Revelation structural guide

This is a basic structural guide for reading the Book of Revelation as a series of sections describing reality in several layers. It’s based on the book Apocalypse by Jacques Ellul (among other resources) and is the basis of a sermon series I’m preaching at Gainesville Vineyard this summer (you can listen here, or subscribe here). I’m encouraging our folks to read through and listen to Revelation several times as we work through some of what the Spirit has for us in the last document of the New Testament. I’m posting this chart here (and as a downloadable PDF) as a quick help in that reading.

REVELATION: Structural Guide

Section

Layer

Image of Christ

Promises

7 Letters

Church

Omnipotent Lord

Promises to Churches

7 Seals

History

Living Slaughtered Lamb

Promises to History

7 Trumpets

Incarnation

——

——

7 Bowls

Judgment

Lamb/Son of Man

Fulfillment of History Promises

7 Visions

New Creation

Word of God/Omnipotent Lord

Fulfillment of Church Promises