Revelation
Given the highly symbolic nature of Revelation, many terms have various interpretations. The definitions provided will aim for a general understanding within the context of the book, acknowledging common interpretations where appropriate. This list considers the current date as May 13, 2025.
I. Key Figures and Titles:
Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8, 11 [in some manuscripts, see ESV footnote]; 21:6; 22:13): The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, used as a title for God and for Jesus Christ, signifying His eternality, His comprehensive sovereignty over all things from beginning to end, and His role as the origin and goal of all creation.
The Amen (Revelation 3:14): A title for Jesus Christ, affirming Him as the faithful, true, and reliable witness, the one who guarantees God's promises. "Amen" is a Hebrew word signifying truth, certainty, and affirmation.
The Lamb (e.g., Revelation 5:6, 8, 12-13; 6:1, 16; 7:9-10, 14, 17; 12:11; 13:8, 11 [another beast "like a lamb"]; 14:1, 4, 10; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7, 9; 21:9, 14, 22-23, 27; 22:1, 3): A central and powerful title for Jesus Christ in Revelation. It alludes to the Passover lamb and the sacrificial lambs of the Old Testament, emphasizing Christ's sacrificial death for the sins of the world. Though a lamb, He is also portrayed as powerful, worthy to open the scroll of God's purposes, and the victor over evil.
Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5): A messianic title for Jesus Christ, drawing on Genesis 49:9-10, signifying His royal lineage, power, and authority as the promised King who will conquer.
Root of David (Revelation 5:5; 22:16): Another messianic title for Jesus Christ, affirming His descent from King David and His fulfillment of the Davidic covenant promises for an eternal king and kingdom.
Son of Man (Revelation 1:13; 14:14): A title Jesus used for Himself, and in Revelation (drawing on Daniel 7:13-14), it depicts Christ in His glorified, heavenly state, with authority to judge and rule.
King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14; 19:16): A supreme title for Jesus Christ, asserting His ultimate sovereignty, authority, and victory over all earthly rulers and powers.
The Word of God (Revelation 19:13): A title for Jesus Christ, identifying Him as the divine expression and revelation of God (cf. John 1:1, 14).
Dragon (e.g., Revelation 12:3-4, 7, 9, 13, 16-17; 13:2, 4, 11; 16:13; 20:2): A symbolic representation of Satan, the ancient serpent, the devil, who is the primary adversary of God and His people.
Beast (from the sea / from the earth) (e.g., Revelation Chapter 13; 11:7; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2, 10, 13; 17:3, 7-8, 11-13, 16-17; 19:19-20; 20:4, 10):
Beast from the sea (Revelation 13:1-10): A symbolic figure representing a powerful, blasphemous, and persecuting empire or political system, often identified with the Roman Empire in its original context, but also with future manifestations of anti-Christian world power. It receives its power from the dragon (Satan).
Beast from the earth / False Prophet (Revelation 13:11-18; 16:13; 19:20; 20:10): A second symbolic figure that supports the first beast, promotes its worship, and deceives people with miraculous-seeming signs. It often represents false religion or religious systems that support oppressive political power.
False Prophet (See "Beast from the earth")
Whore of Babylon / Great Prostitute / Babylon the great (Revelation Chapter 17; 14:8; 16:19; 18:2, 10, 21): A symbolic figure representing a great, idolatrous, and corrupt city or world system that is characterized by wealth, luxury, persecution of God's people, and opposition to God. Often identified with Rome in John's day, but also with future embodiments of worldly power and seduction hostile to God.
Antichrist (While the specific term "antichrist" appears in 1 John and 2 John, its spirit and characteristics are embodied in figures like the beast and the man of lawlessness (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2). The concept of a primary opponent of Christ is strong in Revelation.): A figure or power that opposes Jesus Christ and His people, often by deceptively imitating Christ or usurping His authority.
The twenty-four elders (e.g., Revelation 4:4, 10; 5:5-6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11, 13; 11:16; 14:3; 19:4): Heavenly beings who sit on thrones around God's throne, clothed in white and wearing golden crowns. Their precise identity is debated; they may represent the entirety of God's redeemed people (Israel and the Church), or a special class of angelic beings.
The four living creatures (e.g., Revelation 4:6-9; 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5-7; 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4): Heavenly beings full of eyes, with appearances like a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, who are continually worshipping God around His throne. They are similar to the cherubim described in Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6.
Angels (Frequently throughout Revelation, e.g., Revelation 1:1, 20; chapters 2-3 [angels of the churches]; 5:2, 11; 7:1-2, 11; 8:2-13; 9:1, 11, 13-15; 10:1-11; 11:15; 12:7-9; 14:6-10, 15, 17-19; 15:1, 6-8; 16:1-5, 8, 10, 12, 17; 17:1, 7; 18:1, 21; 19:9-10, 17; 20:1; 21:9, 12, 17; 22:6, 8, 16): Heavenly messengers of God who play various roles in revealing God's purposes, executing His judgments, assisting His people, and participating in heavenly worship.
II. Apocalyptic, Symbolic, and Eschatological Terms:
Apocalypse / Revelation (Greek: apokalypsis) (Revelation 1:1): An "unveiling" or "disclosure" of things previously hidden, especially divine mysteries or future events. The Book of Revelation is an apocalypse given by Jesus Christ to John.
Prophecy / Prophesy (e.g., Revelation 1:3; 10:11; 11:3, 6; 19:10; 22:6-7, 10, 18-19): The inspired communication of God's word, including both foretelling future events and forth-telling (proclaiming) God's truth and will. The "testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (19:10).
Sign(s) (e.g., Revelation 12:1, 3; 13:13-14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20): Miraculous or symbolic events or figures that point to deeper spiritual realities or future divine actions.
Mystery (e.g., Revelation 1:20; 10:7; 17:5, 7): A divine truth previously hidden but now revealed or to be revealed, often related to God's purposes in judgment and salvation.
The seven churches (in Asia) (Revelation Chapters 1-3): Seven specific historical congregations in the Roman province of Asia Minor (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) to whom John was directed to write letters containing messages from the risen Christ. These letters also have broader application to churches throughout history.
Tribulation / Great Tribulation (e.g., Revelation 1:9; 2:9-10, 22; 7:14): A period of intense suffering, persecution, distress, and divine judgment on earth. The "great tribulation" often refers to a specific, unparalleled time of affliction preceding Christ's return.
Wrath (of God / of the Lamb) (e.g., Revelation 6:16-17; 11:18; 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 19:15): God's righteous anger and holy judgment poured out against sin, rebellion, and those who oppose Him and persecute His people.
Scroll (with seven seals) (Revelation Chapters 5-8): A symbolic scroll in God's right hand, sealed with seven seals, representing God's sovereign plan for judgment and redemption, which only the Lamb (Christ) is worthy to open. The opening of the seals unleashes a series of judgments.
Trumpets (seven) (Revelation Chapters 8-11; 1:10; 4:1): Following the opening of the seventh seal, seven angels sound seven trumpets, each heralding further divine judgments and cataclysmic events upon the earth.
Bowls (of God's wrath, seven) (Revelation Chapters 15-16): Seven angels pour out seven bowls containing God's final and most severe plagues of wrath upon the unrepentant world and the kingdom of the beast.
Armageddon / Har-Magedon (Revelation 16:16): The symbolic place where the kings of the earth will be gathered for a final great battle against God on "the great day of God the Almighty." Often associated with Megiddo in Israel, a site of many historical battles.
Millennium / Thousand years (Revelation 20:2-7): A period of one thousand years during which Christ will reign on earth (according to some interpretations) and Satan will be bound. The nature and timing of the millennium (premillennial, postmillennial, amillennial views) are subjects of much theological debate.
First resurrection (Revelation 20:5-6): The resurrection of believers and martyrs to reign with Christ during the millennium (or at His coming), described as blessed and holy.
Second death (Revelation 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8): Eternal punishment and separation from God in the lake of fire, the ultimate fate of the unrepentant wicked, the beast, the false prophet, and Satan.
Lake of fire (Revelation 19:20; 20:10, 14-15; 21:8): The place of final, eternal punishment for the wicked and demonic forces.
New heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1): The future, perfectly renewed and restored creation, free from sin, suffering, and death, where God will dwell with His redeemed people.
New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12; 21:2, 10-22:5): The holy city of God, descending from heaven, symbolizing the perfected and glorified church, the bride of the Lamb, where God dwells with His people in eternal fellowship and light.
Tree of life (Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19): A tree in the New Jerusalem, reminiscent of the tree in the Garden of Eden, whose fruit gives eternal life and whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, symbolizing God's provision for eternal life and well-being.
Numerology / Symbolic numbers (Throughout Revelation, e.g., 7, 12, 4, 3, 10, 1000, 666, 144,000): Numbers are often used symbolically in apocalyptic literature, not always literally.
Seven: Often represents completeness, perfection, or divine fullness (e.g., seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls, seven Spirits).
Twelve: Often represents God's people (e.g., twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, 144,000 is 12x12x1000).
Four: Often represents the created world or the earth (e.g., four living creatures, four corners of the earth, four winds).
Ten / Multiples of ten: Often represent totality or a large, indefinite number.
666 (Number of the beast) (Revelation 13:18): A symbolic number representing the beast, often interpreted through gematria (assigning numerical values to letters) as referring to a supremely evil human figure or system opposed to Christ (historically often identified with Nero Caesar or other Roman emperors, with applications to future anti-Christian powers).
144,000 (Revelation 7:4; 14:1, 3): A symbolic number representing the sealed servants of God, often interpreted as the complete multitude of God's redeemed people from both Israel and the Gentiles, or specifically Jewish believers.
III. Worship and Liturgical Elements:
Worship (e.g., Revelation 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 9:20; 11:1, 16; 13:4, 8, 12, 15; 14:7, 9, 11; 15:4; 16:2; 19:4, 10, 20; 20:4; 22:3, 8-9): A central activity in heaven and a key response called for from humanity. Revelation contrasts true worship of God and the Lamb with the false worship of the dragon and the beast.
Throne (of God / of the Lamb) (e.g., Revelation 1:4; 3:21; 4:2-10; 5:1, 6-7, 11, 13; 6:16; 7:9-11, 15, 17; 8:3; 12:5; 14:3, 5; 16:10, 17; 19:4-5; 20:4, 11-12; 21:3, 5; 22:1, 3): The symbol of God's supreme sovereignty, authority, and rule over all creation. Heavenly worship is centered around God's throne.
Altar (e.g., Revelation 6:9; 8:3, 5; 9:13; 11:1; 14:18; 16:7): In Revelation, this often refers to the altar in the heavenly temple, associated with the prayers of the saints and the souls of martyrs, from which incense rises and judgments are sometimes initiated.
Incense (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4): Aromatic substances burned in worship, symbolizing the prayers of the saints ascending to God.
Hallelujah / Alleluia (Revelation 19:1, 3-4, 6): A Hebrew expression meaning "Praise the LORD!" used as an exclamation of worship and rejoicing in heaven over God's judgments and salvation.
Martyr / Witness (Greek: martys) (e.g., Revelation 1:5 ["faithful witness"]; 2:13; 3:14 ["faithful and true witness"]; 6:9; 11:3, 7; 12:11, 17; 17:6; 20:4): One who bears testimony to Jesus Christ, even to the point of death. The term "martyr" derives from the Greek word for "witness." Revelation highlights the faithfulness and ultimate vindication of those who were martyred for their faith.
IV. Other Notable Terms:
Jezebel (Revelation 2:20): A symbolic name (referencing the wicked queen in 1 & 2 Kings) used for a woman in the church at Thyatira who was promoting false teaching and immorality.
Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6, 15): A group or sect whose teachings and practices were condemned in the letters to Ephesus and Pergamum. Their specific errors are not detailed but likely involved compromise with pagan culture or antinomianism (disregard for moral law).
Abyss / Bottomless pit (Revelation 9:1-2, 11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1, 3): A deep, immeasurable chasm, portrayed as the dwelling place of demonic beings and the place where Satan will be bound.
Key of David (Revelation 3:7): A symbol of Christ's supreme authority, particularly His power to open and shut, grant access, and control destiny, alluding to Isaiah 22:22.
Hidden manna / White stone / New name (Revelation 2:17): Symbolic rewards promised to those who overcome in the church at Pergamum, likely representing spiritual nourishment, vindication, and a new identity in Christ.
Morning Star (Revelation 2:28; 22:16): A title for Jesus Christ, symbolizing His glorious coming, bringing light and hope.
This list provides definitions for many of the significant and often symbolic terms encountered in the Book of Revelation (ESV). Given the diversity of interpretive approaches to this book, it is always advisable to consult reputable commentaries and scholarly resources for a more in-depth understanding of specific passages and their meanings.