
We’ve been learning about chiasms in Scripture. Remember it’s a structure that’s distinctive in Hebrew writing. It is a parallel mirror structure. The most important point is in the center with the subpoints building up to and stepping down from that high point. When you recognize it, the structure gives some insight into what the key point in a passage or section is. That helps us correctly interpret and apply what God’s words says. We started with a chiasm in Proverbs and then we looked at 1 Peter 1:23-25. Last week we did one from Ephesians 2. We’ll finish up with the final chiasm in Scripture, Revelation 22:7-20.
Here’s our passage in full.
7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me,
9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Now that you’ve had some practice, you may already see some parallels. “Coming soon” appears a couple of times. Then there’s the “words of the prophecy of this book”. But before we dig in, consider what is the most significant thing in Christ’s last message to us? The chiasm will show us. Let’s add the indentations.

In the first step, there’s a focus on Jesus’s promise, “I am coming soon.” That’s an encouragement.
The second step highlights John’s testimony and with that the credibility of the words. Which words? The words of the prophecy of this book.
The third has parallel “let”s. Let the evildoer, the filthy, the righteous and the holy matches with let the one who hears, the thirsty and the one who desires.
The fourth step has Jesus making I AM statements.
Then we reach the center of the chiasm. Blessed are those who are inside. Blessed are those who have washed their robes, who have access to the tree of life. If you know Jesus, you are among the blessed. If not, heed the invitations. Don’t be left outside!