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"). In Revelation 20:1-3, Satan (the serpent or dragon)
was bound and thrown into the abyss for a period of time. |
|
| 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 |
|
| Babylon the Great (see prostitute) |
|
|
| Beast
coming out of the sea. |
Revelation chapter 13 describes the beast
coming out of the sea. The exact identity of the beast is not given in
the text. And the whole
earth was amazed and followed after the beast. They worshiped the
beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with
him?" And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and
blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name
and His tabernacle, that is those who dwell in heaven. And it was
given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them; and authority
over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.
Although the beast is not specifically identified, Revelation 17:9-17
gives more clues as to the identity of the beast: The seven heads of
the beast are seven mountains and seven kings (five have already fallen, one
is there now, and the seventh is coming). The beast itself was the 8th
king and also one of the 7 kings. The ten horns on the beast are 10
kings which had not yet received power (they would receive power for a short
period of time). The beast and the ten horns will hate the harlot (see
prostitute below) and will destroy her.
In Revelation 19:20, the beast was seized with the false prophet and both were cast into the lake of fire. |
|
|
Beast coming out of the earth (2nd beast of Revelation 13 -- later
called the deceiver or false prophet) |
Revelation 13:11-17 describes a second beast.
The exact identity of this 2nd beast is not identified in the text.
This 2nd beast has two horns like a lamb, and he speaks like a dragon. He
exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes
the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal
wound was healed. And he performs great signs, so that he even makes
fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. And
he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was
given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell
on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword
and has come to life. And there was given to him to give breath to the
image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause
as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And he
causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free
men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their
forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell,
except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number
of his name.In Revelation 19:20, the beast was seized with the false prophet and both were cast into the lake of fire. |
|
| 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.
In
Revelation 20:15, "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of
life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." |
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) |
|
Bowls (seven).
Full of the wrath of God. |
These were filled with the wrath of God.
The exact meaning of the bowls is not given, although they hold the plagues
or wrath of God until it is poured out. See Revelation 15:6-7.
In Revelation Chapter 16, the bowls are poured out on those who have the
mark of the beast and worship his image (see Revelation 16:2 and following).
The seven plagues are described in Chapter 16. |
|
|
Bride of the Lamb and the fine linen she was
wearing. |
Revelation 19 beginning with verse 7
describes the bride of the Lamb (previously described as the church -- or
the called out -- the followers of Jesus). She had made herself ready
(verse 7). It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright
and clean (verse 8). What was this that clothed the church...the bride
of the Lamb? |
Revelation 19:8 -- "And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine
linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the
saints."
|
|
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. |
|
| Clusters of grapes
(see Grapes) |
|
|
| Death,
second (see lake of fire below) |
|
|
|
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) |
|
False Prophet (see Beast coming out
of the earth). |
Revelation 19:20 describes him as the false
prophet who performed the signs in the first beast's presence, by which he
deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who
worshiped his image. As a reminder, Revelation 13 had described the
2nd beast in this fashion. The 2nd Beast of Revelation 13 is the false
prophet. See Beast coming out of the earth (the 2nd Beast of Revelation 13) |
|
|
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) |
|
Grapes or clusters of grapes or harvest. |
This is mentioned in Revelation 14:15-20.
Those that are reaped from the earth. The harvest usually refers to
the Lord gathering the good and bad from the earth for judgment (see Matthew
13:30-40). The precise people in this harvest are not identified.
The grapes are gathered into the wine press of the wrath of God (Revelation
14:19-20) |
|
|
Harlot (see prostitute) |
|
|
|
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) |
|
Harvest (see Grapes) |
|
|
|
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) |
|
|
|
Lake of Fire (the second death) |
According to Revelation 19:20, this lake is
of fire that burns with brimstone. The beast and the false prophet
were both punished by being thrown into the lake of fire.
In Revelation 20:10, Satan was also cast into the lake of fire so that
he, the beast and the false prophet could be tormented day and night
forever.
In Revelation 20:14-15, death and Hades were thrown into the lake of
fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name
was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of
fire." |
Revelation 20:14 -- "...This is the second death, the lake of fire."
|
| Lamb |
The Lamb of God that was slain and purchased men with His
blood. In Revelation 17:14, it describes the Lamb
as being victorious over the beast and the great harlot, because He is King
of kings and Lord of lords. |
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) |
|
Linen (fine) worn by the bride of the Lamb.
See bride of the Lamb. |
|
|
|
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) |
| Marriage supper of God |
In Revelation 19:7-9, the marriage of the
Lamb and His bride have come. Blessed are those who are invited to the
marriage supper of God. An angel in Revelation 19:17 calls to the
birds to assemble for the great supper, that they might eat the flesh of
kings, commanders, mighty men, horses, those that sit on the horses, and all
men. Those that made war against Him who sat upon the white horse and
His army were destroyed and the birds ate their flesh. (Revelation
19:19-21) |
|
|
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) |
|
|
One Sitting on the Cloud |
Revelation 14:14 describes the one sitting on the
cloud being like the son of man, having a gold crown on his head and a
sharp sickle in his hand. This One is not yet specifically identified in
the text. |
|
|
One Sitting on the White Horse |
Revelation 19 describes one sitting on a
white horse. He rode up just as it was announced that the wedding of
the Lamb and the bride had come. He is called faithful and true.
He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire. Upon His
head are many crowns (or diadems). He has a name written on him which
no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in
blood. His name is called the Word of God. From His mouth comes
a sharp sword so that He might smite the nations and He will rule them with
a rod of iron. He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God.
On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "King of kings and Lord
of lords." The armies which are in heaven were following Him, also clothed in white linen, fine and clean (just as the bride of the Lamb was --
see Bride above). |
Revelation 19:7 -- "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
Revelation 19:16 -- "And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name
written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
|
| Prophet (false).
See Beast coming from the earth (above). |
|
|
|
Prostitute (or harlot) that sits on many
waters |
The great harlot (prostitute) is mentioned in
Revelation chapter 17. She sat on a scarlet beast (the beast with
seven heads and ten horns -- see Beast coming out of the sea above).
She was clothed with purple and scarlet and was adorned with gold and
precious stones and pearls. In her hand was a gold cup full of
abominations and the unclean things of her immorality. On her head was
written "Babylon the Great, mother of harlots." The great harlot is
the Great City... |
Revelation 17:18 -- "And the woman whom you saw is the great city,
which reigns over the kings of the earth."
Revelation 17:6 -- "And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the
saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus."
(Question: at the time the revelation was written, which great city or
power that reigned over the kings of the earth was drunk with the blood of
those who followed Jesus?) |
|
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.
Mentioned again in Revelation 15:2 what appears to be the same sea of glass is also
mentioned, but this time the sea of glass is mixed with fire. The
victorious of God are standing on the sea of glass that is before the
throne. |
|
|
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. |
|
| Second
death (see Lake of fire above) |
|
|
| Serpent (see Dragon) |
|
|
| Sickle |
This is
used to represent the reaping or gathering of people from the earth...as a
farmer would gather grapes or crops from the field using the sharp bladed
tool called a sickle. See Grapes above. |
Revelation 14:19-20: And the angel swung his sickle to
the earth, and gathered {the clusters from} the vine of the earth, and threw
them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. 20 And the
wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine
press, up to the horses' bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles. (NAS) |
|
Souls of the beheaded |
Revelation 20:4 says: And I saw the
souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and
because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his
image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their
hand. These souls came to life and reigned with Christ during the
period when Satan was bound in the abyss. |
Revelation 20:4
|
| 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 |
|
Supper, marriage. See marriage
supper above. |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
Waters (upon which the great
prostitute or harlot sits) |
The waters are described as peoples and
multitudes and nations and tongues. The great harlot sat upon these
peoples (see prostitute above). |
Revelation 17:15 "The waters which you
saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and
tongues." |
| Wine Press of the Wrath of God
(see Grapes) |
|
|
| 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). |
|
