When looking at ‘Prophetic Language’ there are a few symbolic principles that open up your spiritual understading. The first one is that when Zion and Jerusalem is used in prophecy it doesn’t necessarily mean the literal people of Israel, but can mean God’s spiritual People – The Church. We are now in the New Dispensation and Hebrews 12 explains this. Because of the blood of Jesus we can enter God’s Temple. We are now in the New Jerusalem.
“But you have come right up into Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the gathering of countless happy angels; 23 and to the church, composed of all those registered in heaven; and to God who is Judge of all; and to the spirits of the redeemed in heaven, already made perfect; 24 and to Jesus himself, who has brought us his wonderful new agreement; and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance as the blood of Abel did.” Hebrews 12:22-24
Also when it speaks of destroying the Wicked, it may be speaking of the forces of darkness rather than literal people. Paul makes this clear in Ephesians 6 that we are not fighting against people anymore but demonic forces.
“For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.” Ephesians 6:12
This helps us to understand what is being spoken of in Malachi chapter 4 and in the prophecy of Joel chapter 2 where the wicked are burnt up and like ashes beneath our feet.
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19
Demons are symbolized here as snakes and scorpions which are under placed under our feet.
We read often of the fire of judgment. This may not be literal fire but the presence of God for He is called a consuming fire in Hebrews 12:29. We are told that we can be baptised in the Holy Spirit and Fire Matthew 3:11. It says in the Book of Revelation that Jesus has fire in His eyes but doesn’t mean He’s angry with us for under grace fire can also mean passion.
We read often of God’s Levites being dealt with in scripture, especially in Malachi. This can speak of Christians for we read in scripture.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9-12, Revelation 1:5-6
To be in the Priesthood of God in OT days you needed to be part of the tribe of Levi, but now we are all part of that tribe through Christ.
Another thing to consider is that rain speaks of an outpouring of the Spirit – Revival; and light speaks of revelation. When He comes to us like the dawn it’s a gradual unveiling of light in our lives.
Another important principle is that the Sun, Moon and Stars being darkened or falling which can speak of principalities and powers falling. I will explain this more in my next message.
The sun, moon and stars are often used in prophetic symbolism so its important to understand what it means, for its not always literal. Look at this verse for instance.
“All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree.”
What do you think this verse is talking about and where does it come from in the Bible? Surely it’s in the book of Revelation? And it must be to do with the end of the world - right? - wrong.
This verse is found in Isaiah 34:4 and verses 5 – 6 describe this as God’s judgment upon the nation of Edom.
“My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have totally destroyed. Isaiah 34:5
Now look at these verses, surely these are from the book of Revelation, especially when talking about the stars not giving their light with the sun going dark and the moon not giving its light either. It also speaks of the earth shaking out of its place. When looking at these verses in context they are speaking of God’s judgment on the Babylonians by the Medes and Persians. Look at Isaiah 13:9-13
“The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light.”
“The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the Lord Almighty, in the day of his burning anger. “
We see the interpretation of these verses in 17-19. This descriptive language speaks of political powers being shaken, the Sun and Moon being those in authority. Its used again Ezekiel 32:7-11
The use of the sun and moon being darkened is symbolic of higher political powers being brought down. Which would be those in authority.
Look also at Genesis 37:9-10 where Joseph had the dream of the sun, moon and the stars bowing down to him. Joseph’s father said to him. Does this mean that I and your mother and brothers will bow down to you? He knew what it meant.
In the days before the cross the powers that were fought against were nations such as Babylon and Assyria but now we are told that we not fighting against flesh and blood anymore but against spiritual forces in heavenly places.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
For instance, when it talks about shaking the heavens and the earth it can be talking about the fall of principalities and powers that had been ruling over a nation, which then brings about change and even revival. In the Welsh Revival, those powers that had been ruling over the nation were brought down and were not able to blind people anymore and stop them from going to Church.
When you understand this principle it helps you see what God is talking about in some of the end time scriptures, as it often talks about shaking the of the heavens with stars falling.
Good Angels and Satan the fallen Angel and his demons are often called stars.
“On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” Job 38:6-7
“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!” Isaiah 14:12