Chapter 72 Descriptive Parts of Revelation
Of the eight major sections of Revelation, we have looked at the odd-numbered ones in terms of structure in the previous chapter. They provide a continuum in time from the cross of Christ to the New Earth. What is the role of the even-numbered sections? The focus of every section is the seventh subsection. The most important of the Seven Churches is the seventh Church, Laodicea.
We have seen that Laodicea is the church of judgement, so the theme of judgement is very important. The end of the World is approaching and God is going to judge the inhabitants of Earth. The second section of Revelation is the Seven Seals (Rev 6 – 8:1), and the burden of the Seven Seals is judgement (chapter 57). The first six seals elaborate on different aspects of judgement, while the seventh seal, the climax of the seven seals, is the third major section of Revelation in its entirety – The Seven Trumpets.
This then sets a pattern for all eight of the sections of Revelation: The odd-numbered section covers a period of time, the ensuing even-numbered section elaborates on and describes the climax of the odd-numbered section, and the climax of the even-numbered section links to the next odd-numbered section.
We can therefore pair the major sections, respectively: The Seven Churches and the Seven Seals are paired and have to do with the 2000 years from the crucifixion of Christ to the Outpouring of the Latter Rain. The Seven Trumpets and the section on beasts and angels together form the second period of Revelation, the 3.5 years between the Outpouring of the Latter Rain to the Close of Probation. The Seven Last Plagues and Babylon are paired together, covering the 45 days between the Close of Probation and the Second Advent. Finally, the Millennium and the New Jerusalem are paired together covering the 1000 years after the Second Advent. I like to call the odd-numbered portions of Revelation the chronological parts, and the even-numbered the descriptive parts. Let us see how this principle operates at the third and fourth major parts of Revelation:
The Seven Trumpets warn the inhabitants of Earth for the last time that Judgement is coming (chapter 16). The seventh Trumpet is when judgement comes and Probation Closes. The seventh Trumpet is the climax of the Seven Trumpets, and the next section on beasts and angels (Rev 12 – 14) elaborates on the events around and leading up to the Close of Probation. The contest between good and evil is described. Satan tries to destroy the 144 000 and their converts, and the 144 000 bring the last warning messages to the Earth – the Three Angels’ Messages. The climax of section four is the Seven Last Plagues in its entirety.
The Seven Last Plagues have as their climax the Second Advent which is the seventh Plague to the impenitent. The sixth section which is on Babylon (chapter 47) describes the demise of Babylon and God’s enemies (Rev 17 and 18). The climax of the section on Babylon is the Millenium in its entirety.
Lastly, the climax of the Millennium is God’s activities at the end of the Millennium. The eighth section of the New Jerusalem elaborates on the climax of the Millennium, where we see the New Jerusalem described and the water and tree of life (Rev 21:9 – 22:2). Since the New Jerusalem is the last major portion of Revelation, what does the climax of the New Jerusalem describe? True to the pattern, in Rev 22:3-5 eternity and beyond is described, which is the fifth and open-ended time period of Revelation:
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
The even-numbered of the eight sections of Revelation play a vital role in describing the respective climaxes of the odd-numbered sections. I trust that this will help you in finding a holistic understanding of Revelation.
Of the eight major sections of Revelation, we have looked at the odd-numbered ones in terms of structure in the previous chapter. They provide a continuum in time from the cross of Christ to the New Earth. What is the role of the even-numbered sections? The focus of every section is the seventh subsection. The most important of the Seven Churches is the seventh Church, Laodicea.
We have seen that Laodicea is the church of judgement, so the theme of judgement is very important. The end of the World is approaching and God is going to judge the inhabitants of Earth. The second section of Revelation is the Seven Seals (Rev 6 – 8:1), and the burden of the Seven Seals is judgement (chapter 57). The first six seals elaborate on different aspects of judgement, while the seventh seal, the climax of the seven seals, is the third major section of Revelation in its entirety – The Seven Trumpets.
This then sets a pattern for all eight of the sections of Revelation: The odd-numbered section covers a period of time, the ensuing even-numbered section elaborates on and describes the climax of the odd-numbered section, and the climax of the even-numbered section links to the next odd-numbered section.
We can therefore pair the major sections, respectively: The Seven Churches and the Seven Seals are paired and have to do with the 2000 years from the crucifixion of Christ to the Outpouring of the Latter Rain. The Seven Trumpets and the section on beasts and angels together form the second period of Revelation, the 3.5 years between the Outpouring of the Latter Rain to the Close of Probation. The Seven Last Plagues and Babylon are paired together, covering the 45 days between the Close of Probation and the Second Advent. Finally, the Millennium and the New Jerusalem are paired together covering the 1000 years after the Second Advent. I like to call the odd-numbered portions of Revelation the chronological parts, and the even-numbered the descriptive parts. Let us see how this principle operates at the third and fourth major parts of Revelation:
The Seven Trumpets warn the inhabitants of Earth for the last time that Judgement is coming (chapter 16). The seventh Trumpet is when judgement comes and Probation Closes. The seventh Trumpet is the climax of the Seven Trumpets, and the next section on beasts and angels (Rev 12 – 14) elaborates on the events around and leading up to the Close of Probation. The contest between good and evil is described. Satan tries to destroy the 144 000 and their converts, and the 144 000 bring the last warning messages to the Earth – the Three Angels’ Messages. The climax of section four is the Seven Last Plagues in its entirety.
The Seven Last Plagues have as their climax the Second Advent which is the seventh Plague to the impenitent. The sixth section which is on Babylon (chapter 47) describes the demise of Babylon and God’s enemies (Rev 17 and 18). The climax of the section on Babylon is the Millenium in its entirety.
Lastly, the climax of the Millennium is God’s activities at the end of the Millennium. The eighth section of the New Jerusalem elaborates on the climax of the Millennium, where we see the New Jerusalem described and the water and tree of life (Rev 21:9 – 22:2). Since the New Jerusalem is the last major portion of Revelation, what does the climax of the New Jerusalem describe? True to the pattern, in Rev 22:3-5 eternity and beyond is described, which is the fifth and open-ended time period of Revelation:
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
The even-numbered of the eight sections of Revelation play a vital role in describing the respective climaxes of the odd-numbered sections. I trust that this will help you in finding a holistic understanding of Revelation.
Chapter 72 Descriptive Parts of Revelation
Of the eight major sections of Revelation, we have looked at the odd-numbered ones in terms of structure in the previous chapter. They provide a continuum in time from the cross of Christ to the New Earth. What is the role of the even-numbered sections? The focus of every section is the seventh subsection. The most important of the Seven Churches is the seventh Church, Laodicea.
We have seen that Laodicea is the church of judgement, so the theme of judgement is very important. The end of the World is approaching and God is going to judge the inhabitants of Earth. The second section of Revelation is the Seven Seals (Rev 6 – 8:1), and the burden of the Seven Seals is judgement (chapter 57). The first six seals elaborate on different aspects of judgement, while the seventh seal, the climax of the seven seals, is the third major section of Revelation in its entirety – The Seven Trumpets.
This then sets a pattern for all eight of the sections of Revelation: The odd-numbered section covers a period of time, the ensuing even-numbered section elaborates on and describes the climax of the odd-numbered section, and the climax of the even-numbered section links to the next odd-numbered section.
We can therefore pair the major sections, respectively: The Seven Churches and the Seven Seals are paired and have to do with the 2000 years from the crucifixion of Christ to the Outpouring of the Latter Rain. The Seven Trumpets and the section on beasts and angels together form the second period of Revelation, the 3.5 years between the Outpouring of the Latter Rain to the Close of Probation. The Seven Last Plagues and Babylon are paired together, covering the 45 days between the Close of Probation and the Second Advent. Finally, the Millennium and the New Jerusalem are paired together covering the 1000 years after the Second Advent. I like to call the odd-numbered portions of Revelation the chronological parts, and the even-numbered the descriptive parts. Let us see how this principle operates at the third and fourth major parts of Revelation:
The Seven Trumpets warn the inhabitants of Earth for the last time that Judgement is coming (chapter 16). The seventh Trumpet is when judgement comes and Probation Closes. The seventh Trumpet is the climax of the Seven Trumpets, and the next section on beasts and angels (Rev 12 – 14) elaborates on the events around and leading up to the Close of Probation. The contest between good and evil is described. Satan tries to destroy the 144 000 and their converts, and the 144 000 bring the last warning messages to the Earth – the Three Angels’ Messages. The climax of section four is the Seven Last Plagues in its entirety.
The Seven Last Plagues have as their climax the Second Advent which is the seventh Plague to the impenitent. The sixth section which is on Babylon (chapter 47) describes the demise of Babylon and God’s enemies (Rev 17 and 18). The climax of the section on Babylon is the Millenium in its entirety.
Lastly, the climax of the Millennium is God’s activities at the end of the Millennium. The eighth section of the New Jerusalem elaborates on the climax of the Millennium, where we see the New Jerusalem described and the water and tree of life (Rev 21:9 – 22:2). Since the New Jerusalem is the last major portion of Revelation, what does the climax of the New Jerusalem describe? True to the pattern, in Rev 22:3-5 eternity and beyond is described, which is the fifth and open-ended time period of Revelation:
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
The even-numbered of the eight sections of Revelation play a vital role in describing the respective climaxes of the odd-numbered sections. I trust that this will help you in finding a holistic understanding of Revelation.
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