Following is a list of key terms that often have symbolic meanings in Bible prophecy.

Each symbol is in bold type and is followed by its corresponding literal meaning.

Angel = Messenger

Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Hebrews 1:14

Babylon = Religious apostasy/confusion

Genesis 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Revelation 18:2, 3; 17:1-5

Beast = Kingdom/government/political power

Daniel 7:17, 23

Bread = Word of God

John 6:35, 51, 52, 63

Day = Literal year

Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34

Dragon = Satan or his agency

Isaiah 27:1; 30:6; Psalm 74:13, 14; Revelation 12:7-9; Ezekiel 29:3; Jeremiah 51:34

Forehead = Mind

Romans 7:25; Ezekiel 3:8, 9

Hand = Work

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Harlot = Apostate church/religion

Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3, 6-9

Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments

Revelation 17:3, 9, 10

Horn = King or kingdom

Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12

Lamb = Jesus/sacrifice

John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7

Lamp = Word of God

Psalm 119:105

Lion = Jesus Christ

Revelation 5:4-9

Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval

Ezekiel 9:4; Romans 4:11; Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2, 3

Mountains = Political or religio-political powers

Isaiah 2:2, 3; Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24, 25; Ezekiel 17:22, 23; Daniel 2:35, 44, 45

Oil = Holy Spirit

Zechariah 4:2-6; Revelation 4:5

Red = Sin/corruption

Isaiah 1:18; Nahum 2:3; Revelation 17:1-4

Rock = Jesus/truth

1 Corinthians 10:4; Isaiah 8:13, 14; Romans 9:33; Matthew 7:24

Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval

Romans 4:11; Revelation 7:2, 3

Serpent = Satan

Revelation 12:9; 20:2

Stars = Angels/messengers

Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9; Job 38:7

Sun = Jesus/the gospel

Psalm 84:11; Malachi 4:2; Matthew 17:2; John 8:12; 9:5

Sword = Word of God

Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12

Thief = Suddenness of Jesus' coming

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10

Time = Literal year

Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin

Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations

Revelation 17:15

White Robes = Victory/righteousness

Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14

Winds = Strife/commotion/"winds of war"

Jeremiah 25:31-33; 49:36, 37; 4:11-13; Zechariah 7:14

Woman, Pure = True church

Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27

Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church

Ezekiel 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hosea 2:5; 3:1; Revelation 14:4

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