WILLIAM MILLER’S EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

[This is has been provided strictly for a better understanding of William Miller’s, as well as that of many other
Millerites, mind set and not necessarily to provide an understanding of Biblical symbolism.]

ADULTERY – Idolatry BED – A place of confinement

Jer. 3:9; Ezek. 23:37 Rev. 2:22; Isa. 28:20

AIR – Spirit of piety - false theories BELLY – Practical part

Eph. 2:2 Rom. 16:18; Job 15:35; Rev. 10:9, 10; Luke 15:16;
John 7:38
ALTAR – Christ
Ps. 43:4; Heb. 13:10 BIND – To judge and condemn
Matt. 12:30; 22:13
AMON – A people, or son of my people
BIRD or FOWL – Warriors and conquerors
ANCIENT OF DAYS – God Isa. 46:11; Jer. 12:9; Rev. 18:2
Dan. 7:9
BIRTH – Deliverance from heavy judgments
ANGEL – Christ or messenger of God Isa. 37:3-20; 66:9
Ex. 23:20; Rev. 1:1; 20:1
BLACK – Error, cruelty, death
ARK – Christ Jer. 4:28; Rev. 6:5-12
Ps. 132:8; Num. 10:33
BLASPHEMY – Idolatry
ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN – Dignity and honor Isa. 65:7; Ezek. 20:24-27
John 6:62; Isa. 14:13, 14; Rev. 11:12
BLESS or BLESSED – Saved from sin and from
ASLEEP – Death death
Acts 7:60; 2 Pet. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:18 Ps. 28:9; 37:22; Isa. 61:9; Rev. 14:13

AWAKE – Resurrection BLIND – Self-righteousness

Job 14:12; Ps. 17:15; John 11:11; Dan. 12:2 Matt. 1514; 23:16-26

BABYLON – Confusion, mixture, worldly BLOOD – Death, war and slaughter

Matt. 27:24; Isa. 15:9; 34:3; Rev. 6:10; 8:8; 11:6;
BALAAM – Their destruction without the prophet 14:20

BALANCE – Justice or worldly mind BLOWING OF THE WIND – The Holy Spirit doing its
Daniel 5:27; Rev. 6:5 office in regeneration
Cant. 4:16; John 3:8; Rev. 7:1
BANNER – Gospel ensign, love
Cant. 2:4 BOOK – God's designs, knowledge and counsel.
Reading, is to make his designs known. To Seal, is to
BEASTS – Kingdoms or powers shut up, or make sure
Dan. 7:3, 17; Rev. 4:6-8; 5:8, 9 Ps. 139:16; Is. 34:16

BEHELD or BEHOLDING – Joy, or grief, according to BOW AND ARROWS – Victory over enemies
the circumstances Isa. 41:2; Rev. 6:2
Ps. 119:158; Rev. 11:12

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BRASS – is used for impudence and sin, warlike CLOUD, or TO RIDE ON A CLOUD – is an emblem
Isa. 48:4; Jer. 6:28; Mic. 4:13 of power and great glory. Sometimes it means heavy
judgments
BRANCH – a descendant or offspring Matt. 24:30; Joel 2:2; Zeph. 1:15
Isa. 11:1; Jer. 23:5; Dan. 11:7
CROWN – Dignity and honor
BREAD – Doctrine of life Prov. 16:31; Isa. 28:1-5; 62:3
Amos 8:11; Matt. 4:4
CRY or CRIED – To be sensible of want. Prayers and
BREAST-PLATE – Defense or armor petitions for relief; or forerunner of war
Isa. 59:17; Rev. 9:9 2 Kings 4:40; Ps. 30:2-8; Rev. 14:18

BREASTS – Consolation, word of God DARKNESS – Ignorance, unbelief, and every evil
Isa. 66:11 work, confusion, and horror
Prov. 4:19; Isa. 60:2; Eph. 5:11
BRIDLE – The restraining power of God
Isa. 30:28 DAY – is one year - revolution of the earth in its orbit
Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:5, 6; Dan. 9:24
BRIMSTONE – Curse of God
Isa. 30:33; 11:4 DAY OF THE LORD – Judgment day, or 1000 years
1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:8-10; Rev. 20:4-7
BURNING WITH FIRE – is to destroy, or change their
state completely DEATH – Separation from body, from holiness, from
Mal. 4:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:10, 11; Rev. 20:9 God; inactive, separate from former state. This is the
proper sense
BUY, or BUYING – is used as an act of giving or
receiving religious instruction DESERT or WILDERNESS – paganism, or away from
Isa. 55:1; Rev. 3:18; 13:17 the force of the laws of the Romish Church
Isa. 40:3; Ezek. 47:8; Rev. 12:6
CANDLE – is light
Jer. 25:10; Matt. 5:15; Luke 11:36; 15:8 DEVIL – Roman government; pagan and papal, when
used as a symbol
CANDLESTICKS – The means of light; as the Rev. 2:10; 12:9; 22:2
kingdom of Christ, the two witnesses, and seven
churches, are called candlesticks DEW AND RAIN – signify the pouring out of the Spirit
Dan. 5:5; Zech. 4:2, 11; Rev. 2:5; 11:4 and heavenly blessing
Ps. 133:3; Prov. 19:12; Hosea 14:5
CARMEL – The vineyard of God
Mich. 7:14 DOGS – Wicked men and teachers
Isa. 56:10; Rev. 22:15; Phil. 3:2; Ps. 59:6-14
CHAIN – signifies the laws of God; or man, in
prophecy DRAGON – Rome pagan, afterwards papal,
Ps. 149:8; Acts 28:20; Jude 6 persecuting governments
Rev. 17:8
CHITTEM – Those that bruise
Dan. 11:30 DRUNKENNESS – Intoxicated with worldly riches,
pleasures and honors
CITY OF GOD – New Jerusalem Isa. 29:9; Matt. 24:49; Luke 21:34
Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12
EAGLE – denotes a people hid, or out of sight
CITY OF NATIONS – Antichrist, or Babylon. The Rev. 12:14; 4:7; Matt. 24:28
streets of the great city are the ten kings
Rev. 16:19; 17:18; Rev. 11:8, 13 EARTH – The Roman kingdom
Rev. 13:12; 19:2

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EARTHQUAKE – Revolutions HARVEST – The gathering of men to their final
Hag. 2:21, 22; Rev. 6:12; 16:18 destiny
Matt. 13:39; Jer. 51:33; Joel 3:13
EAT – To consume or destroy
Rev. 17:16; James 5:3; Rev. 19:18 HEAD – The supreme power of the object
Dan. 2:38; Eph. 1:22; Rev. 19:12
ELDERS, TWENTY-FOUR – denote the whole
priesthood, taken from twenty-four courses HEAT – Anger, calamity
1 Chron. 24 Deut. 29:24; Ezek. 3:14; Rev. 16:9

FIRE – is used to denote destruction, and justice of HEAVEN – Government of God with his people
God or the Word of God Deut. 11:21; Isa. 49:13; Matt. 16:19; 25:1, 14; Dan.
Ps. 68:2; Heb. 12:29; Jer. 5:14 7:18, 22

FLESH – Riches and honors of the world HILL – Kingdoms

2 Pet. 2:10-18; 1 John 2:15, 16; Rev. 19:18 Isa. 2:2; 5:25; Mic. 6:1, 2

FLOOD – Great numbers HORN – Kings

Isa. 59:19; Dan. 9:26; Rev. 12:15, 16 Dan. 7:24; 8:20, 21; Rev. 17:12, 16

FOREHEAD – Public profession, or character HORSE – War and conquest

Jer. 3:3; Ezek. 9:4; Rev. 7:3; 13:16 Prov. 21:31; Jer. 8:6
White, victory – Rev. 6:2; 19:11
FROGS – The symbolic meaning of frogs (say some) Black, distress and calamity – Rev. 6:5
is flatterers or impostors Red, war and hostility – Rev. 6:4
Rev. 16:13 Pale, death and destruction – Rev. 6:8

GARMENTS – denote the character, as white denotes IRON – Strength

purity or righteousness; rags, filthy; sackcloth, Dan. 2:33-41; Rev. 2:27
mourning
Dan. 7:9; Zech. 3:3, 4; Rev. 16:15 ISRAEL – Christian church
Isa. 45:4-25; Gal. 6:16
GOD – when used as a symbol, denotes a prince,
ruler, or magistrate ISLANDS – Small governments in Roman states
1 Cor. 8:5; Gal. 4:8 Ezek. 26:15, 16; Zeph. 2:11; Rev. 10:20; 6:14

GRAVE – To hide in secret; put out of memory JERUSALEM – The church of God
Job 14:13 Isa. 52:9; Gal. 4:26

GRASS – means people, as green the righteous, dry JEZEBEL – Antichrist

or stubble the wicked 1 Kings 18:19; Rev. 2:20; 8:36; Rev. 6:4; 11:7
Isa. 40:6, 7, 8; 1 Pet. 1:24; Rev. 8:7; 9:4
KILLING – Depriving of power
HAIL – denotes wars, slaughter and desolation, by Ps. 44:22; Rom. 8:36; Rev. 6:4; 11:7
some Northern government
Isa. 28:2, 17; 30:30, 32; Rev. 8:7 KING – Forms of government or power
Dan. 8:23; Rev. 9:11; 17:10
HAND – Symbol of action and labor
Isa. 10:13; 48:13; Rev. 20:1; Dan. 8:25 LAMB – Messiah
Isa. 16:1; John 1:29; Rev. 5:12
HARLOT – An idolatrous community, or church
Isa. 1:21; Jer. 3:1-8; Rev. 17:5 LAMP – Word of God or Mahometan Bible
Ps. 119:105; Rev. 8:10

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LEOPARD – A cruel, fierce, and quick conqueror RIVERS – People living on the rivers, mentioned
Hosea 13:7; Hab. 1:8; Rev. 13:2 Isa. 8:7; Rev. 8:10; 16:4

LION – Valiant, strong, courageous ROD OF IRON – Power of Christ

Prov. 28:1; 30:30; Rev. 10:3; 13:2 Ps. 2:9; Isa. 11:1; Rev. 2:27

LOCUSTS – Great armies SCARLET – Bloody, cruel

Isa. 33:4; Nah. 3:15, 17; Rev. 9:3-7 Rev. 17:3, 4

MARK – To profess allegiance. The Roman soldiers SEA – A large body of people
had marked foreheads and hands Isa. 57:20; Dan. 7:3; Rev. 7:2, 3
Ezek. 9:4; Rev. 13:16, 17; 14:9, 11
SHIELD AND BUCKLER
MEASURE – Completed, finished Ps. 91:4
Ps. 29:4; Jer. 51:13; Matt. 23:32; Rev. 11:1
STARS – Ministers in the church, or rulers in the world
MERCHANTS – Professed ministers of Christ Rev. 12:1; Dan. 8:10; 12:3; Jude 13
Isa. 23:8, 18; Jer. 14:18; Rev. 18:11, 12, 23
SUN – As in the natural, so in the moral world, source
MOON – Gospel or church of all light, Christ or his word
Isa. 30:26; Rev. 12:1; Cant. 6:10 Gen. 37:9; Ps. 84:11; Mal. 4:2

MOUNTAIN – Governments SWORD – Slaughter

Isa. 2:2; Dan. 2:35 Jer. 15:3; Ezek. 21:28

MOUNTAIN, HOLY – The gospel kingdom or the seat SWORD, TWO-EDGED – Word of God
of Antichrist Ps. 149:6; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 1:16; 2:12
Isa. 11:9; Ezek. 28:14; Dan. 11:45
TAIL – Subordinate officers or provinces
MORNING – Resurrection of the just Isa. 9:14, 15; Rev. 12:4
Ps. 49:14
TEETH, LARGE IRON – Strong devouring enemy
MOUTH – Commands, or laws Dan. 7:7, 19; Rev. 9:8
Dan. 7:8; Rev. 13:5; 16:13; 1 Thess. 2:8
TEMPLE – The church professedly of Christ or
NAKED – Shame and disgrace Antichrist
Mic. 1:8, 11; Rev. 3:18; 16:15; 17:16 Mal. 3:1; 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev. 7:15

NIGHT – Moral darkness or wickedness THUNDER – Sudden dispersion of armies or

Isa. 21:8; Rom. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:5; Rev. 21:25 kingdoms
1 Sam. 2:10; Isa. 29:5, 6; Ps. 18:13
NUMBER or NUMBERED – Finished - end
Ps. 90:12; Dan. 5:26; Ezek. 4:4-6; Rev. 13:17, 18 TREE OF LIFE – Jesus Christ
Rev. 2:7; 22:2
OIL – Faith
Matt. 25:8; Cant. 1:3; Heb. 4:2 VINE – A class of people, as wicked or righteous
Hosea 10:1; Rev. 14:18
OX – denotes a people for slaughter
Prov. 7:22; Jer. 11:19; Num. 23:1 VOICES – Many people engaged in the same cry to
be eased of burdens, or rejoicing
RAIN – Reformation, grace, refreshing Luke 23:23; Rev. 8:5; 11:15, 19
Deut. 32:2; Hosea 6:3; James 5:7
WALK WITH GOD – is to live with and be in
RED – Persecuting, bloody communion with him
Rev. 6:4; 12:3 2 Cor. 6:16; Rev. 3:4

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WATERS – Flesh or people
Num. 24:7; Isa. 48:1; 8:7; John 5:8; Rev. 17:15

WHIRLWIND – Heavy judgments of God

Ps. 58:9; Prov. 1:27; Isa. 66:15

WILDERNESS – Outlawed from the great city

Deut. 32:10; Jer. 12:10; Rev. 12:6

WIND – Doctrine, good and bad

Cant. 4:16; Isa. 26:18; Eph. 4:14

WINE – is consolation, and anger, and justice

Cant. 5:1; Isa. 55:1; Rev. 16:19; 17:2

WINGS – Protection, defense

Ex. 19:4; Ps. 17:8; 36:7; Rev. 9:9; 12:14

WITNESS – Christ, prophets and apostles

Isa. 43:10; Acts 1:8, 22; Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 20:4

WITNESSES, TWO – Two testaments, scriptures,

figured by the two cherubim
Rev. 11:3, 4; Zach. 4:3-6; John 5:39; 1 John 5:9; Ex.
31:18

WOMAN – The true church and anti-Christian church

Isa. 54:6; Jer. 6:2; Rev. 12:1; 17:3, 7

WOOD – People
Jer. 5:14

WORDS OF GOD – Fire

Jer. 5:14

WRATH, DAY OF – Judgment day

Job 21:30; Ps. 110:5; Zeph. 1:15; Rom. 2:5; Rev. 6:17

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