Recapitulation In The Book Of Revelation

The Book of Revelation Exam

Recapitulation is a music technique employed by various composers which reiterates a familiar theme with slight embellishments, most commonly found in Sonata-form. A similar concept, of reiterated concepts is also employed by John in the Book of Revelation. While this essay will not discuss music, it will explore the use of recapitulation in the Book of Revelation. Through the use of this literary device, John creates a pattern which accentuates the ________________. There are many theories regarding the entailment of recapitulation in the Book of Revelation spanning form the inclusion of the seals, trumpets and bowls while other theories all include the the presentation of the characters, such as the contrast

The trumpets as discussed above are a recapitulation of the events in the seven seals. The first four trumpets, like the four horsemen of the apocalypse are linked in a group of four. These first four elements of the trumpets are also an allusion to the pages presented in Exodus; hail mixed with fire (Rev 8:7; Ex 9:23-24), water to blood (Rev 8:8-9; Ex 7:20-21) and darkness (Rev 8:12; Ex 10:22). Through John’s use the use of similar imagery of the plagues found in Exodus, he is creating a parallel of persecution between the Israelites (Ex 8:22; 9:26) and the Righteous of God (7:1-3; 14). The series of Judgement is intensified as the cycles of seven progress, which means that although the events are recapitulated they are enhanced and become more violently embellished. On form of such embellishment is the introduction of the three woes presented by an eagle in Rev 9:18. The presentation of the eagle is important as it illustrates the importance of animal is God’s kingdom; an eagle like creature is also par of the four living creature which offer praises to the Seated One (Rev 4:7; 12:14). The fifth and sixth trumpets, which are also the first and second woe, depict heightened terror through the imagery of locust and the abyss. Although the image of a swam of locust is a difficult image for the readers of todays society in North America, locust are one of the most sever plagues. Through the use of the parenthesis between the sixth and seventh trumpet, John associates the trumpets and the