Definitions

Our Directive: 1Th 5:21   Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Here we will try to give you the 'cliff notes' on definitions, patterns, types et all. That's our intent anyway. This will probably be a dynamic document, added to as time goes on. So without further blathering on from the author, we begin...
Daniel 2, 7, 8:
Burn these into your brain until you can read Danial and see it.

• babylon | gold | first beast in v. 4 is like a lion | ended in 539 B.C. |
• medo/persia | silver | second beast in v. 5 is like a bear | ended in 331 B.C. |
• greece | brass | third beast in v. 6 is like a leopard | ended in 168 B.C. |
• rome | iron | fourth beast in v. 7 was dreadful and terrible..^[1]..|

In preparation of the above, the author noted some interesting things not considered previously.
Gold, the first beast; Gold is the premier metal and appropriatly assigned to the 'head' or foundation kingdom. It is the 'brightest' of the metals as well as a 'warm' hue. Additionally, it is the most highly valued of the four metal types.
Silver is the second and it is the brightest of the 'cool' hue metals. It's value is second only to gold.
Brass, the third is a darker and duller hue than it's brother gold. It is stronger as well.
Iron is the last, the strongest of the four metals and the darkest as well. Interestingly, for decorative and ceremonial purposes it is the least desireable and valued last. However, as a metal of war, it is the highest valued and most desireable.

We see some interesting possible interpretations for this hierarchy, the most obvious is that the farther you travel away from the perfect will of the L*rd, the 'darker and more war-like' you become. Additionally, it could be said that the snippet of scripture, "....the first shall be last and last shall be first..."[pp] normally applied to the humility of believers also applies in reverse principal here.

Daniel 7 - A panorama view of all the beasts with explanations

1. Lion - Babylon
2. Bear - Persia
3. Leopard - Greece
4. Terrible BEAST - with iron teeth and 10 horns- Pagan Rome and 10 divisions
5. Little Horn Power - uproots 3 horns of the 10 divisions- Ostrogoths, Heruli, and Vandals were the 3 horns uprooted in 538 by Justinian under the command of the Pope, destroying the last of the three powers refusing the rulership of the pope in Rome. Since 538 AD only 7 continued. The little horn power continues until the judgment is set, and goes into perdition and is given to the burning flames.
6. After 538 AD, the little horn remains as the more dominant power over the 7 remaining horns for the next 1260 years, after which it is subjected to judgment and will be destroyed sometime in the future when Jesus comes again. It's final and permanent destruction comes in hell after the millennium.

  Days, Years, Times:

• 1/2 year=180 days
• 1 year=360 days (lunar)^[2a]
• 2 years=720 days  = total 1260 days or 3.5 lunar years^[2]

also known as:

• times and dividing of time...or
• ...time half time and times

Numbers & Letter Meanings: the number and letter meanings are too complex to deal with briefly here. Use this [ link to jump ] to the Aleph-Bet page for a jumping off place. Jovial's extensive Hebrew Studies can be found in the left-side index as well. However we can provide you with a simple factoring calculator with detailed instructions written by our good study-buddy, Dave Camp.
[ Thanks Dave!  ]

Biblical Symbols and Types
Rules for Interpretation

1. Look for the basic meaning of the symbol. Go beyond the superficial.
2. The physical is often used to picture the spiritual.
3. Look for the consistent use of a specific symbol in the Old Testament.
4. The symbol or type must be an illustration of and consistent with New Testament truth.
5. Recognize that the Old Testament teaches the same truth as the New Testament.
6. Don't expect the type to cover every subject of theology--limit to the topic under consideration in the context.
7. Assume that details given have meaning--seek to discover that meaning. However, don't expect every detail to fit. Every analogy, by its very nature, falls short of the full reality.
8. Identify interpretational constants by determining an accurate definition of any type or symbol which fits all the uses of that term in Scripture, e.g. "Lion" symbolizes power, whether applied to Satan as "a roaring lion" or to Christ as the "lion of the tribe of Judah."