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Biblical Poetry

The study of and understanding of biblical poetry does not in any way question the inspiration of Scripture. It in fact strengthens the foundational teaching of it. Reading an old codex would certainly make one see that a shepherd boy or a fig tree pruner would not be capable of the intricate and fascinating language and word arrangements as well as structured thought presentation without divine intervention and guidance. The mind of the ancient seems much more advanced than today’s great scholars without the variable of divine inspiration to account for what we have in the Revelation and other prophecy and vision writing. At least a third of the Bible is composed of poetry or at least underlying poetic thought. Many sections of prose contain elements of poetic thought and use structured thought forms. Readers should realize that almost all poetry of the Bible is based on Hebrew sentence structure and grouping. This is also true of the New Testament books, especially Revelation. There are two human reasons for this besides the work of the Holy Spirit’s direct intervention:

1. Most of the poetry, in the New Testament is taken directly from the Hebrew Old Testament.

2. Even though the authors of the New Testament wrote in Greek, the majority thought in terms of using Hebraic style, word groupings and mode of thought patterns, because they were Jews themselves, or because they were Gentiles, who were greatly influenced by their constant and careful study of the Old Testament Scriptures.

God spoke to the Hebrew, and in their language He had His words recorded.

Hebraic poetry revolves around the phenomena known as parallelism. This is where each line of poetry stands in some relationship to one, two or three other lines. Twofold, threefold, and fourfold patterns are presented all over the Bible and each has its name.

1. A – A called synonymous meaning that a 2nd line repeats the 1st, but in different words.2. A – B called antithetical, meaning that a 2nd line says the opposite of the 1st. 3. A – B – C called three line constructive are used to build ideas as a 2nd and 3rd line add to

the former line.4. A – B – B – A called chiastic presents the same idea in the 1st and 4th lines, but in

different vocabulary, while lines 2 and 3 parallel each other, also in different words.5. A – B – C – C – B – A also called chiastic and are parallels lines where 1 and 6, 2 and 5,

and 3 and 4 , each parallel one another.6. A – B – C – D stairlike move downward on the page, but upward in memory, as each

line adds a thought to the former. It is surmised that “starlike” is a further developed version of the “constructive.”

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Constructing the various lines in a vertical = synonymous or slanted = antithetical, constructive or either vertical or slanted = starlike as well as vertically varied indentations = chiastic helps indicate meanings. Poetic structure helps convey the full, rich textual meanings of God’s Word.

The Poetic Parallelism in RevelationRevelation has been set entirely in poetic format for you. But to further appreciate the structure and its meanings we need a study of what is called the Kai structure. Kai is the Greek word translated as “and, even, also”. It is also translated in English versions as but, even, both, yet, and indeed. The term Kai and its repeated use serves as the glue, our cement, that binds the structure together in the book of Revelation. It even gives a cadence to the oral reading. Each repeated use of Kai acts as a connective, tying thoughts together into specific units. This

same thing was done in the Hebrew language, in what we called the “waw” = “ ו” consecutive. Each Kai grouping (structure unit) is composed of a certain number of thoughts that convey a common meeting or message. The meaning or message varies according to the number of parts and ideas presented in any given unit.

A kai two-part structure conveys a different common message than does a four-part or seven-part structure. These individual meanings are consistently linked to each specific base number. Based numbers include: (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12) in Revelation. They are identified and defined under the paragraph titled “Symbolic Numbers of Revelation” below. These kai’s also lock in the very words of this writing, so that the text is not be easily changed. This plus the warning by John of not adding to or taking away makes this evil easier to identify. The Kai (and) that introduce a Kai structure unit are lined up on the left margin of individual lines of poetry in this writing.

It is amazing how wonderfully these kais function and create structure throughout the entire book of Revelation. Many kais are lined up on the left-hand margin, and extensively indented giving a visual effect that complements the message. Others are scattered throughout the interior portions of various poetic lines. They connect parallel words, words that are generally governed, either by a verb that controls two nouns connected by an and, or by a main noun that has two verbs connected by an and/kai. A varying number of kais can bind individual units together. In a seven-part structure there can be six kais holding seven ideas together or seven kais holding seven ideas together. The running units of “ands” are called kaimeter. Technically, then, the running “kais/ands” of the kai meter hold the units together. At times, the grouped ideas of Revelation will fall together under the category of the asyndeton, meaning “no ands”. If this is the case, the number to structure relationships is more difficult to detect.

Other books of the New Testament, as well as of the Old Testament employ the use of “ands” as unit connectives, but not to the extent that John does in Revelation. It can be said that Old

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Testament visionary literature, which falls under the same category as Revelation, also uses the

word and or Hebrew waw “ ו” in much the same way as John does.

This Symbolic Number of RevelationThe vision given to John the Apostle recorded in the book of revelation came by way of

symbols, visions, word pictures and numbers. The poetic meter in Revelation revolves around the symbolic meaning of its members. IN SEARCH OF BIBLICAL ORDER by Jack M. Cascione, (Cleveland: Biblion Publishing, 1987), declares that the various lists in Revelation, which have the same number of thoughts repeatedly speak about the same general subject manner. The name given to this poetic phenomenon he gives is “arithmelogue.” This refers to a numerically ordered series of thoughts on the same subject. The correlation of this number – to structure, may be utilized for translation of Revelation.

Two – part structures speak about how God’s word is sent, communicated, confessed, witnessed, testified, described, receive, believed, and obeyed. Together the totality of worship is signaled, and is a frequent two-part subject.

Three – part structures speak about God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Heaven – where God lives – is also described in three-part forms. Response to God, like cursing or praise, and response from God, such as warnings, curses, and blessings are also in three-part entities.

Four-part structures speak about mankind, human activity, Earth, the creation, or created things.

Five – part structures speak about the entire gamut of human emotions or human experiences, including the five senses.

Six – part structures speak about the process and results of creating or characterizing the nature of what is created.

Seven part structure speaks about God’s judgment. Such judgment is double-sided. It ultimately leads unbelievers to destruction and hell or believers to blessings, heaven, and perfection. (The Spirit is seven because He already is holy are perfect.) The seven visions: the seven letters; seven seals, seven trumpets; woman and the Dragon; seven bowls; God’s final triumph; God’s new world.

Ten part structure speaks about completion and comprises a complete list/description or the full scope of a particular subject.

Twelve – part structure speaks about the church, the Lloyds believing people, note the Revelation speaks of twelve stars, gates, Angels, tribes, foundation stones, names, apostles, stones, pearls, kinds of fruit, even twenty-four elders (two sets of twelve).

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Locations of the Seven Churches in Revelation

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Revelation Chapter 11.The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him

to show His servants what it is necessary to happen with speed/soonHe made it known/signified it

having sent through His angel to His slave John,2. who (John) testifies to everything, as much as he saw,

that is, the Word of Godand the testimony of Jesus Christ.

3Blessed is the one readingand blessed are those hearing the words of the prophecy,and keeping the things having been written in it, because the time is near.

To The Seven Churches4. John , to the seven churches, the ones in Asia:

Grace to you all and peace fromthe One being,and the One was, and the One coming

and from the Seven Spirits before His throne,5and from Jesus Christ

the faithful witness, the First Born of the deathsand the Ruler of the kings of the earth.

To the One loving usand having freed us from out of our sins by His blood,

6.and He made us king and priests to the God and Father of Him.To Him be the glory and power into the eaons ! Amen.7You, yourself, behold, He is coming with the clouds,and every eye will see Him,even the ones who pierced through Him;and they, themselves, all the tribes of the earth, will mourn over Him

yes! Amen8“I, I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says

the Lordthe God,”

The One being andThe One Who was, andThe One coming

the Almighty.”

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9I, John, your brother and fellow partakerin the suffering/affiliction

and the kingdomand endurance in Jesus

I, myself happened to be on the Island of the one being named Patmosbecause of the Word of God

and the testimony of Jesus.10I was in the spirit on the imperial/Lord’s Day

and I heard behind me a great voice like a trumpet, 11saying:

“The thing you see you write in a book

and you send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus,and to Smyrna,

and to Pergamum,and to Thyatira,

and to Sardis,and to Philadelphia

and to Laodicea.”12And I turned toward it to see the voice which was speaking with me.

And having turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, 13And in the midst lampstands was Someone like “a Son of Man,”

having been clothed in a robe reaching down to His feetand having been girded about with a golden girdle/belt around His chest/breasts.14and His headand hair like wool, as white as snow,

and His eyes as a flame of fire.15His feet like fine burnished brass as in a furnace being made fiery hot

and His voice like the sound of many waters16and having in His right hand seven stars,

and from out of His mouth a two mouthed sharp sword going outand His face as the sun shines in all its power.

17And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.And He placed His right hand upon me saying to me:

“You, do not be afraid.

I am the First and the Last. 18And the One living;

And I became dead, and you, yourself, behold, living I am into the eaons of the eaons.

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and I have the keys of the death and Hades.19“Write, therefore

the things you have seen,

the things that are and the things that are about to happen after these things.

20The mystery of the seven stars which you saw at my right handand of the seven golden lampstands is this:

the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches,and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Letter to the Church In EphesusRevelation Chapter 2: First Vision: Seven letters

1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus you write:

These things He says, the One who holding fast the seven stars in His right hand

The One walking around in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands:2I know/I have known your works

your laborand your steadfastness.

And that not you being not to tolerate evil onesAnd you tested the ones claiming themselves to be apostles

and they are not,and you found them liars.3 and You have enduranceand bore up on account of My Name

and you have not become weary.4BUT I have against you that:

Your First Love you have departed from it.5 Therefore, you remember why/from where/ how you have fallen!

and repent!and you do the first work

but If notI will come to you

and remove your lamp stand from its place.6But this you have:

That you hate works of the Nicolaitians,The ones I also hate.

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7The one having an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To the one conquering, I will give to him

to eat from out of the Tree of Life,The One Which is in God’s paradise.

Letter to the Church in Smyrna8“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

The One First and the One Last,

He became dead and He lived; He says9I have known/know your tribulation

and your poverty -- BUT you are rich!and the blasphemy from out of the ones saying themselves to be Jews

and they are not,BUT are a synagogue of the Satan.10 Do not be fearing the things you are about to suffer.You, yourself, behold, the devil is about to cast some of you all into prison

So that you all should have been tested,and you all might have suffering of ten days.

Be faithful until death and I will give to you all the crown of life.11The one having an ear,let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The one conqueringcertainly not he might have been hurt from out of the second death.

Letter to the Church In Pergamum12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum you write these things:

He says the One having the sharp, two mouthed/double edged sword13I have known/know where you dwell-- where Satan’s throne is.and you hold fast My Name.and you did not deny faith in MeEven in the days of Antipas,

My witness, the faithful onewho was killed among you all, where Satan lives.

14BUT I have against you a few things:Because you have there those holding fast the teaching of Balaam

who taught Balak to cast a death trap before the sons of Israel to eating idol sacrifices

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and to fornicate.15 So also, you have those holding fast likewise the Nicolaitans’ teaching.16Therefore repent!

But if not, I am coming to you quickly,and will contend against them with the sword of My mouth.

17The one having an ear,let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To the one overcomes,I will give of the manna, of the one having been hidden

also I will give to him a white stoneand upon the stone a new name written having been written

the one no one has known except the one receiving it.Letter To The Church In Thyatira

18And to the angel of the church in Thyatira you write these things:He says the Son of God, the One having the eyes of Him as a flame of fire

and His feet as fine burnished bronze.19I have known/know your works,

And the loveand the faith,

and the serviceand your endurance,

and your last works are more than the first ones20BUT, I have against you that:

you allow the woman Jezebel,the one saying, she calls herself a prophetess.

she teachesshe deceives My slaves to commit fornication

and to eat idol sacrifices 21and I gave her time so that she might repent from out of her fornication.

but she is not willing to repent of her fornication.22You, yourself, behold, I cast her into a sick bed,

and the ones committing adultery with her into great tribulation/afflictionthey will repent from out of the works of her.

23and I will destroy her children with death.and all the churches, they themselves will know that I, I am the One

searching diligently the secret thoughts and hearts,

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and I will give to you all each according to your works.

24. And to you all I say, to the rest the ones in Thyatira,

as many as they have not this teaching and the ones who not they knew the deep things of Satan as they call it

I will not cast upon you all another burden.25Nevertheless the one you all have you all hold fast to until whenever I should have arrived.26and to the once conquering and the one keeping until the end the works of Me

I will give authority over the nations –27As also I, I have received from My Father

And He will shepherd them with an iron rodIt breaks into pieces like pottery vessels

And I will give to him the morning star.29 The one having an ear

let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.Letter To The Church In Sardis

Revelation Chapter 3

1“And to the angel of the church in Sardis you write:

The One having the seven Spirits of the God and the seven stars, He say these things:

I know your works;You have a reputation/ name that you live,

and you are dead.2You become, a wake!

You strengthen the things remaining , the ones they were about to die,for I have not found your workshaving been completed before My God.

3Therefore, remember what you have received and heard;And you keep it

and you repent.Therefore if you should not wake up, I will arrive as a thief,

and you will certainly not have knownat what hour I might come upon you.

4BUT you have a few names in Sardis,

the ones not they defiled their clothes.

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And they will walk around with Me in white

Because they are worthy

5Thus the one conquering he, himself will be clothed in white clothing,

and I will never blot out his name from out of the Book of Life.And I will confess his name before My Father in the presence of His Angels.

6. The one having an earLet him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Letter to The Church in Philadelphia

7“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia you write: He says,

The One Holy, the One True,

The One having the key of David, the one opening and no one will shut

and shutting and no one opens He says these things:8I know your works.

You, yourself behold, I have given before you a door; the one no one is able to close it,Because you have little power,

and you have kept My Wordand did not deny My Name.

9 You, yourself, behold, I should give from out of the synagogue of Satan,the ones claiming themselves to be Jews

and they are not, BUT they lie.You, yourself, behold, I will make so that they will arrive

and they will worship before your feetand should know that I loved you.

10Because you kept the Word of My endurance, (Hebrew idiom = you have kept My Word)

also I will keep you from out of the hour of trial,

the one being about to come upon the whole inhabited worldto put to the test those who live on the earth.

11. I am coming quickly.

You hold fast the One you have,so that no one will take your crown.

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12 The one overcomingI will make a pillar in the temple of My God.

And certainly not would he go out.I write upon him the Name of My Godand the name of the city of My God

the NEW JERUSALEM, the One coming downfrom out of the heaven from My God;

and (I write upon him) My New Name.13The one having an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.Letter To The Church In Laodicea

14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea you write.

the Amen,the Faithful and True Witness,

the Beginning/Source of God’s creation, He says these things:15I know your works,

that you are neither cold nor hot. O that you were cold or hot!

16Thus because you are lukewarm – –neither hot nor cold

I am about to vomit forth you from out of My mouth.17Because You say, ‘I am rich;

I have become wealthy and I have no need.’

And not you have known/know/realize that you arewretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

18I advise you all to buy from Me gold made fiery hot,

so that you might become rich;and (buy) white clothes

so that you, yourselves, might be dressed and not it should be caused to be seen the shame of your nakedness;

and (buy) eye slave to rube in ointment (on) your eyes,so that you might see.

19I, as many as, even I love, I rebuke and chastise.

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Therefore you be zealous

and repent.20You, yourself, behold, I have stood at the door and I am knocking.

If anyone should hear My voice and he should open the door,I will enter to him

and I will dine him,and he with Me.

21 The one conquering I will give to him to sit down with Me on My throne,

as also I, I conqueredand sat down with My Father on His throne.

22The one having an ear,let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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