Revelation: Introduction 3 – Theology, Structure, and Eschatology

Summary

This article introduces the theological and structural elements of Revelation 3. It presents key theological themes such as Soteriology, Angelology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. Additionally, various structural possibilities and eschatological theories, including Postmillennialism, Amillennialism, and Premillennialism, are explored, alongside a brief overview of symbolism in the book.

Theology

Soteriology

The Lamb of God paid the price with His precious blood to save lost and sinful humanity. Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ ensure full salvation, which will be realized when the Lord returns (Revelation 1:5-7; 5:9; 7:10-14; 12:10; 19:1; 22:17).

Angelology

Revelation emphasizes that angels carry out God’s will, ensuring that His kingdom of justice is established (Revelation 4-5; 15-16; 19; 8-11). Satan and his angels, despite their deceptions, will ultimately serve to reveal God’s justice and will be cast into eternal fire.

Ecclesiology

The Church is addressed in the first three chapters of Revelation, after which the term disappears (from chapter 4 onward), implying that the Church, the Body of Christ, will be taken up to witness the divine judgments from heaven (Revelation 7:13-17).

Eschatology

The prophetic program culminates with Christ’s return to judge the nations and establish His millennial kingdom. Following the final judgment, a new heaven and earth will emerge, where sorrow and tears no longer exist, and all saints will enjoy eternal salvation in the presence of the Lamb of God.

Structure

Due to the complexity and variety of topics in Revelation, several structural frameworks can be considered:

Repeated Phrases Structure

The book can be divided into four parts based on the phrase “in the Spirit”:

• Patmos (Revelation 1:10)
• Heaven (Revelation 4:2)
• The Desert (Revelation 17:3)
• A Mountain (Revelation 21:10)

This structure contrasts the earth and desert, which bring suffering and corruption, with heaven and the mountain, symbolizing deliverance and purity.

Christological Structure

1. Prologue: Christ communicating (Revelation 1:1-8)
2. Vision 1: Christ in the Church (Revelation 1:9-3:33)
3. Vision 2: Christ in the Cosmos (Revelation 4:1-16:21)
4. Vision 3: Christ in Triumph (Revelation 17:1-21:8)
5. Vision 4: Christ in Final Fulfillment (Revelation 21:9-22:5)
6. Epilogue: Christ warning (Revelation 22:6-22:21)

Numerical Structure

Revelation emphasizes the number 7 as representing God’s complete plan:

• 7 Churches (Revelation 2-3)
• 7 Seals (Revelation 6-7)
• 7 Trumpets (Revelation 8-11)
• 7 Characters (Revelation 12-14)
• 7 Bowls (Revelation 15-16)
• 7 New Things (Revelation 21-22)

Chronological Structure

This structure follows a logical sequence of prophetic events leading to Christ’s return, the millennial kingdom, and a new heaven and earth. Most evangelical scholars divide Revelation into:

1. The things seen (Revelation 1)
2. The things that are (Revelation 2-3)
3. The things that will come (Revelation 4-22)

Eschatology: Theories and Interpretations

Postmillennialism

Postmillennialists believe that the millennium is a golden age of spiritual prosperity during the current Church Age. After this period, Christ will return. The gospel will gradually transform nations and bring them under Christ’s rule.

Amillennialism

This thesis rejects the establishment of a literal earthly kingdom of Christ. Instead, it spiritualizes everything related to eschatology. It involves spiritual blessings in the Christian experience, with the kingdom being spiritual. Everything becomes a present reality rather than a future one. The 1,000 years are figurative, and this kingdom exists between Christ’s coming in the flesh and His coming in glory. Prophecies find their fulfillment in the Church or the “new earth.” Amillennialism is more descriptive than predictive, with no chronological sequence. However, Christ’s return is literal and marks the introduction of the eternal state. Apostasy will precede the return of the Lord.

Amillennialism differs from postmillennialism in its pessimistic view regarding apostasy before Christ’s coming. The first resurrection is interpreted figuratively. W.J. Grier believes that it refers to the dead in Christ who enjoy bliss (p.124). Amillennialism teaches the imminence of Christ’s return to some degree, while postmillennialism expects His return after the spread of Christianity. Moreover, the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked occurs simultaneously at Christ’s return.

Premillennialism

The passage in Revelation 20 is seen as the culmination of a chronological sequence of events from chapters 6 to 19. This thesis interprets the return of Christ to earth literally, to establish His kingdom of justice and peace. This kingdom is the one the Old Testament prophets spoke of, foreseeing the blessing of Israel as the first nation and the blessing of all nations. It will last for 1,000 years.

Premillennialism is the oldest school of thought, dating back to the early Church. The Church was chiliasm in the first three centuries. Premillennialism is even found in writings predating Revelation, such as certain Jewish apocalyptic books like “Baruch” or “4 Ezra.” They speak of a period of worldwide tribulation, the appearance of the Messiah, a purified Jerusalem, a gathered Israel, and the absence of war. These apocryphal writers were deeply influenced by the teachings of Old Testament prophets, who hoped for the Day of the Lord and the coming of the Messiah to reign in justice.

The entire Bible teaches this truth. The Lord and the apostles only confirmed the Old Testament prophecies (Daniel; Zechariah; Matthew 24; Acts 3:19-21; Romans 9-11; 1 and 2 Thessalonians). Thus, premillennialism is the literal interpretation of biblical prophecies.

Conclusion

Postmillennialism cannot reasonably explain Revelation. Neither the historicist nor the idealist school has reconciled their views with this thesis. Revelation teaches the triumph of Christ as a brief but intense crisis leading to the Lord’s victory upon His physical return to earth. Therefore, His triumph is not a long process of Christianization.

Amillennialism emphasizes an allegorical interpretation. However, the resurrection at the end of chapter 20, along with the judgment and the eternal kingdom, is understood literally.

Premillennial eschatology fits best with the structure of Revelation. It does justice to the prophetic book and the Bible’s canon. Despite differences among premillennialists, this system presents the fewest difficulties concerning the many problems in biblical eschatology.

Another question is whether Revelation applies to the interpretation of a historical process of the Church age or a brief period preceding Christ’s return. The first solution seems unsatisfactory because past events do not clearly correspond to passages in Revelation 4–19. Only the futuristic exegesis, within the premillennialist framework, aligns with the entirety of biblical prophecies progressively revealed and culminating in Revelation.

-sermon series by Pastor Michel Bohrer