2.2. Structure of the Book

By observing patterns, Biblical scholars have offered helpful ways in which a book is structured.

The question is not, “which is the right one?” but “how does this structure help me make good observations of the text?”

BibleProject provides their structure of Revelation in these two videos: Part 1 / Part 2

Notice the repeated phrases that help demarcate the segments:

• Opening (1.1-3)
  “… to show his servants what must soon take place … Blessed is the one who…” (1.1-3)
• Circular letter to seven churches (1.4-3.22)
  “John to the seven churches…” (1.4)
• Revelation of things in Heaven and on Earth (chs. 4-16)
  “Come, I will show you what will must take place after this… I was in the Spirit” (4.1-2)
  1. The heavenly throne room (chs.4-5)
  2. Seven seals (6.1-8.5)
  3. Seven trumpets (8.6-11.19)
  4. The Dragon, Beast, and Lamb (12.1-15.4)
  5. Seven bowls (15.5-16.21)
• Revelation of judgment on the evil city (17.1-20.15)
  “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great whore… he carried me away in the Spirit…” (17.1-3)
• Revelation of the heavenly city (21.1-22.5)
  “Come, I will show you the bride… in the Spirit he carried me away…” (21.9-10)
• Closing (22.6-22.21)
  “… to show his servants what must soon take place … Blessed is the one who…” (22.6-7)

Pastor Darrell Johnson demarcates the segments through observing the places where John mentions ‘open’ as though he is getting access to a new scene at that juncture.

[1:1-8] Prologue
Coming/ Near/ Must/ I am

[1:9-3:22] Jesus – in the middle – robe & sword

[4:1] OPEN
[4:1-11:18] 7 seals/ 7 trumpets/ 7 peals of thunder

[11:19] OPEN
[11:19 – 15:4] 
Sign (12:1, 3)/ Overcome (12:11)
Beasts
Sign (15:1)/ Overcome (15:2)

[15:5] OPEN
[15:5-19:10] 7 bowls

[19:11] OPEN
[19:11-22:5] Jesus – on a horse – robe & sword

[22:6-21] Epilogue
Coming/ Near/ Must/ I am