Revelations was one of the first books of the Bible that I studied intensively for an entire summer. However it wasn't until a few years ago that I came to understand that it was given to John in a unique way. Most of us understand that books are usually written in chronological order, as in history or a biography, or they are written in a an analytical fashion such as a manual of instructions or policies. The book of Revelation was not given to us like that. It is a book of visions or revelation that John received from angels. Now here is the kicker.
Not necessarily a sequential order
The visions which John received were given to him one after another; however they are not necessarily in chronological order. Have you ever watched the drawing for the lottery? They draw numbers out at random. There's the first number drawn, then the second number drawn, then the third number drawn and so on. But the first number drawn is not the first number in the sequence. The first number drawn might be 24. The second number drawn might be a 9. They display them in the order that they are drawn, but then when they tell you the numbers they put them in numerical order. This is much the same way that John received the visions. The visions were given to him one after another but not necessarily in a chronological or sequential order.
Layers upon layers
When painting a picture you paint the background first, then the foreground showing more detail. Most operation manuals (such as your work) will start by giving you a broad understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of various departments. Then the further you read more details are revealed as to exactly how this all works and fits together and some details are left out because it is above your pay grade and is on a need to know basis and you don't need to know. The same is true in building a house: first there is excavation, grading, and the installing of underground utilities; then a foundation is poured, Others do framing, some plumbing, some electrical, roofing, drywall, cabinets, texture, painting, brick, landscaping. Each person does their part and does not usually know how to do the others job. All this is coordinated by a contractor who is following a blueprint designed by an architect.
This is much how John received these visions. One angel comes along and shows him something. Then another angel shows him something. He writes these visions down as they are given to him, he does not place them in a sequential order. One angel gives a background, another angel comes along and gives some detail. Then another comes along and gives more (maybe a broader picture and some detail.) The book of Revelations is more like a painting or a construction. A lot of stuff scattered around all of which is necessary for the completing of the finished product.
An example in Genesis
In the book of Genesis we see the same thing and I believe God did it that way that we might understand and receive what he is telling us. That is, he purposely gave us an example in Genesis to understanding the book of Revelation. The first instance of this is in the creation of man and woman. In Genesis chapter one God gives us an overview of the creation then in Genesis chapter two he gives us the details. It is not another creation, he is retelling the creation again in a different way. The second instance of this is when God talks with Noah concerning the ark and the flood. In Genesis chapter six God tells Noah what he is going to do and what he wants Noah to do. Then in chapters seven, eight and nine God reveals more details about those events.
Some basic background and understanding of the Bible is very helpful in understanding Revelation. God wants you to understand the book of Revelation otherwise why would he give it to you, for God says...
"These words are faithful and true,and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place." (Revelation 22:6
Not necessarily a sequential order
The visions which John received were given to him one after another; however they are not necessarily in chronological order. Have you ever watched the drawing for the lottery? They draw numbers out at random. There's the first number drawn, then the second number drawn, then the third number drawn and so on. But the first number drawn is not the first number in the sequence. The first number drawn might be 24. The second number drawn might be a 9. They display them in the order that they are drawn, but then when they tell you the numbers they put them in numerical order. This is much the same way that John received the visions. The visions were given to him one after another but not necessarily in a chronological or sequential order.
Layers upon layers
When painting a picture you paint the background first, then the foreground showing more detail. Most operation manuals (such as your work) will start by giving you a broad understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of various departments. Then the further you read more details are revealed as to exactly how this all works and fits together and some details are left out because it is above your pay grade and is on a need to know basis and you don't need to know. The same is true in building a house: first there is excavation, grading, and the installing of underground utilities; then a foundation is poured, Others do framing, some plumbing, some electrical, roofing, drywall, cabinets, texture, painting, brick, landscaping. Each person does their part and does not usually know how to do the others job. All this is coordinated by a contractor who is following a blueprint designed by an architect.
This is much how John received these visions. One angel comes along and shows him something. Then another angel shows him something. He writes these visions down as they are given to him, he does not place them in a sequential order. One angel gives a background, another angel comes along and gives some detail. Then another comes along and gives more (maybe a broader picture and some detail.) The book of Revelations is more like a painting or a construction. A lot of stuff scattered around all of which is necessary for the completing of the finished product.
An example in Genesis
In the book of Genesis we see the same thing and I believe God did it that way that we might understand and receive what he is telling us. That is, he purposely gave us an example in Genesis to understanding the book of Revelation. The first instance of this is in the creation of man and woman. In Genesis chapter one God gives us an overview of the creation then in Genesis chapter two he gives us the details. It is not another creation, he is retelling the creation again in a different way. The second instance of this is when God talks with Noah concerning the ark and the flood. In Genesis chapter six God tells Noah what he is going to do and what he wants Noah to do. Then in chapters seven, eight and nine God reveals more details about those events.
Some basic background and understanding of the Bible is very helpful in understanding Revelation. God wants you to understand the book of Revelation otherwise why would he give it to you, for God says...
"These words are faithful and true,and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place." (Revelation 22:6