This is not supposed to be a comprehensive and definitive list, but a rough guide to the most common symbols.
Numbers
| Number |
Meaning |
| 3 |
God (trinity), divinity |
| 4 |
the Earth (four winds & corners [7:1], four living creatures [4:6], four horsemen, four angels who damage the earth [7:2]) |
| 7 |
Perfection, the days of creation |
| 3½ |
Half of the full number. This can be half way through 7, or a number cut short |
| 12 |
A unity which can be divided into parts: 12 tribes, 12 Apostles, (also 12 hours in a day and 12 night)
So 144 (12x12) is the idealized completed and united people of God |
| 24 |
Representing Old and New Covenant people of God |
Symbols
| Symbol |
Meaning |
| Great Red Dragon |
Satan |
| Woman who gives birth to Christ and to believers |
The covenant community |
| Beast from the Sea |
Evil empires and political structures opposed to Christ that culminate in the Antichrist |
| False Prophet |
Demonic power (fake of the Holy Spirit) |
| The Prostitute/Babylon |
System focussed on sensual pleasure and idolatry |
| Heads |
Usually kingdoms |
| Horns |
Power (sometimes kings) |
| the Abyss |
Place of imprisonment of demons until they are finally judged [Luke 8:31]. (Called “bottomless pit” in KJV.) |
| stars |
angelic beings (good or evil) |
| Sun darkened & stars fall |
Used in O.T. for the falling of earthly powers [Ez 32:7; Dan 8:10; Joel 2:10] also [Matt 24:29] |
Parallels
| Good |
Evil |
| God the Father |
Satan |
| The Lamb: Jesus Christ |
The Beast: Antichrist—a fake, not divine at all but human |
| The Holy Spirit |
The False Prophet—gives power to do lying signs and wonders and causes people to worship the Antichrist |
| Woman attacked by Dragon = Bride = New Jerusalem |
The Prostitute = Babylon (destroyed just before [?] the wedding of the Bride) |
| 2 Witnesses = 144,000 |
Demonic armies [9:7-11; 11:7] who do signs and wonders [16:14] |
