The Power Of Word Pictures In Prophecy

Poets use figures of speech, word pictures and symbols. If most prophecy is indeed poetry, then we should expect to find many examples of that. Here's what the Missouri Synod Lutheran theologians say in their 1989 study of the End Times about symbolic language used in apocalyptic literature:

Symbolic language of this kind is especially common in apocalyptic literature such as Daniel and Revelation. In Revelation, for example, one. reads of horsemen (chap. 6), locusts (chap. 9), beasts (chap. 13), Satan chained and bound in a bottomless pit (chap. 20), and more. Moreover, in apocalyptic literature numbers are regularly used symbolically (the seven horns and seven eyes of Christ [Rev. 5:6], the 144,000 sealed [Rev. 7:2-8; 14:1-5], the 1000 years of Revelation 20). Clearly, this type of literature does not purport to be speaking literally,[10] as if every verse is presenting straightforward, newspaper-like prose. The goal of the interpreter must be to seek the one intended or literal sense of the text, and to do so with the recognition that God in some cases has chosen to convey meaning through symbolism and figures of speech (e.g., metonymy, metaphor, and simile).

So let's take a look at one of their quoted examples from the N.T. prophet John as he writes in the much studied book of The Revelation.

"And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer" (Rev. 6:1-5).

In this chapter we read of four horses, white, red, black and pale or ashen. The white came out to conquer, the bright red to bring war, the black to bring famine and the pale to bring death. What a frightening word picture that is! Similar word pictures are found among other inspired prophets. The prophet Zechariah tells about seeing three horses and their riders.

"I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. Then I said, 'What are these, my lord?' The angel who talked with me said to me, 'I will show you what they are.' So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, 'These are they whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth' (Zechariah 1:8-9).

The prophet Zechariah lived and worked after the Babylonian captivity. With his colleague Haggai, he led the returning Jews in the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple. He is one of the most comforting of all the prophets. His book opens with gracious words from the LORD of hosts, promising that the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. While Judah was in bondage, the unbelieving heathen nations around them prospered and were at rest. That is about to change. These nations will be punished.

It is vital that we read Zechariah's prophecy in its historical context, rather than try to impose what he wrote upon the modern Middle East, for instance. The word from the LORD was first for the exiles now returned to Jerusalem. Standing among them in the fragrant myrtle trees were the mighty angels of God. Through them God governs the world. Behind them stand three horses, red, sorrel (speckled) and white. Why is Zechariah given such a vision?

The horses are images of angels patrolling the land (Zech. 1:9-11). Of course angels do not need horses to do that. However, their horses, red, sorrel and white have symbolical meaning.

• Red - Earlier the prophet Isaiah had comforted exiled Judah with his vision of the LORD coming with vengeance to tred the winepress of His anger. The lifeblood of the LORD's enemies was spattered on His garments and stained on all His apparel (Isaiah 63:1-6). This promise was reaffirmed through Zechariah as he saw an avenging angel about to ride out on a horse. The nations at ease will now experience the anger and judgment of the LORD (Zech. 1:12-15)
• Sorrel - Here we must be very cautious, because there are no other books in Holy Scripture where horses are described as sorrel or speckled (see Zech. 6 below). It is interesting to note that the root word for this color is sharak, a word that sounds like what it means, namely to whistle or hiss. The prophet Jeremiah writes about the destruction of Edom and Babylon. When people see what has happened they will hiss or whistle in amazement, he writes (Jeremiah 19:8; 49:17). So it may well be that this sorrel horse is a reference to this whistling or hissing at the destruction of these enemy nations. 
• White - In Zechariah 6:1-8 we read of chariots with red, black, white and dappled or spotted horses. With that image the LORD assured Judah that they would not have to fear Persia or Babylon to the north or Egypt to the south, because they would now be at peace. God was in charge.

In both the prophecies of John and of Zechariah we are told that the LORD God sends His holy angels out upon the earth to bring God's vengeance upon His enemies and to protect and restore His chosen people.

God's word is revealed through images and word pictures to tell us that we are not alone and that the LORD rules the nations. As the Lutheran theologians quoted above said, this is not "straightforward, newspaper-like prose". It does, however, convey meaning, powerful and emotional, stirring feelings of fear, fright, hope and joy. 

As we ponder the images we can hear the horses snorting and galloping. We can see the great beasts and their avenging riders bearing down upon frightened and fleeing hordes. Blood is flowing, people are screaming and dying and buildings are burning. All the ravages of war and death come before us. And then it is over and God's people are at peace. War, destruction and death are past. The avenging angels have done their work. Now the rebuilding may begin. Crops will be planted and flourish. God's people will gather in His new temple for worship. And with the peace comes hope for a joyous future.

This is the power and importance of this kind of literature. However, let me caution you to allow the Scriptures to interpret the Scriptures. Do not force them to say more than they are meant to say. Do not ignore their historical context. The prophets preached to a definite life situation and delivered their messages so their original hearers would understand them.

Another time I shall say more about the symbolism of numbers like 3, 7, 10, 12 and their multiples.