THE KALEIDOSCOPIC/ PARALLEL STRUCTURE OF REVELATION 1 & ITS BRIDGES" PROLOGUE Revelation 1:1-8 EPILOGUE Rev.22:10-22:21 1 st KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW 7 th KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW Rev.1:9-3:22 Rev.20:1-22:9 2 nd KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW 6 TH KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW Rev.4:1-8:1,3-5 Rev.17:1-19:21 3 RD KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW 5 th KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW Rev.8:2,6-11:19 Rev.15:1,5-16:21 4 th KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW Rev.12:1-15:2-4 The transition between the kaleidoscopic sections of Revelation is made evident by bridges which link previous sections with new ones. 1:9-11 serve as a bridge between the prologue and the first kaleidoscopic view: John (vv.1,4 with v.9), testimony of Jesus (v.2 with v.9), word of God (v.2 with v.9), seven churches (v.4 with v.11), and kingdom (v.6 with v.9) link this transition with what John wrote in vv.1-8. The listing of the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea in v.11 look forward to the seven letters in chapters 2-3. The sitting of Christ with His Father on His throne (3:21) marks the transition between the first and second kaleidoscopic view where John sees the throne of the Father (4:1-11) and the Son approaching the throne and receiving divine authority (5:1-14). In 8:1-5 there is an interweaving with 8:1,3-5 belonging to the second kaleidoscopic view and 8:2 marking the transition with the third kaleidoscopic view. The misplacement of verse 2 alerts the reader/hearer that a new section is commencing. The only section without a bridge is the transition between the third kaleidoscopic view to the fourth. The reason for this is that With the seventh trumpet-blast the Kingdom of God has come, and the general judgement is at hand If the Book had ended here, it would have been within these limits complete (Swete 146). The very fact that vv.11:15-19 bring the hearer to The End alerts the reader that what follows in 12:1ff. begins another turn of the kaleidoscope. It may also be of importance that the Greek word sign and its cognates are used seven times in Revelation. The first instance is 1:1 (ἐσήμανεν) and the second instance is 12:1 (σημεῖον) (Hall, 287f.). 15:1 is another misplaced verse which like 8:2 alerts the reader/hearer of Revelation that another kaleidoscopic section is about to begin. In 15:1 the seven angels with the seven plagues are introduced, but they are interrupted until 15:5. The use of one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls in 17:1 serves as a bridge between the bowl judgments in 15:1,5-16:21 and the judgment of the harlot in 17:1-18:24. Chapter 20 introduces a new vision narrative and brings the reader/hearer back to the 1 st century A.D. following the casting of Satan from heaven and his being bound. The bridge marking the transition between the sixth and seventh kaleidoscopic view is 20:3 where deceive and nations link up with the deception of the nations by the false prophet in 19:15,18-21. The judgment described in 19:17-21 completely destroyed the godless nations deceived by the beast and false prophet and so the mention of nations and protection from deception in 20:3 alerts the reader that another turn of the kaleidoscope is beginning (see White, Reexamining, 319-44). 22:6-9 constitute the final bridge of Revelation. This final transition is the most complex because it not only introduces the epilogue but it also forms an inclusio with the prologue (e.g. John directly addresses the audience [22:8; 1:9]; blessing is pronounced [22:18; 1:3]; the benediction of grace [22:21] takes one back to the salutation of grace [1:4] {Barr, 249}). 1 This diagram was adapted from Edward Robson, The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ in Studies in Revelation, [Pittsburgh: Crown & Covenant 1979] pp.13,17.
PROLOGUE Revelation 1:1-8 EPILOGUE Rev.22:10-22:21 THE SEVEN CHURCHES (CHURCH MILITANT) Rev.1:9-3:22 THE SEVEN SEALS Rev.4:1-8:1,3-5 SABBATH REST FOR GOD S PEOPLE (CHURCH TRIUMPHANT) Rev.20:1-22:9 THE GREAT HARLOT ON THE SEVEN HEADED BEAST Rev.17:1-19:21 OVERTHROW OF EVIL THE SEVEN TRUMPETS Rev.8:2,6-11:19 THE SEVEN BOWLS Rev.15:1,5-16:21 DISCLOSURE OF EVIL WARS & WRATH Rev.12:1-15:2-4 1. War of the Dragon with the woman (12:4; cf. Gen.3:15) 2. War in heaven between Michael and his angels with the dragon and his angels (12:7-9) 3. War of the dragon with the woman s offspring (12:13-17; note esp. verse 17) 4. War of the beast from the sea with the saints (13:7) 5. War of the beast from the earth against those who will not worship the image of the first beast (13:15) 6. Holy War of the Lamb and 144,000 who follow the Lamb wherever He goes (14:1-5) 7. Wrath of God & the victory of the saints (14:19-15:4) Note the prominence of the number seven in the kaleidoscopic turns. God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis 1:1-2:3). Seven is the number of recreation through redemption accounted in the building of the tabernacle, which develops through seven speeches God gives to Moses. Each of the seven recreative speeches is introduced by the formula The LORD said/spoke to Moses (25:1; 30:11,17,22,34; 31:1,12). The seventh speech (31:12-17) concludes the instructions for the tabernacle with the divine plans for the sabbath day paralleling the creation account of Genesis 1:1-2:4 (Balentine, 138). Seven is prominent in Revelation because all things are being made new through the recreative work of Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:5; cf. Joshua 6:2-5).
EXAMPLE OF HOW EACH OF THE KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEWS PARALLEL ONE ANOTHER: PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE PROLOGUE (Revelation 1:1-8) EPILOGUE (Rev.22:10-22:21) Rev.1:1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, Rev.1:1: The prophetic chain: God, Jesus Christ, Spirit, His Angel, John, Pastors, People. Rev.1:3: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Rev.1:3: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:4: John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne; Revelation 1:7: Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. Revelation 1:8: I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:7: Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. Rev.22:6: And he said to me, These words are faithful and true ; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel [cf. also 22:16] to show to His bond-servants the things which must shortly take place. Rev.22:6-8,17: The prophetic chain: God, the Lord, Spirit; His Angel, John, Prophets, Servants. Rev.22:7: And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book. Rev.22:10: And he said to me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Revelation 22:16: I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star. Revelation 22:12: Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Revelation 22:13: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Revelation 22:20: He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
EXAMPLE OF HOW THE 1 ST & 7 TH KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEWS PARALLEL ONE ANOTHER 1 st KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW (Rev.1:9-3:22) 7 th KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW (Rev.20:1-22:9) The Seven Churches: Christ & His Church Militant PROMISES MADE TO OVERCOMERS Ephesus: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who OVERCOMES, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. (2:7) Smyrna: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who OVERCOMES shall not be hurt by the second death. (2:11) 8 The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life. 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (2:8,10) Pergamum: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who OVERCOMES, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. (2:17) Thyatira: And he who OVERCOMES, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; (Rev.2:26,27) And he who OVERCOMES I will give him the morning star (2:26,28) Sardis: He who OVERCOMES shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels (3:5). Philadelphia: He who OVERCOMES, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name (3:12). He who OVERCOMES I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem (3:12) Laodicea: He who OVERCOMES, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne (3:21). The Millennium & Sabbath Rest (Church Triumphant) CONSUMMATION OF CHRIST S PROMISES in the middle of its street. And on either side of the river was the tree of life, (22:2). Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years (20:6; cf. 21:7,8). and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years (20:4) He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son (21:7). and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years (20:4,6; cf. 19:15; 22:6,16). and nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb s book of life (21:27; cf. 19:7-8,14; 20:12; 21:2). And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God (21:2,10). and His name shall be on their foreheads. (22:4) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God (21:2). Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years (20:4,6). Adapted from Nils Lund, 353 and Paul Minear who Beale (NIGTC ) quotes on p.135f. The formula, He who overcomes, of the promises to the conquerors, used in each of the seven messages, reappears just once, in the vision of the new Jerusalem (21:7) (Bauckham, The Book of Revelation, 14).
SECOND EXAMPLE OF HOW THE 1 ST & 7 TH KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEWS PARALLEL ONE ANOTHER 1 st KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW (Rev.1:9-3:22) 7 th KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW (Rev.20:1-22:9) The Seven Churches: Christ & His Church Militant THE IMPERFECTIONS OF THE CHURCH IN THE OLD CREATION false prophets (Rev.2:2) false Jews (Rev.2:9; 3:9) Christians dwell where Satan s throne is (Rev.2:13) some in the church are dead (Rev.3:1) the church is faltering, temporal lampstand (Rev.1:20; 2:5) The church is filled with idolatrous impurities (2:14-15,20) and liars (Rev.2:9; 3:9) Christians face persecution, hoping in God s promises to overcomers (Rev.2:8-10,13) The Millennium & Sabbath Rest (Church Triumphant) THE PERFECTIONS OF THE CHURCH IN THE NEW CREATION twelve true apostles (Rev.21:14) the names of the tribes of true Israel (Rev.21:12) Christians dwell where God s throne is (Rev.22:1) All in the new Jerusalem are written in the Lamb s book of life(rev.21:27) God and the Lamb are the eternal lamps (Rev.21:23-24; 22:5) There will be only purity and truth in the new creation (Rev.21:8,27) In the new creation they reign, having inherited these promises (Rev.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) Meredith Kline, Structure of Revelation p.19 quoted in Greg Beale, The Book of Revelation NIGTC, 134
EXAMPLE OF HOW THE 2 ND & 6 TH KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW PARALLEL ONE ANOTHER 2 nd KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW (Rev.4:1-8:1,3-5) 6 th KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW (Rev.17:1-19:21) The Throne of Rule, Praise and Worship The Throne of Ruin, Weeping and Lamenting Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne (Revelation 4:2). And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 17:3). UNIVERSE GOVERNED BY GOD S THRONE: and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. (Rev.4:2) Description of the One sitting on the throne (4:2ff.). Note the description of the Person, throne, and character. God s throne is surrounded by heavenly creatures & the redeemed who praise Him (Rev.4:4,5,7,11,13). The redeemed are very close to their Redeemer (7:15-17) Purity of the Lamb (5:9/see the sacrificial laws about blood) Salvation (Rev.5:9-10) JUDGMENT OF THE HARLOT S THRONE : Come here, I shall show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, (Rev.17:1,3) Description of the woman sitting on a scarlet beast (17:3-5). Note the description of the person, throne, and character. The woman s throne is surrounded by those who dwell on the earth (Rev.17:8,), peoples & multitudes and nations and tongues (17:15), those who participated in the woman s sins (18:4,9-19). These weep and lament over her (18:9) and stand at a distance because of fear of her torment (18:10) Impurity of the woman (17:4/see the Levitical laws about blood and menstruation) Damnation (Rev.18:1ff) Singing (Rev.5:9) Cessation of singing (18:22) saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. (Rev.5:12) And when He broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; (Rev.6:9) great multitude worshipping And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God (Rev. 7:11) And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste! (Rev.18:19) And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered greatly. (Rev.17:6) great multitude worshipping And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, Amen. Hallelujah! (Rev. 19:4)
EXAMPLE OF HOW THE 3 rd & 5 TH KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW PARALLEL ONE ANOTHER 3 rd KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW (Rev.8:2,6-11:19) 5 th KALEIDOSCOPIC VIEW (Rev.15:1,5-16:21) The Seven Trumpets: The Kingship of Christ Over Creation The Seven Bowls 1 st Angel of Judgment: earth (Rev.8:7) [note the judgment here is upon creation] 1 st Angel of Judgment: earth (Rev.16:2) [note the judgment here is upon men] 2 nd Angel of Judgment: the 1/3 of the sea becoming blood (Rev.8:8) 2 nd Angel of Judgment: the sea becoming blood/the damage is more extensive than the 3 rd Kaleidoscopic View (16:3) 3 rd Angel of Judgment: 1/3 of rivers and springs of waters (Rev.8:10-11) 3 rd Angel of Judgment: rivers & springs of waters/damage more extensive (Rev.16:4) 4 th Angel of Judgment: 1/3 of sun, moon and stars leading to darkness (Rev.8:12) [note the judgment here is upon creation] 4 th Angel of Judgment: the sun is affected leading to scorching heat (Rev.16:8,9) [note the judgment here is upon men] The following three trumpets are set off from the others because they are called woes. These woes lead up to the consummation. 5 th Angel of Judgment: The first woe and the abyss (Rev.9:1-12) 5 th Angel of Judgment: The throne of the beast. 6 th Angel of Judgment: great river Euphrates (Rev.9:13-21) 6 th Angel of Judgment: great river Euphrates & Armageddon (Rev.16:12-16) 7 th Angel of Judgment: Announcement concerning Christ s Kingdom and His reign (Rev.11:15-18) Temple (v.19) Flashes of lightning (v.19) sounds and peals of thunder (v.19) an earthquake (v.19) great hailstorm (v.19) 7 th Angel of Judgment: Announcement, It is done (Rev.16:17-21) Temple (v.17) Flashes of lightning (v.18) sounds and peals of thunder (v.18) great earthquake (v.18) huge hailstones (v.21) The third kaleidoscopic view mentions three woes in 8:13. The first woe is connected with the fifth trumpet and occurs in 9:1-12 (see v.12), the second woe is linked with the sixth trumpet and is realized by 11:14. The third woe is never specifically mentioned as having been accomplished. However, 8:13 indicates that the last three trumpets are the three woes, Woe, woe, woe, to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound! An argument for recapitulation is found in 10:7, But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets. Based upon this solemn oath, we are to understand that seventh trumpet as taking us to The End (i.e. the consummation) and yet there are still eleven chapters after the seventh trumpet is sounded! The reason for this is that the last eleven chapters recapitulate what has already been revealed, along with a description of the new heavens and the new earth. The progression present from the 3 rd to 5 th kaleidoscopic view is a progression of judgment that becomes increasingly severe. Both judgments are a call to repentance (9:21; 16:10).