The Literary Structure of Revelation

Revelation
Contents

There are many ways to outline the book of Revelation, here are a few that I have found helpful.

Phillip Kayser – Chiastic Outline (with timing indicators)

A: Prologue 1:1-1:11
B: First Septet – Seven Churches 1:12-3:22 (AD 66)
C: Second Septet – Seven Seals 4:1-8:1 (AD 30 – AD 66)
D: Third Septet – Seven Trumpets 8:2-11:19 (AD 66 – AD 70)
E: Fourth Septet – Seven Visions 12:1-15:1 (AD 70 – AD 136)
D′: Fifth Septet – Seven Bowls of Wrath Containing the Seven Plagues 15:2-16:17 (AD 66 – AD 136)
C′: Sixth Septet – Seven Condemnations of Babylon 16:18-19:10 (AD 30 – AD 70)
B′: Seventh Septet – Seven visions of the victory of Christ’s Kingdom 19:11-22:5 (AD 70 -> Future)
A′: Epilogue 22:6-22:21

Peter Leithart

I. Epistolary introduction, 1:1–8.
II. Apocalypse of Jesus Christ—Rev. 1:1–8
III. In Spirit on Patmos, 1:9–3:21.
A. One like the Son of Man, 1:9–20.
B. Messages to angels of seven churches, 2:1–3:21.
IV. In Spirit in heaven, 4:1–16:21.
A. Temple, Book, and Lamb, 4:1–5:14.
B. Seven seals, 6:1–8:5.
C. Seven trumpets, 6:2–11:19.
D. Dragon, woman, beasts, 12:1–15:4.
E. Seven bowls, 15:1–16:21.
V. In Spirit in the wilderness, 17:1–21:8.
VI. In Spirit on the mountain, 21:8–22:5.
VII. Epistolary conclusion, 22:6–21.

James Jordan – Various Outlines

Festival Outline

Sabbath – Light (Day of Lord) – Rev. 1
Passover – Establishment of Firmament People – Rev. 2-3
Firstfruits – Plants – Rev. 4-5
Pentecost – Lights – the Book, Rev. 6- 7 (The Law was given on Pentecost.) Trumpets – Summoning swarms of people to God – Rev. 8-15
Bowls – Man – Day of Atonement, Rev. 16-19
Booths – Great Sabbath – Rev. 20-22

Surface Outline

1. Prelude to the Seven Churches, ch. 1
2. The Seven Churches, ch. 2-3
3. Prelude to the Sealed Book, ch. 4-5
4. The Sealed Book, ch. 6-7
5. The Trumpets, ch. 8-12
6. Postlude to the Trumpets, ch. 13-15
7. The Bowls, ch. 16
8. Postlude to the Bowls, ch. 17-22

Chiastic Outline

A. John and Jesus, 1
B. Churches, 2-3
C. Throne/s in Heaven, 4-5
D. Horses, 6:1-8 (first four seals)
E. Saints Under Altar, 6:9-11 (5th seal)
F. Judgment Starts, 6:12-17 (6th seal)
G. Saints Sealed on Earth, ch. 7
H. Seven Trumpets Appear, 8:1-2
I. Pentecostal Era Begins, 8:3-5
J. Plants, 8:7
K. Gentiles, 8:8-9
L. Drink, 8:10-11
M. Heavens, 8:11-12
N. Army of Lies, 9:1-11
O. Army of Saints, 9:12-11:6
P. Massacre, 11:7-13
Q. Dragon, ch. 12
Q’ Sea Beast, 13:1-10
P’ Massacre, 13:15
O’ Army of Saints, 14:1-3
N’ Army that does not lie, 14:4-5
M’ Heavens, 14:6-7
L’ Drink, 14:8
K’ Gentiles, 14:9-13
J’ Plants, 14:14-16
I’ Pentecostal Era Ends, 14:18
H’ Seven Bowls Appear, 15:1
G’ Saints in Heaven, 15:2-4
F’ Judgment Restarts, 15:5-18:24
E’ Saints in Heaven, 19:1-10
D’ Horses, 19:11-21
C’ Throne/s in Heaven, 20
B’ Church, 21:1-22:5
A’ John and Jesus, 22:6-21

Contents