The structure of Revelation 19.11-21

by Dave Gifford

The rider on the white horse (19.11-16) John sees the horse and rider in heaven (19.11a) One of the rider’s names (19.11b) The rider’s justice (19.11c) The rider’s eyes and head (19.12a) The rider’s secret name (19.12b) The rider’s robe (19.13a) Another of the rider’s names (19.13b) The rider’s armies (19.14) The rider’s sword [...] Read more »

The structure of Revelation 19.1-10

by Dave Gifford

John’s first hearing of the multitude (19.1-5) John hears the multitude (19.1a) The song of the multitude (19.1b-3) The worship of the elders and living creatures (19.4) The command to praise, from the throne (19.5) John’s second hearing of the multitude (19.6-10) John hears the multitude (19.6a) The song of the multitude (19.6b-8a) Parenthetical explanation [...] Read more »

Four English hymns that refer to Revelation 3.14-22

by Dave Gifford

Using hymnary.org to search the Psalter Hymnal, Singing the New Testament and Sing! A New Creation, I found four hymns based on Revelation 3.14-22. Stanza 2 of Clothe yourself, my soul, with gladness (Psalter Hymnal #305) refers to Revelation 3.20. (link to text at hymnary.org) Stanza 1 of Come, thou long-expected Jesus (Psalter Hymnal [...] Read more »

Six connections between Revelation 12 and Revelation 17 (Witherington)

by Dave Gifford

Both the heavenly woman in chapter 12 and the prostitute in chapter 14 are depicted as mothers (Rev. 12.2, 17.5). Both women are seen in the wilderness at some point (Rev. 12.6, 17.3). Both chapters mention eating and drinking in connection with death. In Revelation 12.4 the dragon wishes to devour a child as [...] Read more »

Seven connections between the seals in Revelation 6 and the visions in Revelation 19-20 (Tavo)

by Dave Gifford

In Revelation 6.2 there is a rider on a white horse sent out to conquer. In Revelation 19.11, 19.14 there is a rider on a white horse prepared to make battle. In Revelation 6.8 there is a rider with a great sword, and in Revelation 19.15, 19.21 the rider has a sharp sword. Death [...] Read more »

Seven connections between Jezebel in Revelation 2.18-29 and the prostitute in Revelation 17-18 (Witherington)

by Dave Gifford

Ben Witherington has a chart showing seven different parallels between Jezebel in Revelation 2 and Babylon in Revelation 17-18: In chapter two, Jezebel is a mother (Rev. 2.23) who engages in adultery and sexual immorality (20-22). The prostitute in chapter 17 is called a mother (Rev. 17.5) and engages in adultery (Rev. 17.2, 17.4). [...] Read more »

Four arguments in favor of tying Revelation 1.9-12a with 1.9b-20 rather than with 1.1-8

by Dave Gifford

Should Revelation 1.9-12a go with 1.1-8 o with 1.12b-20? There are several clear indications that 1.9-12a belong with the vision that follows: In Revelation 1.9 we begin an autobiographical narrative, which is also what we find in the following section. In contrast, Rev. 1.1-8 is not narrative. There is actually a hodgepodge of subgenres [...] Read more »

18 observations about the structure of Revelation

by Dave Gifford

The structure of the book of Revelation is hotly debated among scholars. Some have joked that there as many different outlines of the book as there are commentators. The outlines on this blog do not attempt to resolve the issue. They just note the internal structure of the basic sections of the book. Nor will [...] Read more »

The structure of Revelation 19.1-21

by Dave Gifford

Praise in heaven (Rev. 19.1-10) Spontaneous praise in heaven (19.1-4) The song of the multitude, for God’s judging of the prostitute (19.1-2) The addendum to the song of the multitude (19.3) The response of the elders and the living creatures (19.4) Responsive praise in heaven (19.5-8) A call to praise from a voice from the [...] Read more »

The structure of Revelation 20

by Dave Gifford

Rev. 20.1-3: The imprisonment of the dragon John sees an angel emerge from an abyss with a key and a chain (20.1) The angel imprisons the dragon (20.2-3b) The angel seizes the dragon (20.2a) The angel binds the dragon for 1,000 years (20.2b) The angel throws the dragon into the abyss (20.3a) [...] Read more »