The Revelation of the Apostle The Apostle John’s 1. Introduction 2. The Seven Letters to the Seven Churches (2-3) “Spiral Method” 3. The Vision of the Seven Seals (4:1-8:5) a. White Horse (Anti-Christ) (Mark 13:5-6)

st In examining the 3 writings of the Apostle John (The of John, The 1 of John and b. Red Horse (Bloodshed & War) (Mark 13:7) Revelation) it becomes clear that he is employing a “spiral method” in writing. Within the , the apostle presents the same Word () in four different contexts that are not chronologically c. Black Horse (Famine) (Mark 13:8) bound. In 1 John, the Apostle attacks the teaching of Gnosticism from three different angles yet retains his format of “Ethical and Christological Tests.” Furthermore, in Revelation John records his major d. Pale Horse (Death) visions in a way that they describe a different aspect of the same time period… namely the New

Testament Era. In applying the “spiral method” to Revelation, John’s visions are not to be explained as e. Souls under Altar (Persecution) (Mark 13:9-f) if they were successive to each other chronologically. In other words… he describes the same NT Era from different angles, views, and/or perspectives. (Take special note of the similar pattern between the Seals, Trumpets and Bowls. Also take special note of the harmony between the seals and Mark 13.) f. Earthquake, Signs in Heaven (Mark 13:24-25)

The Gospel of John g. Interlude (Sealing 144,000) (Mark 13:26-27)

1. Prologue (1:1-18) h. Silence in Heaven

2. The Word speaks: to Israel (Revealed) (1:19-4:54) 4. The Vision of the Seven Trumpets (8:6-11:19)

a. Hail and Fire 3. The Word speaks: to Israel (Rejected) (5:1-12:50)

b. Fiery Mountain and Sea became Blood 4. The Word speaks: to the Apostles (Received) (13:1-17:26)

c. Star Falls 5. The Word speaks: Grace and Truth (Resurrected) (18:1-20:31)

d. 1/3 Sun, Moon, & Stars Struck 6. Epilogue (21)

e. Woes and Locusts The (1985 ~ Moody Institute) 1. Introduction (1:1-4) f. Release of the Four Angels

2. The Christian Life as: Fellowship with the Father & Son (1:5-2:28) g. Interlude (Eating Scrolls & 2 Witnesses)

a. Ethical Tests of: Fellowship (1:5-2:11) h. End Announced, Judgments and Rewards

b. (Two Digressions) (2:12-17) 5. The Seven Visions (12-15) 6. The Vision of the Seven Bowls (16) c. Christological Tests of: Fellowship (2:18-28) a. Sores

3. The Christian Life as: Divine Sonship (2:29-4:6) b. Sea to Blood

a. Ethical Tests of: Sonship (2:29-3:24) c. Rivers to blood

b. Christological Tests of: Sonship (4:1-6) d. Sun Scorches People with Fire

4. The Christian Life as: a mixing of the Ethical and the Christological (4:7-5:12) e. Darkness

a. The Ethical Test of: (4:7-5:5) f. Preparation for Armageddon

b. The Christological Test (5:6-12) g. Interlude (Pattern Broken)

5. Conclusion: Great Christian Certainties (5:13-21) h. Tremendous Earthquake

This Teaching Sheet has been edited and formatted by: Matthew R. Richard 7. The over (17-19) Source: The Concordia Study Bible (CPH, 1988), 1602,1926,1945. 8. The Victory over Satan (20:1-22:5) www.pastormattrichard.com 9. Conclusion (22:6-21)