The structure of revelation

• 1. P. I. Joseph, PhD

2. 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) Christs 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)NTHT2Structure of Revelation 2 3. Division between chs 1-3 and 4-22Letters to the 7 Visions churches (ch. 4-22:9)(ch. 1-3)NTHT2Structure of Revelation3 4. Mega-Structural Marker In the Spirit (1:10) chs. 1-3Messages to 7 churches In the Spirit (4:10) chs. 4-5 Heavenly Throne Visionchs. 6-16 3 sets of 7 Judgments Double Conclusion In the Spirit (17:3)17:1-3 Judgment on Babylon19:9-10[Transition] 19:11-21:8 Final Judgment on the Beast/falseprophets/Satan/Death, Hades) In the Spirit (21:10) 21:9-10 Bribe of the Lamb (New Jerusalem) 22:6-9ParallelsNTHT2Structure of Revelation 4 5. Division between chs 4-16 and 17-21:8 7 seals 7 trumpets, 7 bowls: series of judgment of God (chs. 6-16): sketchy descriptionIt is done (16:17) Final Judgments: Babylon and Beast, False Prophets, Dragon (Satan), Death and Hades (17:1-21:8): Detail descriptionIt is done (21:6)NTHT2Structure of Revelation 5 6. 3 sets of 7 cycles of Judgment7 Seals1st2nd3rd4th 5th 6th 7th7 Trumpets1st2nd3rd4th 5th 6th 7th 7 Bowls1st2nd3rd4th 5th 6th 7thNTHT2Structure of Revelation 6 7. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):Connecting Formula (Sinaitic Theophenic Phenomena, Exod19:16)Verse FormulaPlace 4:4-5flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals Thorn in Heavenof thunder Intensification 8:5pearls of thunder, rumblings, flashes of7th Seal Judgmentlightning and an earthquake 11:19flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of 7th Trumpetthunders, an earthquake and a greatJudgmenthailstorm 16:18-21 flashes of lightening, rumblings, peals of 7th Bowlthunders and a severe earthquakehugeJudgmenthailstonesNTHT2Structure of Revelation 7 8. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):Interlocking Formula: 7th Seal to 7 TrumpetsVerse Formula8:1 Opening of the 7th Seal (silence in heaven)A 8:2 Introduction of the 7 angels who have seven trumpetsB 8:3-4 Gods receiving the prayer of the saintsB 8:5Gods judgment on earth (Sinaitic phenomena)A 8:6Beginning of the 7 trumpetsNTHT2 Structure of Revelation8 9. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):Interlocking Formula: 7th Trumpet to 7 Bowls Theme 7th Trumpet 7 Bowl JudgmentIntroduction 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)Interlude24 elders worship and praiseConquering saints singing(heavenly(11:16-18) praises (song of Moses) (15:2-4)vision)Open Gods temple in heaven wasAfter this I looked, and theTemple opened, and the ark of his sanctuary of the tent of witnessVision covenant was seen within his in heaven was opened, and out temple (11:19a) of the sanctuary came theseven angels with the sevenplagues (15:5)NTHT2 Structure of Revelation9 10. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):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 JudgmentNTHT2 Structure of Revelation10 11. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):Interlocking Formula: 7 Trumpets to 7 BowlsInterludeInterlude1st - 4th Trumpet (8:6-12) 5th6th Chs. 10-11 Chs. 12-147th1st 2nd 33rd WoeWoeWoe Introducing Emphasizing3rd Woe the Finality ofthe 7thTrumpet (7bowls)NTHT2 Structure of Revelation 11 12. Mega Structure of the Vision (chs. 1-22)Letters to the 73 * 7 cyclesJudgment NJ churches (ch. 4-16)(ch. 17-21:9) (ch. 21)(ch. 1-3)NTHT2Structure of Revelation12 13. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 6-16):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)NTHT2Structure of Revelation 13 14. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):Interlocking Formula: 7 Seals to 7 Trumpets Interlude 7th Seal1st - 4th seals (6:1-8)5th6thChs. 7:1-17 7 trumpetsInterludeInterlude 1st - 4th Trumpet (8:6-12)5th6th Chs. 10-11 Chs. 12-147th1st 2nd 3 3rd WoeWoe WoeNTHT2 Structure of Revelation 14 15. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):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 multitudefrom 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)NTHT2 Structure of Revelation 15 16. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):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)NTHT2 Structure of Revelation16 17. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):Interlude #2 (10:1-11:13) 6th Trumpet (9:20-21): No repentance the rest of mankinddid 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)NTHT2Structure of Revelation 17 18. 3 Sets of Seven Series (chs. 4-16):Interlude #2 (10:1-11:13) 5th Trumpet (9:7, 11): War raised by Abaddon/Apollyon the locusts were like horses prepared for battleThey 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 themNTHT2 Structure of Revelation 18 19. Interludes and Delay of Judgments 5th Seal (6:10): Cry for vengeance and Commandment to wait a littlelonger Cry: how long? (6:10) Answer: rest a little longer, until the number of their fellowservants and their brothers should be complete (6:11) Interlude: Do not harm the earthuntil we have sealedthe 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 theseventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled (10:7) Bowl Judgments: No repentance (16:9, 11), No delay of JudgmentNTHT2 Structure of Revelation19 20. Throne Vision and Interlude #1 (7:1-17):Literary Connections: Heavenly VictoryThrone Vision (chs. 4-5)Interlude (7:1-17) 24 elders, 4 living creatures, all 24 elders, 4 living creatures, allangels worshipping God (4:6, 8, the angels worshipping God10; 5:8, 11)(7:11) 24 elders clothed in white garments (4:4) a great multitude clothed in the Lion of Judah, Slain Lambwhite robes (7:1-14)(5:5-6) coming from the greattribulation, 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 throneNTHT2 Structure of Revelation (7:15) 20 21. Throne Vision and Interlude #2 (10:1-11:13):Literary Connections: Prophecy to all nationsThrone Vision (ch. 5)Interlude (ch. 10-11) a strong angel(a;ggelon another mighty angel ivscu,ron) (5:2) (a;llona;ggelon ivscu,ron) (10:1) a scroll written within and on the back (5:2; cf. Ezk 2:9-10) a little scrolleat itate ititwas sweet as honey in mymouthprophecy (10:2, 8-11;cf. Ezk 3:1-3) a measuring rod like astaffmeasure the temple ofGod (11:1-2; cf. Ezk 40:3)NTHT2 Structure of Revelation 21 22. 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)NTHT2Structure of Revelation22 23. 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 diademsNTHT2Structure of Revelation23 24. Great Signs in Heaven (12:1-15:4):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 andamazing (15:1)NTHT2Structure of Revelation24 25. Great Signs in Heaven (12:1-15:4):Thematic connections to the 7 Bowl JudgmentsSpiritual 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.)NTHT2 Structure of Revelation25 26. Great Signs in Heaven (12:1-15:4):Thematic connections to the 7 Bowl Judgments ThemeChs. 12-14 7 bowl judgmentThose who have the mark of the beast and13:14-18; 16:2worshipped the image14:9The throne and kingdom of the beast 13:716:10The dragon, the beast, the false prophet12:3; 13:1, 5, 16:1311Babylon the great 14:816:9NTHT2 Structure of Revelation 26 27. Great Signs in Heaven (12:1-15:4):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)NTHT2Structure of Revelation27 28. Great Signs in Heaven (12:1-15:4):Thematic connections to the Throne VisionThrone Vision (ch. 5)The Lamb standing (v. 6, 8, 12) 24 elders, 4 living creatures, angels worshipping the Lambseated 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)NTHT2 Structure of Revelation28 29. Final Warfare and Judgments (19:11-21:8):Literary devices: beginning and endingBeginning: 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 theLamb (21:9-10)NTHT2 Structure of Revelation 29 30. Final Warfare and Judgments (19:11-21:8):Literary device connecting to the 3 seven series 7 seals 7 trumpets, 7 bowls: series of judgment of God (chs. 6-16): sketchy descriptionIt is done (16:17) Final Judgments: Babylon and Beast, False Prophets, Dragon (Satan), Death and Hades (17:1-21:8): Detail descriptionIt is done (21:6)NTHT2Structure of Revelation 30 31. Final Warfare and Judgments (19:11-21:8):Thematic Connections to the previous section Earlier Section 19:11-21:8A 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 aHe will return and rule them with a rod ofrod 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 thewrath of God (19:15)Preparation of battle against God theVictory in the battle raised against GodAlmighty (16:14, 16) the Almighty (19:15, 19-20)Conquering Lambs title: Lord of lords and The name of Christ: King of kings andKing of kingsLord 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 nationsruling with a rod of iron (2:26-27)with a rod of iron (19:15) NTHT2Structure of Revelation31 32. Final Warfare and Judgments (19:11-21:8):Thematic Connections to the previous section Introduction of the enemies of God Destruction of the enemies of GodDeath 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)NTHT2 Structure of Revelation 32 33. Structural Diagram of RevelationFinal JudgmentSeven Seals (6) The Bride: New JerusalemHeavenly Throne VisionSeven 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 NTHT2Structure of Revelation33