My chiastic work on the Book of Revelation

boraddict ,

1. How long did it take John to write the book of Revelation?

Well, obviously I don’t know. My assumption has always been that immediately after his experience, he began to write down what he saw. I assume that during the writing he was guided by the holy spirit to remember everything in the order it was shown him. This does not mean it was shown him chronologically, just that he recorded it in the same order he experienced it.

Why would I assume that? Because that is how I would do it. It is an assumption based on who I am. I do not believe he changed the order, or wrote it a second time in a different way. I do not believe he arranged the book in order to seal it for a coming generation, because the message clearly states that these things would happen soon and part of the book are messages to the contemporary churches.

The book has around 9800 words. So, if each word took 10 seconds to write that would be 98000 seconds. If done in one sitting this would take 28 hours. Assuming that he rested, ate, and stopped when his hands cramped up or to find more ink. I would say it took him between 2-4 days to record the book.

2. How much do I think you are correct?

I could not put a number on it. Many people over many centuries have put a great deal of time and energy into understanding Revelation and eschatology in general. So far, I have seen nothing conclusive from any of them. With all the effort and time you would think that a general consensus would begin to be clear. I suppose there are a few things that people tend to agree on. But most, and even some of the most critical, are still unknown and not understood. I don’t know if you have read through rt ’s work which is posted on a different thread. She has done a very thorough study and she documents it well with scripture. I value her work.

My position is that God will reveal what we need to know at the time we need to know it. This may be done through scripture and through a study such as yours or rt’s. It may be done through direct revelation to someone who has never studied these things. So I do browse the studies, but I do not spend much time with them. I hold them up to the Lord and see if He has a message within any particular study. So far, I have not seen what I would consider to be the final revelation on the subject.

Don’t get me wrong - I am not of the camp that believes we should not study. Someone (or multiple someones) needs to be the messenger someday. I just don’t believe I have come across that messenger quite yet.

The Lord has called me more toward the coming war - so my message is different than yours. It could very well be that the book of Revelation is to demonstrate the wisdom and glory of God after the events.

From that perspective, I don’t consider you any more or less correct than any other person studying eschatology. However, I will say that what I have read of your study so far, contains a lot of “intuition” or “symbol interpretation” for which you have not, yet, provided evidence.

For instance, in the recent post you said that the cloud upon which Jesus sat was the tribulation. But you offer no evidence for this. Others would say that other scripture uses clouds to represent groups of beings. So a cloud would be a lot of people or angels. Still others say, it says a cloud, why can’t it just be a cloud. How can anyone say you are right or wrong?

Another example, you say use Rev 7:13-14 as part of your description of the 144,000, but those verses actually seem to be referring to “a great multitude, which no man could number”. When I see things like this, I begin to feel that the revelation I am waiting for will come from somewhere else.

Frankly, at this point, I tend to believe that we are so close to the end of the age that God may reveal what we need to know directly to all of us at the same time and it could be mere moments before we are called.

3. My opinion on the chiasmus…

I don’t think it matters. It has not helped me understand it any better. There are a distinct number of events that are going to happen. Whatever order they appear in the writing is not that relevant. The nature of the events themselves sort of dictates the order in which they could happen in history. So, for me, I don’t know anymore about what will take place and when whether I read the book chiasmus-ly or as written. But beyond that, I am not persuaded as to the accuracy of these chiasmus studies anyway. Lot’s of fluff - little value.

Please don’t see any of this as depressing. You should continue to follow the spirit as you continue your study. I am not the arbtrar of truth and for all I know, your analysis may be spot on.

Also, I will encourage you with three areas that I do believe you have spoken wisdom:

1. The garments - I need to study this closer now because of you. I heard the Father speaking through you in regard to the garments. I need to hold this before Him to determine the actual message being spoken, but there is truth in this area that needs to be discovered. I also believe this may be connected to Joseph's robe, and the perhaps even the non-scriptural stories of Nimrod’s stolen cloak.
2. Your understanding of the depth of scripture - many see the words on the page, but you realize that many passages, if not all, have many unfoldable truths and not just the one appearing in plain sight. Now, imagine the keys that would unlock your study of Revelation, if you applied that understanding throughout scripture instead of restricting yourself, as much as possible, to one book.
3. Your attitude - You appear to accept advise from others and are willing to answer questions without taking offense. This is much needed among the body of Christ.

Hopefully, I answered your questions and have not bummed you out too much. Remember, I am just one guy with one opinion.

SK

Upon realizing the value of Social's recommendation, I returned to the beginning of this subject and reread all the postings. What I learned was that I was back in school and had gone through a hazing.  Now that I know I am the student, I can appreciate the advise and learn from it. Thank you. 

Well said, kjs! Thank you!