< A Glossary of Revelation Terms and Possible Meanings

1,000 years  - The Millennium. Premillennialist generally say it means 1,000 years.  Amillennialists generally say it is just a long period of time.

144,000 - 12,000 Jewish men from each tribe except Dan who are the firstfruits to God during the tribulation

2 Witnesses - Two of the three: Moses, Elijah, Enoch, or else two other people

24 Elders - Many interpretations.  Probably representing 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles of the Church

3 1/2 years - 1,360 days 30 days/month time of the Great Tribulation.  Last half of Daniel’s 70th week

4 Living Creatures - Seraphim, and perhaps also Cherubim

666 - Number of the beast.  6 is one short of the perfect 7.

Babylon - Both a religious system and a city.  The city is either the literal city Babylon, Rome, or somewhere else.

Blood - Can be literal blood, or else something that contaminates, such as pollution, nuclear fallout, etc.

City of Seven Hills - Babylon.  Some cities that have 7 hills are Rome, San Francisco, and many others.  Babylon does not have any hills.

Dragon - Serpent - Satan

Four Horsemen - Possibly four literal people but probably just representing conquest, war, famine, and death by war, famine, plague, and wild beasts.

Gog - The name of a people probably in southwest Russia and Ukraine.

Great Multitude - Those who are not the 144,000 yet were saved during the Great Tribulation

Great Stone - That hits the earth.  Asteroid?  Meteorite?

Kings of the East - Head of a large army.  China? India? both plus others?

Lamb that was slain - Jesus Christ, who died for our sins.

Land Beast - False Prophet - Related to 666.  A person?  a computer?

Locusts - Demons, Strange insects? aircraft?

Male baby in Rev 11 - Many interpretations. Jesus? Church?

One on the throne - God the Father

Sea Beast - Political power serving Satan?

Seven Churches - 7 literal churches back then plus characteristics of churches today.  Also church ages?

Stars - Often represent angels, and fallen stars fallen angels.

Sodom, Gomorrah - City meant here is Jerusalem

Woman in Rev 11 - Many interpretations. Mary? Church? Israel?