Symbols Used in the Book of Revelation That the Book Itself Interprets
1. The seven lampstands (1:12) are seven churches (1:20).
2. The seven stars (1:16) are seven angels or messengers (1:20).
3. The morning star (2:28; 22:16), the male child (12:5), and the root and offspring of David (22:16) are Jesus Christ (19:15; 22:16).
4. The Lamb (17:14) is Lord of lords and King of kings (17:14) and Jerusalem's lamp (21:23).
5. The white horse rider (19:11) is Faithful and True (19:11), the Word of God (19:13), and King of kings and Lord of lords (19:16).
6. The city of my God (3:12), the Lamb's bride (19:7; 21:9), and the holy city (21:10) are the New Jerusalem (3:12; 21:10; cf. 21:2).
7. The seven lamps of fire (4:5) and the seven eyes (5:6) are the seven spirits of God (4:5; 5:6).
8. The incense in the golden bowls (5:8) is the prayers of the saints (5:8).
9. The fallen star (9:1) is the angel or messenger of the abyss (9:11).
10. The great city (11:8), Sodom (11:8), and Egypt (11:8) are Jerusalem (11:8).
11. The stars of heaven (12:4) are the angels or messengers of Satan (12:9).
12. The great dragon (12:9), the old serpent (12:9), and the devil (12:9) are Satan (12:9).
13. Time, times, and half a time (12:14) are 1260 days (12:6).
14. The beast out of the earth (13:11) is the false prophet (19:20).
15. The waters (17:1) are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues (17:15).
16. The woman (17:3) is Babylon the great (17:5), the great city (18:10) that reigns over the kings of the earth (17:18).
17. The seven heads (17:9) are seven mountains (17:9) which are seven kings (17:10).
18. The beast (17:11) is the eighth king (17:11).
19. The ten horns (17:12) are ten kings (17:12).
20. The fine linen (19:8) is the righteous acts of the saints (19:8).
21. The faithful souls come to life (20:4) is the first resurrection (20:5).
22. The lake of fire (20:14) is the second death (20:14).
23. The Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb (21:22) are the temple in Jerusalem (21:22).
