The structure of the history of
redemption forms a narrative chiasm. This chiasm is further evidence of the
completion of the Biblical canon. Taken from Michael Kruger's Canon
Revisited:
The seven days of
creation are the archetypal foundation for all of Scripture, governing mankind’s
own seven-day workweek, and demonstrating the sense of completeness and
wholeness to God’s creative activity. The number seven is also foundational to
the book of Revelation. Not only is the book itself divided into seven sections,
but there are seven churches, seven angels, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven
bowls, seven plagues, and so on. Thus, in effect, the first and last books of
the canon form an inclusio of sevens, functioning as appropriate bookends
to the overall sevenfold canonical structure—with Revelation as an appropriate
“sabbath.” The connections between Genesis and Revelation, and thus the
existence of this macro inclusio, could be developed even further.
Genesis begins with the creation of the “heavens and earth” (1:1ff.);
Revelation ends with re-creation and the new “heaven and earth” (21:1). Genesis
begins with the theme of paradise in the garden (2:8ff.); Revelation ends with
the paradise of heaven (21:4). Genesis begins with the theme of marriage (2:8);
Revelation ends with the great wedding of the Lamb (21:9). Genesis begins with a
focus on the serpent’s deception (3:1ff.); Revelation ends with the serpent’s
destruction (20:10). Genesis begins with the curse being put upon the world
(3:14ff.); Revelation ends with the curse being lifted (22:3). Genesis begins by
describing the creation of day, night, and the oceans (1:3, 10, 14); Revelation
ends with no more need for day (sun), or night, or oceans (21:1; 22:5). Genesis
begins with the “tree of life” among the people of God (2:9); Revelation ends
with the “tree of life” among the people of God (22:2). Genesis begins with God
dwelling with his people (2:8; 3:8); Revelation ends with God finally dwelling
with his people again (21:3).
The degree to which
Genesis and Revelation provide appropriate canonical bookends is enhanced when
it is recognized that they form the ends of a larger narrative chiasm centered
upon Jerusalem. The narrative of the Old Testament canon clearly moves from the
broad, overall creation in Genesis to a focus on a single city (Jerusalem) and a
single person (the Davidic king) in the book of Chronicles. The New Testament
narrative picks up where the Old left off—focused on the Davidic kingship
returning to Jerusalem—but it does not stay in Jerusalem. Instead it begins to
fan out into Samaria, Judea, and Asia Minor, and ultimately ends with a focus on
all creation, Jews and Gentiles together (Acts 1:8; 8:4–5; Col. 1:23). Indeed,
in the book of Revelation, the global focus is complete as we see people “from
every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Rev. 7:9) joined
together in God’s ultimate re-creation. This macro chiasm shows that the New
Testament canon is the reverse structure of the Old Testament and thereby forms
its proper conclusion.
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