us the key to understanding the symbolic passages of the New Testament and in particular, the Revelation of John. The very scriptures that gave the ancient church their understanding of an Almighty, Omnipotent, and Unconquerable God is the key – the Old Testament. Understanding this, it becomes logical that New Testament writers didn’t suddenly invent brand-new literary images to use in their writings but relied on those images introduced by God’s prophets through the ages.
Another excellent example is the lesson taught by Jesus on Mount Olivet:
Matt 24:29-34“ Immediately after the distress of those days “` the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ …34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Did Jesus suddenly abandon centuries of accepted prophetic language to proclaim the literal death of the sun, moon, and stars? Or was he using the language familiar to his culture to describe the collapse of governments and kings – the failure of influential leaders and systems that defy God?
The words of the prophet Micah help clarify Jesus’ words:
Mic 3:6 Therefore night will come over you, without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them.
Micah and Jesus both describe the consequences of rebellion against God. Nations will be shaken. The “sunlight” and “moonlight” of illuminating truth will be darkened, and understanding will dim in the face of lies and false realities.
It’s an historical fact that many of Jesus’ followers lived to see Jerusalem utterly destroyed, razed to the ground amidst great slaughter and unimaginable cruelty (see Josephus, War of the Jews, books 5 &6).
The illuminating light of the prophets and the shining sun of the line of Jewish kings were extinguished; the accompanying moon of the priestly line of Aaron lost its light. The stars people had relied on for guidance – the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the courts of Sanhedrin, fell from their places of prominence and power.
The events seen by John, just as those seen by Isaiah, Ezekiel, and others, are symbolic. They represent actual events and real people and are set in a historical context. And here’s the exciting part. They also represent eternal truths and essential spiritual principles that are relevant to all believers of all ages. If John’s “beast” arises from the abyss (Rev 11:7) and rages against the first-century saints, the beast (Satan’s evil intentions) will arise from the pit of unbelief and deceit and seek to destroy believers in any age of history! And the outcome will always be the same! Christ will go before his Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matt 16:18)!
In this respect, Christ’s revelation to his servant John is also a personal revelation to you and me. Let’s embrace it rather than avoid it. The revelation is exactly what it claims to be—the revelation of God’s purposes and plans for His Kingdom and His people. It is understandable in a historical context and personally applicable to the spiritual walk of all Christians in all ages of time.
Footnote
*All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
