Symbols used in the Bible and Revelation

[backtothefuture]

Hi,
I would very much like to learn about the symbolism used through out the bible and especially in the book of Revelation. Can anyone suggest or lead me to some good books, or articles on this subject. I am really wanting to see things in the context they were written and I think this would help.
Thanks,
Nancy

[Infinite Grace]

Nancy,
I would recommend Days of Vengeance by the late David Chilton, as well as his book Paradise Restored. I will state however that both of these books are written from a partial preterist understanding, and so have things that I am not necessarily in agreement on (such as the future restoration of the nation of Israel - a postmillennial perspective). Also from a partial preterist perspective, James Jordan has a commentary on Revelation that deals with the symbols, as well as his book Through New Eyes. I believe that also Meredith Kline has a book called Images of the Spirit that deals with symbols. These last two books deal with more than just the Revelation symbolism, but symbolism throughout the scriptures.

Re: an article. May I recommend mine dealing strictly with Rev 20. It is found here:

http://infinite-grace.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=32&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

[backtothefuture]

Thanks Ed.
That was a start. I read it and put it in my favorite places. I am going to print it out, if thats OK and read all the Scripture that is mentioned. Also, try to get the books you mentioned. Can you just real quick tell me why the numbers 7 and 40 are so important?
Nancy

[Infinite Grace]

The numerology of the bible remains somewhat a mystery to me. Does 7 represent Deity because that's what it represents or because God used it to describe himself? 40 seems to be the number of years in a generation, and is therefore a somewhat important symbol of God working his redemption (first in the Exodus, then in AD70).

My article was meant to be a guide, if you will. As you read scripture, specifically Joel 2, and anywhere where we are told things like "Our God is a consuming fire," you can then tie that into the Lake of Fire in Revelation.

Even the tongues of Fire in Acts 2, to me, represent the spirit of God coming upon his prophets so that they would speak the words of judgment upon that generation upon whom the end of the ages had come. Fire is judgment. It purifies, purges, whatever. It causes the dross of the silver to rise to the top, to be skimmed off and discarded. It is the place where the useless branches are thrown to be burned up. Etc., etc.

Chilton, Jordan, and Kline might not agree with me there - they all believe(d) in eternal torment. Chilton was not around long enough to totally work out his full preterist beliefs (he accepted full preterism just a short time before his death). I think that if Chilton were here, he would be HERE - with us at Talk Grace.

The Chilton books and the first Jordan book are available at www.freebooks.com. You can download them for free if you want. Kline's book might be there too, I'm not certain. The new book by Jordan on Revelation is probably available at his website http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/catalogue.pdf. It is called "A Brief Reader's Guide to Revelation." He also has 4 sets of "Occasional Papers" (on page 31 of the catalogue) on "Studies on the Revelation." The cost of the Brief Reader's Guide is $5, while the total of the 4 sets of Papers is $98. You can also buy "Through New Eyes" for $30 at this site if you don't want to download the whole book over at Freebooks.

One warning I will give you. If you order from Jordan, you will receive mailings from him FOREVER.....and EVER.....AMEN... But his writings are quite good (if you can overlook his dogmatic view of Genesis and hell-fire).

I hope this helps you. If you need any more help, let me know.

[Bill]

Hi Nancy,

I, personally, don't like to read books about the Bible. They often confuse me more than help. :) I would recommend that you try going to

http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/

and just entering, say "forty" into the search bar and it will bring up the text of all of the passages with the word "forty" in them. There were 103 results when I tried. That may sound like a lot but you can scroll through and see all of the passages fairly quickly and come to your own conclusion about what the passages have in common. I use this method all the time in my own studies. It will also help you with all of the symbols in Revelation.

If you insists on reading a book then I second Ed's recommendation of "Through New Eyes" by James Jordan. He is an excellent writer and has good insight into the symbols used throughout the Bible. (I know I said I don't like to read books about the Bible but a friend asked me to read this one and I made an exception for him. :))

Also I'm sure Ed and others here will be helpful with any specific questions you might have.

Bill

[Infinite Grace]

Bill,
I appreciate what you are saying, but where I disagree is that most people have an established paradigm from which to read the scriptures. It is difficult to break free from that. Even folks who have never read the bible before may have heard of Hal Lindsay, or read his book. They will continually look for things in light of what Hal said.

If we could truly find one of those folks who is truly ignorant of theology and the bible, let them read the bible without commentary, we would probably accomplish what you suggest. I agree with your suggestion 100%. But with the established paradigm within Christianity, it is important that people have the opportunity to see that there are other viewpoints out there.

This is just respectful disagreeing. Although as I said, I agree with the basic premise that you make, just disagree on the viability of such a suggestion.

[Bill]

Yeah, Ed, I agree completely. I just get frustrated when people feel like God won't reveal Himself through His word alone. Instead of studying the Bible they study books about the Bible. I probably go too far sometimes. Thanks for pointing that out. :)

Bill

[backtothefuture]

Ed and Bill,
Thanks for all the suggestion. I have a lot to keep me busy for a while.
I kind of know what you were getting at Bill about just reading the Bible. I did that for an entire year this year at Bagel Church, but just couldn't figure it all out on my own.
The book Aime recommended, Stealing Jesus is the first book besides the Bible I have read in a long time. And I am LOVING IT!!
Thanks again,
Nancy