Thursday: Figurative or Literal?
Daily Lesson for Thursday 3rd of April 2025
One of the key issues students of prophecy need to deal with is how to determine whether the language of the Bible is to be taken literally or figuratively. How does one determine if the author was using symbolic language, and how does one know what the symbol represents? The crucial way to do this is to see how that figure, the symbol, has been used all through the Bible, as opposed to looking at how a symbol is used in contemporary times. For example, some see the bear symbol in Daniel 7:1-28 as pointing to Russia, because that image is often used today as a symbol of Russia. This is not a sound or safe way to interpret prophetic symbolism.
Look up the following texts, allowing the Bible to be its own expositor (to define its own terms). What is the prophetic symbol common to the texts in each case, and what does the Bible say it represents?
Daniel 7:7, Daniel 8:3, Daniel 7:24
Revelation 1:16, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12
Revelation 12:1; Revelation 21:2; Ephesians 5:31-32; Jeremiah 6:2
Image © Justinen Creative Collection at Goodsalt.com
By following the simple rule that the Bible must be allowed to define its own terms, most of the mystery behind prophetic symbolism simply disappears. For example, we see that a horn can symbolize a political power or a nation. A sword can symbolize the Word of God. And, yes, a woman can symbolize the church. Here we can clearly see the Bible explaining itself.
What remains to be answered, however, is why God would speak in symbols instead of being forthright? Why, for example, would Peter cryptically refer to the city of Rome as Babylon, in 1 Peter 5:13?
There may be many reasons why God has chosen to communicate symbolically in prophecy. In the case of the New Testament church, for example, if the book of Revelation had plainly named Rome as the perpetrator of so much evil, the already bad persecution of the church might have been even worse. Whatever the reasons, we can trust that God wants us to understand what the symbols mean.
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Even if some symbols and prophecies remain mysteries, how can focusing on what we do understand strengthen our faith? |
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The symbols used in prophecy may have been more familiar to early Christians than they are to us now.
Today, what nation does the bear represent? What nation does the bison represent? The bald eagle? What American party is represented by the donkey? Which one is represented by the elephant? Of what nation does a a kangaroo remind you? A kiwi bird? The beaver?
If you don't know the answers to the questions above, that's okay, but you can easily find out. It's similar with biblical symbols for major world powers. We may not initially recognize the symbols, but it's not that difficult to find out - not by searching the internet, but by searching the Bible.
Do you like exploring mysteries? Bible prophecy is even more interesting because it's not just make-believe.
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This lesson teaches us another critical aspect of studying biblical prophecy. God often communicates through symbols for several reasons and by allowing Scripture to interpret itself, much of the mystery behind prophetic symbolism fades away, leaving believers with clearer insights into God's plan for humanity.
According to Daniel 7:7, Daniel 8:3, Daniel 7:24 a horn consistently represents a king, kingdom or political power. The Bible interprets itself by providing direct explanations in the context showing that horns are not arbitrary but tied to rulership or authority.
In Revelation 1:16, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12, the sword symbolizes the Word of God; His truth, judgment, and authority.
In Revelation 12:1, Revelation 21:2, Ephesians 5:31-32, Jeremiah 6:2, a woman symbolizes the church or God’s covenant people.
God uses symbolic language in scripture to communicate profound spiritual truths that transcend time and culture, allowing His message to remain relevant across generations, and to engage believers in active study, deepening our faith through discovery.
Principle #5: Let the Bible explain itself.
Focusing on what we do understand in Scripture helps strengthen our faith by grounding us in the core truths of God's character, His love, and His plan for salvation. While some symbols and prophecies may remain mysterious, the essential message of the Bible—God's grace, the sacrifice of Christ, and the hope of eternal life—is clear and accessible.
By embracing the truths we do understand, we build a solid foundation of trust in God. As we walk in faith and obedience, our understanding grows over time. Jesus Himself said, “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine” (John 7:17, NKJV), emphasizing that spiritual insight often comes through a relationship with God, not just intellectual study.
Additionally, focusing on what is clear helps us remain anchored, preventing discouragement over what we do not yet fully grasp. The Bible assures us that in time, God will reveal what we need to know (Deuteronomy 29:29). Until then, we can move forward with confidence in His promises, trusting that He will lead us into deeper understanding according to His perfect timing.
Sounds like today's lesson not only has the instruction of our need to see how the Bible gives us the information we need to interpret, allusions, symbols, and images, in our study of prophecy. We will have asked the Holy Spirit to guide us, and impart discernment and understanding. I would think discernment is needed to help with the difference between literal and figurative. Yes, indeed we need to also be open to our fellow blogger's thoughts. And be longsuffering to correction where correction is appropriate. We have a topic this quarter that lends itself to be open to thoughts and opinions more so than the literal gospel.
The verse that connects with Revelation 12:1 is Genesis 37:9. The church didn’t give birth to the Messiah, Israel did. Should it be left out because it doesn’t fit with our beliefs? The other verses don’t even mention the sun, moon and stars.
Thank you, Carolyn, for your comment that encourages us to dig a little deeper. I find that equating the same words to have the same meaning in all cases can introduce some unbiblical views - as I've experienced myself in listening to a young preacher who seemed to develop his sermons from a concordance.
I see no evidence that "moon and stars" mentioned in Genesis have the same meaning as the moon and stars in Revelation. For that matter, the sun is not mentioned in Rev. 12:1) If you continue reading in Genesis, it becomes clear that the sun and moon represent Jacob and Leah, and the stars represent Joseph's brothers. I don't see any reason to believe that the moon and stars have the same meaning in Revelation.
In this lesson, the author was asking for "the prophetic symbol common to the texts in each case, and what does the Bible say it represents?"
As you rightly note, "the sun, moon and stars" are not mentioned in the other texts. So that is not the prophetic symbol being referenced. So please take another look: What symbol is mentioned in each text? (Hint: It is not the same word in each text.)
I think the principles shared in today's lesson are good ones as long as they are used the right way. Using the meaning of symbols when they are used in prophecy is the way to go. But some people get carried away and start applying symbols to parts of the Bible that are literal. Sometimes a sword is just a sword and a bride is just that. But some people try to take details of Biblical narratives and make them say something symbolic when that is not the point of the story. The Bible has a lot of symbols, but it's not a big cryptogram.
In the verses listed in lesson, I only see that horns = kings, not political powers or governments. Are the beasts themselves the rep of the political powers/governments?
Thank you for your question that invites us to take a closer look. It seems you are referring to these texts:
Daniel 7:7, Daniel 8:3, Daniel 7:24
I note that the first text does not mention "horns." So the author is probably not referencing "horns" as symbols at this point, but I see why you concluded that: In the following paragraphs he mentions "horns" not "beasts." Oh, well, this is not supposed to be a catechism but an invitation to study. 😉
The last text mentions only horns = kings. So what shall we conclude? Well, I conclude that horns grow on animals or "beasts" in the KJV. So maybe that's what the author is focusing on? I see kings as "political powers." If they are not, what are they?
Last night I listened to a sermon by Byron Corbett (he doesn't have much of in internet presence), and he mentioned how interpreting prophecy is much like assembling a puzzle. When you pick up a piece and you think you know just where it will fit, you find out it doesn't quite fit, and you have three choices;
1. force it into place
2. throw it away
3. put it aside until it becomes obvious where it belongs.
I thought that was a really great illustration for several reasons: Studying prophecy is interesting and can be a bit of an adventure. We need to look at the individual pieces closely. And when we can't tell for sure where something fits, we can just put it aside for a while until further study makes things clearer.
You ask "Are the beasts themselves the rep of the political powers/governments?"
Could it be both or either - depending on the context?
God want us to know what he want from us exactly.
God used symbolic to help his people according to will.
Wouldn't a straightforward message telling us what to do work better for that purpose?
How are symbols better to help us know "what he wants from us exactly"?
I think God does use symbols in many instances - prophecy, parables etc. But many important parts of the Bible are not symbolic at all. The Ten Commandments, for example, are very precise. The way to be saved is laid out clearly. God doesn't play games with us when it comes to knowing how to know Him and accept Jesus. That's why even little children can believe, and they likely don't understand too many symbols.
There also seem to be teachings that God needed to keep veiled for a certain time or perhaps wanted believers to search for them. That's my thought on why symbols are used.
Regarding the symbols in prophecies, the rule is that the Bible explains itself! All Scriptures are good and have a purpose. Prophecies can reveal challenging and, at the same time, plain reality.