Revelation Reminders before approaching Revelation has a series

Revelation Reminders before approaching Revelation has a series of Contexts (CIE) 1. Literary context • Immediate Context: Book of Revelation • Larger Context: Old Testament Allusions • Apocalyptic World / Imagination 2. Social / Historical context • Contemporary World of John and 7 churches • Contemporary World of readers

Revelation Reminders before approaching Revelation 2. Revelation is an oral/aural event. It is meant to convey its message first by hearing (1: 3). Thus, it would be important that the structure and logic of the work would be perceptible in oral performance Thus, for this first run through Revelation, I want to relate the logical structure I find to linguistic or verbal markers (listener clues). Think about what might trigger your ears in hearing rather than your eyes in seeing.

Revelation Psalm 40: 5 -6 5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. 6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced (dug out, Gen 26: 25); burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Revelation Reminders before approaching Revelation 2. Revelation is an oral/aural event 2: 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 2: 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 2: 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 2: 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 3: 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 3: 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 3: 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. " 13: 9 He who has an ear, let him hear. Hearing (Rev. 1: 3, 10; 2: 7, 11, 17, 29; 3: 3, 6, 13, 20, 22; 4: 1; 5: 11, 13; 6: 1, 3, 5 ff; 7: 4; 8: 13; 9: 13, 16, 20; 10: 4, 8; 11: 12; 12: 10; 13: 9; 14: 2, 13; 16: 1, 5, 7; 18: 4, 22 f; 19: 1, 6; 21: 3; 22: 8, 17) Testify (Rev. 1: 2; 22: 16, 18, 20) Word (Rev. 1: 2 f, 9; 3: 8, 10; 6: 9; 12: 11; 17: 17; 19: 9, 13; 20: 4; 21: 5; 22: 6 f, 9 f, 18 f)

Revelation P r o l o g u e 1: 1 -8 E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21

Revelation P r o l o g u e 1: 1 -8 The Revelation of Jesus Christ Verbal echoes between 1: 1 -3 & 22: 6 -7 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Rev 1: 1 -3 The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place. Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book. " Rev 22: 6 -7 E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21

Revelation P r o l o g u e The Revelation of Jesus Christ Single Lord’s Day Vision 1: 9 -10 From Heaven to Earth (1: 1) God Jesus Messenger/angel John Servants Across the Earth and Time (1: 3, 19) John testifies what he saw word and testimony (1: 2) John wrote (1: 19), Reader reads aloud words (1: 3) 1: 1 -8 E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21

Revelation P r o l o g u e 1: 1 -8 The Revelation of Jesus Christ Single Lord’s Day Vision 1: 9 -10 I was in the Spirit (1: 10) evgeno, mhn evn pneu, mati In the Spirit (4: 2) evgeno, mhn evn pneu, mati In the Spirit (17: 3) avph, negke, n me evn pneu, mati In the Spirit (21: 10) avph, negke, n me evn pneu, mati E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21

Revelation The Revelation of Jesus Christ Two Women City: New Jerusalem and Bride of Lamb Inaugural Vision of Heaven (4 -5) and Subsequent Judgment (6 -16) Parousia Inaugural Vision of Christ and 7 Messages to 7 Churches City: Babylon the Harlot and her fall P r o l o g u e E p i l o g u e 19: 11 - 1: 1 -8 1: 9 3: 22 4: 1 In the Spirit evn pneu, mati 16: 21 17: 1 -19: 10 21: 8 21: 9 -22: 5 22: 6 -21

Revelation What are the reader clues which cause me to think that 17: 1 and 21: 9 are major shifts? And for that matter that I would put them in parallel with one another? Revelation 17: 1 -3 Revelation 21: 9 -10 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute. . . 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. " 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

Revelation These clear parallel beginnings 17: 1 -3 and 21: 9 -10 also have equally clear parallel conclusions in 19: 9 -10 and 22: 6 -9 Revelation 19: 9 b-10 Revelation 22: 6 -9 And he added, “These are the true words of God. ” 10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. ” The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true…” 8 I heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”

Revelation 1: 1 -8 The Revelation of Jesus Christ 1: 9 3: 22 S e r ie s o f 7 J u dgm e n ts Two Women 7 Ch u r c h e s P r o l o g u e Intro: 17: 1 -3 Intro: 21: 9 -10 C i ty : B a by l o n th e H a r l o t a n d h e r f a ll C i ty : Ne w J e r u s a le m a n d B r i de o f L a m b Conc: 19: 9 b-10 Conc: 22: 6 -9 4: 1 -16: 21 17: 1 22: 9 E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21

Revelation Two structural questions of concern: concern 1. I have identified 22: 6 -9 as both the conclusion to the major section 21: 9 -22: 9 and as the beginning to the epilogue of 22: 6 -21. But I am convinced this is part of John’s artistry of overlapping and interweaving sections of his work. a. Those parts of 22: 6 -9 that are not verbally parallel to 19: 9 b-10 are indeed parallel to 1: 1 -3; its counterpart serving as an introduction to the whole book.

Revelation Two structural questions of concern: concern b. Note: When 19: 9 b-10 stands as the conclusion to the section 17: 1 -19: 10, the “true words of God” that the angel refers to in the immediate context is the beatitude of 19: 9 a, “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” But when 22: 6 -9 stands as the intro to the prologue of 22: 6 -21, “These words are trustworthy and true” refer to the words of the entire book, referring back to 1: 1 -3. For no reader would expect the conclusion of the vision to merely be the fall of Babylon but it must include the vision of the New Jerusalem

Revelation Two structural questions of concern: concern 2. Between section 17: 1 -19: 10 & 21: 9 -22: 9 comes another section which stands as the interlude or a transition (19: 11 -21: 5). The Rider on the White Horse and millennial reign. Does it begin with a parallel to Chap 4, heavenly vision? Note: After 19: 11, all the accounts take place from an earthly perspective, looking up. From this point forward nothing is seen or heard that happens in heaven. All action takes place on earth, as it did before 4: 1.

Revelation Two structural questions of concern: concern Note: After 19: 11, all the accounts take place from an earthly perspective, looking up. John’s vision of the Parousia is that no longer does the divine act from heaven but rather breaks into the world. Note: Connections with other places in Revelation. 19: 18 vs. 6: 15; 19: 15 vs. 12: 5 19: 19 vs. 16: 14, 16 19: 16 vs. 17: 14

Revelation Note verbal connections / literary links from one section to another City: New Jerusalem and Bride of Lamb Parousia City: Babylon the Harlot and her fall P The Revelation of Jesus Christ E r p Two Women Inaugural o i Vision of Christ Heaven (4 -5) l l and 7 and o o Messages Subsequent Voice at outset of book (1: 9 -11) is the same who summons to 7 Judgment (6 g him to heaven (4: 1) and connects with angel in 17: 1 -19: 10 g Churches -16) & 21: 9 -22: 6 u u e e 19: 11 - 1: 1 -8 1: 9 3: 22 4: 1 16: 21 17: 1 -19: 10 21: 8 21: 9 -22: 5 22: 6 -21

Revelation 1: 1 -8 The Revelation of Jesus Christ 1: 9 3: 22 4: 1 16: 21 17: 1 -19: 10 21: 8 City: New Jerusalem and Bride of Lamb Parousia Introduction • 7 Promises to conquer (2: 7, 11, 17, 267 Churches 28; 3: 5, 12, 21) Two Women Inaugural Each letter is Inaugural Vision of • Callof is to be victorious. But “victory” is relevant to a Vision Christchurch Heaven (4 -5)in rest of book. (Promise only defined specific and 7 but anddoes not occur again until 21: 7) situation Messages each is also Subsequent • Call to engage in eschatological battle to 7 Judgment (6 to reach destiny (Chap 22) (Chap 4 -18) serves as a Churches -16) different introduction to the rest of the book. 19: 11 City: Babylon the Harlot and her fall P r o l o g u e 21: 9 -22: 5 E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21

Revelation Note verbal connections / literary links from one section to another City: New Jerusalem and Bride of Lamb Parousia City: Babylon the Harlot and her fall P The Revelation of Jesus Christ E r p between 1: 9 -3: 22 comes in the seventh Two Women (climactic) Inaugural o. Link promise madeof by the angelic Vision ofvoice “To him who overcomes, I i the right to. Heaven sit with me on my throne, just as I (4 -5) lwill give. Christ l andand 7 sat down and with my Father on his throne. ” (3: 21) oovercame This is Messages last of 7 promises and it is not so much directed to the o Subsequent anticipates Judgment (6 Christ’s conquest and gchurchtoat 7 Laodicea but g enthronement in Chapter Churches -16) 5 and worship scenes in Chap 19. u u Thus, book is not just seven letters to seven churches but emore! e 19: 11 - 1: 1 -8 1: 9 3: 22 4: 1 16: 21 17: 1 -19: 10 21: 8 21: 9 -22: 5 22: 6 -21

Revelation Observations about structure of Introduction: Introduction 1. The uses of seven introductions enables the book to engage with seven different contexts in which the book would be heard. Thus, it shows how issues at work in each local context are to be understood in light of God’s cosmic battle and plan for establishing His Kingdom 2. Book is written as more than just a generic application of “grace to endure in the midst of persecution. ” For encouragement in the face of persecution was only one of the needs of the churches. For some, judgment in the rest of the book may apply to them, since they may be compromising with the “beast. ”

Revelation Observations about structure of Introduction: Introduction 3. The seven letters also prepares us to recognize that John assumes a wider readership than just seven individual churches. • That John sees this as the culmination of all biblical prophecy assumes relevance for all Christians. • The number 7 assumes these 7 as representative of the whole church. • The conclusion of each oracle summons all people to listen: “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the seven churches. ” (2: 7, 11, 17, 29; 3: 6, 13, 22)

Revelation Spatial Breakdown Heaven & Earth P r o l o g u e 1: 1 -8 Heaven-Centered 19: 1 -10 E p 19: 11 -22: 5 Heaven & Earth Unitedi Vertical component; God’s final plan unfolded. l Horizontal aspect; Church should worshipoin spite of present sufferings g u e 11 -13 Earth-Centered 14 -15 10 7 4 -5 1 2 -3 6 8 -9 Dominated by Praise & Worship 16 -18 Dominated by Chaos & 22: 6 -21 Judgment

Revelation Climax 22: 1 -5 1: 1 -8 The Revelation of Jesus Christ City: New Jerusalem and Bride of Lamb Parousia n g i e Twol RWomen Inaugural na r Vision of te E / Christ Heaven (4 -5) m le a and 7 and us r Messages Subsequent Je w to 7 Judgment (6 Ne to Churches -16) t en em v o M tic c 19: 11 a 1: 9 lim 3: 22 4: 1 16: 21 17: 1 -19: 10 21: 8 21: 9 -22: 5 C City: Babylon the Harlot and her fall P r o l o g u e E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21

Revelation City: New Jerusalem and Bride of Lamb Parousia City: Babylon the Harlot and her fall P The Revelation of Jesus Christ r Two Women Inaugural o Vision of Solution: Solution Christ Heaven (4 -5)Worship the Lamb l. Problem: and 7 and Church is in the o Messages Subsequent World; but 7 Judgment (6 gworld istowinning Churches -16) u e E p i l o g u e 19: 11 - 1: 1 -8 1: 9 3: 22 4: 1 16: 21 17: 1 -19: 10 21: 8 21: 9 -22: 5 22: 6 -21

Revelation The Revelation of Jesus Christ Two Women City: New Jerusalem and Bride of Lamb Inaugural Vision of Heaven (4 -5) and Subsequent Judgment (6 -16) Parousia Inaugural Vision of Christ and 7 Messages to 7 Churches City: Babylon the Harlot and her fall P r o l o g u e E p i l o g u e 19: 11 - 1: 1 -8 1: 9 3: 22 4: 1 16: 21 17: 1 -19: 10 21: 8 21: 9 -22: 5 22: 6 -21

Revelation 1: 91: 1 -8 Seven Seals -8: 1; 8: 3 -5) 3: 22 5: 14 (6: 1 Seven Trumpets (8: 2; 8: 811: 19) 4: 16: 1 Two Women Vision of Heavenly Throne Earthly Rule Seven Bowls (15: 1; 15: 516: 21) 16: 21 Babylon & New Jerusalem The Revelation of Jesus Christ 7 Churches P r o l o g u e 17: 1 -22: 5 E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21 Note the overlapping of the 7 Trumpets into the 7 seals and the 7 Bowls into the 7 Trumpets. This may indicate that these are not sequential/chronological but interlocking (particularization). E. g. 7 Trumpets as a whole is described as the 7 th seal and the 7 th Trumpet as a whole is the 7 Bowls.

Revelation 1: 1 -8 Two Women Inaugural Vision of Heavenly Throne Earthly Rule Seven Seals (6: 1 -8: 1; 8: 3 -5) Seven Trumpets (8: 2; 8: 8 -11: 19) Interlude – Chap 12 -14 Seven Bowls (15: 1 -16: 21) 1: 9 -3: 22 4: 1 -5: 14 Ends: All heaven Worship (5: 13 -14) 6: 1 Means: Earthly Judgment 16: 21 Babylon & New Jerusalem The Revelation of Jesus Christ 7 Churches P r o l o g u e 17: 1 -22: 5 E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21 Ends: All heaven and earth Worship

Revelation 1: 1 -8 Seven Seals (6: 1 -8: 1; 8: 3 -5) Seven Trumpets (8: 2; 8: 8 -11: 19) Interlude – Chap 12 -14 Seven Bowls (15: 1 -16: 21) 1: 9 -3: 22 4: 1 -5: 14 6: 1 16: 21 Two Women Inaugural Vision of Heavenly Throne Earthly Rule Babylon & New Jerusalem The Revelation of Jesus Christ 7 Churches P r o l o g u e 17: 1 -22: 5 E p i l o g u e 22: 6 -21 Note the verbal connection: “God’s temple in heaven opened” (11: 19) and “In heaven, the temple, that is the Tabernacle of witness was opened (15: 5) to reconnect after the interlude of 12 -14

Revelation 4 -16 Vision of Heavenly Throne (4 -5) Earthly Rule (6 -16) 4: 15 Seven Seals (6: 1 -8: 1; 8: 3 -5) 1 2 3 4 6: 1 Seven Trumpets (8: 2; 8: 811: 19) 1 5 2 7 6 3 4 (15: 1; 15: 516: 21) 1 5 7 6 Seven Bowls 2 3 5 7 6 4 16: 21

Vision of Heaven 4: 15 Heavenly Throne (4 -5) Earthly Rule (6 -16) Seven Seals (6: 1 -8: 1; 8: 3 -5) 2 3 4 6: 1 5 7 6 The delay is for the sake of protecting God’s people from Judgment. 7: 1 -17 Between 6 & 7 Seal 1 Interlude 1: 1 Seven Trumpets (8: 2; 8: 811: 19) 2 3 4 10: 1 -11: 13 Between 6 & 7 Trumpets 1 Interlude 2: 2 5 6 7 Chap 12 -14 Delay for the sake of the People of God & their conflict with evil. (Note: New material, new language, New chronology) Interlude 3: 3 Delay for the sake of the prophetic witness of God’s people Revelation 4 -16 Seven Bowls (15: 1; 15: 516: 21) 1 2 3 5 7 6 4 16: 21

Revelation Note recurring phrase in each series of Judgments 1: 1 -8 The Revelation of Jesus Christ Inaugural Vision of Heaven great hailstorm. 1: 9 -3: 22 th 7 Bowl Two Women E Throne: 4: 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, p Heavenly Earthly Rule rumblings and peals Throne of thunder. 7 th Seal: 8: 5 And the angel took the censer; and he filled iti Seals, with the fire of the altar. Seven and threw it to the earth; and l there followed peals of Seven thunder. Trumpets, and sounds and flashes of o lightning and an earthquake. Seven Bowls th g 7 Trumpet 11: 19 And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appearedu in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and e sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a 7 Churches P r o l o g u e The seventh in the series is linked to one another and anchored to the vision of the Throne by the following phrase(s): The Revelation of Jesus Christ 4: 1 -5: 14 6: 1 16: 21 17: 1 -22: 5 16: 18 -21 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. 22: 6 -21