Glossary of Terms - T
All terms listed herein are defined according to their usage within the context of the SCJ Bible Study.
Tabernacle (Moses’) A physical representation of heaven on earth, built according to God’s heavenly pattern, representing God’s dwelling. It was a copy and shadow pointing to a future reality (Jesus). Exodus 25:8-9, Hebrews 9:1-9, Hebrews 8:5. Referenced Lesson: 68.
Tabernacle Temple (TT) A specific temple established in 1966 in Gwacheon, South Korea, by the seven stars. It was the first heaven and first earth that betrayed and were destroyed. Referenced Lesson: 103, 107.
Talents (Figurative) Represent measures of gold or treasure, not skills or abilities. They refer to God’s Word. Referenced Lesson: 32.
Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (TTT) A specific temple established by those who overcome in Revelation, where all nations will come to worship. Also known as the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. It is God’s final resting place and the reality of God’s kingdom on earth. It was opened after the betrayal and destruction. It is the place where God’s glory is given and much fruit is borne. Revelation 15:5, Hebrews 12, Revelation 21:1. Referenced Lesson: 103.
Tail (Figurative) Represents false pastors.
Talents (Figurative) Refers to a measure of money or gold, not skills or gifts. The Parable of the Talents illustrates the importance of using and multiplying spiritual understanding (the “talents”) for God’s Kingdom. Matthew 25:14-30.
Teachers (Spiritual) Those who explain God’s Word; they will be judged more strictly. James 3:1-2.
Temple (God’s) Can refer to a physical building, but also figuratively to Jesus’s body, and later to His people (the church). It is a spiritual structure built from wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God’s Word. Believers are considered God’s temple where His Spirit dwells. Proverbs 24:3-4, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16.
Temptation Trials that test the strength of one’s faith. Bible Verses: Matthew 24:9-13, Revelation 3:10. Referenced Lesson: 75.
Ten Commandments The foundational laws given by God through Moses in the Old Covenant.
Test (Self-Examination) A tool for self-reflection to check how much of God’s word has been retained. It helps one to show themselves approved and correctly handle the word of truth. Bible Verses: 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Peter 1:6-7. Referenced Lesson: 62.
Test (Faith) Trials and tribulations that prove the genuineness of one’s faith. 1 Peter 1:6-7.
Test (Knowledge/Sealing) Exams designed to assess one’s understanding and sealing of God’s Word.
Testify To bear witness to what one has seen and heard, particularly concerning the fulfillment of prophecy.
Testimony Fulfillment of a promise that has been kept. It is the actual reality of seeing the word become flesh through eyewitness accounts. It includes the 5W1H (who, what, when, where, why, and how). Bible Verses: John 3:31-33, Revelation 12:11. Referenced Lesson: 97.
Testimony (Word of Testimony) A clear, detailed explanation of fulfilled prophecy, including the who, what, when, where, why, and how (5Ws and 1H). It is delivered by a witness who has seen and heard. It is likened to “oil” for discernment. It is essential for discerning truth and is always paired with the “word” for truth to be present and to provide light. It is the fulfillment of prophecy (the promise kept). It is the word that identifies the reality of spiritual figures (e.g., beast, prostitute). John 3:31-33, John 5:36, Revelation 12:11.
Thaddeus One of Jesus’ twelve disciples.
15. Thessalonians (Church in) An early church warned by Paul about false prophecies and the order of events before the Lord’s return.
Thorns (Four Fields Parable) A heart condition where the Word is choked by the worries, pleasures, and deceitfulness of wealth in the world. It is one of the four heart conditions in the Parable of the Sower. Matthew 13:7, Matthew 13:22, Luke 8:14. Referenced Lesson: 16.
Three Important Promises in Revelation The promised teaching, the promised temple, and the promised pastor.
Three Mysteries in Revelation Mystery of betrayal, mystery of destruction, and mystery of salvation.
Thrones (Figurative) Represent positions of authority and judgment given to the 12 disciples. Jesus promised that His disciples would sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel during this renewal. Matthew 19:27-28, Revelation 21:5.
Throne of God (Figurative) Represents the one (New John) upon whom God, Jesus, and heaven put their names; the one who overcomes and sits with Jesus. Bible Verses: Revelation 3:21. Referenced Lesson: 105, 130.
Time (Biblical Eras) Important for understanding God’s plan and our role in it; actions must align with the current era. Referenced Lesson: 10.
Time of Completion / Perfection When God’s plan is done, prophecies cease, and blessings (heaven, eternal life) await. Bible Verses: 1 Corinthians 13:8-12. Referenced Lesson: 98.
Timeline (Biblical) The progression of God’s plan and fulfillment of prophecies throughout history, from Adam to the Second Coming. The period from Adam to Revelation’s fulfillment is considered “elementary” or “in part,” while Revelation’s fulfillment allows for things to be “fully known.”
Time of Fulfillment See Eras.
Titles of Revelation Chapters Figuratively represent the key or most significant points of each chapter, summarizing the main content.
Today (Figurative) Refers to a specific time in the future, a prophecy that will take place. Hebrews 4:7.
Traditions Human-made customs or teachings that can lead people astray from God’s true Word.
Trade (Widespread) Figurative term for Satan’s act of spreading his deceptive ideology and causing others to sin.
Transfiguration Jesus’s transformation in the presence of Peter, James, and John, where He appeared in His glorious spiritual form alongside Moses and Elijah. Matthew 17:1-9.
Treasure (Figurative) Represents an abundance of something valuable. God’s treasure is truth and is also equated with the Word of God. A person who possesses God’s Word also becomes like treasure to Him. To be “poor in spirit” means to be humble. Revelation 3:17-18, Proverbs 25:11-12, Lamentations 4:2, Proverbs 20:15, 1 Peter 2:4-5, Psalm 12:6, Exodus 19:5-6, Matthew 5:3.
Tree (Figurative) Represents a person’s inner being, born of the “seed” (Word of God). It can also symbolize a pastor or shepherd, and on a larger scale, an organization or church. There are “God’s trees” (true pastors/organizations, bearing good fruit) and “Satan’s trees” (false pastors/organizations, bearing bad fruit). John 15:1, Isaiah 5:7, Jeremiah 5:14, Matthew 12:33-35, Deuteronomy 32:32-33, Matthew 23:33. Referenced Lesson: 17.
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Figurative) Represents Satan and his organization, or false teachers and their congregation members. Its fruit is Satan’s words (lies), which lead to spiritual death. Bible Verses: Genesis 2:17, Revelation 17:2, Revelation 18:2-3. Referenced Lesson: 82, 130.
Tree of Life (Figurative) Represents God and His organization. Its fruit is Jesus’ words of life, which give eternal life. It appeared in three eras: Genesis (God), First Coming (Jesus and His 12 disciples), and Second Coming (New John and the 12 tribes of New Spiritual Israel). Bible Verses: Revelation 2:7, Revelation 22:1-2, John 14:6, John 15:1-5. Referenced Lesson: 102, 82, 130.
Tree of Life Represents God and His Word, which gives eternal life. It appeared in Eden, through Jesus, and will reappear at the Second Coming. Jesus Himself is the True Vine/Tree of Life. Revelation 22:1-2, John 15:1, 5.
Tribulation (Great) (Figurative) Represents judgment or a trial. A great multitude will emerge from it. It is identified as the Covid-19 pandemic, described as a “last hurdle.” It is a time when the spiritual winds blew, causing the sun, moon, and stars (pastors, evangelists, saints of the TT) to fall. Revelation 7:14.
Tribes (12) In Revelation, refer to the 144,000 and the great multitude who form the new spiritual Israel, gathered at Mount Zion. They are named after the 12 disciples.
Tribes (Spiritual) Denominations. The spiritual groups that believers will belong to at the Second Coming, named after the 12 disciples. Referenced Lesson: 98.
Troublemaker A derogatory term used by accusers against Apostle Paul, implying he caused unrest, though he was spreading the truth. Acts 24:5.
True Vine Jesus, representing the Tree of Life, to whom believers (branches) must remain attached to bear spiritual fruit. John 15:1.
Trumpet (Figurative) The “trumpeter” is an angel in the spiritual world, the “trumpet” is a person (mouthpiece of the angel), and the “trumpet sound” is the Word that declares. Trumpets are loud, announce needed action, gather people, and declare judgment or salvation. The first six trumpets announce judgment, while the seventh trumpet announces salvation. Jesus was the trumpet at the First Coming, and New John is the trumpet at the Second Coming. Matthew 24:29-31, Exodus 19:16-19, Joshua 6:8, Isaiah 58:1, 1 Corinthians 14:8-9, Joel 2:1, 15-16, Revelation 8:2, Revelation 11:15, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, Revelation 10:7, Revelation 18:22. Referenced Lesson: 116.
Trumpet Sound (Figurative) The word declared by a person (the trumpet), guided by an angel (the trumpeter).
Trumpeter (Figurative) Represents an angel who guides a person (the trumpet) to declare God’s Word.
Truth God’s Word, which sanctifies (sets apart/makes holy). It is unchanging, unlike human interpretations. It is the light that gives understanding. It comes from above and is consistent. It sets people free. It is the key to discerning good from evil. John 17:17, 1 John 4:1, John 8:32, John 8:44.
Truth (Standard of) Prophecy and its fulfillment. It is God’s word, which is immutable and unchangeable. Bible Verses: John 17:17, Proverbs 3:1-8, Proverbs 30:5-8. Referenced Lesson: 98, 65.
Tyre (King of) A figurative reference in Ezekiel 28 used to describe Satan’s fall and corruption. Ezekiel 28.