Decoding John's Revelation

Edyth Armstrong Hoyt, in her book Studies in the Apocalypse of John of Patmos states that “John is not describing a literal day of judgment.  He is recording the steps of spiritual growth and victory, wherein light and understanding dispel darkness and negative types of thinking.”

 

She also makes clear that she is not interpreting the book but rather translating or decoding it; and she offers a description of the structure as follows:

 

1.0   Introduction/Author’s Preface – Chapter 1

a.      Verses 1 – 3 what the revelation is

b.      Verses 4 – 8 how it blesses

c.      Verses 9 – 20 proofs that John is worthy to give the Revelation.

1.1  Prologue – Chapters 2 and 3 – seven messages to seven churches

2.      Body of the Revelation – seven visions in seven parts each – Chapter 4 – 22:5

2.0   Conclusion/Epilogue – Chapter 22: 6-17 – seven “last” words

2.1  Benediction – Chapter 22: 18 – 20 – three closing statements

 

Note that apocalyptic writers use numbers as a literary device to express completeness; there is no connection to mysticism.  So, we see the numbers one, three, four, seven and twelve and their multiples are used to represent completeness, with twelve being the highest.  Thus, scholars generally, writes Hoyt, assume the following:

·        One is used for One Deity

·        Three for heaven, earth, and sea

·        Four for the four sides of the Tabernacle of Moses

·        Seven for the Sabbath or pause in the moon development every seven days

·        Twelve for the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

How interesting this is.

 

Julie Swannell