Structure of the New Testament, part 1
Study:
Recall the four Gospels.
- inc. Royal Line
birth place!
shepherds!
(kings)
- given royal gifts
NO Birth!
- avoids royal line
shepherds
wise men!
- dedicated as the firstborn
- experiences his first Passover at 12 yrs. old
NO Birth!
the "I AM" (vs. 8:58)
21 parables
Sermon on the Mount
(ch. 5-7)
Eulogy for John
(vss. 11:7-19)
9/8 parables
NO Sermon the Mount
NO Eulogy for John
27/26 parables
Sermon on the Mount
(vss. 6:17-49)
Eulogy for John
(vss. 7:24-35)
(king)
(servant/sacrifice)
(man)
(God)
Recall they parallel the four creatures of Revelation 4.
"...and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle." Revelation 4:6,7
Recall also that 2 Peter 2 & 3 is paralleled by Jude.
Doesn't this look like the outlines of a chiasm?
(Mat., Mar.,
Luk., & Joh.)
2 Pet. 2 & 3
Jude
of Rev. 4:6,7
With this basic outline, notice that it is now possible to start to fill it in.
The Book of Acts, with its pouring fourth of the Holy Spirit beginning on Pentecoste...
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4
Is paralleled by the Holy Spirit, the seven lamps burning, in Revelation 4.
"...and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." Revelation 4:5
But there is more!
Notice that Paul has written epistles to seven and only seven churches!
- Romans (Rome)
- 1 & 2 Corinthians (Corinth)
- Galatians (Galatia)
- Ephesians (Ephesus)
- Phillippians (Phillipi)
- Colossians (Colossi)
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Thessalonica)
Which parallel the seven churches of Asia mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3.
- Ephesus
- Smyrna
- Pergamos
- Thyatira
- Sardis
- Philadelphia
- Laodicea
Interestingly, both the first and last of these churches, Ephesus and Laodicea, is a church to which Paul wrote, for the letter to the Colossians might also be called the letter to the Laodiceans.
"And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." Colossians 4:16
Partial Structure:
(Mat., Mar.,
Luk., & Joh.)
Holy Spirit)
Epistles to
7 Churches
2 Pet. 2 & 3
...
Jude
(Rev. 2 & 3)
Rev. 4:5
of Rev. 4:6,7
But there is more!
Notice John's vision of Christ in Revelation 1.
"I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, ... And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." Revelation 1:10-16
Note that according to the Bible Commentaries of Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown and Matthew Henry, Jesus here appears dressed as our High Priest.
Notice now, these four details of this vision:
- the Lord's Day,
- Jesus our High Priest,
- a two-edged sword, and
- eyes as a flame of fire.
Notice that these same details occur in the Book of Hebrews, in chapters 2-4, if we let Christ define the Lord's Day: "For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day." Matthew 12:8
"Wherefore in all things it behoved him [the Son] to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." Hebrews 2:17
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;" Hebrews 3:1
"For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works." Hebrews 4:4
"There remaineth therefore a rest (Grk. σαββατισμός, sabbatismos) to the people of God." Hebrews 4:9
[Other Bible versions that clarify the Greek translated "rest" in the KJV.]
"there doth remain, then, a sabbatic rest to the people of God," Hebrews 4:9 (Young's Literal Translation)
"So, then, there remains a sabbath rest to the people of God." Hebrews 4:9 (Green's Literal Translation)
"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;" Hebrews 4:9 (NIV)
"So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God;" Hebrews 4:9 (NRSV)
"Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God." Hebrews 4:9 (NABRE)
"So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God," Hebrews 4:9 (ESV)
[Proceeding on...]
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:12-15
So, as can be seen, Hebrews 2-4 and the vision of Jesus Christ in Revelation 1 share several characteristics, namely,
- the Lord's day or the Sabbath,
- our High Priest, Jesus Christ,
- a two-edged sword, and
- eyes as a flame of fire or eyes to which all is opened and made naked.
Partial Structure:
(Mat., Mar.,
Luk., & Joh.)
Holy Spirit)
Epistles to
7 Churches
Our High Priest
(Hebrews 2-4)
2 Pet. 2 & 3
...
Jude
Our High Priest
(Revelation 1)
7 Churches
(Rev. 2 & 3)
Rev. 4:5
of Rev. 4:6,7
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