Structure Of The Book Of Revelation

STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Even a cursory look at the book of Revelation reveals that it is a book with a stylized structure. Everywhere you turn within this book there are groupings of sevens.

Seven churches Seven lamps and seven spirits of God before the throne

Seven Seals Seven peals of thunder

Seven Trumpets

Seven Vials A seven headed dragon with seven crowns

Too often people have taken the book as though it were a chronological planner for a futuristic prophetic timetable when, instead, it clearly offers a series of pictures that reveal Christ in His workings in heaven and on earth (that is why its official title is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ”).

What we have in Revelation are a series of parallel visions, each of which presents a portrait of Christ at work in the world. Sometimes, as is the case of Revelation 12:1-17, we are taken all the way back to the birth of Christ. No matter what the beginning, the end is always the same. It is that Christ returns in victory to judge the world and redeem His people. This can be illustrated by comparing the sixth and seventh of the series of seals, trumpets and bowl judgments:

6th & 7th Seal|6th & 7th Trumpet|Seventh Bowl|
1. Great earthquake.|1. Great earthquake.|1. Great earthquake.|
2. Voices, thunderings, lightnings and an earthquake.|2. Lightnings, voices, thunderings and an earthquake.|2. Voices, thunders, lightnings and a great earthquake.|
3. Angel cried with a loud voice|3. Great voices in heaven|3. Great voice from heaven|
4. Every mountain and island taken out of their way|----|4. Every island fled away & mountains were not found|
----|5. Great hail|5. Great hail|
----|6. Temple opened; voices heard|6. Great voice out of the temple|
7. Day of his wrath is come.|7. Thy wrath is come.|7. Fierceness of his wrath.|

How does this relate to Revelation 20:1-15 and the Millennial Question? In Revelation 19:1-21 we are treated to a vision of the return of Christ in judgment. Accordingly, the very next section takes us back to still another recapitulation of the workings of Christ in this age. It is thus seen that the context of Revelation 20:1-15 can at least allow the Amillennial view of eschatology. On the other hand, if we take Revelation 20:1-15 at face value, we will follow in the footsteps of many of the early church fathers in adopting a Premillennial view of prophecy. Whichever view is adopted, it is the belief of this writer that these millennial issues ought to serve as an issue over which we divide the church. It is unfortunate that so many Christians have used disagreements in this area to try to bring division to the body of Christ.