Chiastic structure and concentric structure and parallel of each pericope. Posted on october 6, 2016 updated on october 6, 2016 thy way, o god, is in the sanctuary. The chronological structure of the book of revelation. On the contrary, recognizing literary features like imagery is a part of our normal strategy of grammatical, historical interpretation. Most would agree with richard bauckham that the book of revelation is an extraordinarily complex literary composition. An analysis of the literary structure of the book of. But as for the matter of interpreting the messages in the revelation, the results seem as diverse as ever, if one is to judge by the various. Finding meaning in the literary patterns of revelation. If we divide revelation at the end of chapter 14 into two halves, and then divide. The key to the structure of the book of revelation can be discerned from the seventh chapter of daniel and matthew 24.
Recognizing imagery throughout the book of revelation doesnt mean that we have to interpret revelation allegorically, or that were spiritualizing its meaning. Chiastic structure the revelation of jesus christ which we are about to study is a marvelous book. In terms of literary structure, revelation consists of four visions, each involving john seeing the plan of god unveiled, with an epilogue that concludes the book in terms of content, the structure of revelation is built around four successive groups of seven. As promised, the chiastic structure of the book of revelation.
Lets say you were to climb a mountain and you first had to pass through a bunch of oak trees on the bottom, then large pine trees above that, then smaller pine trees, then shrubbery, and then you reached the peak. Before starting to move through it, id like to look at the overall book. A chiasm is a double list of related items in which the order of the second list is opposite to the order of the first list. In fact, fanning observes, the interpretation of revelation often tells you as much about the interpreter as the message of. A fundamental issue in discerning the plan of the book of revelation is how to explain the numerous parallel passages and repetitions within it. For those unsure of what this means, a chiastic structure is an ancient literary style that some biblical writers used. Structure of the book of revelation revelation commentary. A major part of the planned structure of the book of revelation is seven literary units, which parallel each other to some extent e. Faq top literary structure of the bible book of revelation 1 literary structure chiasmus, chiasm of book of revelation chiasmus and concentric structure of whole text.
Depending upon what elements of the book are seen as most determinative in outlining the material, different results are obtained. If you pick up any study of the book of revelation, chances are you will quickly come across an analysis of its structure. How does the literary structure of revelation contribute to understanding the books content. Strand, chiastic structure and some motifs in the book of. Best commentaries and books on revelation logos bible. As we move forward, i think well discover that the book is pretty remarkable in its organization. First, note that revelation consists of seven large sections, each consisting of seven paragraphs or smaller sections. He often uses structure and repetition in his creation. Regarding the books of the bible, it refers to their literary type. The structure is crucial to a proper interpretation. Revelation contains four very visible, very prominent structures. As fanning comments, revelation functions as a kind of literary rorschach test p. This heptadic structure is prevalent throughout the bible and is gods. The structure of the book of revelation page 5 of 31 the key elements the most critical element to grasp about revelation from the onset is.
This is true of any new testament book or letter, but in the case of revelation there appear to be an urgency to the quest. In the introduction where john is told to record his visions the phrases used are. Since the nt books are theological and historical writings, one has not only to analyze the literary patterns. If we want to study the book s literary forms, the place to begin is obvious.
The chiastic literary structure of revelation is one of the most important breakthroughs in understanding the book of revelation. If i divided revelations into three major sections and wanted to see a mental picture of the mood of each section, how would i picture chapters 14, chapters 520, chapters 2122. Commentary on each passage follows a clear structure to help readers grasp the. On the chiastic structure of revelation creation concept. The judgment structure of revelation postmillennial. Al though it has been generally recognized that the structural composition of. The book itself suggests that the number seven is an ordering principle by presenting seven messages, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls.
Indeed, its structure is extremely complicated, quite fascinating and vigorously debated. The apocalypse unfolds according to a prophetic timetable as well as a literary sequence of events that reveals more precise definition and detail about the closing events of a period which is called. In the former of these sections promises are made to the overcomer. A brief literary structure of the book of revelation. Even through all of this there is a clear structure. An amillennial interpretation of revelation 20 southern.
The literary structure of the book of revelation takes precedence over chronology, i. Reading the book of revelation can be challenging the storyline twists and turns and isnt strictly chronological. Interpreting the book of revelation provides a concise introduction to the careful interpretive study of revelation. While the book of revelation can seem intimidating to study, the study of the book can be made much easier with a basic understanding of the main themes and symbols accompanied by an overview of the structure of the book. Richard bauckham explains how the books imagery conveyed meaning in its original context and how the books theology is inseparable from its literary structure and composition. An analysis of the literary structure of the book of revelation according to textlinguistc methods.
Divisions in the book seem to be marked by the repetition of key phrases, by the arrangement of subject. For example, the beginning of the narrative and the end of the narr. The literary structure of reuelation 12 regardless of any difficulties in interpretation, the progression of thought in rev 12 is straightforward. Each passage is interpreted in the light of its biblical setting, with a view to grammatical detail, literary context, flow of biblical argument, and historical setting. If we want to study the books literary forms, the place to begin is obvious. The first five books in the new testamentmatthew, mark, luke, john called the gospels, and actsare entirely narrative and the only historical books in the new testament. Chiasm was used as a literary device in the ancient world, in babylonia, israel, greece, and rome.
The literary arrangement of the book of revelation is very complex. But its literary form makes it impenetrable to many modern readers and open to all kinds of misinterpretations. The theology of the book of revelation by richard bauckham. Literary structure chiasmus, chiasm of book of revelation chiasmus and concentric structure of whole text. The structure of the book of revelation slideshare. As outlines in the com mentaries illustrate, the transitions between that chapters main thought units or sections are relatively well demarcated. Literary structure chiasm, chiasmus of book of revelation. A blessing and curse of johns apocalypse are the many commentators who have attempted to interpret the book. The throne room and the scroll with seven seals rev. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Matthew, mark, luke, and john make up a unique genre called gospel. It has an interesting literary structure a chiasm kiasum, i as in kite.
Some have also likened a chiastic structure to a mountain climbing pattern. Many features of this book have divided the christian community for centuries, and the literary structure of the written text is no exception. The parallel literary structure of revelation 12 and 20 digital. The purpose of this dissertation is to apply discourse analysis textlinguistics to the book of revelation. Maybe john thought titling his letter was a little bit pretentious. This short article is just an introduction, and many more exciting details are found in a revelation of jesus click the link book at the top of this page. The chiastic structure of revelation seals, millennium. It also suggests a literary framework for the book of revelation, with particular attention to discourse segmentation and peak. Explores the literary composition of revelation and explains the significance of its outline and major arguments. Like the old testament, the new testament is not one book, but a collection of 27 individual books that reflect a wide range of themes, literary forms, and purposes. Literary structurea key to interpreting the revelation. Literary structure commentary a testimony of jesus christ. But its literary form makes it impenetrable to many.
What truths are highlighted by repeated emphasis and what truths are emphasized by contrast, rather than repetition. The only problem that faces us is how to define where they begin and end. Approaches to the structure of revelation as one looks at revelation, heshe will discover something more than just the basic structure of the book. The palm tree in this image 1 is an example of both as we apply inmillennialism to the book of revelation, we see the structure god used. The recent trend toward better application of apocalyptic literature, including the book of revelation, is both interesting and welcome. Chiastic structure is key to understanding revelations.
There are three major principles that define the structure of the revelation and show that its structure is both chronological and sequential. It adds to the body of literature validating discourse analysis as a viable and useful tool for biblical studies. A chiastic outline of the book of revelation was proposed by nils wilhelm lund, in 1942. The present brief discussion takes note of two types of literary analysis of the book of revelation which have appeared in recent literature, and it deals with those.
Pdf the book of revelation download full pdf book download. The structure of the book of revelation from the literary units, other prophecy books and chiasmus. The zondervan exegetical commentary on the new testament serves pastors and teachers, providing them with a valuable tool for ministry. Literary structure chiasmus, chiasm of book of revelation. Each interpreter brings to the study of the books literary structure a unique set of. Book of revelation, an overview life in a dying world. Strand is professor of church history at andrews university. The structure of the book of revelation in light of.
The book of revelation is written in a literary structure known as a heptadic structure having to do with the number 7. Revelation is an elaborately designed and ingeniously crafted literary work. Literary structure chiasm, chiasmus of book of revelation chiastic structure and concentric structure and parallel of each pericope 1introduction rev 1. The author of the book of revelation, saint john the divine, offers a transcription of seven letters and later describes strange beasts, visions of judgments, governments, demonic battles, heaven, and a new world order a prophetic.
The book of revelation is a work of profound theology. He instructed john to write the things that thou hast seen, and the things that are, and the things that are about to come after these things rev. Remember, the book of revelation is the only book in the bible that begins by telling the reader that heshe will be blessed just by reading the book. Finding meaning in the literary patterns of revelation adventist. Although there are many different views concerning the structure of the book of revelation, two primary views have been recognized. When we combine this fact with an understanding of the literary structure, we will be able to grasp clearly and simply what the book communicates.
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