Revelation 4:1-11.

American Journal of Biblical Theology     July 23, 2006
Copyright © 2006, J.W. Carter     Scripture quotes from KJV

As our study of John’s Revelation continues, we must again be reminded of the three points that must be kept in mind when reading this book. (1) It was written to Christians who had been undergoing long-term persecution (approx. two generations); (2) It was written to give them encouragement and purpose during this difficult time; (3) It was written in apocalyptic form, a literature form that was common, and understood, in their time. It uses symbolism (containing a lot of common idioms and metaphors) to describe the attributes of the person/place/thing being described rather than simply naming the person/place/thing described.

This latter point becomes important as we look at the remaining chapters. As you encounter descriptions, think about what the symbolism might mean as applied to attributes of that which is described. Try to avoid attaching the symbols directly to the description. This is what makes the Revelation more of a challenge to read. We are not that familiar with how ancient Christians understood many of these symbols, though many are obvious. We are often left with the context of symbolic usage to formulate an explanation.

Numerology is used extensively in the Revelation to describe attributes. When numbers are encountered, try to ascertain the symbolism that was used for these numbers in their time. Some of these are:

• 3 ½ Half of 7, half of perfection, profound sin, incompletion.
• 6 Short of perfection, sin.
• 666 Sin, repeated three times. Complete and pure sin. No evidence of good. Total depravity.
• 7 Perfection, completion of God’s task.
• 12 Complete, complete assembly of God’s design. (12 tribes, 12 disciples.)
• 40 Sufficient period of time for God to work His purpose for man.
• 144 12 times 12, profound completion
• 1000 Largest known number. Used to signify an unimaginably large amount.
• 144,000 144 time 1000. A vast and complete/sufficient number

Colors and literal objects are also used to symbolize attributes. For example:

• Clear: Purity
• Cubit: A measure by man’s standard.
• Eyes: Understanding
• Green: Mercy, hope.
• Jerusalem: The Church, the Bride of Christ
• Lion: Royalty
• Ox: Power and Strength
• New Jerusalem: The post-rapture, glorified Church
• Rainbow: God’s covenant.
• Red: God’s redeeming act, Jesus’ blood.
• Right Arm/Hand: Strength with Purpose
• Throne: A position of power.
• Trumpet: A clear message.
• Wall of Rev 21. Salvation by Faith
• White: Purity

We should also be reminded that scripture never contradicts scripture. When we see what appears to be a contradiction we are not applying the message of the scripture accurately. For example, Rev. 21:22 reveals that there is no temple in heaven, yet there are numerous references to the temple throughout the book.

Finally, we should be reminded that John was given an opportunity to look into an environment that no words in his language could describe. If someone from the future brought us an object that nobody had ever seen before, we would have to describe it based upon our current words that are not sufficient to describe it accurately. Consequently, we are pushed back into the necessity of using symbols and metaphors to describe the attributes of these heretofore unseen things.