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Lesson 2, The Savior has the Book of Life, Rev. 5:1-7

Chiasmi are structures found in scripture, and second to chiasmi are spirals.

Chiasmi are structures with the following pattern:

a)
b)
c) CENTRAL FOCUS
b)
a)

Reverse chiasmi are structures with “reverses” in the thesis or antithesis. The following chiasmus has a reverse in the antithesis.

a)
b)
c) CENTRAL FOCUS
a)
b)

Spirals are structures with the following pattern. Notice that spirals are chiasmi with missing parts.

a)

c) CENTRAL FOCUS
b)

Reverse spirals are structures with the following pattern:

a)

c) CENTRAL FOCUS
b)

An interesting observation of Verses 5:1 and 5:7. Notice that the Father is the focus of these two verses.
And keep track of the book.

v. 5:1
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

v. 5:7,
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

So here we go….

Notice that reverse spirals have their central focus at the beginning of the verse, and spirals have their central focus at the end of the verse.
“Him that sat upon the throne” is the central focus (c) of Verses 5:1 and 5:7.

v. 5:1 (reverse spiral)
c) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne
a book written within
and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

v. 5:7, (spiral)
And he came
and took the book
c) out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Next, for Verses 5:1 and 5:7
Where is the thesis (a), and where is the antithesis (b)?
Since thesis precedes antithesis in spirals, then antithesis precedes thesis in reverse spirals.

v. 5:1 (reverse spiral)
Center, c) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne
Antithesis, b) a book written within
Thesis a), and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

v. 5:7, (spiral)
Thesis, a) And he came
Antithesis, b) and took the book
Center, c) out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Here we are looking at the spirals and reverse spirals using chiasmus form.
Spirals and reverse spirals are easier to see when stated in chiasmus form.
Here are Verses 5:1 and 5:7 stated in chiasmus form with the missing chiasmus parts highlighted in purple.

v. 5:1
Thesis, a) and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Thesis, b)
Center, c) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne
Antithesis, b) a book written within
Antithesis, a)

v. 5:7,
Thesis, a) And he came
Thesis, b)
Center, c) out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
Antithesis b) and took the book
Antithesis a)

Now the combined reverse spiral (5:7) and spiral (5:1).

Thesis a) a)
Thesis b) b)
Center v. 5:1 c) c) v. 5:7
Antithesis b) (book) b) (book)
Antithesis a) a)

Now with the central verses included:

a) a)
b) b)
v. 5:1 c) vv. 5:2-6 c) v. 5:7
b) (book) b) (book)
a) a)

Following are Verses 5:1-7 in chiasmus form:

1And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

In conclusion,
Verses 5:1-7 reveal that Jesus paid his life to open the Book of Life and read the names written therein. It follows that Jesus paid his life providing salvation for his followers. Therefore, Jesus reading the Book of Life is Jesus providing salvation for his followers.

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