An Overview of Revelation

by David Gooding

The biblical authors used the literary conventions of their day to convey their message. These included structures and patterns less obvious to us in our modern age. David Gooding brought his expertise in ancient literature to the biblical text, and these study notes represent his thinking about the structure, patterns and thought-flow of Revelation.

When speaking to groups of Bible students, he often said, ‘When it comes to Bible study, there is structure, pattern and thought-flow, and the greatest of these is thought-flow. Here are the thoughts of God expressed. Our job is to follow the thought-flow’. He taught that the most important thing to grasp in biblical interpretation is the way the author develops his message, and that discerning structure and patterns within the text should always be directed towards that end.

David Gooding developed these study notes over many years and distributed them at public and private talks. The study notes are not meant to be the last word on the book, and may not cover it entirely. The Myrtlefield Trust offers them to Bible students, preachers and teachers in order to stimulate further thinking about the book, so that its message may be better understood.

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Study Notes

The Structure of Revelation

I. Rev 1:1–3:22	II. Rev 4:1–7:17	III. Rev 8:1–11:18	IV. Rev 11:19–15:4	V. Rev 15:5–19:10	VI. Rev 19:11–22:21
Statement of contents . . . the testimony of Jesus (Rev 1:1–3).	Opened: Door in heaven.	Opened: Seventh seal: Silence in heaven for half an hour.	Opened: Temple of God in heaven.	Opened: Temple of tabernacle of testimony in heaven.	Opened: Heaven.
John’s greeting: grace and peace from the Trinity (Rev 1:4–8).	The throne and the twenty-four thrones.	Big altar and golden altar of incense: smoke from the incense.	Ark of God’s covenant.	Temple filled with smoke from God’s glory and power.
	Pervading theme:	Pervading theme:	Pervading theme:	Pervading theme:
1. The Son of Man A sharp sword coming out of his mouth. Coming to address the seven churches (Rev 1:9–20).	The throne of God. Rev 4: throughout. Rev 5: throughout. Rev 6:16. Rev 7: 9–11, 15, 17.	Timing. Rev 8:1. Rev 9:5, 10, 15. Rev 10:6. Rev 11:2, 8–9, 11, 18.	Power and authority. Rev 12: Satan’s struggle for power: the man-child and God’s throne. Rev 13: the throne of the beast. Rev 13; 14:7, 9; 15:2: the beast’s blasphemous claim to divine honours and worship.	Beauty and clothing. Rev 15:6 of the seven angels. Rev 16:15: garments/naked.. Rev 17:4: of the Harlot. Rev 18:12, 16: of Babylon. Rev 19:7–8: of the Bride of the Lamb.	1. The warrior king and judge. – A sharp sword coming out of his mouth. – Coming to deal with the kings of the earth, the beast, the false prophet and Satan (Rev 19:11–20:10).
2. The Letters to the Seven Churches (Rev 2:1–3:22).	Other Tabernacle references: Rev 6:1–7: living creatures. Rev 6:9: altar. Rev 7:11: living creatures. Rev 7:15: tent.	Other Tabernacle references: Rev 9:13: golden altar. Rev 11:1, 4: temple, court, altar, lampstands.	Other Tabernacle references: Rev 13:6: tabernacle of God. Rev 14:18: altar of sacrifice. Rev 15:2: the sea of glass.	Other Tabernacle references: Rev 15:7: living creatures. Rev 16:7: altar of sacrifice.	2. New Jerusalem – Tabernacle of God with men. – Bride of the lamb (Rev 20:11–22:15).
	Comment: (Rev 7:13–17) by one of the elders.	Comment: (Rev 11:16–18) by the twenty-four elders.	Song: (Rev 15:2–4) by the victors over the beast.	Response: (Rev 19:1–10) by the great multitude.	1. Threefold testifying of Jesus (Rev 22:16–20). 2. The grace (Rev 22:21).

Strategic Themes in Revelation

I. Rev 1:1–3:22	II. Rev 4:1–7:17	III. Rev 8:1–11:18	IV. Rev 11:19–15:4	V. Rev 15:5–19:10	VI. Rev 19:11–22:21
Son of Man.	Lion of Judah: lamb slain.	Strong angel.	Woman and male child.	False woman: Babylon.	Warrior king.
Clothed with a garment down to his feet, face as sun, eyes as fire, seven stars in right hand, feet as bronze, glowing in furnace.	Seven horns. Seven eyes.	– Rainbow on head. – Clothed with cloud. – Face like sun. – Feet like pillars of fire. – Roars like lion. – Foot on land and sea. – In his left hand a little scroll.	– Clothed with sun. – Crown of twelve stars. – Moon under feet.	– Clothed in purple and scarlet, gold, precious stones and pearls. – In her hand a golden cup.	– Clothed in a robe dipped in blood. – Eyes like blazing fire. – On head many crowns.
			She, her child and seed attacked by Satan.	– She rides the beast.	He overpowers beast, false prophet and Satan.
‘What you see, write in a scroll’ (Rev 1:11).	He takes the scroll, and opens its seals.	John takes the scroll and eats it.
and	and	and	and	and	and
Seven lampstands i.e. seven churches.	Sealing of one hundred and forty four thousand and salvation and triumph of uncountable throng.	Two lampstands i.e. two prophets before Lord of earth and the temple.	The dragon, the beast and their false prophet.	The scarlet beast and his seven heads and ten horns.	His bride, the lamb’s wife.
I will remove your lampstand out of its place.	The great tribulation.	‘The beast shall overcome them’ (Rev 11:7).	‘The beast overcomes the saints’ (Rev 13:7).	The beast and the ten kings destroy Babylon.	‘The kings of the earth bring their glory into it’ (Rev 21:24).
but	but	but	but	but	but
To him who overcomes.	They come out of it. ‘The sun shall not strike nor any heat’ (Rev 7:16).	‘They went up into heaven’ (Rev 11:12).	‘Those who were victorious over the beast’ (Rev 15:2).	‘The Lamb’s wife has made herself ready’ (Rev 19:7).	‘He who overcomes shall inherit these things’ (Rev 21:7).

Strategic Themes in Revelation

Judgment begins at the house of God. Christ visits, praises, criticizes, admonishes and if need be chastises, rallies and encourages his churches.

The Nature and Contents of the Book (Rev 1:1–3)

1. A revelation of which Christ is both author and central theme, about things that must soon take place.
2. Conveyed by Christ’s angel to John who testifies to everything he saw, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
3. To reap its blessing the prophecy must not only be read and heard, but kept.

Greetings, and Grace from the Holy Trinity (Rev 1:4–8)

1. • From him who is and was and is to come.
   • From the seven Spirits before his throne.
   • From Jesus Christ (1) the faithful witness, (2) firstborn of the dead, (3) ruler of the kings of the earth.
2. Ascription of glory and dominion to Christ in light of
   • His love and redemption.
   • What he has made of us.
   • His coming manifestation.
3. Declaration by the Lord God:
   • The Alpha and the Omega.
   • Who is, and who was and who is to come.
   • The Almighty.

The Son of Man Amidst the Golden Lampstands (Rev 1:9–20)

1. Christ as judge: his official robe; the sword coming out of his mouth.
2. His purity and his power.
3. Christ strengthens John to write: ‘I am the living one, became dead, am alive, have the keys of Death and Hades’.
4. The scope of the writing: the things you saw, the things that are, the things that shall be after these.
5. The nature and significance of the lampstands and stars.

Christ’s Appraisal of His Churches (Rev 2:1–3:22)

1.	Ephesus	I know your works	but	overcome	Tree of life	cf.Rev 22:2
2.	Smyrna	I know your tribulation	fear not	overcome	Crown of life; not hurt by the second death.	cf. Rev 20:14
3.	Pergamum	I know your dwelling-place	but	overcome	Hidden manna; whitestone; secret name.
4.	Thyatira	I know your works	but	overcome	Authority overnations; rule with rod of iron.	cf. Rev 12:5; 19:15;20:6
5.	Sardis	I know your works	and	overcome	Will not blot name out of book of life.	cf. Rev 20:15; 21:27
6.	Philadelphia	I know your works	behold	overcome	Will write on him name of God, name of city, new Jerusalem.	cf. Rev 22:4
7.	Laodicea	I know your works	because	overcome	Sit down with me on my throne; my Father’s throne.	cf. Rev 22:1, 3

For the idea of ‘overcoming’ see Revelation 21:7.

Old Testament Allusions in the Seven Churches

Old Testament Allusions

1.	Ephesus	‘I will remove your lampstand out of its place . . . To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise of God’ (cf. Gen 3).
2.	Smyrna	‘Fear not what you are about to suffer. Behold the devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be tested, and you shall have affliction ten days’ (cf. the prophecy of Israel’s enslavement in Egypt: ‘Your seed will be strangers in a country not their own and be enslaved; and they shall afflict them four hundred years’ (Gen 15:13)).
3.	Pergamum	‘You have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel’ (cf. Num 22–24).
4.	Thyatira	‘You allow that woman Jezebel, who says that she is a prophetess, and teaches and seduces my servants’ (cf. 1 Kgs 16:29–31; 2 Kgs 9).
5.	Sardis	‘I will not blot his name out of the book of life. cf. and the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam’ (II) (2 Kgs 14:27).
6.	Philadelphia	‘He who has the key of David, who opens and none shall shut, and shuts and none shall open cf. a prophecy originally spoken of Eliakim, royal steward in the reign of Hezekiah’ (Isa 22:22).
7.	Laodicea	‘I will spew you out of my mouth cf. the prophecy of the exile. . . lest the land spew you out also. . . as it spewed out the nation that was before you’ (Lev 18:28).

Features of the Seven Churches

1.	Ephesus	Commended for their hate: blamed for letting go (aphekes) of their first love.
2.	Smyrna	‘Them that say they are Jews and they are not but are a synagogue of Satan . . . behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison . . .’ (Rev 2:9).
3.	Pergamum	‘You hold fast my name and did not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas . . . who was killed among you. . .’ (Rev 2:13).
4.	Thyatira	Commended for their love: blamed for letting (apheis)‘the woman Jezebel teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication’ (Rev 2:20).
5.	Sardis	‘You have a name that you live, and you are dead’ (Rev 3:1).
6.	Philadelphia	‘I have set before you a door opened, which none can shut. . . Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and they are not . . . to come and fall before your feet . . .’ (Rev 3:8–9).
7.	Laodicea	Blamed for being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. ‘As many as I love I reprove and chasten’ (Rev 3:19).

Section II

The throne of God and the worthiness of God and of the Lamb to receive the worship and service of God’s whole creation.

Description of the Throne (Rev 4:1–11)

1. Its occupant.
2. The rainbow round the throne: and round the throne twenty-four thrones: also occupied.
3. Out of the throne lightnings, voices, thunders.
4. Seven burning torches before the throne: and before the throne a sea of glass.
5. In the midst and round the throne four living creatures.
6. The grounds of God’s worthiness to be worshipped: he is the Creator: his creatorial purpose.

The Worthiness of the Lamb to Execute Judgment (Rev 5:1–14)

1. The lion has overcome: by being the slain lamb with seven horns and seven eyes.
2. The new song: the prayers of the saints offered by the elders: the Lamb is worthy because:
   • He has purchased men for God with his blood;
   • He has made them a kingdom and priests to God;
   • They shall reign over the earth.
3. The angels’ worship.
4. The whole universe’s acknowledgement of the Lamb’s worthiness.

The Opening of the Seals (Rev 6:1–17)

1. White horse: conquest.
2. Red horse: war.
3. Black horse: famine.
4. Pale horse: Death and Hades.
5. Martyred souls must wait to be avenged.
6. Climax: the great day of wrath
7. The half hour of silence (Rev 8:1)

Two Groups Saved (Rev 7:1–17)

1. One hundred and forty four thousand out of the tribes of Israel: sealed, so as to suffer no hurt.
2. An uncountable multitude: they come out of the great tribulation.
3. The grounds of their salvation: they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.
4. Their blessings and consolations.

Section III

The problem of the silence of God in the face of evil and his apparent delay in avenging his saints, apostles and prophets.

The Blowing of the Seven Trumpets (Rev 8:1–9:21; 11:15)

1. Smoke from the incense and the prayers of the saints leads to the breaking of the half hour of silence: thunders, lightnings, earthquake, trumpets, as censer is emptied out on the earth.
2. The seven trumpets:
   • Hail and fire and blood: one-third earth burnt up.
   • One-third sea turned to blood: one-third sea-life and shipping destroyed.
   • One-third rivers, fountains, waters become bitter.
   • One-third sun, moon, stars smitten: one-third reduction of light.
   • Locusts from abyss torment men. Their king, Apollyon.
   • Angels at Euphrates loosed. Invasion by vast army of horses.

The Strong Angel Sets Right Foot on Sea and Left on Earth (Rev 10:1–11)

1. Clothed with a cloud: rainbow on head: face as sun.
2. In his hand a little book, sweet in mouth, bitter in belly.
3. Swears by Creator: delay no longer, but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel.
4. The mystery of God, according to the good news which he declared to his servants the prophets, shall be finished.

The Two Witnesses (Rev 11:1–14)

1. The holy city trodden underfoot by Gentiles forty-two months.
2. After one thousand two hundred and sixty days the two lampstands are extinguished by the beast. The dead bodies of the two prophets lie in city called Sodom and Egypt where the Lord was crucified. The world rejoices.
3. After three-and-a-half days the prophets are resurrected, taken to heaven, their testimony vindicated.

Thanksgiving That the Time for Judgment Has Come (Rev 11:15–18)

1. At the seventh trumpet mystery of God finished.
2. Great voices in heaven: kingdom of world has become God’s and Christ’s.
3. Twenty-four elders who sit on thrones: fall on faces: give thanks that
   • God has at last taken his great power and begun to reign.
   • In response to wrath of nations, God’s wrath has come.
   • The time has come for dead to be judged: to reward prophets and saints and those who fear God’s name: to destroy those who destroy the earth.

Section IV

The throne of the beast and the grounds of his demand to receive universal worship. God’s answer to the beast and Satan.

First Trilogy: Signs in Heaven—Satan Frustrated (Rev 11:19–13:1)

1. A woman and child: the dragon stands before the woman to devour child: but the child is caught up to God’s throne.
2. War in heaven: accuser of brethren cast down: they overcome him: now has come salvation, power, Kingdom of God and authority of his Christ.
3. Satan persecutes woman: fails: stands on sea-shore.

Second Trilogy: Situation Resulting on Earth—Satan Apparently Victorious (Rev 13:1–14:5)

1. I saw—the beast’s throne: his ‘resurrection’ and irresistible power: his claim to divine worship: he overcomes the saints.
2. I saw—the second beast’s deceptive signs: image: no purchasing without the mark of the beast.
3. I saw—the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with one hundred and forty four thousand purchased (!) out of the earth: a new song. In their mouth no lie.

Third Trilogy: Warnings and Judgments—Earth’s Inhabitants Warned Against the Beast (Rev 14:6–15:1)

1. I saw—
   • First Angel: worship creator: hour of judgment come.
   • Second Angel: Babylon has fallen.
   • Third Angel: warning: mark of beast leads to eternal torment.
   • Voice from heaven: those who die in the Lord are blessed.
2. I saw—
   • Son of Man sitting on cloud: corn-harvest.
   • Another angel: grape-harvest: wrath of God.
3. I saw—
   • Seven Angels: announcement of seven plagues which will complete the wrath of god.

Victory Over the Beast (Rev 15:2–4)

1. I saw—the victors stand by the sea of glass and fire.
2. They sing the new song of Moses and the Lamb.
3. The grounds on which all nations will worship God and acknowledge his unique name and holiness: his righteous acts have been made manifest.

Section V

God’s eventual and swift avenging of his saints, apostles and prophets on Babylon who compromised with the beast in order to gain power and wealth and murdered God’s true people and preachers.

The Pouring out of the Vials in Which God’s Wrath Is Finished (Rev 15:5–16:21)

1. Smoke from the glory and power of God fill the temple: None can enter till the seven plagues are finished.
2. The seven vials:
   • Ugly and painful sores on people who have mark of beast.
   • Sea turned to blood as of dead man: everything in it dies.
   • Rivers and fountains of waters become blood.
   • Sun scorches men with fire.
   • Throne and kingdom of beast darkened.
   • Euphrates dried up. Kings of earth deceived by demons to come to the war of the great day of God Almighty.
   • Great voice out of temple, from throne: it is done. Great earthquake. Great city divided. Cities of the nations fall. Babylon the great remembered and given cup of God’s wrath. Every island and mountain flees. Great hail.

Judgment of Babylon (A) (Rev 17:1–18)

She sits on many waters and on seven mountains:

1. Clothed in purple, scarlet: gold, jewels, pearls.
2. In her hand a golden cup of wine of unclean things.
3. The historical succession of empires: five fallen, one is, one is yet to come and must continue a little while: then the eighth . . . and he goes into perdition, overcome by the Lamb.
4. A mystery: Babylon . . . mother of harlots, drunk with blood of saints and martyrs of Jesus . . . she is herself destroyed by the beast and ten kings: ‘God put into their hearts to do his mind . . . until the words of God should be finished’.

Judgment of Babylon (B) (Rev 18:1–24)

1. The unholy city: ‘I sit as a queen’: In one day her plagues come.
2. In her was found the blood of prophets, saints and of all slain: ‘God has judged your judgment on her’.
3. The city never to rise again: no lamp to shine in her again.

Hallelujahs for God’s Judgment (Rev 19:1–10)

1. By a great voice of a great multitude in heaven: salvation, glory, power are God’s for he has judged the harlot and avenged his servants.
2. By the twenty-four elders.
3. By a voice from the throne.
4. By the voice of a great multitude: God reigns: Rejoice! Give him the glory: the marriage supper of Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready.
5. It was given her that she should clothe herself in fine linen.

Section VI

The coming of Christ in power and great glory to execute the wrath of God; the millennial reign of Christ with a rod of iron; the great white throne and the new heavens and the new earth; and all of this to prepare for the coming of the new Jerusalem, the tabernacle of God and the bride of the Lamb.

The Rider on the White Horse

First Trilogy (Rev 19:11–21)

1. In justice he judges and makes war: a sharp sword out of mouth.
2. Invitation to birds to the great supper.
3. The battle: beast and false prophet into lake of fire: the rest killed with the sharp sword: birds filled with flesh.

Second Trilogy (Rev 20:1–10)

1. Angel with keys of abyss: binds Satan and imprisons in abyss for one thousand years.
2. One thousand years’ reign of resurrected martyrs and those who refused mark of beast.
3. After the one thousand years: final rebellion: Satan into lake of fire.

The New Heaven and Earth

Third Trilogy (Rev 20:11–22:15)

1. • The great white throne: heaven and earth flee: if any not found written, cast into lake of fire (Rev 20:11–15).
2. • New heaven and new earth: new Jerusalem corning down: tabernacle of God with men (Rev 21:1–4).
   • God’s pronouncement: he who overcomes shall inherit: but . . . all liars, their part in lake of fire (Rev 21:5–8).
3. • Angel shows John bride of Lamb: and there shall not enter . . . anyone who makes a lie: and he showed me (Rev 21:9–22:5).
   • Veracity of the prophecy (Rev 22:6–7).
   • Proper reaction to the prophecy (Rev 22:8–9).
   • Direction for publication of the prophecy: outside are dogs . . . and everyone who loves and makes a lie (Rev 22:10–15).

The Three-Fold Testifying of Jesus (Rev 22:16–20)

1. I, Jesus have sent my angel to testify; and the response of the Spirit, bride, hearers and thirsty ones (Rev 22:16–17).
2. I testify unto you . . . warning against altering the words of the book (Rev 22:18–19).
3. He who testifies says: surely I come quickly; and the response: Amen: come Lord Jesus (Rev 22:20).

The Grace of the Lord Jesus be with the Saints (Rev 22:21)

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