Powerful Prophetic Terms & Symbols You Should Know

Biblical prophecy has a language of its own. Some words like “Armageddon” and “the mark of the Beast” are familiar but might be misunderstood because much of what we “know” about them comes from the culture. Other terms, like “Wormwood” and “beast from the sea” can stump even the most seasoned Bible students. If you are new to prophecy or could use a refresher, this guide will help you make sense of the terms you will encounter as you study the End Times.

666 or Mark of the Beast:

The False Prophet and the Antichrist will require people to wear a mark during the End Times. It will be the only way to buy or sell goods, and it will permanently alienate its bearers from God.

Related Scripture: Revelation 13:16-18

Recommended Reading: Why Will Anyone Accept the Mark of the Beast?

Antichrist or the Beast From the Sea:

Global power will consolidate under one ruler during the Tribulation. He will directly oppose Christ and ruthlessly persecute anyone who becomes a Christian.

Related Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:1-10

Recommended Reading: 6 Answers to Questions About the Antichrist

Apocalypse or End Times:

The Apocalypse encompasses the prophetic events described in the book of Revelation that surround Jesus Christ’s appearance.

Related Scripture: Matthew 24

Recommended Reading: 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times

Armageddon:

The Tribulation period will end abruptly when Jesus Christ defeats the forces of evil in earth’s final battle—the Battle of Armageddon.

Related Scripture: Revelation 19:17-21

Recommended Reading: 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times

Jesus Christ’s return will occur in two stages.

Christ’s Return:

Jesus Christ’s return will occur in two stages. First, He will call all believers to join Him in heaven. Then, He will return to defeat the Antichrist and rule the earth in righteousness seven years later.

Related Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:11-21

Recommended Reading: What Is the Difference Between the Rapture and the Second Coming?

Church Age:

In this present era, God uses communities of believers—local churches—from all walks of life to share the Gospel. It will continue until Jesus returns for His Church.

Related Scripture: Revelation 1:9–3

Recommended Reading: 4 Practical Ways to Prepare for Christ's Return

False Prophet or the Beast From the Earth:

This religious leader will use his influence to implement the mark of the Beast and unite the world under the Antichrist’s leadership during the Tribulation.

Related Scripture: Revelation 13:11-18

Recommended Reading: What Does 666 Mean?

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse:

These agents represent the first four judgments God will release on the earth during the Tribulation. They symbolize the Antichrist, bloodshed, famine, and death.

Related Scripture: Revelation 6:1-8

Recommended Reading: Why is Revelation Full of Symbols?

Great White Throne Judgment:

Every human being who has not responded by faith to God’s grace throughout human history will stand before Christ at the Great White Throne and be sentenced to eternal condemnation.

Related Scripture: Matthew 7:22-23; Revelation 20:11-15

Recommended Reading: 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times

All prophecies point to Jesus Christ’s arrival two thousand years ago or His return at the end of time.

Jesus:

All prophecies point to Jesus Christ’s arrival two thousand years ago or His return at the end of time. His first appearance fulfilled more than three hundred prophecies, giving us great confidence in those that remain.

Related Scripture: Revelation 19:11-21

Recommended Reading: Christ’s Second Coming: The Ultimate Biblical Theme Explained

Judgment Seat of Christ:

All who trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will stand before Him, in heaven, to be judged and rewarded.

Related Scripture: Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11

Recommended Reading: Side-by-Side Comparison: Great White Throne & Judgment Seat of Christ

Lake of Fire:

The Antichrist, the False Prophet, Satan, Death, Hades, and all who do not know Jesus as their Savior will spend eternity in the lake of fire.

Related Scripture: Revelation 19:20; 20:10, 14-15

Recommended Reading: How Will People Be Judged By God

Martyrs:

Many who embrace Jesus Christ during the Tribulation will be killed because of their faith, for which they will be eternally rewarded.

Related Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11

Recommended Reading: How Bad Will the Tribulation Be?

Millennium:

After Armageddon, Christ and His followers will rule the earth in peace and righteousness from His capital in Jerusalem for ten centuries.

Related Scripture: Revelation 20:1-10

Recommended Reading: What Is the Millennium?

God will restore the world and dwell with His people in perfect harmony forever.

New Heaven & New Earth:

A city of indescribable beauty will descend from heaven after the present heaven and earth pass away. God will restore the world and dwell with His people in perfect harmony forever.

Related Scripture: 2 Peter 3:10-12; Revelation 21:1-8

Recommended Reading: 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times

New Jerusalem:

Once the Lord purifies the earth, the city of heaven with its streets of gold and pearly gates will come out of the clouds and rest on earth. God and His people will reside there for eternity.

Related Scripture: Revelation 9:9-27

Recommended Reading: 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times

Prophecy:

Prophecy fulfills two purposes. It teaches, encourages, and comforts Christians by applying God’s truth to current circumstances (1 Corinthian 14:3), and it describes events that will happen in the future.

Related Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:3

Recommended Reading: What Is the Purpose of Bible Prophecy?

Prophet:

Anyone appointed by God to communicate His Truth with absolute fidelity is a prophet. A true prophet never contradicts Scripture, and their predictions are always accurate.

Related Scripture: Jeremiah 23:18-22

Recommended Reading: What Is the Purpose of Bible Prophecy?

Rapture:

One day, Jesus will return with a shout. All believers, living and dead, will rise to meet Him in the air. Then, evil will run rampant on earth.

Related Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10

Recommended Reading: Rapture 101

All believers, living and dead, will rise to meet Jesus in the air.

Remnant or 144,000:

These individuals will be Jews who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior during the Tribulation and proclaim the truth.

Related Scripture: Revelation 14

Recommended Reading: How Bad Will the Tribulation Be?

Revelation:

In the book of Revelation, God reveals details about the future that we would not otherwise know. It gives us a snapshot of the world’s final days.

Related Scripture: The Book of Revelation

Recommended Article: Book of Revelation Timeline

Second Coming:

When the Tribulation reaches its climax, Jesus will defeat the Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon and begin His Millennial Reign.

Related Scripture: Revelation 19:11-21

Recommended Reading: What the Bible Says About Christ’s Second Coming

Suffering Servant:

The prophet Isaiah predicted that a Suffering Servant would bear the world’s sins. Jesus Christ fulfilled this prophecy when He died on the cross for our sins and rose to life three days later.

Related Scripture: Isaiah 53; John 12:23-26

Recommended Reading: Why is Revelation Full of Symbols?

The Dragon or Satan:

Satan has opposed God’s plans since Eden. Revelation 12 describes his final assault against Israel and her Messiah (Jesus), which will result in his utter defeat.

Related Scripture: Revelation 12:1-17

Recommended Reading: Why is Revelation Full of Symbols?

Tribulation:

The moment after the Rapture, God’s Spirit will cease to restrain evil in the world. For seven years, God’s anger will burn against the wicked, and conditions will grow worse than they have ever been.

God’s Spirit will cease to restrain evil in the world.

Related Scripture: Revelation 6–18

Recommended Reading: 10 Signs the Tribulation Is Near

Witnesses:

During the first half of the Tribulation, God will send two prophets to call the world to repent of ungodliness. Many scholars believe Elijah and Moses are the two witnesses.

Related Scripture: Revelation 11:1-14

Recommended Reading: 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times

Wormwood

: A star or meteor called Wormwood will sideswipe earth during the Tribulation, turning one-third of the earth’s water into a deadly poisonous liquid.

Related Scripture: Revelation 8:10-11

Recommended Reading: Why is Revelation Full of Symbols?

Zion:

This term can refer to Mount Zion in Jerusalem or New Jerusalem. When Jesus returns, He will stand on Mount Zion and welcome God’s children into the heavenly city.

Related Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-24; Revelation 14:1

Recommended Reading: 3 Misconceptions About Heaven