To see the structure of Revelation is to see more than most theologians throughout history have been privileged to see the following information can be the key to a very large measure of understanding of Revelation. Even though Revelation is a very complicated prophecy, its BASIC SIMPLICITY is at once encouraging and enlightening.
Revelation can be broken down into five sections.
At the beginning (1:1-8) is a small section that serves as an introduction to the entire prophecy.
At the end (22:6-21) is another small section that serves as an epilogue to the entire prophecy.
Between these two small sections, are three larger sections, which we call sections 1 through 3, and which serve to detail in advance all of the history since the ending of the Jewish Age.
Revelation's Three Main Sections
Revelation is neatly divided into three sections corresponding to the three periods of time we discussed in our previous post, viz. the Christian Age, the Messianic Age and the Harvest.
Section 1 (1:9-14:5) gives FIVE views of the entire Gospel Age (including the Harvest).
Section 2 (14:6-19:21) gives FIVE views focusing exclusively on the Harvest Period.
Section 3 (20:1-22:5) gives FIVE views of the Millennium (all having at least some connection to the Gospel Age Harvest).
Even if we were to go no further, it is clear that understanding this much is an invaluable aid in a study of Revelation. Interpretations begin to fall into place when the correct periods of time in which they function are realized. A closer look is warranted.
(Please remember that we are generalizing. A few words in each of the above sections might refer to other periods. We here are merely trying to draw clean lines as a basis of study.)
A Closer Look at Section 1 (Chapters 1-14)
". . . The beginning of Sorrows" - Matt 24:4-14
The first thirteen chapters cover the long period of over 1,800 years from Jesus' first advent into the time of his second advent. These chapters accomplish primarily three objectives:
1. They prophesy the growth and power of the apostasy of which both Jesus and Paul warned. (Matt 24:5, 11, 12; 11 Thess 2:3, 4, 7)
2. They document in detail the history during this period which Jesus sums up in only a few verses in Matt 24:4-14.
3. They predict in detail the experiences of the Christian Church (BOTH the true and apostate).
Five Times through the Entire Gospel Age
(1) The 7 Churches (Rev. 1:9-Rev. 3:22). This is Jesus' Personal Message to the "angels" who must admonish the seven stages of the church throughout the age regarding conditions, needs, and experiences in overcoming.
(2) The 7 Seals (Rev. 4:1-Rev. 8:1) this is history in advance. It stresses the effects this history will have on the consecrated. God arranged (and recorded in advance in His sealed scroll) pre-ordained changes in history and the catalysts, which would accomplish them.
(3) The 7 Trumpets (Rev. 8:2-Rev. 11:19) this series shows the effects of dispensational truths on the surrounding society.
(4) The Woman, Dragon, & Apostate "Michael" (Chapter 12) this view of the age is presented to show how the false church grew out of the true church and eventually gained dominance even over the civil power which it used then as its persecuting agent. This chapter is mainly from the civil powers viewpoint.
(5) Two Beasts, an Image, and The Overcomers (Rev. 13:1-Rev. 14:5) this final view of the entire age focuses on how the church-state monolith, even though later divided, continues its objective of creating a blasphemous "Christian Unity," the opponents of which experience various persecutions. This chapter is mainly from the "orthodox" religious viewpoint.
Continued with next post.
Revelation can be broken down into five sections.
At the beginning (1:1-8) is a small section that serves as an introduction to the entire prophecy.
At the end (22:6-21) is another small section that serves as an epilogue to the entire prophecy.
Between these two small sections, are three larger sections, which we call sections 1 through 3, and which serve to detail in advance all of the history since the ending of the Jewish Age.
Revelation's Three Main Sections
Revelation is neatly divided into three sections corresponding to the three periods of time we discussed in our previous post, viz. the Christian Age, the Messianic Age and the Harvest.
Section 1 (1:9-14:5) gives FIVE views of the entire Gospel Age (including the Harvest).
Section 2 (14:6-19:21) gives FIVE views focusing exclusively on the Harvest Period.
Section 3 (20:1-22:5) gives FIVE views of the Millennium (all having at least some connection to the Gospel Age Harvest).
Even if we were to go no further, it is clear that understanding this much is an invaluable aid in a study of Revelation. Interpretations begin to fall into place when the correct periods of time in which they function are realized. A closer look is warranted.
(Please remember that we are generalizing. A few words in each of the above sections might refer to other periods. We here are merely trying to draw clean lines as a basis of study.)
A Closer Look at Section 1 (Chapters 1-14)
". . . The beginning of Sorrows" - Matt 24:4-14
The first thirteen chapters cover the long period of over 1,800 years from Jesus' first advent into the time of his second advent. These chapters accomplish primarily three objectives:
1. They prophesy the growth and power of the apostasy of which both Jesus and Paul warned. (Matt 24:5, 11, 12; 11 Thess 2:3, 4, 7)
2. They document in detail the history during this period which Jesus sums up in only a few verses in Matt 24:4-14.
3. They predict in detail the experiences of the Christian Church (BOTH the true and apostate).
Five Times through the Entire Gospel Age
(1) The 7 Churches (Rev. 1:9-Rev. 3:22). This is Jesus' Personal Message to the "angels" who must admonish the seven stages of the church throughout the age regarding conditions, needs, and experiences in overcoming.
(2) The 7 Seals (Rev. 4:1-Rev. 8:1) this is history in advance. It stresses the effects this history will have on the consecrated. God arranged (and recorded in advance in His sealed scroll) pre-ordained changes in history and the catalysts, which would accomplish them.
(3) The 7 Trumpets (Rev. 8:2-Rev. 11:19) this series shows the effects of dispensational truths on the surrounding society.
(4) The Woman, Dragon, & Apostate "Michael" (Chapter 12) this view of the age is presented to show how the false church grew out of the true church and eventually gained dominance even over the civil power which it used then as its persecuting agent. This chapter is mainly from the civil powers viewpoint.
(5) Two Beasts, an Image, and The Overcomers (Rev. 13:1-Rev. 14:5) this final view of the entire age focuses on how the church-state monolith, even though later divided, continues its objective of creating a blasphemous "Christian Unity," the opponents of which experience various persecutions. This chapter is mainly from the "orthodox" religious viewpoint.
Continued with next post.
