The structure of revelation

Mega-Structural Marker
Introduction (1:1-8)
God sent his angels to his servants what must soon take place (vv. 1-3)
Blessing to those who read/hear
Message to the seven churches ( v. 4)
The book of prophecy (v. 3)
Christ is coming with clouds (v. 7)
I am Alpha and Omega, who is , who was, who is to come, Almighty (v. 8)

Parallels
Conclusion (22:6-21)
God sent his angels to show his servants the things that must soon take place s (v. 6)
Blessing to those who keep the words of the prophecy (v. 7)
Christ’s message to the churches (v. 16)
The word of prophecy (v. 7, 10, 19)
I am coming soon (v. 12)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the beginning and the End (v. 13, 16)

NTHT2 Structure of Revelation 2

Division between chs 1-3 and 4-22

Letters to the 7
Visions
churches
(ch. 4-22:9)
(ch. 1-3)


Mega-Structural Marker
“In the Spirit” (1:10) chs. 1-3 Messages to 7 churches

“In the Spirit” (4:10) chs. 4-5 Heavenly Throne Vision
chs. 6-16 3 sets of 7 Judgments

Double Conclusion
“In the Spirit” (17:3) 17:1-3 Judgment on Babylon 19:9-10

[Transition] 19:11-21:8 Final Judgment on the Beast/false
prophets/Satan/Death, Hades)

“In the Spirit” (21:10) 21:9-10 Bribe of the Lamb (New Jerusalem) 22:6-9

Parallels

Division between chs 4-16 and 17-21:8

7 seals 7 trumpets, 7 bowls: series of judgment of God
(chs. 6-16): sketchy description
“It is done” (16:17)

Final Judgments: Babylon and Beast, False Prophets,
Dragon (Satan), Death and Hades (17:1-21:8):
Detail description


3 sets of 7 cycles of Judgment
7 Seals
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

7 Trumpets

7 Bowls


3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):
Connecting Formula (Sinaitic Theophenic Phenomena, Exod
19:16)

Verse Formula Place
4:4-5 “flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals Thorn in Heaven
of thunder”

Intensification
8:5 “pearls of thunder, rumblings, flashes of 7th Seal Judgment
lightning and an earthquake”
11:19 “flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of 7th Trumpet
thunders, an earthquake and a great Judgment
hailstorm”
16:18-21 “”flashes of lightening, rumblings, peals of 7th Bowl
thunders and a severe earthquake…huge Judgment
hailstones…”


Interlocking Formula: 7th Seal to 7 Trumpets

Verse Formula
8:1 Opening of the 7th Seal (silence in heaven)
A 8:2 Introduction of the 7 angels who have seven trumpets
B 8:3-4 God’s receiving the prayer of the saints
B’ 8:5 God’s judgment on earth (Sinaitic phenomena)
A’ 8:6 Beginning of the 7 trumpets


Interlocking Formula: 7th Trumpet to 7 Bowls
Theme 7th Trumpet 7 Bowl Judgment
Introduction “Then the seventh angel blew “then I saw another sign in
his trumpet, and there were…” heaven, great and amazing
(11:15a) seven angels with seven
plagues…” (15:1)
Interlude 24 elders’ worship and praise Conquering saints singing
(heavenly (11:16-18) praises (song of Moses) (15:2-4)
vision)
Open “God’s temple in heaven was “After this I looked, and the
Temple opened, and the ark of his sanctuary of the tent of witness
Vision covenant was seen within his in heaven was opened, and out
temple” (11:19a) of the sanctuary came the
seven angels with the seven
plagues…” (15:5)


Interlocking Formula: 7 Trumpets to 7 Bowls
1st - 4th Trumpet (8:6-12)

Eagle Crying (8:13): Woe, Woe, Woe = the rest of 3 Trumpets blowing
“Woe, Woe, Woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the
blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to
blow!”

5th Trumpet (9:1-11): 1st Woe (9:12)
“The first woe has passed; behold, two woes are still to come.”

6th Trumpet (9:13-11:13): 2nd Woe (11:14)
“The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to
come”

7th Trumpet (16:1-21, also to 20:15): 3rd Woe = the Final Judgment

Interlocking Formula: 7 Trumpets to 7 Bowls

Interlude Interlude
1st - 4th Trumpet (8:6-12) 5th 6th Chs. 10-11 Chs. 12-14 7th

1st 2nd 3 3rd
Woe Woe Woe

Introducing Emphasizing
3rd Woe the Finality of
the 7th
Trumpet (7
bowls)


Mega Structure of the Vision (chs. 1-22)

Letters to the 7
3 * 7 cycles Judgment NJ
churches
(ch. 4-16) (ch. 17-21:9) (ch. 21)
(ch. 1-3)


Comparing the Pattern of 7 series
7 Seals (6:1-8:5)
4 + 3 (5th, 6th + interlude, 7th)

7 Trumpets (8:2, 8:6-11:19)
4 + 3 (5th, 6th + interlude, 7th)

7 Bowls (15:1, 15:5-16:21)
4 + 3 (no interlude)


Interlocking Formula: 7 Seals to 7 Trumpets

Interlude 7th Seal
1st - 4th seals (6:1-8) 5th 6th Chs. 7:1-17 7 trumpets

Interlude Interlude
1st - 4th Trumpet (8:6-12) 5th 6th Chs. 10-11 Chs. 12-14 7th

1st 2nd 3 3rd
Woe Woe Woe


Interlude #1 (7:1-17)
6th Seal (6:12-17): Question
“…from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their
wrath has come, and who can stand?” (v. 17)

Interlude (7:9): Answer
“a great multitude…from every nation, from all tribes and
peoples and languages, standing before the throne and
before the Lamb…” (7:9)

Content of the Interlude (7:1-17): Saved people of God
Earth: 144,000 sealed on earth (7:1-8)
Heaven: Great multitude in white robes in heaven (7:9-17)


Interlude #1 (7:1-17)

5th Seal (6:10): Question - Cry of the Martyrs for their vengeance
“…how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on
those who dwell on earth?” (v. 17)

Interlude (7:3): Answer
“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have
sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads” (7:3)


Interlude #2 (10:1-11:13)
6th Trumpet (9:20-21): No repentance
“the rest of mankind…did not repent of (idolatry)…” (v. 20)
“…nor they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their
sexual immorality of their thefts (immoral behaviors)” (v. 21)

Content of the Interlude (10:1-11:13): Prophetic ministry of the church

Interlude (11:13): Terrified and glorifying God (repentance)
“…and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of
heaven” (11:13)


Interlude #2 (10:1-11:13)

5th Trumpet (9:7, 11): War raised by Abaddon/Apollyon
“…the locusts were like horses prepared for battle…They
have as king over them from angel of the bottomless pit. His
name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called
Apollyon.”

Interlude (11:7-8): War against the two witnesses
“…the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war
on them and conquer them and kill them…”


Interludes and Delay of Judgments
5th Seal (6:10): Cry for vengeance and Commandment to wait a little
longer
 Cry: “how long?” (6:10)
 Answer:
 “rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow
servants and their brothers should be complete” (6:11)
 Interlude: “Do not harm the earth…until we have sealed
the servants of our God on their fore heads” (7:3)

6th Trumpet Interlude: for repentance
 no more delay (10:6)
 But that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the
seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled…” (10:7)

Bowl Judgments: No repentance (16:9, 11), No delay of Judgment

Throne Vision and Interlude #1 (7:1-17):
Literary Connections: Heavenly Victory
Throne Vision (chs. 4-5) Interlude (7:1-17)

 24 elders, 4 living creatures, all  24 elders, 4 living creatures, all
angels worshipping God (4:6, 8, the angels worshipping God
10; 5:8, 11) (7:11)
 24 elders clothed in white
garments (4:4)  a great multitude clothed in
 the Lion of Judah, Slain Lamb white robes (7:1-14)
(5:5-6)  coming from the great
tribulation, sitting on the throne
 Ransoming people for God from (7:14-15)
every tribe and language and  “from all tribes and peoples and
people and nation (5:10) languages” (7:9)
 “…they shall reign on the earth”
(5:10)  “they sins on the throne…”
NTHT2 Structure of Revelation (7:15) 20

Throne Vision and Interlude #2 (10:1-11:13):
Literary Connections: Prophecy to all nations
Throne Vision (ch. 5) Interlude (ch. 10-11)

 “a strong angel”(a;ggelon  “another mighty angel”
ivscu,ron) (5:2) (a;llon
a;ggelon ivscu,ron) (10:1)
 “a scroll written within and on
the back” (5:2; cf. Ezk 2:9-10)  “a little scroll…eat it…ate it…it
was sweet as honey in my
mouth…prophecy…” (10:2, 8-11;
cf. Ezk 3:1-3)
 “a measuring rod like a
staff…measure the temple of
God” (11:1-2; cf. Ezk 40:3)


Throne Vision (chs 4-5) and 3 Seven Series (chs. 6-16):
Connecting Formula: Eschatological Judgments
Throne Vision (4-5)
 Sinaitic Phenomena (4:5)
 24 elders in white rode, 4 living creatures, angels
 A scroll written in and out (5:2)

7 Seals
 6 seals
 Interlude: great multitudes in white garments
 7th seal: Sinaitic phenomena (8:5)

7 Trumpets
 6 trumpets
 Interlude: a scroll and prophecy to the world (2 witnesses)
 7th trumpet: Sinaitic phenomena (11:19)

7 Bowls
 Sinaitic phenomena (16:18-21)

Great Signs in Heaven (12:1-15:4):
the Beginning: new Introductory formula (12:1, 3)

A great sign appeared in heaven (12:1)
 A woman clothed with the sun
 On her head a crown of 12 stars

Another sign appeared in heaven (12:3)
 A great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns
 On his heads seven diadems


Ending: Interlocking to the 7 Bowl Judgments

Similar Introductory formula for 7 bowl judgments (15:1)

 “A great sign in heaven” (12:1)

 “then, I saw another sign in heaven, great and
amazing” (15:1)


Thematic connections to the 7 Bowl Judgments
Spiritual Warfare (chs. 12-14)
The Woman vs. the Dragon (ch. 12)
The Beast and his followers vs. the Lamb and his followers
(chs. 13-14)

Introduction to 7 angels with 7 plagues (15:1)

Victory of those who follow the Lamb over the beast (15:2-4)

Seven angels with 7 plagues (15:5ff.)


Thematic connections to the 7 Bowl Judgments
Theme Chs. 12-14 7 bowl
judgment
Those who have the mark of the beast and 13:14-18; 16:2
worshipped the image 14:9

The throne and kingdom of the beast 13:7 16:10

The dragon, the beast, the false prophet 12:3; 13:1, 5, 16:13
11
Babylon the great 14:8 16:9


Thematic connections to the previous interludes
1st Interlude: Those who were sealed on their foreheads, 144,000 (7:4)

2nd Interlude: 42 months, 1260 days (11:2-3)

2nd Interlude: A war between the beast and the two witnesses (11:7)

Specify
144,000 who had the name of the Lamb and the Father on their
foreheads… those who redeemed from earth (14:1-5)

1260 days (12:6, 14), 42 months (13:5)

A war between the beast and the saints (13:6-7)


Thematic connections to the Throne Vision
Throne Vision (ch. 5)
The Lamb standing (v. 6, 8, 12)
 24 elders, 4 living creatures, angels worshipping the Lamb
seated on the throne (v. 6, 8)
 They sang a new song (v. 9)
 The blood of the Lamb ransomed people for God (v. 9)

Mount Zion (14:1-5)
The Lamb standing (v. 1)
 before the throne and before the 4 living creatures and
before the elders (v. 3)
 They were singing a song (v. 3)
 They have been redeemed from the earth (v. 3, 4)


Final Warfare and Judgments (19:11-21:8):
Literary devices: beginning and ending
Beginning: fresh formula (19:11)
 New beginning formula: “Then I saw heaven opened”

 thematic break from the previous section
 previous section: vision in heaven (19:1-10)
 this section: a battle theme (19:11-21)

Ending: Connecting to the following section (21:9-22:5)
 Introduction of the New Jerusalem, as a bride (21:1-4)

 Full description of the New Jerusalem, the bride of the
Lamb (21:9-10)


Literary device connecting to the 3 seven series

7 seals 7 trumpets, 7 bowls: series of judgment of God
(chs. 6-16): sketchy description

Final Judgments: Babylon and Beast, False Prophets,
Dragon (Satan), Death and Hades (17:1-21:8):
Detail description


Thematic Connections to the previous section
Earlier Section 19:11-21:8
A list of those who hide from judgment Judgment upon these people (19:18)
(6:15-17)
The child who is to rule all nations with a He will return and rule them with a rod of
rod of iron was snatched up to God (12:5) iron (19:15)

Harvest of grape and wine press (16:14, 20) Christ will tread the wine press of the
wrath of God (19:15)
Preparation of battle against God the Victory in the battle raised against God
Almighty (16:14, 16) the Almighty (19:15, 19-20)
Conquering Lamb’s title: Lord of lords and The name of Christ: “King of kings and
King of kings Lord of lords” (19:16)
Description of Christ (chs. 1-3) Description of Christ (19:11-16)
Faithful and true (3:14); eyes like a flame of fire (1:14; Faithful and true (19:11); Eyes like a flame of fire (19:12);
2:18); sharp sward from his mouth (1:16; 2:12, 16); sharp sward from his mouth (19:15); the rule nations
ruling with a rod of iron (2:26-27) with a rod of iron (19:15)

Thematic Connections to the previous section

Introduction of the enemies of God Destruction of the enemies of God
Death and Hades (6:8) Death and Hades (20:14)
The Dragon (12:3) The Dragon (20:1-10)
The beast and the false prophet The beast and the false prophet
(13:1, 5, 11; cf. 16:13) (19:20)

Babylon (14:8; cf. 16:19; ch. 17) Babylon (ch. 18)


Structural Diagram of Revelation
Final Judgment
Seven Seals (6)

The Bride: New Jerusalem
Heavenly Throne Vision
Seven Church (chs. 1-3)

Judgment on Babylon
Interlude (7)

Judgment on all the
enemies of God

(21:9-22:9)
Seven Trumpets (8-9)

(17:1- 19:10)
(chs. 4-5)

(19:11-21:8 )
Interlude (10-11)

Great Signs in Heaven
(chs. 12-14)

Seven Bowls (15-16)

Trials/Tribulations Double Conclusion

The structure of revelation

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