Overview This list gives the most important symbols used by John, with their meanings. Adultery-Idolatry or apostasy; especially the latter. As Christ is represented as a bridegroom and the church as a bride, apostasy, or unfaithfulness to him, would be spiritual adultery, and a false church properly represented as a harlot. Angel-Any agent or messenger of the divine will. The term may be a symbol of any movement of nations, or in history which carries out the divine