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 |
| Abyss, pit or bottomless pit |
The exact meaning is not yet defined in the text. The smoke
from the pit came out and darkened the sun (Revelation 9:2). The king
or angel over the abyss was called Abaddon or Apollyon (meaning "the
destroyer") |
|
| Armies of the horsemen (numbered 200 million). See
horses (with heads like lions). |
The exact meaning of this is not given in the text.
These are mentioned in Revelation 9:16 |
|
| Book (or scroll) written inside and on the back, sealed
with seven seals |
The book or scroll is mentioned in Revelation 5:1, but
the content of the scroll is not yet identified. |
|
| Book
(or scroll), little |
The
little book or scroll is mentioned in Revelation 10:1-11. It is
possibly an image representing the Gospel or good news, but the exact
explanation of the image is not for certain in the text. |
|
|
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) |
|
Bottomless pit (see abyss) |
|
|
|
Bowls, golden. Full of
incense. |
The golden bowls contained incense
which represented "the prayers of the saints." |
Revelation 5:8 "twenty-four elders fell down before the
Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are
the prayers of the saints." (NAS) |
|
Censer, golden. |
The fire from the
altar of incense was put in the censer (a censer is a vessel or
container for burning incense) and thrown by an angel down to earth.
The exact meaning of the censer image is not defined in the text. |
Revelation 8:3. |
|
Child (male) |
This child is described in Revelation chapter 12 as the one to rule the nations with a rod of iron. The child was caught
up to God and to His throne. Although the exact identity of the male child is
not given in the text, it is most likely Jesus Christ. |
|
|
Dragon or serpent (red) |
The dragon or serpent is described
in Revelation chapter 12. He is identified as Satan or the devil.
|
Revelation 12:9 -- "And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of
old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was
thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
(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. |
|
| Eyes
(7) and horns (7) of the Lamb |
The lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which
are "the seven Spirits of God sent out into
all the earth." |
Revelation 5:6 "And I saw between the throne (with the
four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having
seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out
into all the earth." (NAS) |
|
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).
In Revelation 7:14, their robes were
washed in the blood of the Lamb
and made white. |
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) |
|
Harps, and sound of harps |
The sound of those singing before
the throne of God and the Lamb. First referred to in Revelation 5:8 but no
explanation given until Revelation 14:2-3. |
Revelation 14:2-3 "...and the voice which I heard like
of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the
throne..." NAS) |
|
Horns and eyes of the Lamb (see eyes
of the Lamb above) |
|
|
| Horses (4), one white, one red, one black and one
pale-colored, each bearing separate riders |
The colors of the horses are mentioned in Revelation
6:2-8, but the exact meaning of the colors is not specifically identified
(see Riders on Horses) |
|
| Horses (with heads like lions and smoke and brimstone
coming out of their mouths) and riders |
Revelation 9:16-19 describes these horses and their armies. The exact
meaning of these images is not given. |
|
|
Incense in the golden bowls (see
bowls full of incense) |
|
|
| Lamb |
The Lamb of God that was slain and purchased men with His
blood. |
The Lamb as described meets all the definitions of Jesus.
In addition, John 1:29, John 1:36, Acts 8:32, and 1 Peter 1:19 describe
Jesus as The Lamb or compare Jesus to a lamb. |
|
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) |
|
Lampstands (two) |
These are the two witnesses of Revelation 11 that stand
before the Lord (see witnesses). |
Revelation 11:3-4 -- "And I will grant authority to my
two witnesses...These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that
stand before the Lord of the earth." (NAS) |
|
Lion that is from the tribe of
Judah, the root of David |
Jesus is a descendant of David
(one of the kings of the Israelites) and also Judah, one of the 12 sons of
Jacob (Israel). The family groups that resulted from these 12 sons of
Israel are referred to as the 12 tribes of Israel (the Israelites). |
Hebrews 7:14 "For it is evident that our Lord was
descended from Judah..." (NAS)
"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant
of David, according to my gospel..." 2Timothy 2:8 (NAS) |
|
Living Creatures (Four) around the throne |
Mentioned in Revelation 4:6 but not yet explained. |
|
| Locusts |
The
exact meaning of this symbol is not given in the text. These locusts
were part of the first plague after the first trumpet sounded in Revelation
9:3-11. |
|
|
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) |
|
Offspring of the Woman (see also Woman
clothed with the sun) |
The identity of the woman and her
male child are not specifically stated (see "Woman clothed with the sun"
below). However the "rest of her offspring"
are identified as those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the
testimony of Jesus. |
Revelation 12:17 "...the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of
God and hold to the testimony of Jesus." (NAS) |
| Olive Trees (two) |
These are the two witnesses of Revelation 11 that stand
before the Lord (see witnesses). |
Revelation 11:3-4 -- "And I will grant authority to my
two witnesses...These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that
stand before the Lord of the earth." (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. |
|
| Riders on Horses (4) |
Revelation 6:2-8 mentions the riders of the
four horses. Each of the riders was given different
things:
- The rider of the white horse was given a crown and he rode out
to win the victory.
- The 2nd rider (of the red horse) was given the
power to take away peace and to kill...and was given a big sword.
- The
3rd rider (of the black horse) was given a pair of scales in his hands.
- The 4th rider (of the pale-colored horse) is the only rider identified
specifically -- this rider was "death." Hades was following close
behind "death" and they were given the power to kill people by various
means.
|
Revelation 6:2-8 |
| Riders on Horses (see
horses with heads like lions above) |
|
|
|
Robes of white - see Garments above. |
|
|
|
Scroll (see book) |
|
|
|
Sea of Glass Like Crystal |
Mentioned in Revelation 4:6, but not yet explained. |
|
|
Seal of the living God, written on
the foreheads of the bond-servants of God |
The instrument that was used to make a mark on the
foreheads of the bond-servants of God. The seal is mentioned in
Revelation 7:2-3. The actual mark on the forehead (whether it was a
word or words or a symbol) is not explained at this point. |
|
| Seals (Seven) |
These are seals that kept the book or scroll closed and,
as a result, did not allow the contents of the book to be revealed. The
seals are first mentioned in Revelation 5:1, but their exact meaning is not
yet identified. |
|
| Serpent (see Dragon) |
|
|
| Springs
of the water of life |
According to Revelation 7:14-17, the great multitude (who
came out of the tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb) would be led by the Lamb to these springs.
No further explanation is given at the point. |
|
|
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." |
|
Star (one called Wormwood or bitter) |
The meaning of the star is not defined. In the
vision in Revelation 8:10-11, the star fell from heaven, burning like a
torch and when it fell on the springs of water, they became bitter, killing
many men. |
|
|
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. |
| Souls under the altar,
given the robes of white. |
These were the souls of those people who had been killed
because they were faithful to God's message and to the truth they had
received. |
Revelation 6:9 |
|
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) |
| Trees,
Olive (see Olive Trees above) |
|
|
|
Trumpets (Seven) |
Commonly
used in battle as a signaling device. In the book
of Revelation, these were blown to announce the coming of the seven plagues. |
Revelation 8:2,6 |
| Washed
their robes in the blood of the Lamb |
See Garments of White above or
click here for more information. |
|
| Witnesses (two)
-- (see Olive Trees and Lampstands (2) above |
The exact identification of these two witnesses is not
given in the text. They are first mentioned in Revelation 11:3-13.
They are symbolized by two olive trees and two lampstands standing before the throne. |
|
|
Woman, clothed with the sun, the
moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars. |
The exact identity of the woman is not given
in the text. Revelation chapter 12 describes her as being clothed with
the sun, the moon under her feet and a crown of 12 stars on her head which might indicate she is a symbol representing the people of God. Her
offspring are followers of Jesus (see
Offspring of the woman above). |
|
