STRUCTURE OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE APOCALYPSE APOCALYPSE

Meant to be understood on first hearing Meant to be understood on first hearing (1:3).(1:3).

Meant to be reread and studied.Meant to be reread and studied.

Tends to repeat itself; judgment and Tends to repeat itself; judgment and salvation… salvation…

Broad divisions of Broad divisions of the Book the Book

Prologue 1:1-8 (describing the Prologue 1:1-8 (describing the purpose of the book)purpose of the book)

Greeting (1:4-5a)Greeting (1:4-5a)

Body (1:5b-22:5)Body (1:5b-22:5)

Epilogue (22:6-21)Epilogue (22:6-21)

The importance of Rev The importance of Rev 1:191:19

Poythress states that 1:19 divides the Poythress states that 1:19 divides the book into three sections: Past (1:9-book into three sections: Past (1:9-1:18), Present (2:1-3:22), and future 1:18), Present (2:1-3:22), and future (4:1-22:5). He qualifies this by saying (4:1-22:5). He qualifies this by saying that this threefold division is only a that this threefold division is only a rough one. Poythress, 57.rough one. Poythress, 57.

three events mentioned in 1:19 are: three events mentioned in 1:19 are: Christ first coming, the latter-day Christ first coming, the latter-day church age, and the second coming. church age, and the second coming.

Meta tautaMeta tauta “after these things” (1:19; “after these things” (1:19; 4:1) refers to past, present and future 4:1) refers to past, present and future realities in the NT.realities in the NT.

Already and Not Already and Not YetYet

The “end times” have begun, are The “end times” have begun, are continuing and will be consummated continuing and will be consummated some time in the future.some time in the future.

(e.g., Mark 1:15; Acts 2:17; Gal 4:4; 1 (e.g., Mark 1:15; Acts 2:17; Gal 4:4; 1 Cor 10:11; 2 Cor 6:2; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim Cor 10:11; 2 Cor 6:2; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 3:1; 1 Pet 1:20; 2 Pet 3:3; Heb 1:2; 9:26; 3:1; 1 Pet 1:20; 2 Pet 3:3; Heb 1:2; 9:26; Jas 5:3; 1 John 2:18; Jude 18) Jas 5:3; 1 John 2:18; Jude 18)

Chiasms and Chiasms and Revelation Revelation A. The People of God depicted with the imagery of light A. The People of God depicted with the imagery of light

andcreation (12:1-2)andcreation (12:1-2)

B. The Dragon, Satan, (12:3-6)B. The Dragon, Satan, (12:3-6)

C. The Beast and the False Prophet, (13:1-18)C. The Beast and the False Prophet, (13:1-18)

D. The Bride: the people of God in the imagery D. The Bride: the people of God in the imagery of sexual purity of sexual purity (14:1-5)(14:1-5)

E. Babylon the Prostitute (17:1-6)E. Babylon the Prostitute (17:1-6)

E’. Babylon destroyed (17:15-18:24)E’. Babylon destroyed (17:15-18:24)

D’. The Bride is blessed with marriage (19:1-10)D’. The Bride is blessed with marriage (19:1-10)

C’. The Beast and the False Prophet are destroyed C’. The Beast and the False Prophet are destroyed (19:11-21)(19:11-21)

B’. The Dragon is destroyed (20:1-10)B’. The Dragon is destroyed (20:1-10)

A’. The people of God in the imagery of light and creation (21:1-A’. The people of God in the imagery of light and creation (21:1-22:5)22:5)

Sevenfold Chiastic Sevenfold Chiastic structure purposed by structure purposed by

Fiorenza Fiorenza A. 1:1-8A. 1:1-8

B. 1:9-3:22B. 1:9-3:22

C. 4:1-9:21; 11:15-19C. 4:1-9:21; 11:15-19

D. 10:1-15:4D. 10:1-15:4

C’. 15:1, 5-19:10C’. 15:1, 5-19:10

B’. 19:11-22:9B’. 19:11-22:9

A’. 22:10-22:21A’. 22:10-22:21

Order of VisionsOrder of VisionsChronological?Chronological?

Then we are moving chronologically Then we are moving chronologically throughout the book toward a future throughout the book toward a future climax.climax.

Sequential?Sequential?The order of visions doesn’t mean a The order of visions doesn’t mean a chronological advance from 4:1 to 19.chronological advance from 4:1 to 19.

Further Divisions of the Further Divisions of the book book

(1)(1) 1-31-3 (1)(1) 1-31-3

(2)(2) 4-74-7 (2)(2) 4-74-7

(3)(3) 8:1-11:148:1-11:14 (3)(3) 8:1-11:148:1-11:14

(4)(4) 11:15-14:2011:15-14:20 (4)(4) 11:15-14:2011:15-14:20

(5)(5) 15-1615-16 (5) (5) 15-1615-16

(6)(6) 17:1-21:817:1-21:8 (6)(6) 17:1-19:1017:1-19:10

(7)(7) 21:9-22:21 (7)21:9-22:21 (7) 19:11-21:819:11-21:8

(8)(8) 21:9-22:2121:9-22:21

Question: Are the literary Question: Are the literary divisions related to one divisions related to one another chronologically, another chronologically,

thematically or both?thematically or both?

Does 4:1-22:6 represent a sequential Does 4:1-22:6 represent a sequential forecast of events or do some forecast of events or do some

segments overlap temporally and segments overlap temporally and thematically?thematically?

More theories of More theories of structure.structure.

Non-Chronological Non-Chronological A. Patchwork- the book is not logically organizedA. Patchwork- the book is not logically organizedB. Poetic theory- includes some repetition of themesB. Poetic theory- includes some repetition of themesC. Liturgical pattern theory- based upon a worship situation C. Liturgical pattern theory- based upon a worship situation D. Recapitulation view- same time period but seen from D. Recapitulation view- same time period but seen from different angles.different angles.

ChronologicalChronologicalA.A. Drama theory- it is a seven act play to be performed Drama theory- it is a seven act play to be performed in Ephesus.in Ephesus.B.B. Sevenfold Design theorySevenfold Design theoryC. C. Futurist Chronological viewFuturist Chronological view

-structure of increasing severity of the judgments-structure of increasing severity of the judgments

-existential hermeneutic; the things have not happened -existential hermeneutic; the things have not happened but will in our time. but will in our time.

Revelation’s dependence Revelation’s dependence on Daniel 2 for its on Daniel 2 for its

structure structure John seems to introduce the main John seems to introduce the main sections of his book by alluding to Dan sections of his book by alluding to Dan 2.2.

4:1-22:5 is to be seen as a broad unity. 4:1-22:5 is to be seen as a broad unity.

The visions of destruction (6-20) are The visions of destruction (6-20) are bracketed by an overarching vision of bracketed by an overarching vision of God as creator and redeemer: chs 4-5 God as creator and redeemer: chs 4-5 and 21:1-22:5 respectively. and 21:1-22:5 respectively.

(1) First allusion to Daniel that sets the stage (1) First allusion to Daniel that sets the stage for following these allusions as signals to for following these allusions as signals to outline the rest of the book (1:1).outline the rest of the book (1:1).

Introduction: 1:1-8Introduction: 1:1-8

(2) Second allusion to Daniel that introduces (2) Second allusion to Daniel that introduces the next section in the book 1:19-20the next section in the book 1:19-20

A. Church imperfect in the world (1:9-3:22) A. Church imperfect in the world (1:9-3:22)

(3) Third allusion to Daniel in 4:1(3) Third allusion to Daniel in 4:14:1-8:1 Seven Seals4:1-8:1 Seven Seals8:2-11:19 Seven Trumpets8:2-11:19 Seven Trumpets12:1-14:20 Deeper conflict12:1-14:20 Deeper conflict15:1-16:21 Seven Bowls15:1-16:21 Seven Bowls17:1-21:8 Final Judgment17:1-21:8 Final Judgment

B. Church is perfect in glory (21:9-22:5B. Church is perfect in glory (21:9-22:5

(4) Fourth allusion to Daniel in 22:6(4) Fourth allusion to Daniel in 22:6

Conclusion: 22:6-21Conclusion: 22:6-21

““Daniel’s structure of five Daniel’s structure of five synonymously parallel visions synonymously parallel visions (chs 2, 7, 8, 9, 10-12) may be (chs 2, 7, 8, 9, 10-12) may be

the most influential on the the most influential on the structure of Revelation, since structure of Revelation, since Daniel is used so much in the Daniel is used so much in the

book and is used to signal book and is used to signal broad structural divisions of broad structural divisions of

the Apocalypse.” Beale, the Apocalypse.” Beale, Revelation, 135.Revelation, 135.

““

Daniel’s five parallel visions are Daniel’s five parallel visions are supplemental perspectives about supplemental perspectives about the same general period of the the same general period of the

future; it would be unexpected for a future; it would be unexpected for a book like Revelation to model itself book like Revelation to model itself on Daniel’s parallel structure and on Daniel’s parallel structure and yet have its parallel sections not yet have its parallel sections not also pertain to the same general also pertain to the same general period of the future. Rather, it period of the future. Rather, it

would seem more natural for the would seem more natural for the parallels to reflect an “already and parallels to reflect an “already and

not yet” temporal perspective, not yet” temporal perspective, especially since some of Daniel’s especially since some of Daniel’s

significant future visions have significant future visions have begun to be fulfilled in Christ’s first begun to be fulfilled in Christ’s first coming.” Beale, Commentary, 136.coming.” Beale, Commentary, 136.

The repetition of The repetition of structural patterns in structural patterns in

Revelation Revelation 7 churches 7 churches

7 letters 7 letters

7 seals7 seals

7 seven trumpets 7 seven trumpets

7 seven bowls7 seven bowlsSeventh in each represents final Seventh in each represents final judgmentjudgment

Repetition of significant Repetition of significant themes, images and themes, images and

phrases phrases Repetition of “three and one-half years of persecution” in Repetition of “three and one-half years of persecution” in (11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; and 13:5) suggests that chs. 11 (vv1-(11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; and 13:5) suggests that chs. 11 (vv1-13), 12, and 13 do not follow one another chronologically 13), 12, and 13 do not follow one another chronologically but refer to the same events.but refer to the same events.

“‘“‘gather them together for war’ in 16:14; 19:19 and 20:8 is gather them together for war’ in 16:14; 19:19 and 20:8 is a strong hint that 15:1-16:21; 17:1-19:10; and 19:11-21:8 a strong hint that 15:1-16:21; 17:1-19:10; and 19:11-21:8 refer to the same time and episode” refer to the same time and episode”

““The battle” imagery in 19:17-18, 21 and 20:8-9 is all from The battle” imagery in 19:17-18, 21 and 20:8-9 is all from the same eschatological battle in Ezekiel 39 (Ezek. 39:4, the same eschatological battle in Ezekiel 39 (Ezek. 39:4, 17-20 and 1, 6) 17-20 and 1, 6)

the fall of Babylon” 14:8; 16:19; 17:16; 18:2, 10, 17, 19-21; the fall of Babylon” 14:8; 16:19; 17:16; 18:2, 10, 17, 19-21; and 19:2-3 are not descriptions of different events but of and 19:2-3 are not descriptions of different events but of the same cataclysmic judgment.the same cataclysmic judgment.

The Letters relation to the The Letters relation to the vision vision

False prophet (2:2) Twelve true apostles 21:14

False Jews (2:9; 3:9) The names of the tribes of the true Israel 21:12

Christians dwell where Satan’s throne is (2:13)

Christians dwell where God’s throne is (22:1)

Some in the church are dead (3:1) All in the new Jerusalem are written in the Lamb ‘s book of life (21:27)

The church is faltering, temporal lampstand (1:20; 2:5)

God and the Lamb are the eternal lamps (21:23-24; 22:5)

The church is filled with idolatrous impurities (2:12-15, 20) and liars (2:9; 3:9)

There will be only purity and truth in the new creation (21:8, 27)

Christians face persecution, hoping in God’s promises to overcomers (2:8-10, 13)

In the new creation they reign, having inherited these promises (2:7=22:2; 2:17=22:4; 3:5=21:27; 3:12=21:10 and 22:4; 3:21=22:1 and 22:5)

Each promise made to the Each promise made to the overcomers is completely overcomers is completely fulfilled in the final vision fulfilled in the final vision

of the new creation of the new creation Food: 2:7 and 22:2Food: 2:7 and 22:2

The temple: 3:12 and 21:22ffThe temple: 3:12 and 21:22ff

Identification with an eternal city: 3:12 and 21:2, 10Identification with an eternal city: 3:12 and 21:2, 10

A great name: 3:12 and 22:4A great name: 3:12 and 22:4

Eternal security: 3:5 and 21:27Eternal security: 3:5 and 21:27

Incorruptible clothing: 3:5 and 21:2, 9ff. (cf. 19:7-8)Incorruptible clothing: 3:5 and 21:2, 9ff. (cf. 19:7-8)

A bright stone and a luminary: 2:17, 28 and 21:11, 18-A bright stone and a luminary: 2:17, 28 and 21:11, 18-21, 23; 22:5, 1621, 23; 22:5, 16

A share in Christ’s kingly power: 2:26-27; 3:21 and A share in Christ’s kingly power: 2:26-27; 3:21 and 22:522:5

Exclusion from the “second death”: 2:11; 21:7-8Exclusion from the “second death”: 2:11; 21:7-8

Repetition of Judgment-Repetition of Judgment-Salvation conclusions Salvation conclusions

Judgment Salvation

6:12-17 7:9-17

11:18a 11:18b

14:14-20 and 15:2-4 16:17-21 and 19:1-10

20:7-15 and 21:1-8 21:9-22:5