Understanding the Bible
This post is part of our Understanding the Bible series—short, clear explanations of common questions, phrases, images, and themes found in Scripture.
The goal is simple: to help you read the Bible more clearly by explaining what the text says, what it meant in its original context, and why it still matters today.
These studies are designed for personal Bible reading, small groups, teaching preparation, or anyone who wants to grow in biblical understanding without needing technical training.
On this page:
- Quick Answer
- Why This Question Matters
- The Blessing of Revelation
- Simple Explanation
- Key 1: God Wants You to Understand Revelation
- Key 2: Revelation Builds on the Rest of the Bible
- Key 3: Symbols Point to Real Meaning
- How to Interpret Revelation’s Symbols
- What This Means Today
- Key Takeaway
- Keep Studying Revelation
Quick Answer
You can understand the symbols in Revelation by remembering that God gave this book to reveal truth, not hide it. Revelation promises blessing to those who read, hear, and keep its message (Revelation 1:3; 22:7). Its symbols point to real people, events, and spiritual realities, and Scripture itself provides the meaning.
Bottom Line: Let Revelation interpret itself first, then use the rest of the Bible to confirm and clarify.
Why This Question Matters
Revelation is often avoided because of its symbols. For many readers, it feels confusing or overwhelming. The book describes lampstands and stars (Revelation 1:12, 16), seals and trumpets (Revelation 6:1; 8:6), a dragon (Revelation 12:3), beasts (Revelation 13:1, 11), bowls of judgment (Revelation 16:1), and a city called Babylon (Revelation 17:5; 18:2).
Because of that, many people fall into one of two mistakes. Some assume no one can understand Revelation, while others make the symbols mean whatever they want. But Revelation begins by calling itself “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). The word revelation means unveiling, not hiding.
This matters because Revelation is not an optional book. It is the conclusion of God’s story. What begins in Genesis with creation, sin, curse, and exile (Genesis 1–3) ends in Revelation with new creation, victory, blessing, and God dwelling with His people forever (Revelation 21:1–5; 22:1–5).
Revelation was not given to confuse us. It was given to reveal Jesus Christ, strengthen the church, and show believers where history is headed (Revelation 1:1–3; 22:6–7).
The Blessing of Revelation
At the very beginning of the book, God promises blessing to those who read, hear, and keep the message of Revelation (Revelation 1:3).
Near the end of the book, Jesus repeats a similar blessing for the one who keeps the words of this prophecy (Revelation 22:7).
That alone tells us something important: God did not give Revelation to confuse His people—He gave it to be read, heard, understood, and obeyed.
If believers are called to keep what is written in Revelation, then its central message must be understandable.
Simple Explanation
Revelation uses symbols, but those symbols are not random or meaningless. Often, Revelation explains its own symbols. For example, Jesus explains that the seven lampstands are seven churches and the seven stars are the angels of those churches (Revelation 1:20).
- Some symbols are explained in the same passage (Revelation 1:20)
- Some symbols are explained elsewhere in Revelation (Revelation 12:9; 17:9–18)
- Some symbols are rooted in earlier Scripture, especially the Old Testament (Daniel 7:1–28; Zechariah 4:1–14)
The goal is not to guess what the symbols mean. The goal is to discover what God has already revealed.
Key 1: God Wants You to Understand Revelation
The idea that Revelation cannot be understood does not fit the way the book introduces itself. Revelation opens by saying God gave this message to show His servants what must soon take place (Revelation 1:1).
It also promises blessing to those who read, hear, and keep its words (Revelation 1:3). That means:
- God expects His people to read it
- God expects His people to listen to it
- God expects His people to obey it
Revelation is not meant to create confusion. It is meant to build confidence in God’s plan and faithfulness to Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:6–7, 12–13, 20).
Key 2: Revelation Builds on the Rest of the Bible
Revelation is deeply connected to the rest of Scripture. Many of its images and themes echo earlier biblical passages, especially from books like Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah.
For example, Revelation’s vision of beasts echoes Daniel’s visions of kingdoms and beasts (Daniel 7:1–28; Revelation 13:1–10). The plagues and judgments in Revelation echo the Exodus judgments on Egypt (Exodus 7–12; Revelation 8–9; 16). The tree of life from Genesis appears again in the new creation (Genesis 2:9; Revelation 22:2). The new heaven and new earth fulfill promises already spoken through the prophets (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1).
This means:
- The more you know the Old Testament, the clearer Revelation becomes
- Symbols often echo earlier biblical imagery
- Scripture helps interpret Scripture
Revelation is not disconnected from the Bible’s story. It gathers together the Bible’s major themes and shows their final fulfillment in Christ (Revelation 5:5–10; 11:15; 21:1–5).
Key 3: Symbols Point to Real Meaning
Revelation can feel like stepping into another world—filled with strange and vivid imagery. But biblical symbols are not fantasy. They point to real truths.
The dragon is symbolic language, but Revelation tells us plainly that the dragon is Satan (Revelation 12:9). The lampstands are symbolic, but Jesus tells us they represent real churches (Revelation 1:20). Babylon is described symbolically, but it represents a real worldly system opposed to God (Revelation 17:1–6; 18:2–3).
The danger comes when people fall into two extremes:
- Assuming the book cannot be understood at all
- Making the symbols mean whatever they want
Both approaches miss the point.
Symbols always point to something real—people, places, events, kingdoms, judgments, or spiritual realities.
How to Interpret Revelation’s Symbols
Step 1: Remember that a symbol refers to something real.
In Revelation 1, Jesus stands among seven golden lampstands and holds seven stars in His right hand (Revelation 1:12–16). Later in the chapter, Jesus explains the meaning: the lampstands are seven churches, and the stars are the angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20).
This shows us that symbols are not meaningless. They point to real things.
Step 2: Let the Bible explain the symbol.
- First, look in the same chapter. Revelation 1 explains the lampstands and stars in Revelation 1:20.
- Then, look elsewhere in Revelation. Revelation 12 identifies the dragon as Satan (Revelation 12:9).
- Finally, look to the rest of Scripture. Revelation’s beast imagery draws heavily from Daniel’s beast visions (Daniel 7:1–28; Revelation 13:1–10).
Instead of guessing, we let God’s Word interpret God’s Word.
Think in three layers:
The chapter → the book → the whole Bible.
What This Means Today
You do not need to fear Revelation. You can study it with confidence because God gave it to reveal Jesus Christ and bless those who read, hear, and keep its message (Revelation 1:1–3).
Instead of avoiding the book:
- Read it carefully
- Compare Scripture with Scripture
- Focus on what is clear before what is complex
- Let the symbols serve the main message
Most importantly, remember that Revelation is not primarily about decoding symbols. It is about seeing Jesus clearly, worshiping God faithfully, resisting compromise, and remaining faithful until Christ comes (Revelation 2–3; 5:9–14; 14:12; 22:20).
Key Takeaway
Revelation’s symbols are not meant to confuse you. They are meant to reveal truth about Jesus, the church, judgment, evil, the future, and God’s final victory.
God promises blessing to those who read, hear, and keep Revelation’s message (Revelation 1:3; 22:7). That means we should approach the book with humility, confidence, and a willingness to obey.
👉 Bottom Line: If you let Scripture interpret Scripture, you can understand Revelation with clarity and confidence.
Keep Studying Revelation
Ready to go deeper? These resources will help you understand Revelation clearly and stay focused on its central message—Jesus Christ.
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