To understand a building or work of literature, it is best to know the structure, framework and foundation. So, how is Revelation structured? The book seems to have 2 main parts or sections, Rev. 1-11 and Rev. 12-22. In fact, in the book itself there are two scrolls. In Revelation 5, there is a scroll in the hand of him who is seated on the throne – seven seals. And in Revelation 10, there is a “little scroll” given to John. John eats the scroll and is told to prophesy again. In Revelation 12, the story seems to start over. And often you find this type of parallelism in Scripture (Daniel 1-6, 7-12, creation story). There is a re-telling (parallel) with more detail. It is sometimes called progressive parallelism.
Outside this general division in the book, there appears to be seven distinct parts or sections with each section containing a seven - a 7 by 7 structure. Below is the general structure of the book.
1) Seven Golden Lampstands: Christ in the Midst of the Churches – Rev. 1-3
The seven lampstands represent the actual seven churches of Asia and John writes a letter to each church. John is writing to seven distinct churches but the seven is also symbolic and represents completeness - meaning that the seven churches also represent the universal Church throughout history.
2) Seven Seals: The Lion and the Lamb - Rev. 4 – 8:1
This section begins with a heavenly worship scene. Then progresses to a scroll (book) with seven seals in the hand of the Father. Jesus, who is pictured as the sacrificial lamb is also the victorious lion, and he opens each of the seven seals. The different seals are symbolic of judgments on the world (famine, death, war), yet God preserves his covenant people. And we see the great multitude of people from all nations in white robes standing before the throne in heaven.
3) Seven Trumpets: Warning of Coming Judgment – Rev. 8:2 – 11:19
The trumpet sound is a warning blast of coming judgment. It is a call for all the world to repent. We see some parallel with the seven seals but clearly the trumpets show a progression as we march closer to God’s judgment on the world. The section includes the little scroll that John eats, the two witnesses who prophesy, are killed and then caught up to heaven, and concludes with the consummation of the kingdom – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (11:15).
4) Seven Figures: The Conflict of the Lamb and Dragon – Rev. 12 – 14
The book seems to begin again with a clear reference to the birth of Jesus (12:5). The red dragon, who is symbolic of Satan, attempts to devour the child who is to rule all nations. However, the man-child is caught up to God in heaven. We also see the unholy trinity in this section, the Dragon, the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth. The Lamb is with the pure 144,000 as they worship on heavenly Zion with a song only they know. The section concludes with Jesus executing his just judgment and reaping the harvest.
5) Seven Bowls: God’s Wrath – Rev. 15 – 16
Again we have a parallel to the seals and trumpets, but the bowls progress to the final judgment of God on the world. The sixth bowl includes the final act of rebellion by the unholy trinity. The dragon and two beasts gather the kings of the world for the final battle against God, Armageddon.
6) Seven Judgments: The Judgment on the Great Harlot, Babylon – Rev. 17 – 19:10
Babylon is symbolic of apostate Israel. In this section we notice how John is surprised at the revelation of the woman (17:6). The mystery of the woman (the mother of harlots) and the beast is explained (with great symbolism!). The beasts and those aligned with him make war with the Lamb. However, the Lamb defeats them. Christ is victorious! And those with him are called chosen and faithful. The section ends with praise to God for his faithful and just judgments - the marriage supper of the Lamb is announced and the Bride is ready!
7) Seven Victories of Jesus Christ: The Consummation of the New Kingdom – Rev. 19:11 – 22:21
The final seven moves very quickly through seven victories of Christ. We see the final defeat of the beast and false prophet, Satan is bound and Christ sets up his millennial reign. This last section is another parallel but it progresses all the way to the end of the millennium and the new Jerusalem. After the defeat of all his enemies, God judges both great and small and makes everything new. The book concludes with, “Surely I am coming soon.”
So what is Revelation about? It is about Jesus Christ, the sacrificial lamb and victorious lion. And second to that it is about the new kingdom that Christ established at his first coming!
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