Reading the Revelation book, we notice, that it narrates about various events and, thus, is divided into parts. So, it is possible to allocate a theme about Church, about the Book with 7th seals, about a scarlet colored beast, about war in heaven, about great tribulation and many of others. For us, therefore, it is special interest, - where comes to an end one theme and where the beginning another. At first sight it seems, that it is not a complicated question, besides - for a long time already solved. After all breakdown of the book of Revelation into chapters is made for a long time already. Nevertheless, existing breakdown into chapters does not suit many researchers. For an example we take 12th chapter of the book of Revelation. In Synod translation of this chapter 17 verses are. In the new, recently fulfilled translation are already 18 verses. As 18th verse became the first half of first verse of 13th chapter which, as it has appeared, concerns 12th chapter. It is only one of examples of inexact breakdown of the text of the book of Revelation into chapters. As a whole, after detailed research of texts of the book of Revelation, it was necessary to refuse existing breakdown into the chapters, made once by one of cardinals of the Pope. Making breakdown, he was guided by own reasons. Thereby in matter partition into chapters the human element has been introduced (that is undesirable). Therefore the author of the given book had a question: whether breakdown into chapters is built into the text of the book of Revelation? Careful research of texts of the book of Revelation has confirmed the specified feature, namely: one theme of Revelation is separated from another in a special way. Necessity for human breakdown thus disappears as division into chapters is built already in the text (true, in the form invisible to an extraneous eye) and is provided by the wisdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ. The matter is that texts of the book of Revelation (as well as in general of Bible) have rather strict logic interrelation. At such interrelation, meaning has not only the separate verse, but also a separate word, matters also an order of sequence of words. Without exaggeration, we will notice, that the divine plan which has been put in the text of the book of Revelation, usually surpasses any human wisdom. The one who has not got used to such strict order, is unable comprehend at least a part of this wisdom of God. The author of the given book had to observe too often those ignorant receptions with which help some tried to get into secrets of the book of Revelation. And result of these attempts was that John's Revelation remains not opened, up to our days.
Surprising feature of many interpreters is that they dwell on the person of Jesus Christ a little. Few (and even at all is not present) references to his words. There are no also references to the Gospel. Meanwhile, the Jesus words which are available in the Gospel, throw light on many pages of the book of Revelation. Namely his words, the VOICE OF THE LORD draws our attention, as well as he has told: «My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me», John.10:27. We will leave also another's voices and we will follow a voice of the Lord, and his voice sounds on pages of the book of Revelation many times. Besides it sounds in the beginning of each important event. Careful studying of texts of the book of Revelation leads us to a conclusion what exactly the VOICE OF THE LORD SEPARATES ONE THEME FROM ANOTHER. Here the list of places of the book of Revelation where the voice Divine (Table 2) sounds:
1:1 - 7 8) 10:8 - 11 16) 18:4 - 19:4
1:8 – 1:11(beginning of the prophesy). 9) 11:1 - 11 17) 19:5 - 10
Thus, natural breakdown into the chapters, provided by the Lord is received. Thus the first of the specified fragments is Introduction, and last - the Conclusion. Between them are concluded 21 chapters of the prophecy separated from each other by a voice of God. Inattentive reading of the book of Revelation by superficial researchers has led to that there was completely hidden for many one more rather remarkable fact, namely, that the Revelation book is not only the book of images, but also the book of prophetical voices.
And after all in each verse of Revelation of John someone's voice sounds. Not surprisingly therefore, that among other voices, these researchers have missed also Jesus Christ voice, a voice of God. We had been made the full Table with the list of all verses of the book of Revelation in which it is specified, - whom belongs a voice in this or that verse, Table 3
VOICES OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
7) 10:5 - 7 15) 16:17 - 18:3 1:1 - 7 speech of Apostle John (introduction)
13:11-14:1 John. 14:2 (a voice of 144 thousand). 14:3-6 John. 14:7 another Angel. 14:8 the second Angel. 14:9,10 the third Angel. 14:11,12 John. 14:13 the Lord.
1:8 the Lord speaks. 1:9 - 1:10 John's speech. 1:11 speech of the Lord.
14:14 John. 14:15 another Angel. 14:16, 17 John. 14:18 another Angel. 14:19-15:2 John. 15:3,4 those who won over image of the beast. 15:5 - 8 John.
1:12 – 16 John's speech. 1:17 - 20 the Lord says
16:1 the Lord. 16:2 - 4 John. 16:5, 6 the Angel of the waters. 16:7 souls of killed, from the altar.
2:1 - 4:1 the Lord speaks
16:8 - 14 John. 16:15 the Lord.
4:2 – 10 John's speech. 4:11 speech of 24 elders. 5:1 John's speech. 5:2 Angel the strong. 5:3,4 John. 5:5 one of 24 elders. 5:6 - 8 John. 5:9, 10 (4 beasts and 24 elders). 5:11 John. 5:12 (4 beasts, 24 elders and many Angels). 5:13 any creation in heaven, on the earth and under the earth. 5:14 (4beasts) 6:1 one of 4 beasts. 6:2 John. 6:3 the second of 4 beasts. 6:4 John. 6:5 the third beast. 6:6 a voice of the Lord in the middle of 4 beasts.
16:16 Apostle John.
6:7 the fourth beast. 6:8,9 John. 6:10 souls died for the word of God. 6:11 - 15 John. 6:16, 17 the kings of the earth, slaves and free. 7:1, 2 John. 7:3, 4 Angel with the seal of the God. 7:5 - 9 John. 7:10 set of people of all nations. 7:11 John. 7:12 all holy Angels. 7:13 - 17 one of 24 elders. 8:1 - 12 John. 8:13 one eagle. 9:1 - 3 John. 9:4 John transfers speech of Angel with the seal (see Rev.7:3). 9:5 - 12 John.
16:17 the Lord. 16:18 John. 16:19 - 21 John. 17:1,2 one of Archangels. 17:3 - 6 John. 17:7-18 the Archangel showing visions of the book of Revelation to Apostle John. 18:1 John. 18:2, 3 another Angel.
9:13, 14 a voice of the Lord from the altar. 9:15 - 10:2 John. 10:3 of mighty Angel and 7 thunders. 10:4 a voice from heaven.
18:4 - 7 Lord. 18:7 a voice of the Babylon loose woman (unfaithful church). 18:8,9,11 - 15,20,22-24 Archangel of Revelation. 18:10 kings of the earth. 18:16,17 merchants. 18:18,19 sailors and living by sea craft. 18:21 one of 7 Angels. 19:1-3 men, saved from all people. 19:4 (24 elders and 4 beasts).
10:5 - 7 John.
19:5 the Lord. 19:6, 7 the saved people. 19:8 the Archangel of Revelation. 19:9 words of God.
10:8 a voice from heaven. 10:9, 10 John. 10:11 the Lord.
19:10 the Archangel of Revelation. 19:11 - 16 John. 19:17, 18 under the pretext of «Angel, standing in the sun», understood the Lord. 19:19 - 21:2 John.
11:1 - 11:3 the Lord. 11:4 - 11:11 John.
21:3-7 the Lord. 21:8 John. 21:9, 22:6 the Archangel of Revelation. 21:10 - 22:5 John.
11:12 the Lord. 11:13, 14 John. 11:15 (7 thunders). 11:16 John. 11:17,18 (24 elders). 11:19 - 12:9 John. 12:10 - 12 seventh Angel. 12:13 - 13:3 John. 13:4 the population of the Earth. 13:5 - 8 John. 13:9,10 Holy Ghost.
22:7 the Lord. 22:8 John. 22:9 - 11 Archangel showing Revelation. 22:12, 13 the Lord.
11:12 the Lord. 11:13, 14 John. 11:15 (7 thunders). 11:16 John. 11:17,18 (24 elders). 11:19 - 12:9 John. 12:10 - 12 seventh Angel. 12:13 - 13:3 John. 13:4 people of all Earth. 13:5-8 John. 13:9 Holy Ghost
22:14, 15 the Lord (in transfer of the Revelation Angel). 22:16 Lord Jesus. 22:17 Spirit and the bride say. 22:18 – 20 Jesus voice (compare with Rev.22:20). 22:21 John.
Necessary explanatories to Table 3:
The first of the allocated chapters or parts (Rev.1:1 - 7) begins with the first verse of the book of Revelation as the book of Revelation begins with this verse. The chapter proceeds to the seventh verse as, first, other theme begins with 8th verse already. Secondly, this 8th verse is marked in a special way, in it is mentioned initial and final letters of the Greek alphabet, told about the beginning and the end. Certainly, in spiritual sense these two words specify in Jesus, that he has begun existence of this world, and himself is the beginning («in the beginning was the Word»). Once he will put also the end of existence of this world. However 8th verse (in common with verse Rev.22:13) carry out also purely technical function: these two verses specify the BEGINNING and the END of a prophetical part of the book of Revelation. In the first allocated chapter it is told about the One who is the Revelation source, by whom it is sent also to whom, and also an opening address of Apostle John. As a whole the given fragment is Introduction and prophecies on the future does not contain. The second of the allocated chapters begins since 8th verse as actually prophetical part of the book of Revelation begins with this verse. The third allocated fragment speaks about vision of the Son of man, which rules to John to write the things which he has seen (and which are) and the things which will be hereafter. With this expression the Lord specifies in TWO various times in world history of Church. For understanding of these times let’s address to verse Rev.4:1. Before this verse, in three previous chapters it was a question of Church. The moment when the Lord has finished speech about Church, is noted in Rev.4:1. Here we read: «After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven». For what there was opened this door? That it was possible to ascend in the heaven. We read, that the voice of the Lord is hears: « Come up hither ». The Holy Spirit shows with it, that the Church finishes the stay on the Earth. It comes to an end with that the door in heaven will open and the Church will be caught up. It is that door which the Lord mentions in the parable about 10 virgins: « they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the DOOR was shut », Mat.25:10. The Lord mentions this door and in Luke.13:25. Certainly, verse Rev.4:1 concerns and Apostle John.« Come up hither, it is told to him, and I will show you things which must be hereafter ». After which things? - a reader will ask. After catching up of Church, says the answer, (i.e. after it will enter into the door, opened by the Lord). Namely after Catching up begins the period about which it is told: « HEREAFTER ». And what mean words of the Lord « the things which you have seen »? (see Rev.1:19). I.e. these words testify to what period? At that time John saw the Lord in the midst of seven candlesticks, Rev.1:12 - 1:17. As seven candlesticks are seven churches (see Rev.1:20) then John saw the Lord going in the midst of seven churches, Rev.3:1. The Lord is among churches under the true promise: «lo, I am with you always », Mat.28:20. Such is a picture was in days of John. Even before his exile to island Patmos seven churches existed and lived the life. But the Lord adds: « and the things which are », that is same the picture remained and in days when John received Revelation and, moreover, remains such until the Coming, as well as is told: « lo, I am with you always, even the end of the world ». So, two periods:
1. Church on the earth from Jesus Resurrection and till Catching up (this is present).
2. Church (and the world) after Catching up (this is future).