Revelation is apocalyptic-a genre defined by images, symbols, and references to the Old Testament and John’s ancient world. It should be seen as one set of events repeated seven times, each with increasing intensity.
Revelation isn’t meant to be read merely as a chronology of fantastic events.
How do they hold together? When do they occur? How far does each one extend? Recapitulation helps us answer these questions. But questions arise about the sequence and scope of the successive sevens. It’s widely agreed that Revelation is structured by the repetition of sevens-seven churches, trumpets, bowls, and so on. But if we read this book through the lens of recapitulation, it becomes easier to understand. Yes, there are dragons, angels, antichrists, and (seemingly) multiple returns of Christ. Revelation is notoriously confusing, but it doesn’t have to be.
One biblical book that employs recapitulation with stunning effect is Revelation. Recapitulation is the act or instance of summarizing and restating a narrative to give a different emphasis or perspective. In his classes at Reformed Theological Seminary, Michael Kruger uses this helpful metaphor to explain a biblical literary device called recapitulation. Our understanding of this one event grows in intensity and meaning as it’s shown from multiple angles. Angle two from behind the goalposts: he scores the touchdown and spikes the ball.Īngle three from the blimp: he scores a touchdown, spikes the ball, and the crowd rushes the field and fills the stadium.
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