Linked with types, yet separate from them, are symbols. One difference between them is the time element, a

type being essentially a prefiguring of something future, whereas a symbol has no definite reference to time. In a

symbol there are two elements: the idea which is mental, and the concrete image which represents it. It is well

known that the prophetical books of the Bible are full of symbols and it is largely because of this fact that they are

difficult to interpret. Here again, unless we have some guiding principle, the door is wide open to fancy, speculation

and ridiculous extremes. We will confine ourselves to Scriptural symbols and consider the interpretation of

prophecy later on.

When we seek to understand a symbol in the Bible we should have a concordance by us and be prepared to

search and note every context where such a symbol is used, in other words, compare Scripture with Scripture, which

we have seen is fundamental to the true interpretation of God's Word. We should carefully note if the symbol in

question is explained by another passage of Scripture, and if so, we must accept this and not force upon it another

meaning which is contradictory. Thus the wild animals of Daniel's prophecy stand for nations under human rule

and energized by Satan. We should be helped by this when we come to interpret the wild beasts of the book of

Revelation which have a similar meaning, and refer to the heads or rulers of these nations.

We must note that there is sometimes double imagery in symbols. The Lord Jesus is called `the lion of the tribe

of Judah' (Rev. 5:5), and Satan too is likened to a `lion ... seeking whom he may devour' (1 Pet. 5:8), showing that

sometimes a symbol can be used in more than one way; only the context and usage can decide. In consideration of

symbols used in the Bible, there is no doubt that numbers are sometimes used symbolically, though here, once again,

we need to take great care, for some have gone to great lengths in lack of wisdom and flights of fancy, especially

those who are mathematically minded. Not every number in the Bible has spiritual significance, and to try and

deduce all sorts of doctrines from numbers and gematria can be most misleading and also lead to error and division.

It hardly needs stressing that seven is an important number in God's purpose. The creation in seven days

(however we interpret the days); the religious life of Israel revolving around seven, seven weeks from Passover to

Pentecost, seven years with its Sabbatical year, seven times seven years with the Jubilee; the seventy sevens of

Daniel's prophecy, and the book of the Revelation is just full of sevens, not only the figure, but in the occurrence of

words and phrases as well.

Six is man's number. He was created on the sixth day and so comes short of seven, God's perfect standard, and

it is noteworthy that some of the enemies of God, such as Goliath, for instance, are stamped with six, and the

superman of the end time is linked with a triple six (Rev. 13:18). Four is linked with the earth (the four quarters),

forty with testing (Israel in the wilderness and the Lord Jesus likewise). Thirteen (ominous number for some) is

linked with Satan. For a Scriptural exposition of this subject we recommend Dr. E.W. Bullinger's Number in

Scripture.

There is also symbolism in colour, even though the colours of the Bible may be difficult to determine exactly.

While there is room for differences of opinion here, scarlet seems to be linked with sacrifice. Blue is the heavenly

colour. Purple, having been worn by kings and high dignitaries, is the colour of royalty, whereas white suggests

purity or righteousness. It is significant that in the last book of the Bible, where a spotless creation is finally

reached, there are more references to white than in any other book in the New Testament.

Metals have a significance too. Silver was connected to the atonement money (Exod. 30:12-16), and therefore

linked with redemption and atonement. Gold stands for the highest and holiest and can therefore in some contexts

represent Deity. The brass of the Bible is not the same as the metal we know today, being composed of copper and

tin, whereas the modern metal consists of copper and zinc. Bronze or copper would be nearer the mark than brass.

Its use in connection with the brazen altar, upon which all the sacrifices for sin were made, the brazen serpent in the

wilderness and the brazen feet of Christ in glory, about to return in power and glory (Rev. 1:15), link this metal with

Needless to say, a fixed meaning cannot be made for every occurrence of a metal or a colour in the Scriptures.

Wisdom and balance must obtain here, as in all our dealings with the Word of God.