Intro Lesson To Revelation

Lesson 1

I want to make this an interactive study, I never have done that before. The goal of these lessons are not to show you what to think, but how to think. So I am going to show you the keys you need to understand the book.

Take a look with me on the structure. The book of Revelation is structured as a massive chiasm—a symmetrical pattern where the first section perfectly parallels the last section, the second section parallels the second-to-last, and so on, building toward a central point.

Drawing from Bible Chiasms: Explanation and Examples - Deeper Christian I found they gave a good explanation.

Proverbs 6:16–19

There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

• A1) Haughty eyes,
  • b1) a lying tongue, 
    - c1) And hands that shed innocent blood, 
    - D KEY FOCUS) A heart that devises wicked plans,
    • c2) Feet that run rapidly to evil,
  • b2) A false witness who utters lies,
• a2) And one who spreads [sows] strife among brothers.

flowchart TB

%% COLOR DEFINITIONS
classDef Afill fill:#ffcc99,stroke:#cc6600,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
classDef Bfill fill:#d1e8ff,stroke:#004c99,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
classDef Cfill fill:#e8ffd1,stroke:#3d7a00,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
classDef Center fill:#ffb3b3,stroke:#cc0000,stroke-width:3px,color:#000,font-weight:bold

%% TOP (A–B–C)
A1[**A1**: Haughty eyes]
B1[**B1**: A lying tongue]
C1[**C1**: Hands that shed innocent blood]

%% CENTER
X[**CENTER** — A heart that devises wicked plans]

%% BOTTOM (C–B–A)
C2[**C2**: Feet that run rapidly to evil]
B2[**B2**: A false witness who utters lies]
A2[**A2**: One who spreads strife among brothers]

%% MIRROR CONNECTIONS
A1 --- A2
B1 --- B2
C1 --- C2

%% CHIASM FLOW
A1 --> B1 --> C1 --> X --> C2 --> B2 --> A2

 COLOR DEFINITIONS
classDef A1fill fill:#ffcc99,stroke:#cc6600,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
classDef B1fill fill:#d1e8ff,stroke:#004c99,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
classDef C1fill fill:#e8ffd1,stroke:#3d7a00,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
classDef D1fill fill:#f9e79f,stroke:#b7950b,stroke-width:2px,color:#000
classDef Efill fill:#d7bde2,stroke:#7d3c98,stroke-width:3px,color:#000,font-weight:bold

%% STRUCTURE
A1[**A1**: Prologue]
B1[**B1**: First Septet - Seven Churches]
C1[**C1**: Second Septet - Seven Seals]
D1[**D1**: Third Septet - Seven Trumpets]
E[**E**: Fourth Septet - Seven Visions]
D2[**D2**: Fifth Septet - Seven Bowls]
C2[**C2**: Sixth Septet - Seven Condemnations]
B2[**B2**: Seventh Septet - Seven Visions of Victory]
A2[**A2**: Epilogue]

%% MIRROR CONNECTIONS
A1 --- A2
B1 --- B2
C1 --- C2
D1 --- D2

%% CHIASM FLOW
A1 --> B1 --> C1 --> D1 --> E --> D2 --> C2 --> B2 --> A2

%% APPLY COLORS
class A1,A2 A1fill
class B1,B2 B1fill
class C1,C2 C1fill
class D1,D2 D1fill
class E Efill

OT Structure

Next we will use the Old Testament to help us learn what we are reading. John has made over 500 references to the Old Testament. He assumes you already know about the priesthood, temple, prophets and Israel's history.

Notice in Both the prologue and the epilogue, the text explicitly identifies itself not as "literature," but as a prophecy. Revelation 22:7 says, "Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book".

I have a fun exercise for us . The book says that it is a prophecy, which comes with it's own terms and conditions from the Bible.

Tkhe following should have the readers fill in the blank

Deuteronomy 18:21-22

• If the thing does not come to --pass--, the LORD has not spoken it.
• A prophet’s word must come to --pass--.

Even fulfilled signs were not enough.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3

• Even if a sign comes to --pass--, Israel must reject those who lead them after other --gods--.

Isaiah 41:22-23

• A real God can declare to us things to --come--.

Isaiah 46:10

• God declares the --end-- from the beginning.
• God’s ability to declare the future proves His --authority--.

John 13:18–19

• Jesus told His followers things ahead of time, so that when it does --come to pass--, they would --believe-- in Him

John 16:1–4

• Jesus foretold persecution to His followers, so that they may --remember-- when the --time comes--

Revelation 1:1-3 / Revelation 22:6-10

The book claims:

• Things which must --shortly-- take place.
• The time is --near--.
• The time is --at hand--.

Revelation 1:8 / Revelation 22:13

Jesus is shown to be the

• The --Alpha and Omega--,
• The --beginning-- and the --end--.
• The --first-- and the --last--.

Jeremiah 23:22

• Prophecy is meant to --turn us-- from our evil --ways--.

Micah 6:8

It should inspire us to

• Do --justice--,
• love --mercy--,
• walk --humbly--.

The Bookends Revisited

Revelation 1:3 / Revelation 22:7

• Blessed is he that --keeps-- the words of this prophecy.
• Blessing belongs to those who --obey--.

Revelation 1:11

Jesus says to John

• Send it to the seven --churches--.

Discussion questions:

• After looking at all these passages, what do you think God wants from the readers of Revelation?
• Why would God place obedience above even signs or accurate predictions?
• If John expects his readers to know the Old Testament, what challenges does that create for the modern church?
• Can you think of an example where knowing the Old Testament changes how you understand a New Testament passage?