Revelation Insights #3

Making Sense Of
The Types & Symbols

Introduction:

In Modules 1 to 2 I presented what I consider to be irrefutable evidence to support the claims . . . 

¤  that Laodicea's failings (as described in Revelation 3) are high on the agenda of the throne room meeting of Revelation 4; . . .

¤  that the white horse of Revelation 6 does not represent a triumphant church at the beginning of the Christian era, but an unrighteous agency that exists during the Laodicean era; . . .

¤  and that the seven seals (including the horses and riders of Revelation 6) speak primarily of woeful end-time events or judgments that are going to serve as a wake-up call to the world in general and to Laodicea in particular.

In this module we turn our attention to the types and symbols of Daniel & Revelation, for herein we will uncover a chain of logic that will further confirm the above claims, that will furnish the positive evidence that is so vital if we are to interpret prophecy with any confidence, and that will provide a solid framework for our interpretation of the apocalyptic horsemen.

God's Vineyard

In order to lay the foundation for what follows, we first need to remind ourselves that . . .

`God claims the whole earth as His vineyard. Though now in the hands of the usurper, it belongs to God. By redemption no less than by creation it is His.' (COL301/302)

Our entire planet, therefore, is God's vineyard. But what is the purpose of this vineyard? The answer, of course, is fruit.

`The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing - the reproduction of Christ's character in the believer, that it may be reproduced in others.' (COL67)

This is the highest purpose of the religious life, and ultimately this is the highest purpose of God's vineyard, "fruit" or character - for "a character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next." (COL332)

With these thoughts in mind, therefore, let us turn our attention to the earthly vineyard, and let us take a moment to consider that every natural provision of God in this world contributes, either directly or indirectly, to the growth and development of fruit. The sun provides warmth, the sea provides moisture that forms the clouds, the wind blows the clouds over the land, the land provides nourishment for plant life, plant life provides oxygen and carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, the grass binds the land and keeps weeds at bay; etcetera.

We might even go so far as to say that everything in nature seems to have been designed with fruit production in mind. We believe that there is good reason for this, for it has ever been in the all-wise design of God to use the ways of nature to teach us valuable spiritual lessons.

`In the growth and development of nature were revealed the principles of His kingdom.' (DA291)

`Natural things were the medium for the spiritual; the things of nature and the life-experience of the hearers were connected with the truths of the written word.' (COL17)

This being the case, if God has provided so abundantly for the production of fruit in Nature, we may rest assured that He has provided abundantly for the production of the spiritual fruits in our lives - these being "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV)

`This was the fruit that God desired from His people. In the purity of their characters, in the holiness of their lives, in their mercy and loving-kindness and compassion, they were to show that "the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7.' (COL285)

In truth, therefore, all of nature has been designed to teach us how we may bear fruit to the glory of God - to teach us how the character of Jesus may be reproduced in our lives; to teach us how we, as dry old branches, can bear fruit by allowing God to graft us into His True Vine; to teach us that by living with Jesus, by depending on Him, by trusting in Him, by learning of Him, by helping Him as He presents Himself in the person of the poor and the needy, by standing firm for Him in any righteous cause, and by loving Him, we may bear the glorious spiritual fruits to the honor of His name and His kingdom.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5 NKJV)

[Please click here if you are unsure as to how you can become a fruit-bearing Christian.]

With these thoughts in mind, therefore, let us take a moment to consider some of the major elements that God has provided for the production of fruit in the natural economy - along with their spiritual counterparts.

Before considering the table below, it is vitally important that we first meditate on the following statement:

"There are great laws that govern the world of nature, and spiritual things are controlled by principles equally certain. The means for an end must be employed if the desired results are to be obtained." (5T724)

With reference to the table above, is it any wonder that Satan has led mankind to pollute every aspect of Nature - for all of nature teaches us about God, about His copious provision for our physical and spiritual development, and how we (the lifeless branches) may become fruitful Christians through an ongoing daily relationship with Jesus (the True Vine).

The Prophetic Vineyard

Having considered how the principles of God's kingdom are bound up in the objects and the ways of nature, let us again turn our attention to the book of Revelation and let us take careful note that the objects and the ways of nature feature prominently in John's message - for he makes mention of the sun, of the moon and the stars, of grass and trees, of sea and land, of horses and beasts, of streams and fire, and of wind and hail and earthquakes, etcetera.

Can it be that God is using the objects and the ways of nature to guide us as we seek to interpret prophecy? Absolutely! There is no question that the symbolism of Revelation pieces together into a tapestry of God's vineyard and, as I have explained below, this tapestry will provide us with the keys, the links, and the logic that will enable us to confidently interpret the related prophecies.

So let us take a moment to piece together this tapestry of God's vineyard. For this purpose, let us imagine that we are standing on a high mountain. Above us is the sun. A few clouds are scattered here and there. Below us there is an expanse of land nestled in a valley. Beyond this valley is the sea. The valley is traversed by streams. Grass and trees are everywhere to be seen in this valley and there are horses feeding on the grass and on the leaves of the trees.

Here and there we can also see beasts - these beasts seem to be eating anything that gets in their way - but more about these beasts in a later module.

In the heart of our valley there is a vineyard and, as we consider the fruit of this vineyard, we cannot help but to reflect on how the sea, the land, the grass and the trees, and even some of the horses, are all contributing either directly or indirectly towards the production of fruit. We also cannot help noticing that there are other elements that work decidedly against the production of fruit - such as locusts, fire, certain of the horses (over-grazing), and hail.

Symbolically, therefore, what do the sea, the land, the grass, and the trees represent? By allowing Scripture to interpret itself, we would have to conclude, as we did in the introduction to this module, that "the whole earth is His vineyard" (COL301-2), and that the sea, the land, and all plant life represent people in various stages of spiritual development (see alongside):

¤  the fruitful trees representing believers whose lives are adorned with the spiritual fruits (Galatians 5:22-23),

¤  the fruitless trees representing "prominent" believers who are as yet "fruitless,"

¤  the grass and plants representing the great masses who exhibit at least some measure of spiritual life,

¤  the land representing unbelievers who afford believers an opportunity to develop spiritually (see below) - "And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow." (Genesis 2:9 NKJV)

¤  and the sea representing heathen nations - those who exhibit little or no outward sign of spiritual life, but who nevertheless contribute to the spiritual development of believers.

In support of this view please again consider the table above as well as the references alongside.

Meditational Nuggets: `All men are like grass. . . . Surely the people are grass.' (Isaiah 40:6,7). `They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.' (Revelation 9:5).

`Those who are but half-converted are as a tree whose boughs hang upon the side of truth, but whose roots, firmly bedded in the earth, strike out into the barren soil of the world.' (4T155)

The point needs to be repeated that as it is in the natural realm, so it is in the spiritual, the sea (people), the land (people), the grass (people) and the trees (people) all contribute, directly or indirectly, to the production of fruit - for all represent fair opportunity for believers to exercise the Christian graces and to thus develop the spiritual fruits.

Meditational Nugget: `One of the divine plans for growth is impartation. The Christian is to gain strength by strengthening others. "He that watereth shall be watered also himself." This is not merely a promise; it is a divine law, a law by which God designs that the streams of benevolence, like the waters of the great deep, shall be kept in constant circulation, continually flowing back to their source. In the fulfilling of this law is the secret of spiritual growth.' (ST June 12, 1901)

Turning our attention to our valley scene once more, we cannot help but to notice a prominent white horse. The rider on this white horse is extremely majestic. He wears many crowns and He "is called Faithful and True. His name is the Word of God. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:11-16).

Elsewhere in the valley there are other horses, the most prominent of which are another white horse, a red horse, a black horse and a pale horse. All of these horses are eating grass. (Before continuing, we invite you to carefully consider the significance of the last sentence).

As we gaze upon the scene before us, we cannot help but to notice that the rider on this second white horse is not nearly as majestic as the rider on the first white horse, for the second rider wears only one crown, a crown that was "given him (implying that there was a time when he never had a crown)," while the first rider is obviously Jesus - the eternal King - the King of Kings - for He wears "many crowns" and He is "followed by the armies of heaven."

[Please take a moment at this point in time to again consider in Module 2 the detailed comparison between these two white horses. Then use your BACK button to return to this page.]

Meditational Nugget: `Through nature, through types and symbols, through patriarchs and prophets, God had spoken to the world. Lessons must be given to humanity in the language of humanity.' (DA34)

Horses - Good And Bad

With the foregoing meditational nugget firmly tucked away in the mind, and with our valley scene before the mind's-eye, let us now turn our attention to the horses of Revelation 6 and to what we believe God is trying to tell us via the medium of types and symbols.

There is no question that the Rider on the white horse of Revelation 19 is Jesus - the Lord of Lords - and that the white horse upon which He sits is His righteous cause on earth - the Christian organization.

Now, because the white horse of Revelation 19 represents an organization or institution, it is perfectly logical to assume that the horses of Revelation 6 also represent organizations.

But what kinds of organizations do these horses represent? Do they represent righteous organizations or unrighteous organizations? What are the characteristics of these organizations?

By carefully considering the given types and symbols we can answer these questions with a fair degree of confidence.

First Interpretive Key: Because grass represents people, and because horses eat grass, we may safely conclude that when prophecy speaks of horses in the symbolic sense, reference is being made to organizations that "thrive on people"; to organizations that find their roots, their "nourishment," and their purpose in catering to the needs of people - or to organizations that at least claim to do so.

In order to confirm that horses can represent both righteous and unrighteous organizations, let us take careful note that certain "horses and their riders" are going to be "killed with the sword that comes out of the mouth of the rider on the [white] horse" of Revelation 19.

`And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great." Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the [white] horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them [including the abovementioned horses and their riders] were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the [white] horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.' (Revelation 19:17-19)

Meditational Nuggets: " `At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,' declares the Sovereign LORD." (Ezekiel 39:20)

"You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: for with you I will break the nation in pieces; with you I will destroy kingdoms; with you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; with you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider." (Jeremiah 51:20-21)

"I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea." (Exodus 15:1; 21)

Clearly, therefore, horses can represent unrighteous organizations - organizations that will be found working against the best interests of humanity at the end of earth's history. These organizations are going to be destroyed by the Rider on the white horse of Revelation 19.

This being the case, let us carefully consider the relative imagery with a view to uncovering as much as we can about the characteristics of these unrighteous organizations.

Second Interpretive Key: When too many horses are grazed on a pasture, they will eventually kill all the grass. When overgrazing is avoided, however, the horses will keep the soil fertilized and will actually contribute to the growth of the grass - even though they eat grass. In the symbolic sense, therefore, horses can represent righteous organizations - those that promote the best interests of people (grass), as is the case with the white horse of Revelation 19, or they can represent unrighteous organizations - these being rapacious (covetous) organizations that "overgraze" on God's pasture and that ultimately work against the best interests of God's children.

Third Interpretive Key: Because horses are large and powerful, we may conclude that when prophecy speaks of horses, it could well be speaking of large and powerful organizations.

Fourth Interpretive Key: Because horses are stately, likeable, and admirable, we may conclude that when prophecy speaks of horses, reference might well be being made to organizations that are generally admired and that are highly regarded.

Fifth Interpretive Key: Because horses are utility animals that can carry a heavy load over long distances, there is good reason to believe that when prophecy speaks of horses, reference could well be being made to organizations that fill a widely felt public need (carry us).

Sixth Interpretive Key: While horses are stately, likeable and admirable, they can inflict harm and they can kill. Thus we should not be surprised to discover that when prophecy speaks of horses, she could well be referring to organizations that enjoy great public support, but that nevertheless conduct their affairs in a manner that is contrary to the best interests of humanity.

Seventh Interpretive Key: Individually, horses are dangerous, but when a pack of horses stampedes, they are extremely dangerous. Thus, when prophecy speaks of horses, we should not be surprised to discover that reference could well be being made to organizations that work synergistically (in "corrupt harmony") against the best interests of society.

Eighth Interpretive Key: Because horses are swift, and because they can easily traverse long distances, we can expect to discover that our prophetic horses have a global presence and a world-wide influence.

It is our studied conviction that these organizations have already formed themselves into a "pack" and that they are already in "stampede mode" - but the only way that we can prove this to you is by taking you backstage - by helping you to see what is going on behind the righteous facade that these organizations have skillfully erected for themselves - and this all in the name of public relations.

In order to further identity these organizations, let us continue to allow God's Word to guide us.

We all know too well that horses do not look anything like locusts, yet in two instances Scripture tells us that . . .

(1) `The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle.' (Revelation 9:7)

(2) `They [the locusts] have the appearance of horses.' (Joel 2:4).

(Please read this latter passage in context starting from Joel 1:1 and consider carefully that the word "nations" in Joel 1:6 could have been translated "swarm of locusts." To confirm this, please refer to Strong's Concordance - ref. 1471)

Because horses look nothing like locusts, we have to conclude that the similarity that is here being referred to applies more to character than it does to physical appearance. Strong's Concordance supports this conclusion in that the words "looked like" in Revelation 9:7 (see above) are translated from the word "homoios, - meaning similar (in appearance or character)." (See Strong's ref. 3664)

Now if horses have a similar character to locusts, then if we can better understand the characteristics of "locusts," we will have a good indication as to the characteristics of these organizations that are symbolically represented by horses.

Scripture leaves us in no doubt as to the probable identity of "locusts" and, as such, to the probable identity of our prophetic horses . . .

`You have increased the number of your merchants till they are more than the stars in the sky, but like locusts they [the merchants] STRIP THE LAND (significant? overgrazing?) and then fly away. Your guards are like locusts, your officials like swarms of locusts that settle in the walls on a cold day.' (Nahum 3:16,17)

Merchants - like locusts?
Guards or guardians - like locusts?
Officials - like locusts?

And horses are similar in character to locusts? As such, there is no question that we can expect horses to conduct themselves as locusts do . . .

The similarity between horses and locusts becomes even more significant when we consider that both horses and locusts eat plant life (grass)?

More than this, while both the individual locust and the individual horse are rather likeable and relatively harmless creatures, their collective or "swarm" action always translates into destruction and extreme danger.

These thoughts will become more and more significant as we proceed.

Is Scripture here telling us that the collective action of certain of the merchants of earth, that the collective action of certain of the so-called "guardians" of our nations, and that the collective action of the "officials" of our nations are "stripping the land" of grass and trees (people)? Are they operating behind a righteous facade and yet keeping the peoples of earth from reaching their full potential and, more specifically, from reaching their full spiritual potential? Are they actually oppressive and/or unrighteous agencies?

Ninth Interpretive Key: If horses "look like" locusts, in other words, if horses have the same characteristics as locusts, and if locusts represent merchants, the "guardians" of our nations, and the officials of our nations, then it follows that horses could well represent . . .

¤  merchants - trading organizations that have profit as their primary motive (material interests),

¤  guardians - organizations that purport to safeguard the needs and interests of society in any of many ways (spiritual, physical, mental, and social interests),

¤  officials - organizations that fulfill a public function and/or that have a political agenda (political interests).

In this light, the following statement is of special significance.

`Kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth, convert the church into Babylon. Kings [officials?], merchants, rulers [officials?], and religious teachers [guardians?] are all in corrupt harmony.' (2SM68)

It is fitting at this point in time that we take special note of the fact that the merchants of Babylon trade in all manner of wares - and that their wares include "the bodies and souls of men." (Revelation 18:13)

Now, with the similarity between horses and locusts still in mind, let us consider yet another very significant passage of Scripture.

`Locusts have no king, yet they all advance in ranks.' (Proverbs 30:27 NKJV)

Tenth Interpretive Key: If horses have the same character as locusts, and if locusts advance in ranks despite the fact that they have no king, then we should not be surprised to discover that our prophetic horses represent powerful organizations that work in corrupt harmony and that are pretty much a law unto themselves.

And so the plot thickens - and as the plot thickens, we cannot help but to wonder if prophecy is not fulfilling all around us? Could it be that these organizations already exist? Could it be that we are just not seeing beyond the facade that these organizations have erected around themselves?

In Modules 1 and 2, we presented substantial evidence in support of our claim that Revelation 4, 5 and 6 find their fulfillment at some time after 1844. In this light, and in the light of the above, the following statement relevant to Revelation 18 is hugely significant.

`This Scripture (Rev 18:1,2,4) points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14, is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions that have been entering THE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS THAT CONSTITUTE BABYLON, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844.' (GC603)

Eleventh Interpretive Key: As we seek to identify these unrighteous organizations (horses) we should expect to discover that they existed prior to 1844, but that they became especially corrupted after 1844.

The Merchants of Babylon

Bearing in mind that Babylon is made up of "various organizations," and that locusts and horses could well represent merchant organizations, it is important to note that Ezekiel refers to Babylon as . . .

`Babylonia, a land of merchants' (NIV) . . . or  . . . `the land of the trader.' (NKJV). (Ezekiel 16:29)

Twelfth Interpretive Key: In the light of the foregoing, we should not be surprised to discover that some of these organizations or institutions are industries or commercial in nature (merchants).

And so the plot gets even thicker . . .

In the book of Joel we read about locusts that devour the earth and that leave behind them a wake of total devastation. In other words, they leave behind them a land that is denuded of grass and plant life.

Is there any reason why we should not believe that these locusts are symbolic of destructive elements and/or of organizations that "eat grass" and that "strip the land?" Bearing in mind once more that our prophetic horses have the same character ("look like") as  locusts, the following comment relevant to the book of Joel is of particular interest.

`If this prophecy of Joel met a partial fulfillment in the days of the apostles, we are living in a time when it is to be even more evidently manifest to the people of God.' (4BC1175)

At this point, we invite you to study the book of Joel with the following meditational nuggets in mind.

Meditational Nuggets:

`"Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit . . . For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth (officials?) committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries." (Revelation 18:3)

`Your (Babylon's) merchants were the world's great men.' (Revelation 18:23)

`For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers (officials?), against the authorities (officials?), against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.' (Ephesians 6:12)

`The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His anointed One.' (Psalm 2:2)

`The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called "benefactors." But not so among you . . .' (Luke 22:25 NKJV)

`Days of temptation and trial would come, when they [God's children] would be brought into conflict with the rulers of this world (officials?), and the leaders of the kingdom of darkness.' (DA277)

`God's faithful, praying ones are, as it were, shut in with Him. They themselves know not how securely they are shielded. Urged on by Satan, the rulers of this world are seeking to destroy them; but could the eyes of God's children be opened as were the eyes of Elisha's servant at Dothan, they would see angels of God encamped about them, holding in check the hosts of darkness.' (PK590)

Proceed To Module 4