Literary Elements in Revelation

----> What kind of book do you see Revelation as? How does this affect the way you approach it, and what God says to you through it?

Revelation can be best understood to have blended three traditions.

  1. Old Testament - There are no OT quotations in Revelation, because he performing the role of a prophet, he was speaking for God, and therefore does not need to provide quotations. John was guided by the Spirit while writing. There are over 500 allusions to the Old Testament in Revelation, and he gives many symbols new meanings.

  1. Prophetic Tradition - John draws on themes and literary forms of the prophets.

  1. Apocalyptic Tradition - Organization through sacred numbers.


Structurally speaking, Revelation is organized based on the number seven, for instance there are seven:

churches

stars

lampstands

messages

seals

trumpets

bowls

There is more to be said about the literary aspect of Revelation. Much like features of composition, John blended three traditions of literary genre:

Epistle: - This is seen in Revelation 1:4-7; 22:21. The epistle was the primary means of conveying doctrine and knowledge. No other apocalypse was written as a letter.

Prophecy - Revelation 1:3; 22:18 - 19. John is reporting a vision from God much like the prophets of the Old Testament.

Apocalyptic - Revelation 1:1, 10. This style of literature was most prevalent from 200 BC to 100 AD. Typically this was meant to appeal to the oppressed.








There are some literary charateristics of apocalyptic literature that are worth mentioning as well.

A. Pseudonymous

Revelation is the only exception.

B. Visions

Revelation is more symbolic than other apocalypses. There is more visual symbolism, and less explanation. Other apocalypses have many visions. Revelation (1:10 - 22:6) is one vision.

C. Revelatory

Heavenly truths are being revealed.

D. Pseudo-Prophecy

Revelation again, is the only exception.

E. Concerned with the End of Age



This involved the coming of the kingdom of God.

F. Pattern for living



This is seen in the seven letters, and in Christ, the slain lamb ( Revelation 4-5)

G. Symbolism

Draws on mythology and the OT. John counters Roman symbols, and combines symbols (cf Dan 7:6; Rev 13:1-2).

H. Discourse Cycles

Vision - explanation - Vision. Revelation does not stop.

How does Revelation fit in with Apocalyptic literature?

Pseudonymity via a Great Figure - 1:3; 1:4; 1:9; 22:8

Historic Survey via Past Events - 1:1; 1:19; 21:5; 22:6; 22:16; 22:18-20

Visionary Symbolism - 1:10; 4:1-3; 17:1-3; 21:9-10

Dualistic: Good v. Evil - 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21; 12:11; 21:7

Pessimistic Tendencies - 11:5; 12:10-12; 21-22
















Read Revelation 15:1 - 5.

Take a few minutes and write whatever comes to your head in this passage. It can be some thing God speaks to you, or elements in the writing. It can be what you think the John is trying to say, or something about the chain of events going on in the passage. It's totally up to you and just for your own thoughts.