The Revelation

Rev 1:1, 2

The Chiasm of Revelation

God sent Jesus to his servant John

The first two verses of Revelation form a well-constructed and perfect chiasm.

The first line reads: ‘The revelation from Jesus Christ.’

The last line is: ‘The testimony of Jesus Christ.’ (NIV – 2011 ed)

Enclosed within these two bookends is the entire chiasm.

It will be helpful to look at the following two points before considering the chiasm in detail.

1.     ‘Aggelos’ means messenger

Please note that I follow the lead of Robert Young in his literal translation of the Scriptures (YLT) where he consistently translates the Greek ‘aggelos’ as messenger. ‘Aggelos’ means messenger.

In Scripture in general, ‘aggelos’ is variously translated as either messenger, or angel.

It may be translated ‘messenger’ when it is understood to relate to a human messenger. For instance, in Matthew 11:10, Jesus calls John the Baptist ‘my messenger’ (aggelos). A further example may be seen in ‘Revelation chapters two and three’ where footnotes in many Bibles suggest ‘messenger’ as an alternative/correct translation -- where it is generally believed it applies to human messengers -- a pastor or leader of the church.

When referring to heavenly beings, ‘aggelos’ is usually translated as ‘angel.’ See Revelation 5:11, ‘Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels numbering thousands upon thousands.’ These angels were around the throne, praising the ‘Lamb’ Jesus Christ. The angels mentioned here are ‘heavenly beings’ created by God.

Also note that in Acts 7:38, Yehweh is called the ‘aggelos’ (the angel) when his role was that of a ‘messenger.’ This verse refers to the occasion when God spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, and gave his Ten Commandments to the people. (See Exodus 19:20 to 20:19) ‘They said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”’ (Exo 20:19)

2.     Show and Tell (See and Hear)

While the Book of Revelation is purely a written narrative, it presents a massive amount of material that is ideally suited to a visual and sound presentation. In Rev 5:11, John said, ‘Then I looked and heard …’ Expressions such as this abound throughout the book. John received the revelation as a sight and sound experience.

While we are in Rev 5, let us look at verse 5, where John is told about ‘the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.’ He hears about a lion, but in the next verse, he does not see a lion, rather he sees a lamb. ’Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain.’ (Rev 5:6) John hears, and then he sees. This audio and visual style of presentation is found in more instances in Revelation.

Furthermore, the images are not motionless and static, rather they are active. Rev 13:1 describes ‘a beast coming out of the sea.’ It is in motion, it is active.

The narrative too, is full of loud sounds and loud voices. Revelation 10:3, 4 ‘and he (Jesus) gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”’ John first hears loud shouting, and then he hears voices like thunder responding to the call.

Throughout its narrative, the Book of Revelation portrays frantic activity, thunderous sounds and loud voices. It has a narrative which is ideally suited to a modern-day audio-visual format. The narrative though, was written some 2,000 years ago.

The chiasm which we are about to consider, contains the fertile and living seed of an audio-visual presentation. Throughout the book, the seed germinates, and grows into many grand ‘audio-visual’ displays. We will discover that the Chiasm of Rev 1:1, 2 contains all of the above features, and as such, is the ideal introduction to Revelation.

The Chiasm (Revelation 1:1, 2)

A chiasm is a literary structure whereby the first line (first portion) parallels the last line (last portion), and the second line parallels the second last line. This format repeats over and over until all points are presented. Revelation 1:1, 2 has 'three parallel points.'

A well-constructed chiasm may also have an important central line which functions (1) as a Title to the chiasm, and (2) as a Summary of the chiasm. The chiasm of Revelation 'includes this feature.'

God, Jesus Christ, and God’s servants

 

We will now consider the identies of all those who are mentioned in the chiasm. And we will 'see how each one fits' into the chiastic structure.

Reference A.

It is easy to see the clear and distinct parallel between the first and last lines -- Lines A1 and A2.

Jesus Christ is presented in both instances.

Line A1   ‘The revelation from Jesus Christ’

parallels

Line A2   ‘the testimony of Jesus Christ.’

Both lines relate to the person Jesus Christ.

 

Reference B.

God is presented.

Line B1   ‘which God gave him’

parallels

Line B2   ‘that is, the word of God’

Both lines clearly relate to God.

 

Reference C.

God’s servants are presented.

Line C1   ‘to show his servants (PLURAL) what must soon take place’

parallels

Line C2   ‘his servant John (SINGULAR) testifies to everything he saw’

Both lines relate to God’s servants.

C1   In the top instance, it is ‘his servants’ (PLURAL) to which reference is made. The Revelation is given to and intended for ‘all of God’s servants.’ This reference is inclusive, it relates to all who will read the Revelation and seek to understand it.

C2   We are told that Jesus gave it to ‘his servant John’ (SINGULAR). John was entrusted with receiving it, writing it, and sharing it by sending it to the seven churches. In Revelation 1:11, Jesus told John: ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches.’ In this manner, it was given by Jesus to one servant to be shared with all servants. 

Its 'Visual and Verbal' Facets

We have just completed an examination of 'one aspect' of the chiasm which 'reveals all of those who were involved,' that is, God, Jesus Christ, and God's servants.

We will now consider 'a second aspect' which will reveal 'just what it is that they shared'. The chiasm reveals that -- they shared the revelation, and that -- they also testified to it.

The ‘upper portion’ of the chiasm primarily relates to sharing the visual facet, while the ‘lower portion’ is concerned with verbally testifying to its truth.

 

Reference A.

Two facets are portrayed: (1) the Revelation -- which is visual, and (2) the Testimony -- which is verbal.

Line A1   ‘The revelation of Jesus Christ’

parallels

Line A2   ‘the testimony of Jesus Christ.’

VISUAL

A1   In the first line, the ‘revelation’ refers primarily to what Jesus shows (that which he reveals visually).

VERBAL

A2   In the second line, the ‘testimony’ is the testimony given by Jesus’ words. It is his verbal witness – ‘the testimony of Jesus Christ.’ Jesus speaks extensively in the Book of Revelation. We note, for instance, that the ‘entire seven messages’ to the churches were spoken by Jesus. (See Revelation Chapters 2 and 3) Revelation is the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Reference B.

God gave the Revelation which itself is the Word of God.

Line B1   ‘which God gave him’

parallels

Line B2   ‘that is, the word of God’

VISUAL

B1   What did God give to Jesus Christ? God gave Jesus the ‘revelation.’ It was to show what must soon take place. The revelation originated with God; it came from God through Jesus Christ. It is visual.

VERBAL

B2   Likewise, the ‘word of God’ is the testimony of God. This also stands true in the broader sense, as the Bible, ‘being the Word of God’ is the testimony of God. Note that we separate the Bible into the Old Testament and the New Testament. ‘Testament’ means testimony, evidence, and witness. The word of God is God’s testimony. It is verbal.

 

Reference C.

The church is shown the revelation because John testifies to it.

Line C1   ‘to show his servants (PLURAL) what must soon take place’

parallels

Line C2   ‘his servant John (SINGULAR) testifies to everything he saw’

VISUAL

C1   In this line, 'Servants' are PLURAL. God wants ‘to show his servants what must soon take place.’ All of God’s servants are intended to see his revelation of future events. God revealed it to Jesus Christ, and Jesus revealed it to his servants through his servant John. It is visual.

VERBAL

C2   In this line, 'Servant' is SINGULAR. It refers to John. ‘His servant John testifies to everything he saw.’ God testifies first, Jesus testifies next, and then John testifies. The Book of Revelation is John's written witness. He expresses in words that which he saw.

In this line of the chiasm, both the audible and the visible aspects are included -- ‘John testifies to everything he saw.’

 

D. Central line – Title and Summary

Line D       ‘He (God) made it known by sending his messenger (Jesus Christ) to his servant John’

This ‘Title line/Summary line’ gives a succinct description of the entire chiasm. It summarises the chiasm. ‘God made it known -- by sending his messenger (Jesus Christ) -- to his servant John’

God gave Jesus the revelation. ‘The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him.’ (Rev 1:1)

Jesus, in turn, gave the revelation to John. In Rev 1:10, 11, Jesus told John: ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches.’

Exercise Sheet

I have provided an 'Exercise Sheet' at the end of this article. It may be printed. It provides a means by which 'to confirm the accuracy' of the parallels in the chiasm. It is quick and easy to complete.

Considering Different Views

A practical reason for the chiasm

The chiasm is not merely stylistic. There is 'an extremely practical reason' for understanding the chiastic structure in these verses. Without it, the verses can cause confusion because of the many pronouns – he, him, his, etc. The same confusion also occurs in the Greek -- as well as English and other translations.

A different view of this text

‘He made it known by sending his messenger to his servant John’ (Rev 1:1), could be interpreted incorrectly as ‘Jesus made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.’ This wrongly introduces a fourth person (an angel) into the narrative. This interpretation says that

(1) God gave the revelation to

(2) Jesus who gave it to

(3) his angel who gave it to

(4) his servant John.

This interpretation requires a transmission between four persons, instead of the three-way transmission that is 'clearly seen in the chiasm.' Furthermore, it is inconsistent with the chiastic structure which requires -- that the same three persons which are identified in the first and last portions of the chiasm -- be mentioned again in the central/summary line.

The message of the chiasm must be consistent throughout. It is: ‘God made it known by sending Jesus to his servant John.’

The Parallel Between Rev 1:1 and 22:16

Rev 1:1 and 22:16 are parallel verses.

God sends his messenger

In the Prologue (at the beginning of the book) God sends his messenger. God's messenger is Jesus.

In Rev 1:1 -- God made it known by sending his messenger (Jesus) to his servant John.

God ‘sends’ his messenger to John.

Jesus sends his messenger

In the Epilogue (at the end of the book) Jesus sends his messenger. Jesus' messenger is John.

At the close of Revelation. Jesus says:

Rev 22:16

I, Jesus, have sent 'my messenger' to give ‘you’ (PLURAL) this testimony.

(‘You’ is PLURAL in the Greek. THIS IS IMPORTANT.)

Let us take a moment to compare this parallel. In Rev 22, the most common belief is that ‘Jesus sent his angel to John.’ The ‘you’ is understood to refer to ‘John.’ But this is wrong. Clearly ‘you’ is PLURAL -- and ‘John’ is SINGULAR. It is grammatically incorrect to apply 'you' to 'John.'

Nevertheless, scholars will alter the Scripture, and change the plural word to a singular to make it fit their view, and then blame John for being clumsy with his grammar, while the author of Revelation was correct all the time.

Rev 1:1 -- God sends his messenger (Jesus) to his servant John.

Rev 22:16 -- Jesus sends his messenger (John) to his servants (PLURAL).

At the commencement of Revelation, God sends Jesus to John (to give him the message).

At the close of Revelation (now that John has received the message) -- Jesus is able to send him as his messenger to God’s servants (PLURAL).

With this view, there is 'no need to change the grammar of a single word' in Scripture.

Rev 22:16

I, Jesus, have sent my messenger (John) to give ‘you’ (his servants) PLURAL this testimony.

The Testiony of Jesus Christ

The phrase 'The Testimony of Jesus Christ' is 'referred to' and 'repeated' in Rev 1:2, and 1:9, and 19:10, and 22:16. Jesus testimony is IMPORTANT. I have a lot more to share regarding it. This I will do in the commentary at Rev 1:5 where 'Jesus Christ' is introduced as the 'faithful witness.'

Final Point

The chiasm is concise and informative. It provides 'the perfect introduction' to the Book of Revelation.

The Chiasm of Revelation