Glossary of Terms - A
All terms listed herein are defined according to their usage within the context of the SCJ Bible Study.
Abomination that Causes Desolation An entity or event that causes destruction, prophesied to enter a holy place. In the context of the Second Coming, it represents a beast with seven heads and ten horns that invades and destroys God’s holy people in a tabernacle. Bible Verses: Matthew 24:15-16, Luke 21:20-21, Daniel 12:8-9.
Abel The righteous brother of Cain, who was persecuted and murdered by Cain, demonstrating the early conflict between those who belong to God and those who belong to the devil. Bible Verses: Genesis 4:1-8, Hebrews 11:4.
Abomination that Causes Desolation An entity or event that causes destruction, prophesied to enter a holy place. In the context of the Second Coming, it represents a beast with seven heads and ten horns that invades and destroys God’s holy people in a tabernacle. Bible Verses: Matthew 24:15-16, Luke 21:20-21, Daniel 12:8-9.
Abel The righteous brother of Cain, who was persecuted and murdered by Cain, demonstrating the early conflict between those who belong to God and those who belong to the devil. Bible Verses: Genesis 4:1-8, Hebrews 11:4.
Abraham A patriarch chosen by God, who received promises of numerous descendants and a promised land. He is an example of unwavering faith and obedience. God made an everlasting covenant with him. His original name was Abram. Bible Verses: Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:6, Genesis 6:3, Hosea 6:7.
Abyss A figurative place representing Satan’s domain. It is described as a deep, dark pit without the Word, serving as the headquarters of the destroyers and comparable to hell, being Satan’s organization. Satan will be bound and thrown into the abyss for a thousand years. The key to the abyss represents the wisdom to expose Satan’s secrets. Revelation 9:1, Revelation 20:1-3. Referenced Lesson: 115.
Actions The outward manifestation of one’s faith and understanding. Righteous actions are likened to wedding clothes and are essential for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. Bible Verses: Revelation 19:8. Referenced Lesson: 31.
Adam The first man and pastor chosen by God, to whom God gave the breath (word) of life and a kingdom (Garden of Eden) to tend. He was created from dust and given the word of life. Adam broke the covenant with God by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Referenced Lesson: 69.
“After This” A crucial phrase in Revelation indicating the sequence of events, showing that one event takes place after another. This phrase appears six times in the book of Revelation. Bible Verses: Revelation 4:1, 7:1, 7:9, 15:5, 18:1, 19:1. Referenced Lesson: 99, 105.
Advocate A counselor who teaches and protects. Jesus was the first advocate, speaking to the Father in our defense. Another advocate, the Spirit of Truth (identified as New John, the Promised Shepherd), is promised for the Second Coming. This advocate speaks the words of the sender, teaches all things, reminds of Jesus’s words, guides into all truth, speaks only what is heard, tells future things, and brings glory to Jesus. 1 John 2:1, John 14:16, John 14:17, John 14:26, John 16:12-14, Revelation 1:1-3, Revelation 22:16.
Aging (Covenant) The state of a covenant becoming obsolete, as the Old Covenant did due to its breaking by the people. Hebrews 8:13.
Ahaz (King) A king of Judah during Isaiah’s time, mentioned in biblical history.
Alpha and Omega God’s self-description as the beginning and the end, signifying that what He starts, He finishes. Jesus also calls Himself Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, signifying that He prophesies and fulfills. Bible Verses: Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:13. Referenced Lesson: 98, 100.
Altar of Incense An item in the tabernacle where incense was burned, symbolizing prayer and worship.
Altar of Sacrifice An item in the tabernacle where animal sacrifices were made for atonement.
Amalekites A historical nation that worshipped other gods, illustrating the breaking of God’s covenant by Israel.
Amen Means “yes, I agree” and “let it be so.” Jesus is called the Amen, and people say “Amen” when they pray or agree with something, reflecting God’s agreement and fulfillment of promises. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22.
Amos An Old Testament prophet through whom God revealed His plans. Amos 3:7.
Angel (Mighty) A specific angel in Revelation, described with an appearance like God and Jesus, who receives the opened scroll from Jesus and gives it to John. This angel represents the “another counselor” promised by Jesus. Revelation 10:1-3.
Angel Spiritual beings, often serving as messengers of God. They are holy spirits and God’s workers, serving as harvesters at the end of the age. They move swiftly like lightning when executing God’s will. The four living creatures are four archangels or head/leader angels. Hebrews 1:7, Hebrews 1:14, Mark 8:38, Matthew 13:39, Revelation 4:6-8, Ezekiel 1:4-10, Ezekiel 10:12-15. Bible Verses: Hebrews 1:14, Psalms 103:20-22, Revelation 5:11. Referenced Lesson: 101, 106, 110, 115.
Animals (Figurative) In prophecy, animals often represent people or groups of people, categorized into three types: betrayal, destruction, and salvation. Animals of Salvation: Sheep (obedient believers who follow shepherds), Oxen (hard workers, perform God’s work), Horses (ride into battle guided by a rider). Animals of Betrayal/Destruction: Dogs and pigs (return to vomit and mud), Goats (stubbornness), Wolves, lions, leopards, bears, scorpions, snakes (those who lie and destroy). This is part of the figurative language used in the Bible. “Offspring of animals” can refer to false seed/weeds.Bible Verses: Isaiah 31:3, Matthew 25:31-46, Proverbs 30:2-4, Psalm 49:20, Matthew 7:6, 2 Peter 2:22, Isaiah 56:9-11, Matthew 7:15, Nahum 3:16-17, Matthew 25:31-34, Jeremiah 31:27. Referenced Lesson: 37. Learn More: Animals.
Ananias The high priest who accused Paul.
Anointing A spiritual act of consecration or appointment, symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s presence and enabling someone for a specific task.
Antipas A historical figure used figuratively to represent faithfulness under trial. Referenced Lesson: 102.
Antics Refers to Jacob’s actions in taking Esau’s birthright and Rebecca’s support, justified by God’s prophecy.
Apostle John One of Jesus’s twelve disciples, who received and recorded the visions of the Book of Revelation while exiled on the island of Patmos. He is the original witness whose prophetic visions are fulfilled in “New John” during the second coming.
Appointed To be chosen by God for a specific role or task, as prophets, pastors, or messengers are.
Ararat (Mount) Where Noah’s ark came to rest after the flood. Genesis 9.
Archangel A high-ranking angel, such as Michael or the guardian cherub (Satan before his fall). Ezekiel 28:14.
Ark (Noah’s) A spiritual representation of a place of salvation and deliverance, from which God’s righteous people are extracted before judgment. It also represents a place of maturity. Genesis 7:1, Matthew 24:37-39.
Ark of the Covenant A sacred place containing specific articles that symbolized future realities in Jesus. It was a copy and shadow of heavenly sanctuary. Its contents included Aaron’s staff (life), a golden jar of manna (bread from heaven), and two stone tablets (word from above). Referenced Lesson: 28.
Armageddon A figurative battlefield where the spiritual war between God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom takes place, particularly in the end times. It is not a literal end-of-the-world event, but a spiritual conflict where God’s truth triumphs over Satan’s lies. Revelation 16:16.
Armor of God Represents the Word of God, which believers must “put on” daily to protect their faith and minds from Satan’s schemes. It includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit. Ephesians 6:10-17, John 17:17, Psalms 37:30-31, Luke 4:16-21, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 8:10-12.
Assyria A Gentile nation used by God as an instrument of His wrath and judgment to destroy Israel, particularly after Solomon’s betrayal. It is figuratively represented as the ‘club of God’s wrath.’ Isaiah 10:5.
Atonement The act of making amends for sin, initially through animal sacrifices in the Old Testament, and ultimately through Jesus’s blood. Jesus’s blood provides permanent atonement for sins and frees people from sin forever. Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:26-29.
Atonement of Sin (First Coming) The role of Jesus’ blood at the first coming, offering forgiveness of sins. Bible Verses: Hebrews 9:28. Referenced Lesson: 100.
Authority (Spiritual) Represented by the Iron Scepter and the White Stone. The Iron Scepter signifies teaching authority to rule all nations (churches). The White Stone symbolizes the authority to judge with the word. Bible Verses: Revelation 2:26-27, Revelation 3:12, Matthew 16:15-19. Referenced Lesson: 102, 103.