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Michael Campbell
- the abyss
- The origin of the locusts and the first beast, and the prison of the
dragon. (9:1,11; 20:3)
- Abaddon
- (Hebrew "destruction") The Hebrew name of the angel of the abyss
and the leader of the locusts. His name in Greek was Apollyon.
This name is used in the Old Testament to mean Hell. (9:11)
- Apollyon
- (Greek "destroyer") The Greek name of Abaddon.
John may be using this name to attack the Greek god Apollo. (9:11)
- Armageddon
- (Hebrew "Mount Megiddo") The place where the kings of the earth
were gathered to do battle with the forces of good. (16:16)
- Asia
- This term refers to Asia Minor. The seven churches addressed by John were
there. (1:4) [Map]
- Balaam
- (Hebrew "he has consumed the people") A diviner of the Old
Testament (Numbers 22-24) paid by Balak to curse the
Israelites. Instead he blessed them. Later he is accused (Numbers 31:16) of
causing the Israelites to worship Baal. The Nicolaitans
are accused by John of following the teachings of Balaam. (2:14)
- Balak
- A king of Moab in the Old Testament (Numbers 22-24). He hired Balaam
to curse the Israelites, but instead Balaam blessed them, angering Balak.
(2:14)
- The Beast
- (1) The first beast that came out of the sea or the abyss (11:7 and
13:1) is described as having seven heads and ten horns like the dragon.
(13:1-10; 17:3-18) See Daniel 7:3-25.
(2) The second beast that came out of the earth (13:11) is also
called the false prophet. A lesser companion of the first beast. It was said
to resemble a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. (13:11-17)
- The Devil
- (Greek "deceiver") Another name of Satan.
- The Dragon
- The great red dragon appears in heaven (12:3). He is called Satan and the
Devil. The archangel Michael defeats the dragon in
heaven and casts him out. (12:3-17; 20:1-10)
- Ephesus
- A city in Asia Minor containing one of the seven churches. It was an
important seaport in Roman times. (2:1-6) [Map]
- The False Prophet
- Another name for the second beast because he caused
miracles.
- The Four Creatures
- The four creatures, or the four living creatures, are presented in
Revelation as beings who are in the presence of God (5:6-8). The first
creature was like a lion, the second was like a calf, the third was like a
man, and the fourth was like an eagle. Each of them had six wings and many
eyes. Their main task seems to be to give praise to God. See Ezekiel 1:5-20.
- The Four Hoursemen
- Four riders let loose one by one as the first four seals of the scroll are
broken. The first was a conquerer on a white horse. The second was on a red
horse and caused slaughter. The third was on a black horse and was
associated with commerce. The fourth was called Death and rode on a pale
horse. (6:1-8)
- Jezebel
- The evil wife of Ahab, king of Israel. The church at Thyatira is accused
of tolerating her. (2:20) See 1 Kings 16-19.
- John
- The author of Revelation. Traditionally he has been equated with John the
apostle but this is quite unlikely.
- The Lake of Fire
- A burning pool of brimstone. Being thrown into this resulted in eternal
torment and was called the second death. (19:20;
20:10,14)
- The Lamb
- The Lamb is one of the creatures John sees in heaven (5:6). It represents
Jesus. It is described as having seven horns, representing power, and seven
eyes, representing wisdom. The number seven represents completeness.
- Laodicea
- A city in Asia Minor containing one of the seven churches. The church is
harshly criticized. (3:14-19) [Map]
- Michael
- An archangel who defeated the dragon and cast him
from heaven (12:7). Michael also appears in the Old Testament (Daniel 10:13,
10:21, 12:1), the New Testament (Jude 9) and in various apocrypha.
- The Morning Star
- Represents Jesus (2:28 and 22:16). The prophecy of Balaam stating that a
star would advance from Jacob (Numbers 24:17) was often interpreted as a
prediction of the arrival of Jesus.
- The Nicolaitans
- An early Christian sect criticized in Revelation. They are accused of
worshipping Balaam. (2:6,15)
- Patmos
- An island off the west coast of Asia Minor. It was used by the Romans as a
penal colony. It was here that John claimed to have received his revelation
(1:9). [Map]
- Pergamum
- A city in Asia Minor containing one of the seven churches. Called Pergamos
in some texts. (2:12-16) [Map]
- Philadelphia
- A city in Asia Minor containing one of the seven churches. The church is
praised. (3:7-11) [Map]
- Revelation
- The final book of the New Testament. Also known as the Apocalypse. Its
fuller titles include the book of Revelation, the Revelation of Saint John,
the Revelation to John, etc.
- Sardis
- A city in Asia Minor containing one of the seven churches. The church is
cautioned to "strengthen that which remains". (3:1-4) [Map]
- Satan
- (Hebrew "adversary") Originally he was the heavenly prosecuter.
Later he came to embody all evilness. In Revelation he is represented by the
dragon. (2:13; 12:3-17; 20:1-10)
- The Scroll
- (1) Held in the right hand of God (5:1), it was described as having
writing on the inside and on the back. The only one who could open the
scroll was the Lamb, and to do so he had to break the the
seven seals (6:1-8:1). It is not mentioned what the scroll contains. Its
major significance seems to be the events that occur when its seals are
broken.
(2) Carried by the mighty angel (10:2) and eaten by John
(10:9-10). John said it tasted sweet but it made his stomach feel bitter.
- The Second Death
- The lake of fire. Being cast into the lake of fire. Punishment for the
unworthy. (2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8)
- The Seven Angels
- (1) The angels who blew the seven trumpets.
(8:2,6-12; 9; 11:15-19)
(2) The angels who emptied the seven bowls
onto mankind. (15:1,6-8; 16:1-21)
- The Seven Bowls
- Containers filled with plagues that were emptied on mankind by the
seven angels. (15:7; 16:1-21)
- The Seven Lamps
- Seven gold lamps surround Jesus when he appears to John on Patmos (1:12).
Later the lamps are explained to represent the seven churches (1:20). See
Zechariah 4:2
- The Seven Seals
- Seals that held the scroll closed. They could be
broken only by the Lamb. As each seal was broken a
(usually destructive) event occurred. (5:1; 6:1-17; 8:1)
- The Seven Stars
- Jesus appears to John on Patmos holding seven stars in his right hand
(1:16). The stars are explained to represent the angels of the seven
churches (1:20). The angels are the heavenly representives of the earthly
churches.
- The Seven Trumpets
- After the breaking of the seventh seal, seven angels are given seven
trumpets. Instruments blown by seven angels after the breaking of the
seventh seal. The trumpets bring disaster. (8:2,6-12; 9; 11:15-19)
- Smyrna
- A city in Asia Minor containing one of the seven churches. The church is
praised and warned of impending suffering. (2:8-10) [Map]
- Sodom
- A city of ancient Israel destroyed by God (Genesis 19:24) because of its
wickedness. In Revelation the name is explicitly said to symbolize the great
city. (11:8)
- The Throne
- The central object in heaven (4:2). This represents God and the power of
God. The figure seated on the throne is described as having an appearance
like jasper or carnelian. See Ezekiel 1:26-28.
- Thyatira
- A city in Asia Minor containing one of the seven churches. (2:18-25) [Map]
- The Twenty-four Elders
- Beings, robed in white and wearing crowns, sitting in the presence of God.
(4:4,10-11)
- The Two Witnesses
- The two witnesses are given power to prophecy for 42 months (11:3). They
were prophets. The beast from the abyss kills them, but
they are resurrected and they ascend to heaven. (11:1-13)
- The Whore
- A woman called Babylon. She represents Rome. (17:3-6)
- The Winepress
- Called the winepress of the wrath of God. The wicked are punished in it.
(14:19-20)
- Wormwood
- The name of the star that fell onto the fresh water of the world (8:11).
It caused a third of that fresh water to become wormwood. Wormwood is the
name of a bitter plant.
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Send comments/questions to mcampbel@gulf.uvic.ca.
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