What are the series in the revelation?

Introduction—Chapter 1 is an introduction to the Revelation and also an introduction to the first series.

Series 1—Chapters 2 and 3. The Letter Series takes us sequentially, by the seven letters, through the seven periods that comprise the Gospel Day.

Introduction to the Seal Series—Chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 4 takes us symbolically into eternity past. It speaks of "one sat on the throne" (verse 2), and then Chapter 5 shows "in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals" (verse 1). Chapter 5 proceeds to speak of John weeping concerning the sealed book (verse 4) and the introduction of the Lamb that prevailed to loose the seals (verses 5-7). It is clear from the repeated mentioning of the "seals" that these chapters are a precursor and introduction to the seal series that properly begins in Chapter 6.

Series 2—Chapter 6 through Chapter 8, verse 2. This is The Opening of the Seven Seals.

Series 3—This series begins formally in Chapter 8, verse 2 (there is a small overlap in Series 2 and Series 3) by introducing "the seven angels," which was not understood until the message of   the seventh seal. However, the sounding of their seven trumpets did not transpire during the seventh-seal period; they merely became understood during this period. Series 3 (The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets) runs from Chapter 8, verse 2, to the end of Chapter 10, but also includes Revelation 11:15-19.

Series 4—The Witness Series runs through Chapter 11, which is a series in itself.

Series 5—The Beast Series begins with Chapter 12. Some have taught that this chapter is a series in itself. I see how they could do that as 12:17 speaks of "the remnant of her seed." However, 12:16 describes how "the earth helped the woman." This is an allusion to the Roman Emperor Constantine. Therefore, 13:1, which describes the papal beast, is a natural chronological sequence to 12:16. Thus, Series 5 is Chapters 12-19. This brings us through the Gospel Day in sequence.

Series 6—The Description and Defeat of Devilish Devices, found in Chapter 20, is a series in itself.

Series 7—The City Series is Chapters 21 and 22. This series begins with a portrayal of the institution of the church in the morning time with the vision of it "coming down from God out of heaven" (verse 2) on the Day of Pentecost. From there, it proceeds through the Gospel Day, but mostly emphasizes the evening-time portion.

Earl R. Borders

From the February 2023 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter