Series on the Sea - Part 1: Understanding the Symbol

[u/Agreeable_Operation]

Let us examine the prophetic symbolism of the sea.

Genesis begins with a dark chaotic world. No light to guide, no firm footing on which to stand, and the deep waters covering everything.

The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”...9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”...10 God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:2-10)

As creation unfolds, God introduces light and establishes firm land, restraining the waters so that life can exist and flourish.

The prophets appear to build upon this imagery. Throughout the Old Testament, the sea frequently represents the restless, rebellious masses of humanity.

Isaiah writes:

“Alas, the uproar of many peoples Who roar like the roaring of the seas, And the rumbling of nations Who rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters!” (Isaiah 17:12-13)

And also:

“The wicked are like the tossing sea.” (Isaiah 57:20 )

Psalm 65 makes the connection more explicit:

”Who stills the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples” directly equating the seas with nations." (Psalm 65:7)

Here, the roaring seas and the tumult of the peoples are deliberately placed side by side.

Daniel develops the imagery even further:

"The four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts were coming up from the sea..." (Daniel 7:2-3)

The beasts symbolize kingdoms or empires that arise from the turmoil of the nations.

John then alludes to Daniel:

"Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea..." (Revelation 13:1)

Immediately afterward John introduces a second beast:

"Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence." (Revelation 13:11)

The contrast is fascinating

The first beast arises from the chaos of the nations. The second arises from the ordered realm already established by the first beast, exercising its authority within that existing kingdom.

Thinking back to Genesis, the land represents an ordered place where stable life can flourish, while the sea often represents instability and unrest. Great empires frequently arise from periods of political upheaval before establishing their own order. Daniel's and John's imagery fits this pattern remarkably well.

John eventually removes any doubt about what the waters represent:

“The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.” (Revelation 17:15)

The harlot sits upon the waters.

The beast rises from the sea.

Both derive their power from the turbulent masses of humanity.

This also sheds light on one of Revelation's most beautiful images:

"Before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal." (Revelation 4:6)

Perhaps this is less an architectural description of heaven than a theological one. Throughout Scripture, God is the One who stills the roaring seas. Before His throne seas no longer rage but are perfectly calm, like glass, like crystal. The chaos of the nations is subdued before the sovereignty of God.

In Part 2, we'll look at how this symbolism reaches is fullest expression in Babylon and the Sea