The book of Revelation is a book of symbols not to be taken literally.  Many taught a number of false doctrine by do so.  I am going to give you a list of the symbols and there interpretations.  In the future I will come back and teach a short lesson on each one.  Please be patient as this will take a long time to complete.

Symbols of the Revelation

       Angel    – When used as a symbol it means any agent that God employs to carry out His will (Rev. 1:20). The same is true of the devil’s agents (11Cor. 11:13-15). Messengers of God and of      Satan. As opposing forces: Michael vs. the Dragon and his angels – ministry.

Altar – A sacred place where prayers are offered and where offerings are given by the people of God (Rev. 11:1) to the true and living God; can also be used to worship idols (Acts 17:23) or the unknown god. Christ (Heb. 13:10-12;Matt. 18:19).

Antichrists – spirits against Christ (1 John 4:1-3).

Ark – The chest that contained the low of God (Rev. 11:19, Heb. 9:4). The law of God is now written in the heart (11 Cor. 3:3).

Armageddon – Spiritual conflict of ecclesiastical power – the kingdom of God vs. false religion (11 Kings 23:29; Rev. 16:14-16). The conflict between wickedness and righteousness.

Armies – Forces resolved on subduing ( Rev. 19:14). It may be literal or spiritual warfare.  “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (11 Cor. 10:4). A body organized for war (even with symbols). Michael(Christ) and His people against Satan and his people.(Joel 2:4-7).

Arrow – Danger, Darts of the enemy. “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor by the arrow that flieth by day” (Ps. 91:5). Deceitful tongue ( Jer. 9:8). Weapons of war (Zech. 9:10). Word of God, in truth and in error, so definitely depicts conflicts between right and wrong (Jer. 50:14; Ps. 64:1-10).

Ate – Received the contents of a book in the mind and heart.

Babylon _ The Papal church as the mother of Protestantism, and is symbolized by the mother and daughters (Rev. 17:5 and 18). A symbol of the apostate church on earth, including the false church of God, and is divided into two parts (Rev. 17:18), great city- Papal Rome and Protestantism; is also symbolized in Rev. 16:19.

Balance Scales – Symbolize scarcity. The means of distributing by authority that which is valuable, either literally or spiritually, at some price (Rev. 6:5).  “They shall eat bread by weight” (Ezek. 4:16).. Notice Amos 8:11. True and false bread (Prov. 11:1-2).

Barley – The opinions of men set forth as doctrine (Rev. 6:6). Farley was used as provender for horses, also bread for the poor.  Barley is a symbol of the doctrines of men during the apostasy. A measure of wheat in Papalism: two measures of barley in Protestantism.

Beast – A religious kindom on earth established by men (Dan. 7:4 and 14). Wild beasts denote tyrannical kindoms (Rev. 13:1). In Rev. 4 beast should be translated living creature. It is not the same greek word as in Rev. 13. See also Ezek. 1.

Beasts (4) and 24 Elders – Redeemed of all ages (Rev. 5:8-10).

Binding and Loosing – Permitting or prohibiting (Matt. 16:18-19; Rev. 20:1-7).

Black (as sackcloth) – Sever judgments; mourning (Rev. 6:12).

Blood – War, carnage, slaughter. To turn ater into blood is to embroil nations (Rev. 8:8). It may mean races (Acts 17:26); slaughter (Is. 34:3; Ezek. 14:19);  subjugate nations (Hab. 2:12).

Bow – Covenant.

Bow and Arrow – warfare, either physical or spiritual. A symbol of calamity or disease. (Job 6:4, 34:6; Ps. 38:2; Deut. 32:11).

Brass – A Strong kingdom (Dan. 2:32). The Grecian Kingdom. Represents great strength and hardness ( Dan. 10:6; Rev. 1:12-15; Dan 7:9)

Brazen Serpent – A type of Christ (John 3:14; Num 21:9)

Bread  – The Word of God (Matt. 4:4). Bread of tears (Ps. 80:5). Bread of sorrow (PS. 127:2). The Word of God (true doctrine vs. false doctrine, used in both places).

Bride – The true church of the living God on earth (Rev. 19:6-7,21:9;John 3:27-29).

Brimstone – Perpetual torment of the enemy (Rev. 9:10, 19:20); denotes punishment (Deut. 29:23). Judgments of God(Rev. 9:17-18;14:10;Luke 17:29-30).

To be continued……