© 2016 Bruce Johnson – Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore newsletter October 2016
by Bruce Johnson
Jesus traveled during his adult life, and studied in different mystery schools of the day. He indicates his awareness of secret knowledge when he gives his answer to why he taught in parables, in Matthew 13:11. Let’s continue with the remaining groups of parallel symbols in Revelation and the Book of Enoch.
Human symbols – Kings, princes, elders, nations, tribes, ship captains, brides and wives, son of man, men, women, children, generals, armies, evil leaders, and king of kings.
Geological and nature symbols – mountains, valleys, Holy Mountain, hills, deserts, islands, seas, rivers, springs, springs of life, wind, rain, lightning, thunder, snow, fires, leaves, trees, trees bearing fruit, tree branches, fountains, gardens, grapes, cinnamon, myrrh, olive oil, wood, ivory, and a new earth.
Animal symbols – horse, cow, bull, lion, eagle, reptiles, dog, birds, a beast with horns, a beast of the earth, a beast of the water, creatures of the sea, wool, red white and black hoofed animal.
Destruction symbols – old earth passing away, different natural disasters, celestial sources of destruction, the latter days being shortened, unusual phenomena related to destruction, battles with evil forces, weapons, and destruction by fire.
Miscellaneous symbols – tests and trials of good people, secret names, purple, and chariots.
Passages from the Book of Enoch can be found throughout the Bible, especially in Revelation. The apostles- John, James, Matthew, Luke, Jude, and Paul all spoke words that basically match, or do match, portions of the Book of Enoch. The book of the Jewish mysteries, the Zohar, also contains writings from the Book of Enoch. The book of Enoch contains religious symbols that are common to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
The writer of the Book of Revelation uses numerous excerpts, and over 150 mysterious symbols, that are essentially identical with those of the much older Book of Enoch.
Allegorically, Revelation appears to be a rewritten Book of Enoch, combined with the ancient dragon myth, and Gnostic symbolism. Two books relevant to examining the inner meaning of Revelation are – The Hidden Bible by John P. Scott, which examines Bible symbolism, and the book Secret Doctrine in Israel by A.E.Waite, which outlines the Jewish mystery teachings. The initiate alchemist/healer Paracelsus spoke of mystery teachings and truths of spiritual initiation concealed from the profane, in the words of Revelation.
Bruce Johnson has over 30 years of study in the fields of Ancient Wisdom and occultism. He has taught classes on a wide range of topics, from Atlantis to mediums to Zoroaster. He is also a spiritualist minister, with a background in spiritual astrology. He lives in Colorado with his wife and their cat.
