Revelation drew on commonly known pagan myths, Old Testament and Jewish typologies, as well as New Testament Christian traditions and beliefs. These symbols were not strange to John’s original audience for whom the book was written. They include a multi-headed dragon two strange beasts a city shaped like a cube 1,500 miles high, wide and long marks on heads and right hands a figure’s mouth with a sword emerging from it, and so on. To the modern western world, Revelation’s symbols seem weird and alien. This literary tension reflects the political tension between the adherents of the kingdom of God and those of the kingdom of Caesar (11:15 12:10 16:10 17:18) ( Jesus and the Language of the Kingdom, p. There is also a sharp contrast between the luxurious and voluptuous harlot, who represents Babylon, the earthly city of abominations (ch.17) and the pure bride of the Lamb, who symbolizes Jerusalem, the heavenly city of salvation (19:7-8 21: 2, 9-11). Allied with Satan is the beast from the sea (13:1-2).All the people on the earth are divided into two groups those who have the seal of God on their foreheads and whose names are in the book of life (3:5, 12 7:3 20:4 21:27 22:4) and those who bear the mark of the beast and worship it (9:4 13:8, 17 14:9-11 16:2 20:15). Allied with God is the Lamb who was slain (5:6)…. On the other is Satan, the Dragon, who has power, a throne, and great authority (13:2). He wrote:Īt the pinnacle of power on one side is God, the Pantocrator, ruler of all (1:8). Norman Perrin clearly outlined this dualistic and symbolic structure of Revelation in which the spiritual realm, the church, and the world system are given their parts to play. That is a metaphor for salvation and eternal life. For example, the church in Ephesus is promised salvation by being told it will have “the right to eat from the tree of life” (2:7). This use of symbolism occurs in the seven letters to Christian congregations in the province of Asia. Ultimately, the latter stands for the ideal and eternal congregation of those who are faithful to Christ.Įven the promise to share in salvation is represented by this – worldly symbols. Revelation contrasts this wicked city with the purity and perfection of the New Jerusalem. The image of an enormous metropolis - Babylon the Great - stands for the corrupt system that seduces the world. These are called the spiritually pure Bride of Christ. Another group of people follows the Lamb, who is Jesus. A harlot pictures the deceived group, deluded by what’s called her “spiritual fornication.” This refers to her illicit spiritual liaisons with political rulers. Two symbols embody these conflicting lifestyles. Revelation portrays and compares two opposing ways of life.
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, rules a world of peace, popularly known as the millennium.
Satan, the dragon, is the remorseless adversary of God, and dominates this present world. The book describes two ages of human existence, each contrary to the other. In the middle chapters of Revelation, Satan’s forces - the beast and false prophet - are pitted against God’s earthly representative, the church. This use of comparison and contrast is seen throughout the book. Revelation’s symbols are often juxtaposed one against another. That picture is symbolic of an event and divine power - the return of the Messiah, who destroys the forces of evil. He wields a sword with which he smites the nations. For example, we see the victorious Christ, riding on a horse (19:11-16). To understand Revelation it is helpful to think of this writing as first and foremost a book of symbols. Bible prophecy: Revelation: Book of Cosmic Symbols
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