A Literary Outline of Revelation

A  Introduction: John’s faithful witness of the Coming One (1:1–8)

B  Vision: the church in the world, promised salvation for ”overcoming” (1:9–3:21)

C  Seven Seals: the beginning of judgments on the world (4:1–8:1)
  • Prelude: the conquering lamb-lion on heaven’s throne (4:1–5:14)
  • Vision: opening of the book, judgments initiated by the conquering horsemen and completed directly by God (6:1–17; 8:1)
  • Interlude: saints protected, receiving final salvation from the lamb, and clothed in white (7)

D  Seven Trumpets: judgments on the ungodly world and the great city (8:2–11:18)
  • Prelude: heavenly commissioning of seven angels (8:2–6)
  • Vision: sounding of the trumpets of judgment (8:7–9:21; 11:14–18)
  • Interlude: witnessing church vs. persecuting world (10:1–11:13)

E  War of the Ages (11:19–14:20). 7 Miraculous Signs
  • Prelude: ark of the covenant in heaven (11:19)
  • Vision: dragon and beasts vs. the heavenly woman, her child, and the saints (12:1–13:18)
  • Interlude: covenant people bear witness to Jesus Christ and evangelize (14)

D’  Seven Bowls: judgments on the world and the great city (15:1–19:10)
  • Prelude: heavenly commissioning of seven angels (15)
  • Vision: bowls of judgment poured out (16)
  • Interlude: the world (ungodly prostitute) vs. the church (faithful bride) (17:1–19:10)

C'  The World’s Final Judgment Portrayed from Various Perspectives (19:11–21:8)
  • Prelude: the conquering Messiah and his army (19:11–16)
  • Vision: the messianic horseman judges the ungodly horsemen led by the false prophet, the   judgment of Satan and his hordes, the opening of books for judgment (19:17–20:15)
  • Interlude: the lamb’s bride adorned for her divine husband (21:1–8)

B’  Vision: the perfect church in glory having received the promised salvation (21:9–22:5)

A’  Conclusion: Christ’s coming attested by the faithful witness (22:6–21)