ANALYSIS

It is important to gain an idea of the actual contents before proceeding to the interpretation of the book. It will be helpful to compare analyses by several writers.

1. Many, perhaps most writers, think that 1:19 provides a key to the book in its three divisions, with introduction (1:1-9) and conclusion (22:5-21):

(1) Things Seen (1:10-20).

(2) Things that Are (2-3).

(3) Things that Shall Be (4:1 to 22:5).

2. A clear and useful outline, and valuable as at any rate provisional, is by Rev. W. Graham Scroggie:

(1) 1:1-8. Introduction.

(2) 1:9 to 3:22. Vision of Grace.

(3) 4:1 to 19:10. Vision of Government.

(4) 19:irto 22:5. Vision of Glory.

(5) 22:5-21. Conclusion.

3. Another by a well-known writer, Walter Scott, is as follows:

(1) 1:1-8. Introduction.

(2) 1:9-20. Things Seen.

(3) 2-3. Things that Are.

(4) 4:1 to 11:18; 11:19 to 20:3. The Period of the Great Tribulation (the second section being coterminous with but an elaboration of the first).

(5) 20:4-15. The Period of the Millennium.

(6) 21:1 to 22:5. The Post-millennial Period.

4. A writer of another school, Rev. E. H. Home, divides it by concentrating attention on the repeated phrase, "it is done," and the opening of Heaven, giving three main parts:

(1) 4:1 to 16:17. The Present Age.

(2) 19:1 1 to 20:6. The Millennial Age.

(3) 21-22. The Eternal Age.

5. One comes from a thoughtful and able scholar on these subjects, the late Dr. Bullinger ("The Day of the Lord"):

(1) 1. Introduction.

(2) 2-3. God's People on Earth.

(3) 4:1 to 20:15. Fourteen Visions in Seven Pairs. Alternating between Heaven and Earth.

(4) 21:1 to 22:5. God's People on the New Earth.

(5) 22:6-21. Conclusion.

6. A very able and helpful discussion of the contents and plan, together with a full and clear analysis, is given in Dr. Swete's Commentary. He holds that the Apocalypse has two great divisions (1:9 to 11:14; 12:1 to 22:'5), and his outline of the book in its "briefest form" is as follows:

Prologue mid Greeting (1:1-8)

Part I. Vision of Christ in the midst of the Churches (1:9 to 3:22). Vision of Christ in Heaven (4:1 to 5:14). Preparations for the End (6:1 to 11:19).

Part II. Vision of the Mother of Christ and her enemies (12:1 to 13:18). Preparations for the End (14:1 to 20:15). Vision of the Bride of Christ, arrayed for her husband (21:1 to 22:5). Epilogue and benediction (22:6-21 ).

7. An American student of prophecy, the Rev. W. J. Erdman, D. D., has given an analysis which is deserving of notice because of its great clearness and fulness:

 

1. The Seven Churches

(1) 1:1-8. The Prologue.

(2) 1:9-20. The Son of Man.

(3) 2:1 to 3:22. The Seven Churches.

2. The Seven Seals

(1) 4:1 to 5:14. Introduction. The Throne, the Lamb, and the Book.

(2) 6:1-17. Progression. The Six Seals.

(3) 7:1-17. Episode. The Sealed and the Saved.

(4) 8:1. Consummation. The Seventh Seal.

3. The Seven Trumpets

(1) 8:2-5. Introduction. The Angel and Incense.

(2) 8:6 to 9:21. Progression. The Six Trumpets.

(3) 10:1 to 11:14. Episode. The Angel, the Little Book, the Two Witnesses.

(4) 11:15-19. Consummation. The Seventh Trumpet.

4. The Seven Personages

(1) 12:1 to 13:la. Introduction. The Two Signs in Heaven.

(2) 13:lb-18. Progression. The Great Tribulation.

(3) 14:1-13. Episode. The First Fruits and the Three Angels.

(4) 14:14-20. Consummation. The Harvest and the Vintage.

5. The Seven Vials

(1) 15:1-8. Introduction. The Overcomers and the Seven Angels.

(2) 16:1-12. Progression. The Six Vials.

(3) 16:13-16. Episode. The Gathering of the Kings.

(4) 16:17-21. Consummation. The Seventh Vial.

6. The Seven Dooms

(1) 17:1-18. Introduction. The Babylon and the Beast.

(2) 18:1-24. Progression. The Doom of Babylon.

(3)19:1-10. Episode. The Four Hallels.

(4) 19:11 to 20:15. Consummation. The Six Final Dooms.

7. The Seven New Things

(1) 21:1-8. Introduction.

(2) 21:9 to 22:5. The New Jerusalem.

(3) 22:6-21. The Epilogue.

Dr. Erdman says this analysis is an attempt to group the contents of the book according to what seem to be the lines of its structure. Also that the so-called three episodes are in each instance both retrospective and prospective.

But while these outlines will help toward a mastery of the actual contents, the analysis will depend very largely on the interpretation which is given to the book.