The book of Revelation is rich with symbols and imagery that can be challenging to interpret. Commentaries give long answers to simple questions but this guide is meant to give you a quick answer to your immediate question without going into detail. Consider this just one specialized tool available for your quest in learning about the Day of the Lord.
The main thrust of the Book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, mentioned in the very first verse! So with that in mind, let’s begin with all the ways Christ is referred to in Revelation.
References to Jesus Christ:
| Title/Description | Reference | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus Christ | Revelation 1:1 | Used 1 time |
| Faithful Witness | Revelation 1:5 | Used 1 time |
| Firstborn from the Dead | Revelation 1:5 | Used 1 time |
| Ruler of the Kings of the Earth | Revelation 1:5 | Used 1 time |
| Alpha and Omega | Revelation 1:8, 21:6, 22:13 | Used 3 times |
| Son of Man | Revelation 1:13, 14:14 | Used 2 times |
| First and the Last | Revelation 1:17, 2:8, 22:13 | Used 3 times |
| Living One | Revelation 1:18 | Used 1 time |
| He who holds the seven stars | Revelation 2:1 | Used 1 time |
| He who walks among the seven golden lampstands | Revelation 2:1 | Used 1 time |
| Son of God | Revelation 2:18 | Used 1 time |
| He who has eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like burnished bronze | Revelation 2:18 | Used 1 time |
| He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars | Revelation 3:1 | Used 1 time |
| He who is holy, who is true | Revelation 3:7 | Used 1 time |
| He who has the key of David | Revelation 3:7 | Used 1 time |
| He who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens | Revelation 3:7 | Used 1 time |
| The Amen | Revelation 3:14 | Used 1 time |
| The faithful and true Witness | Revelation 3:14 | Used 1 time |
| The Beginning of the creation of God | Revelation 3:14 | Used 1 time |
| Lion that is from the tribe of Judah | Revelation 5:5 | Used 1 time |
| Root of David | Revelation 5:5, 22:16 | Used 2 times |
| Lamb | Revelation 5:6, 5:8, 5:12, 5:13, 6:1, 6:16, 7:9, 7:10, 7:14, 7:17, 12:11, 13:8, 14:1, 14:4, 14:10, 15:3, 17:14, 19:7, 21:9, 21:14, 21:22, 21:23, 22:1, 22:3 | Used 28 times |
| Lord | Revelation 11:8, 14:13, 17:14, 19:16, 22:20, 22:21 | Used 6 times |
| Lord God Almighty | Revelation 11:17, 15:3, 16:7, 19:15, 21:22 | Used 5 times |
| Lord of lords and King of kings | Revelation 17:14, 19:16 | Used 2 times |
| Word of God | Revelation 19:13 | Used 1 time |
| King of kings and Lord of lords | Revelation 19:16 | Used 1 time |
| Bright Morning Star | Revelation 22:16 | Used 1 time |
This table captures the richness of the titles and descriptions of Jesus in Revelation, highlighting His multifaceted roles and attributes.
Key Terms in Revelation
The book of Revelation is rich with symbols and imagery that can be challenging to interpret. Here’s a comprehensive list of some key symbols and unusual elements in Revelation that may require further explanation for readers, organized by chapter:
| Chapter | Symbol/Element | Meaning/Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seven Golden Lampstands | Represent the seven churches. |
| Seven Stars | Represent the angels of the seven churches. | |
| 2 | Nicolaitans | A heretical sect condemned in Revelation. |
| 4 | Sea of Glass | Symbolizes purity and holiness. |
| Four Living Creatures | Represent aspects of God’s creation and possibly angelic beings. | |
| 5 | Seven Horns and Seven Eyes | Symbolize the complete power and knowledge of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). |
| Golden Bowls of Incense | Represent the prayers of the saints. | |
| 6 | Four Horsemen | Represent conquest, war, famine, and death. |
| Souls under the Altar | Represent martyrs awaiting vindication. | |
| 7 | Sealing of the 144,000 | Symbolizes protection and preservation of God’s people. |
| 8 | Silence in Heaven | Symbolizes a dramatic pause before judgment. |
| Incense with the Prayers of the Saints | Represents the intercession of the saints. | |
| 9 | Bottomless Pit (Abyss) | A place of confinement for demonic beings. |
| Locusts | Symbolize demonic tormentors. | |
| 10 | Little Scroll | Represents additional prophecies that John must proclaim. |
| 11 | Measuring Rod | Symbolizes God’s protection and ownership. |
| Olive Trees and Lampstands | Represent the two witnesses. | |
| 12 | Woman Clothed with the Sun | Represents Israel or the faithful community of God. |
| Dragon | Represents Satan. | |
| 13 | Beast from the Sea | Symbolizes the Antichrist and political power. |
| Beast from the Earth | Symbolizes the False Prophet and religious deception. | |
| 14 | Three Angels | Proclaim messages of judgment and warning. |
| Harvest of the Earth | Represents the final judgment. | |
| 15 | Seven Plagues | Represent the final series of judgments. |
| 16 | Three Evil Spirits like Frogs | Symbolize demonic spirits that deceive the world’s leaders. |
| 17 | Scarlet Beast | Represents a blasphemous political entity. |
| Babylon the Great | Symbolizes the corrupt system of the world. | |
| 18 | Merchants and Kings | Represent those who benefited from the corrupt system. |
| 19 | Marriage Supper of the Lamb | Symbolizes the union of Christ and His Church. |
| 20 | Binding of Satan | Symbolizes the restriction of Satan’s influence. |
| Great White Throne | Represents the final judgment seat of God. | |
| 21 | New Heaven and New Earth | Symbolize the restored creation. |
| New Jerusalem | Represents the eternal dwelling place of God’s people. | |
| 22 | River of the Water of Life | Symbolizes eternal life and blessing. |
| Tree of Life | Symbolizes eternal healing and restoration. | |
| Additional Symbols | Seven Seals | Series of judgments that unfold God’s plan. |
| Seven Trumpets | Announce further judgments on the earth. | |
| Seven Bowls | Contain the final, complete wrath of God. | |
| Euphrates River | Mentioned in the context of a significant event in the sixth trumpet judgment. | |
| 144,000 | Represents a group sealed by God for protection. | |
| Mystery Babylon | Symbolizes the ultimate form of human rebellion against God. | |
| Key Prophecies | Daniel’s Prophecies | Provide context and background for many of Revelation’s symbols and timelines. |
| Olivet Discourse | Jesus’ teachings on end times provide a framework for understanding Revelation. |
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Revelation 1:3
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
