Parallelism:
Readers commonly assume that the events in the vision represent a chronological order as they are experienced by John, but soon begin to notice striking similarities and repetitions. Furthermore, other events seem contradictory when an effort is made to place them in a sequential order.
As the remarkable scenes of the revelation unfold before the Apostle, he witnesses the opening of seven seals in chapter 6, the sounding of seven trumpets in chapters 8 and 9, followed by the pouring out of the seven bowls (vials) in chapters 15 and 16. These apocalyptic panoramas are separated by what seem to be dramatic pauses that explore in more detail the disasters that are caused by those who rebel against God. These scenes also detail the hope extended to those who cling to His atoning grace in Christ Jesus despite everything life throws at them!
The concept of parallelism maintains that John’s vision doesn’t necessarily relate events in chronological order but repeats the same theme three times, describing it with different illustrations each time, much like looking at different sides of the same building.
Take a look at the similarity between these verses:
Rev 8:8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood…
Rev 16:3-4 3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died. 4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.
These events are separated by seven chapters. Do the waters of earth turn to blood twice? The following sets of verses seem to follow the same pattern – similar events separated by several chapters:
The sun, moon, and stars turn black:
Rev 6:12-13 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.
Rev 8:12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.
A last great battle:
Rev 16:14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty …16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
Rev 19:19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army.
Rev 20:8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.
The little apocalypse: It’s interesting to note that the prophecies given by Jesus in Matthew 24 ( also Mark 24, and Luke 21) known as the Little Apocalypse, closely parallel the events of the seven seals:
| Event | Revelation | Matthew 24 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. War | Rev 6:1-2 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. | Matt 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. |
| 2. International strife | Rev 6:3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword. | Matt 24:7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom… |
| 3. Earthquakes, famine | Rev 6:6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” | Matt 24:7 …There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. |
| 4. Pestilence | Rev 6:8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. | Matt 24:22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. |
| 5. False teachers and prophets | Rev 2:2 … you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. | Matt 24:11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. |
| 6. Son of Man coming in the clouds | Rev 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. | Matt 24:30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. |
At first reading the Revelation can seem confusing and even contradictory in some places. But on closer investigation readers begin to see the marvelous continuity of Christ’s message to his Church. God warns the Church three times of the consequences of sin, and three times reminds the saints of His compassion and the rewards that await the faithful. The pattern that emerges is:
First warning in the form of seven seals, each unleashing disasters upon the earth (Chapter 6).
Pause to remind the saints of God’s promise of redemption and salvation using the symbol of “144,000,” being sealed to God (Chapter 7).
Second warning, this time using the images of seven trumpets, being sounded as the consequences of sin ravage the world (Chapter 8 and Chapter 9).
Pause, again encouraging believers and demonstrating the move of God’s Spirit throughout history in preparation for the coming of Christ and the plan of redemption.
Third warning, chapters 15-16, again describe the consequences of sin using the picture of seven bowls pouring out disasters on the earth.
Pause, this time, in chapter 17, illustrating the struggle of the first century church against Judaism and the Roman empire, the “Great prostitute,” and the “beast” (and by extension, the Church in all ages, against evil on all fronts). Chapter 18 once again promises the ultimate destruction of Satan and evil. Chapters 19 through 21, paint the glorious picture of Christ’s final victory and the eternal state of those who love and serve God.
