Sermon On The Mount Symbolism Essay

The imagery and symbolism within books are elements that keep the reader's attention. This statement is especially true for biblical works, where these aspects are in abundance. The works of “Sermon on the Mount” and the Book of Revelation are great examples of this symbolism and imagery. In “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus is giving a speech to the people around him while using poetics. The speech is invoking the reader to use their imagination while still keeping their attention. The next work, the Book of Revelation, is John’s record of that vision. This work is considered to be one of the “most thoroughly literary book in the Bible” (Ryken 477). The Revelation uses concrete imagery, metaphors, and apocalyptic symbolism among other things to capture the

As stated by Ryken, apocalyptic symbolism shows through when the world is divided “decisively into good and evil” (480). In the Revelation, the dragon and its followers are decisively bad since it fought against Michael and his angels (Rev. 12:7). By having these angels and demons, the Revelation is showing apocalyptic symbolism since this symbolism tends to center “in the appearance and work of a divine Messiah” (Ryken 480). By using this information, the Revelation is showing readers a world where their spiritual faith is given a physical presence. Another indication of apocalyptic symbolism is by using animal symbolism to stand for human characters, events, and movements (Ryken 480). This is shown in Rev. 13:2,“And I saw the beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.” Readers can view this beast as a being that spreads the influence of the Devil. This connection is important since it shows how images “tend to be an affective medium,” which shows how poetic language is also central to the Revelation (Ryen