When you go to a theatre to watch a play, you are given a playbill that lists the actors names, the roles they play, and a short description of each character. Here is a playbill for the book of Revelation. This is nothing like a complete list or commentary but my hope is it will be helpful when studying the text.
144,000 The total number of God’s people on earth. The number is symbolic.
666 Man/Satan/Rome falling short of seven which represents divine perfection.
The Woman The faithful remnant of God’s people. Spiritual Israel/the church.
Red Dragon Satan who attempts to crush the church/Christians.
Sea Beast Roman Empire. The human agent of Satan’s persecution.
Earth Beast Paganism/Emperor worship. Makes men worship Rome/blaspheme God.
The Harlot Rome. The great Babylon of John’s time
1,000 years A long complete period from the cross until the end of time. Never again will a world empire threaten the church with extinction. We are in the millennium. Christ now reigns in the hearts of men and in heaven.
| Seal | Trumpet | Bowl | |
| First | White horse: Christ conquering via the gospel | Disasters on the earth designed to make men repent. | Sickness and disease affect men on earth |
| Second | Red Horse: Tribulation through war and persecution. | Disasters at sea designed to make men repent. | The sea that brought Rome wealth now brings enemies. |
| Third | Black Horse: Tribulation through famine and economic persecution | Disasters and afflictions to fresh water designed to make me repent | Fresh water that supplied Rome now brings disease/death. |
| Fourth | Pale Horse: Tribulation by death. All these affect Rome. | Spiritual darkness leads to evil deeds. Man still does not seek God. | Truth burns brightly and judges the sin or Rome. |
| Fifth | Martyred saints cry out for judgment and are assured of victory. | Locusts: Pain brought on by sin. Immorality weakens Rome. | The darkness of sin brings pain but not repentance. |
| Sixth | End of persecution. Roman oppression and time will both end. | Armies: Outside invaders weaken Rome | God’s army cannot be defeated. Rome’s might cannot save. |
| Seventh | The seven trumpets begin to blow. | Christ and church are victorious. Rome will fail. Seven bowls begin. | Rome falls. No world empire will challenge the church again. |
Much like a playbill, this character list is just part of the drama. To understand the play, you must watch, listen, and think. What was revealed to John by God is much the same. When you read; look with your mind’s eye, listen with your heart, and meditate on God’s message. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”-Revelation 2:7.
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