what does the word "signified" mean?

The word "signified" is found in the first verse of Revelation (Revelation 1:1). The nature of the Revelation language is expressed in this verse, which says that "he sent and signified it." The Greek word for "signified" is semaino, which means "expressing by signs, to make known, to give a sign." Webster's New World Dictionary states that a sign is "a mark or a symbol having a specific meaning." The word "sign" comes from the Latin word signum, and the original Anglo-Saxon word means "token." A token is something serving as a symbol. Thus, the word "signified" means "made known by symbol and figure." 

The Apostle John used the same word in his Gospel account in John 12:33, which says, "This he said, signifying what death he should die." Symbolic language is not novel to the Book of Revelation; it was used throughout the Scriptures. Remember that the Bible was designed to convey spiritual truth; therefore, spiritual language was used.

The Scriptures teach by association, taking something natural and understandable and paralleling it to a mystery to teach a spiritual truth. Jesus repeatedly employed this method of teaching. (See Matthew 5:13-14; 7:15, 17-19; Acts 20:28-29.)

Earl R. Borders

From the February 2023 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter