“In rhetoric, chiasmus (Latin term from Greek χίασμα, ‘crossing’, from the Greek χιάζω, chiázō, ‘to shape like the letter Χ’) is the figure of speech in which two or more clauses are related to each other through a reversal of structures in order to make a larger point; that is, the clauses display inverted parallelism.”

“Chiasmus,” Wikipedia, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiasmus>

I first learned about the teaching tool of chiastic structures through Tony Robinson’s Parashat haShavuah series of Bible studies via Restoration of Torah Ministries.

I have been mapping the chiastic structures of Scripture independently since, and have nearly all of Torah, Job, the Psalms, and the New Testament mapped, and many more isolated structures besides throughout the Bible. In fact I believe the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation forms a single great chiastic structure, which I have begun to map. I hope to publish what it has been my delight to uncover concerning the Bible’s amazing chiastic structures in the future.

The traditional interpretation of Revelation understands the vision to be an unfolding historical description or picture of the period of time between the first and second comings of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why, over and over again in the book, John is told that the things which he is seeing must shortly and quickly come to pass.

“This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John.” Rev. 1:1

“I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.” Rev. 3:11

“The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly.” Rev. 11:14

“He said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon. Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’” Rev. 22:6-7

“He said to me, ‘Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.'” Rev. 22:10

“This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John.” Rev. 22:12

“He who testifies these things says, ‘Yes, I come quickly.’ Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus” Rev. 22:20

See also:

• Revelation Seen as an Unfolding Prophecy
• The Meaning of the Word “Shortly”

“Ephesus—famed for the temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the world. For three years Paul labored there. He subsequently ordained Timothy superintending overseer or bishop there: probably his charge was but of a temporary nature. John, towards the close of his life, took it as the center from which he superintended the province.”

Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown’s Commentary, “Revelation chapter 2.”

The LORD opens every letter to the seven churches the same way: “I know your works.”

“Each of the seven epistles in this and the third chapter, commences with, ‘I know thy works.’ Each contains a promise from Christ, ‘To him that overcometh.’ Each ends with, ‘He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.’”

Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown’s Commentary, “Revelation chapter 2.”