The Apostle John’s
“Spiral Method”
The Revelation of John the Apostle
1.
2.
3.
In examining the 3 writings of the Apostle John (The Gospel of John, The 1st Epistle of John and
Revelation) it becomes clear that he is employing a “spiral method” in writing. Within the Gospel of
John, the apostle presents the same Word (Jesus) in four different contexts that are not chronologically
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
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
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.)
The Gospel of John
1.
Prologue (1:1-18)
2.
The Word speaks: to Israel (Revealed) (1:19-4:54)
3.
The Word speaks: to Israel (Rejected) (5:1-12:50)
4.
The Word speaks: to the Apostles (Received) (13:1-17:26)
5.
The Word speaks: Grace and Truth (Resurrected) (18:1-20:31)
6.
Epilogue (21)
4.
The First Epistle of John (1985 ~ Moody Bible Institute)
Introduction
The Seven Letters to the Seven Churches (2-3)
The Vision of the Seven Seals (4:1-8:5)
a. White Horse (Anti-Christ) (Mark 13:5-6)
b.
Red Horse (Bloodshed & War) (Mark 13:7)
c.
Black Horse (Famine) (Mark 13:8)
d.
Pale Horse (Death)
e.
Souls under Altar (Persecution) (Mark 13:9-f)
f.
Earthquake, Signs in Heaven (Mark 13:24-25)
g.
Interlude (Sealing 144,000) (Mark 13:26-27)
h.
Silence in Heaven
The Vision of the Seven Trumpets (8:6-11:19)
a. Hail and Fire
b.
Fiery Mountain and Sea became Blood
c.
Star Falls
d.
1/3 Sun, Moon, & Stars Struck
e.
Woes and Locusts
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)
h.
End Announced, Judgments and Rewards
3.
4.
5.
a.
Ethical Tests of: Fellowship (1:5-2:11)
b.
(Two Digressions) (2:12-17)
c.
Christological Tests of: Fellowship (2:18-28)
5.
6.
The Christian Life as: Divine Sonship (2:29-4:6)
The Seven Visions (12-15)
The Vision of the Seven Bowls (16)
a. Sores
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
e.
Darkness
The Christian Life as: a mixing of the Ethical and the Christological (4:7-5:12)
a.
The Ethical Test of: Love (4:7-5:5)
f.
Preparation for Armageddon
b.
The Christological Test (5:6-12)
g.
Interlude (Pattern Broken)
h.
Tremendous Earthquake
Conclusion: Great Christian Certainties (5:13-21)
This Teaching Sheet has been edited and formatted by: Matthew R. Richard
Source: The Concordia Study Bible (CPH, 1988), 1602,1926,1945.
www.pastormattrichard.com
7.
8.
9.
The Victory over Antichrist (17-19)
The Victory over Satan (20:1-22:5)
Conclusion (22:6-21)