Question 7
Can we look at a few examples of symbolic words and see their meaning?
Woman = a church
Jeremiah 6:2
"I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman." (Zion refers to God's people)
Ephesians 5:25
"Husbands love your wives even as Christ loved the church."
2 John 1:1
"The elder unto the elect lady and her children." (John referred to the church as a lady)
Answer
A woman is not always a symbol of a good church. It can also refer to a corrupt church. In Revelation 17:3-6 you find a woman riding a scarlet beast full on names of blasphemy holding a cup full of abominations, filthiness and fornication. Here a woman represents a corrupt or apostate church. This is apparent by the context. The woman is riding a “scarlet” colored beast.
What does Scarlet symbolize in Revelation? see more examples below:
Scarlet (red) = Sin or Sinful
Isaiah 1:18
"Though your sins be as scarlet…"
Beast = King, Kingdom, A Political Power
Daniel 7:23
"The forth beast is the fourth kingdom."
Lamb = Jesus
John 1:36
"Looking upon Jesus he said, Behold the Lamb of God."
Dragon = Devil
Revelation 20:2
"He laid hold of the Dragon…which is the devil."
Blasphemy = Putting self in God's place or claiming the right to forgive sin
John 10:33
"For blasphemy…because you being a man make yourself God."
Luke 5:21
"Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
For more information on Bible symbols see the special lesson entitled,
Keys to Unlock Bible Symbols
