Symbols in the Book of Revelation

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John ”- (Rev. 1:1, emp. added) Numbers The following table is a general listing of symbolic meanings of numbers in ancient Jewish writings. Care should be taken to let the context dictate whether a number should be interpreted figuratively or literally. For example, there is no reason to suppose that the seven churches addressed in the Revelation are not seven actual churches in Asia, especially since each is addressed individually. On the contrary, the seven Spirits, introduced along with God the Father and Jesus, most likely is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. 1 unity, uniqueness, alone 2 strength 3 the divine 3 imperfect, incomplete (see 7 below), time of waiting, trial (“time, times, and half a time ” cf. Dan. 7:25; 12:7) 4 the earth, creation, humanity 5 limited power (see 10 below) 6 short of perfection, failure to measure up, evil 7 perfect, complete (sacred; union of earth (4) and heaven (3)) 10 human completeness (fullness or power) 12 organized religion, religious completeness (4x3) 42 Months = 3 years 666 See 6 above; evil, failure intensified 1000 completeness intensified (10x10x10) 1260 Days = approx. 3 years *This table is a hybrid of information gathered from Summers pp. 19-26 and Roper p. 3