Note: As we go through the Book of Revelation, we will
build this glossary (a collection of terms with their meanings) as the images
and related explanations are revealed. New images that are added are
identified by the
yellow highlight.
|
Glossary of Images |
Images
(alphabetic order) |
Explanation of the Image |
Reference to Explanation |
|
Book of Life |
The book containing the names of
those who will receive eternal life. |
Psalm 69:28 -- "May they be blotted out of the book of
life, and may they not be recorded with the righteous." (NAS)
Revelation 3:5`He who overcomes will thus be clothed in
white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I
will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (NAS) |
|
Elders (24), clothed in white garments and gold crowns on
their heads |
The 24 elders are mentioned in Revelation 4:4, but their
exact identities are not yet explained. |
|
|
Garments, or robes of white |
As of result of our sins being
washed away, we are spiritually white as snow, clothed with Christ, clothed
in white (purity). For those who remain faithful until death, they will
receive eternal life (the final white robe). |
Isaiah 1:18 "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will
be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like
wool." (NAS)
Ephesians 5:25-26 -- "...just as Christ also loved the
church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having
cleansed her by the washing of water with the word..." (NAS)
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus. For all of you who were
baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Galatians 3:26-27 (NAS) |
|
Lamps of
Fire (Seven) burning before the throne |
Each lamp of fire was one of the
seven Spirits of God |
Revelation 4:5 -- "And seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which
are the seven Spirits of God..." (NAS) |
|
Lampstands or Candlesticks |
Each lampstand represents one of
the seven churches of Asia |
Revelation 1:20 -- "...and the seven lampstands are the
seven churches."
(NAS) |
|
Living Creatures (Four) around the throne |
Mentioned in Revelation 4:6 but not yet explained. |
|
|
Manna, hidden |
Perhaps a reference to the
spiritual bread that gives life. |
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 "...man does not live by bread alone,
but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD." (NAS)
John 6:31-35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes
to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (NAS) |
|
One Sitting on the Throne, was like a jasper stone and sardius in appearance |
Mentioned in Revelation 4:2-3 but not yet explained
(probably God the Father) |
|
|
Rainbow around the Throne, like an emerald in appearance |
Mentioned in Revelation 4:3, but not yet explained. |
|
|
Robes of white - see Garments above. |
|
|
|
Sea of Glass Like Crystal |
Mentioned in Revelation 4:6, but not yet explained. |
|
|
Star, morning star |
A reference to the light that
brings light (truth) to a world of darkness. |
2 Peter 1:19 And we have the prophetic word made more
sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark
place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. (NAS)
Revelation 22:16 Jesus Himself is described as "the bright and morning
star." |
|
Stars |
Each star represents one of the
angels (or messengers) of the seven churches. |
Revelation 1:20 -- "As for the mystery of the seven
stars...the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches..." (NAS) |
|
Stone, white |
The little white stone is not
explained in the text. Each person that received the stone had a new
name written on the stone (only the person receiving the stone knew this new
name). |
Referred to, but not explained at Revelation 2:16-17. |
|
Sword, two-edged |
There was a two-edged sword in the
mouth of the One who was like the son of man. |
Ephesians 6:17 -- "...the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God..." (NAS)
Hebrews 4:12 -- "For the word of God is living and
active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the
division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge
the thoughts and intentions of the heart." |
|
Thrones (one for the One sitting
on the Throne, and 24 for each of the 24 elders) |
The place where the One and the elders sit |
Revelation 4:2,4 |
|
Tree of Life |
Tree in heaven, near the river of life.
Fruit of tree gives eternal life. Leaves are for the healing of the
nations. In the midst of the Paradise of God. |
Genesis 3:22 "...lest he stretch out his hand,
and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"-- (NAS)
Revelation 22:2 "...And on either side of the river was
the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every
month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
(NAS) |
