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Bibel lesen, lernen und leben – Struktur der Offenbarung

Aufbau und Struktur der Offenbarung des Johannes

Vorbemerkungen

Durch die Struktur der Offenbarung lassen sich die Zusammenhänge und Schwerpunkte besser wahrnehmen. Es sind noch nicht alle Abschnitte vollständig mit den Bibelstellen verknüpft.

Wichtig ist aber anzumerken, dass wir es hier wiederholt mit einer chiastischen Struktur zu tun haben. In diesen spiegelbildlich aufgebauten Textmustern wird gezielt auf deren Mitte hingewiesen. Darum sind die entsprechenden Überschriften hervorgehoben.

Einleitung (Off.1,1-8/20)

Die sieben Sendschreiben (Off.2,1-3,22;)

Der Thron Gottes (Off.4,1-11;)

Die vierundzwanzig Ältesten und die Vier Wesen (Off.4,1-11;)

Die sieben Siegel (Off.5,1-5;)

Die sieben Posaunen (Off.8,6-;)

Einschub (Off.;)

Die sieben Plagen / Zornesschalen (Off.;)

Einleitung: (Off.;)

Vollstreckung des Gerichtes (Off.;)

Das neue Jerusalem (Off.;)

Schlußbemerkungen (Off.;)

Organisation and structure of the Revelation of John

Preliminary remarks

The structure of Revelation makes it easier to recognise the connections and key points. Not all sections are yet fully linked to the biblical passages.

It is important to note, however, that we are repeatedly dealing with a chiastic structure. In these mirror-image text patterns, specific reference is made to their centre. This is why the corresponding headings are highlighted.

Introduction (Rev 1,1-8/20)

  • Title, sender, beatitude (Rev 1,1-3;)
  • Addressee, introduction of the letter with the epistles to the seven churches (Rev 1,4-8;)
  • Report of the commissioning of the epistles (Rev 1,9-20;)

The seven epistles (Rev 2,1-3,22;)

  • The first epistle to Ephesus (Rev 2,1-7;)
  • The second letter to Smyrna (Rev 2,8-11;)
  • The third epistle to Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17;)
  • The fourth letter to Thyatyra (Rev 2,18-29;)
  • The fifth epistle to Sardis (Rev 3,1-6;)
  • The sixth letter to Philadelphia (Rev 3,7-13;)
  • The seventh epistle to Laodicea (Rev 3,14-22;)

The throne of God (Rev 4,1-11;)

The twenty-four elders and the four beings (Rev 4,1-11;)

The seven seals (Rev 5,1-5;)

  • Introduction: The book with the seven seals (Rev 5,1-5;)
  • The Lamb as slain (Rev 5:6-10;)
  • The Lamb is worthy to open the seals (Rev.5,11-14;)
  • The first seal: the white horse (Rev.6,1+2;)
  • The second seal: the fiery red horse (Rev 6,3+4;)
  • The third seal: the black horse (Rev 6,5+6;)
  • The fourth seal: the pale horse (Rev.6,7+8;)
  • The fifth seal: the Marthyrs (Rev 6,9-11;)
  • The sixth seal: Earthquake, sun darkened and moon like blood (Rev 6:12-17;)
  • Insert: The redeemed, the sealed and the 144,000 (Rev 7:1-17;)
  • The seventh seal: Silence in heaven, prayers of the saints before God, censer is thrown to the earth (Rev.8,1-5;)

The seven trumpets (Rev 8,6-;)

  • The first trumpet: hail of fire and blood (Rev 8,7;)
  • The second trumpet: Fire into the sea => a third of the sea becomes blood; a third of the fish die; a third of the ships perish (Rev 8:8+9;)
    • The third trumpet: Burning star falls on the rivers => a third of the land creatures die; a third of the people die; (Rev 8:10+11;)
  • The fourth trumpet: a third of the stars are darkened (Rev 8,13;)
  • The fifth trumpet: star falls to the earth and opens the abyss from which locusts come up (Rev.9,1-12;)

    At the beginning and end of the passage it is said that the (full) power of the locust-like animals from the smoke of the abyss lies in their tails. If we look for the explanation of this symbol in the Bible, we come across Isaiah 9:13 where we are told that this imagery of the tail refers to false prophecy. If we use this as a key for the passage, other symbols (e.g. smoke that darkens the sun) are revealed in this context.

  • The sixth trumpet: Four angels released => war, death ... the survivors do not repent (Rev.9,13-21;)
  • Insert: John receives a book; the two witnesses (Rev.;)
  • The seventh trumpet: heaven is opened, the ark of the covenant becomes visible (Rev;)

Insertion (Rev;)

  • The woman, her child and the dragon (Rev;)
  • Fight in heaven (Rev.;)
  • The beast from the sea (Rev.;)
  • The beast from the earth and the mark (Rev.;)
  • The Lamb and his own (Rev;)
  • Announcement of judgement by the three angels (Rev;)
  • Harvest and grape harvest (Rev;)

The seven plagues / bowls of wrath (Rev;)

Introduction: (Rev.;)

  • The first plague / bowl of wrath: boil (Rev.;)
  • The second plague / bowl of wrath: sea of blood (Rev.;)
  • The third plague / bowl of wrath: rivers like blood (Rev.;)
  • The fourth plague / bowl of wrath: sun; no repentance (Rev.;)
  • The fifth plague / bowl of wrath: kingdom of the beast darkened; no repentance (Rev.;)
  • The sixth plague / bowl of wrath: Euphrates dries up, three unclean spirits prepare Hamargedon (Rev;)
  • The seventh plague / Bowl of Wrath: air, earthquake, Babylon is ravaged, cities destroyed, islands and mountains disappear (Rev.;)

Execution of the judgement (Rev;)

  • Judgement on Babylon (Rev;)
  • Downfall of Babylon (Rev;)
  • Jubilation in heaven over the downfall of Babylon (Rev;)
  • Wedding of the Lamb (Rev;)
  • Christ defeats the beast (Rev.;)
  • 1000-year kingdom, Satan's binding and judgement (Rev;)
  • 2nd resurrection and world judgement (Rev;)

The new Jerusalem (Rev;)

Concluding remarks (Rev;)

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