pink sasquatch wrote:
"One question I've had since the OP: how do we know which parts of Revelation are symbolic or code, and which parts should be taken literally?"
Some verses in Revelation are explained in subsequent passages, for example:
Revelation 12:3-4 says:
"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth."
The identity of the "red dragon" is revealed here:
Revelation 12:7-9
"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
Perhaps we could look at a particular verse that interests you and try to figure it out.