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The book of Revelation is composed likea rose cut diamond with six interconnected side facets and a table facet (flat, hexagonal top facet). Think of it as an engagement ring, flat on top, sloped on six sides toward a point, set in gold, and dazzling and brilliant however you view it, whichever way you turn it in the light.
The book of Revelation tells a single story – the triumph of the Lamb and His faithfulness to His Bride – but it tells it seven different ways. We make a mistake if we try to read Revelation as a single, continuous, historical narrative, as though chapters 1-3 begin in John’s time and chapters 4-18 unfold the chronology of human history toward the end of history and the beginning of the New Heaven and New Earth in chapters 19-22.
Of course, there is a certain amount of historical narrative to the story line of Revelation. But that narrative is compact and presented in seven different forms or facets. The first facet, chapters 1-3, is like the top of the ring, that which we can most readily view. It represents the Church in John’s day, but also the Church in every day, as we shall see. It is the facet of the continuous present, the one through which we must view all the other facets of this divine engagement ring.
Facets 2-6 take up the middle chapters (6-20) and tell the story of Christ’s Bride in time from a variety of different angles. The story is told from the perspective of heaven. Thus it is enriched with mysterious creatures, cataclysmic events, and deep spiritual realities which are best understood when told over and over in a variety of ways.
The final facet comprises chapters 21 and 22, the coming future glory and Kingdom of the Lamb and His Bride. But in a very real sense, this end has already broken into the time in which we live; it is as much a facet of the here and now as it will be in the then and there. We live toward this final facet, but we live very much within it as well. Keeping this in mind, and living as though this were really so, is what gives Christ’s Bride the power to overcome as we await His return and the Marriage Supper He is preparing for us.
Each of these facets of our engagement ring is connected and shines its glory into all the others. Thus, they are never clearly separated from one another but work together, according to their peculiar “colors” and themes, to constitute the dazzling diamond of Revelation.
Read Revelation 4 and 5
Here is the second facet of the Bride’s engagement ring. It establishes the heavenly perspective from which we must read this entire book. Continue making notes and observations in your Bible. Be prepared to share from these if you are working through this study in a group.
Glory to Glory
What part of this reading helps to draw you closer to Christ and the Father? In what ways? How does this prepare you to live for Christ’s glory in your Personal Mission Field?
Closing Prayer
From Psalm 110.1-3:
Heavenly Father, You have said to my Lord Jesus,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
Lord shall send the rod of Your strength – Your Word and Spirit – out of Your Church!
Let Your Kingdom come, even in the midst of Your enemies!
Today, let me and all Your people volunteer all we are and have
To further Your power and glory;
Send me forth in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning.
Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “Revelation: Introduction and Overview,” simply click here.
Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “Revelation: Introduction and Overview,” simply click here.
T. M. Moore
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.