Revelation 1 Symbols

From: Symbols of the Apocalypse Briefly Defined

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Duration: 2min

Revelation 1 • 1 min. read • grade level: 11

1. Angel: The mystical representation of one not actually seen. So used of Jehovah (Matt. 18:10¹⁰Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10); Acts 12:15¹⁵And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. (Acts 12:15)).

4. The Seven Spirits: The Holy Ghost in His varied operations of governmental power (Rev. 4:5⁵And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Revelation 4:5)). [Seven is spiritual completeness, the highest indivisible number.]

12. Seven Golden Candlesticks: [Lamp-stands] Responsible vessels of light on earth in their totality.

13. Garment Down to the Foot: Garb of priestly discrimination, not now in service, but judging.

Golden Girdle: Divine righteousness and faithfulness (Isa. 11:5⁵And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. (Isaiah 11:5)).

14. White Like Wool. The divine glory of the ancient of days, viewed in that character (Dan. 7:9⁹I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. (Daniel 7:9)).

Eyes As a Flame of Fire: Attribute of searching, intelligent judgment; judicial discernment.

15. Feet Like Fine Brass: Righteousness in dealing with man in his responsibility.

Voice As the Sound of Many Waters: Overwhelming power and majesty (Ezek. 1:24; 43:2²⁴And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. (Ezekiel 1:24)
²And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. (Ezekiel 43:2)).

16. Seven Stars: Completeness of subordinate authority under Christ in light.

Sharp Two-Edged Sword: Searching judgment of the word of God (Isa. 49:2²And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; (Isaiah 49:2); Heb. 4:12¹²For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)).

Countenance As the Sun: Splendor of supreme authority.

18. Keys of Death and of Hades: Power over death and the departed state.

20. Angels of the Seven Churches: The moral representatives of the responsibility of the assemblies. A symbolical representation of the assembly viewed in those responsible in it.

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