BOOK OF REVELATION: INTRODUCTION TO THE LITERARY STRUCTURE

A much more complete version of the following analysis is available to anyone requesting it at elmerphd21@hotmail.com.

Introduction

The same confusion reigns in attempts to reconstruct the literary structure of Revelation as to derive a systematic scenario for future events. G. K. Beale (The Book of Revelation) has done scholars an immeasurable favor in providing an up-to-date summary of the major attempts to make structural sense of this final book of the Bible. He begins his survey with the comment, “The diverse proposals are a maze of interpretative confusion.” There is not enough space in the present work to try to duplicate Beale’s accomplishment in threading his way through this maze. Therefore, we will follow a new hermeneutic approach employing chs. 2-3 of Revelation as a possible model for the whole book in order to arrive at three alternative ways of describing its structure.

Symbolic Numbers in Revelation

There is no denying the significance of the number seven (generally symbolizing completion or totality) in this book. Because of the above phenomenon, there is a strong expectation that any structural organization in this book must be based on the number seven. On the other hand, a 7 + 1 structure is a real possibility due to the symbolism of eight referring to (a) Christ’s resurrection on the first day of a new week and (b) the new creation. This view finds support in the words and phrases which appear in Revelation exactly eight times, often in 7 + 1 patterns: “altar,” “fulfilled,” “mark,” “prophet,” “honor,” “testimony,” “tongue,” “people,” “crown,” “slain,” “he that has an ear, let him hear,” “kings of the earth,” “deceive,” “show” and “stone.”

Section Divisions

The major literary units of the book are seemingly easy to identify in light of the various series of seven letters, seven bowls, seven trumpets, etc. that appear to define their respective sections. However, any survey of the literature on this subject readily reveals that there is still a fair amount of disagreement among scholars. The causes are at least fourfold:

1. There are large blocks of material in Revelation that do not contain numbered series.

            2. Even the clearly identified series of seven contain large discursions or parentheses that may or may not constitute separate sections.

            3. There is uncertainty in regard to the exact starting and ending points of each section.

            4. Sometimes one series of judgments opens up into the next, making it difficult to find a clear dividing line.

Determining the structure of the book is complicated by the fact that it can be viewed from at least three different perspectives: chronological, geographical, and topical. Each of these three perspective, discussed respectively below, leads to a different literary structure. However, a synthesis of these three resulting structures is possible in the future.

A. Progressive Recapitulation

In Revelation 2-3

One of the basic principle of hermeneutics, using the clear teachings of an author for illuminating the more obscure passages, can be taken a logical step further. Of all the extended passages in Revelation, the one most rooted in history and least apocalyptic in nature, namely Rev. 2-3, should be examined as a possible guide to understanding the way the book as a whole is organized. In a similar mode, Beale makes the assertion that “we can call the letters the literary microcosm of the entire book's macrocosmic structure.”

In one sense, the seven churches represent the church throughout the ages. The major question is, “In which sense do these seven represent The Church?” If they correspond to successive church ages, then one could argue with some force that the rest of the book should be taken in a basically chronological sense also. Unfortunately, as most scholars conclude, all attempts to construct such a chronological scheme fall flat.

As most commentators point out, each letter contains the same seven components, including a promise, commendation, condemnation, etc. However, there is perhaps a hint of progression in this series. In the beginning letter, the Ephesians are reminded of their first love, reminiscent of the fervor of the early Christians. On the other hand, in the last letter to the Laodiceans, a disproportionate number of lines seem devoted to the division of sheep and goats at the Last Judgment. This would seem to hint at (but certainly not prove) an overall structure in which the same basic elements are repeated (seven times in this case) with a slight forward movement.

In the Whole Book

The most popular view of this book is that it contains a more or less chronological account of world events – past, present and future. The major drawback to such an approach is that it invariably leads to multiple occurrences of similar events and a very complicated time line. On the other hand, progressive development of certain themes certainly does occur as the book proceeds. As an example, consider the word “Lamb,” which appears numerous times throughout the Revelation: associated with the terms “blood” and “slain” in chs. 5-13, with believers in chs. 19-21, and finally with “throne” in ch. 22. As another example, the judgments on the earth become more widespread as the book progresses, affecting a fourth of the earth in 6:8, a third of the earth in 8:7-12, and the whole earth in 15:1.

However, there is another way of understanding Revelation in which each individual section of the book contains past, present and future components. In fact, the majority scholarly opinion sees each section to provide a different view of basically the same time period. This approach can be typified best by that of William Hendricksen. (More Than Conquerors). His contention, shared by others with some variations, is that the book is a seven-fold recapitulation, the parallel sections consisting of chs. 1-3; 4-7; 8-11; 12-14; 15-16; 17-19; and 20-22. Hendriksen's basic evidence for such an understanding of the Revelation consists of the following points:

1. There is obvious repetition of the same or similar events throughout the book. This is especially seen in the close parallels between the woes associated with the first six trumpets and the bowls (both affecting, in order, the earth, sea, rivers, sun, pit, and Euphrates). Also, the particular time period of 3 ½ years, expressed in various ways, appears repeatedly. To this, one could add that Babylon appears to fall three times, the Battle of Armageddon to occur at least twice, Satan is twice unleashed for a short period, unbelievers twice tormented but refuse to repent, and numerous “last” judgments occurring throughout.

2. If one divides the book into the particular seven parallel sections mentioned above, each obvious series of seven (seals, trumpets, and bowls) is kept intact.

3. In addition, each individual section can be treated fairly naturally as a chronological account of events from Christ's birth to his Second Coming. However, there is some progression as the visions unfold in that later chronological events are described in more detail in the later sections. Thus, the literary units are, in Metzger’s words , “a series of parallel yet ever-progressing sections.”  Hendricksen labels this literary peculiarity “Progressive Parallelism,” elsewhere called Progressive Recapitulation.

This type of progressive recapitulation proposed for John’s Revelation is closest to that seen in the apocalyptic literature, illustrated in the Bible by the books of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. The Book of Daniel provides a particularly close parallel to this understanding of cycles in Revelation.

Two caveats must be voiced concerning the reiterative view. In the first place, despite the parallels in language and thought between these seven sections, each employs its own set of symbols, and each presents a different perspective on the same time period. Also, it has been noted that (a) in many cases the parallels are not nearly as obvious as one would expect for a purposeful pattern, (b) an organization for the book involving seven sets of seven may be somewhat forced, and (c) it is perplexing that the author only numbered some of the sets and not all. These ambiguities encourage the student of the Revelation to consider other possible approaches to understanding its overall organization.

B. Alternation

In Revelation 2-3

The immediate context of the seven letters to the seven churches is rarely taken into account, especially as a clue to the overall arrangement of the Apocalypse. It is commonplace to note that many of the self-descriptions of the Son of Man in ch. 1 appear again in the seven letters. Thus, some scholars take the first three chapters together as an introduction to the whole book. In contrast, chs. 4-5 are almost universally felt to start another major section of the book and to have little direct relation to the previous chapters. However, an impressive number of strong affinities, thematic and verbal, can be cited between chapters 1 and 4. This practically demands that we consider Revelation 1:1-4:11 as an ABA structure with the letters to the churches forming the center unit. Support for such a grouping can be found in the literature.

In the Whole Book

This proposed ABA arrangement of chs. 1-4 suggests that there may be an overarching pattern in the rest of the book by which heavenly scenes of a more or less positive nature alternate with scenes concentrating on judgment and tribulation directed towards earth. The importance of such alternations may be, according to Phillips, to indicate that the “ultimate purpose of God is to have His will done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Commentators who recognize such a pattern generally identify only eleven or less such alternating blocks in the book. But a more exhaustive listing can also be pictured in which there are several disruptions in the scheme. If each interruption of the alternating scheme signals the beginning of a new major unit, then the book can be divided into three sections: a prelude consisting of chs. 1-11, the body of the action in chs. 12-20, and concluding items in the last two chapters. Several other commentators have proposed a major break in the book after Revelation 11. Support for the literary unity of the five sections identified in this way can be easily demonstrated.

C. Chiastic Arrangement

In Revelation 2-3

A third type of movement can also be detected: one directed in symmetrical pairs toward the middle of the book. Justification for seeking such a pattern is seen by again considering the letters to the seven churches, this time in a symmetrical fashion. The pattern below is a slight variation on Lund's earlier proposal.

1. Ephesus

2. Smyrna

3. Pergamum

4. Thyatira

5. Sardis

6. Philadelphia

7. Laodicea

The threat/warning component in each of the letters displays the clearest chiastic pattern, moving from threats of utter rejection for churches 1 and 7, to warnings of religious persecution for believers in 2 and 6, to opposition by Christ himself in 3 and 5. The letter to Thyatira in the center is unique in that its threat/warning is almost exclusively directed towards a false prophetess, not the church itself. This particular letter is also the only one in the series that uses the phrase “all the churches.”

Other evidence of chiastic pairings within these letters includes: (a) the similar condemnations of Ephesus and Laodicea, both including the word “love,” (b) promises to these same churches that both involving eating, (c) mention of a crown and a lack of a condemnation for churches 2 and 6, (d) the phrase “those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” in letter 2 with the same two clauses chiastically reversed in letter 6, (e) promises involving new names and including the word “white” for churches 3 and 5, and (f) the identical opening phrase “The words of him who has” found only in letters 3 and 5.

In the Whole Book

Turning to the Book of Revelation as a whole, several chiastic schemes have been proposed.

The present proposal (Fig. 1) differs from all the above in that it is based on the five major sections previously identified, resulting in a seven-part chiasm with its turning point at Revelation 16. Numerous verbal parallels exist between sections I and I', and it has been frequently noted that the order in which the demonic forces fall in IIIA' is the reverse of the order in which they appear (IIIA).

Figure 1: Chiastic Structure to the Book of Revelation

I. Introduction (1:1-4:11)

II. Destruction on the Earth and its Inhabitants (5:1-11:19)

III. Judgment on God’s Enemies (12:1-20:15)

A. Demonic Forces on the Earth (12:1-16:1)

B. The Seven Plagues (16:2-21)

A'. The Fall of the Demonic Forces (17:1-20:15)

II'. The New Heaven and Earth and their Inhabitants (21:1-22:5)

I'. Conclusion (22:6-21)

 Finally, one more overall chiastic pattern to the Revelation can be detected. Overcoming, or conquering, is one of the major themes of the book. The seventeen (a number having symbolic significance to the Apostle John in his other writings) occurrences of this word in the book form a modified chiastic, especially if grouped together by section.

Victories by the enemy are followed by victories of the church, and we can conquer because of Christ's earlier victory (as spelled out in Rev. 3:21 and portrayed in the above literary scheme). Another key word appearing exactly seventeen times is doxa (“glory”). These words practically encapsulate the main themes of Revelation: the conquering of the saints and the glorification of God and His Son.

Which of the three equally plausible structural models was intended for the Revelation: alternation, progressive recapitulation or chiasm? It is probably not necessary to chose between the options. The Book of Genesis begins in structural chaos and only proceeds by stages to the masterfully arranged Joseph Cycle. Thus, it is appropriate to conclude the Bible with this book which can be simultaneously viewed from three different structural perspectives. In any case, as Ellul stated, it is “at the same time a structure, a truly monumental architecture, and a movement from the end toward the present, from the present toward the meaning inscribed in its very texture.” (Apocalypse)