(Excerpt from book) The book of Revelation is easily divided into four great visions. These four great visions have numerous smaller visions sub-headed under the four great visions. Each of the four great visions is designated by John’s being in the Spirit. For example, as we will shortly examine, the first great vision of Christ given in chapter 1 is of Jesus Christ in the midst of the seven candlesticks. He is clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire, feet like unto fine brass, voice as the sound of many waters, etc. This Revelation vision of Jesus Christ dominates chapters 1, 2, and 3. John used aspects of this description when speaking to the seven churches. This great vision will include seven letters written to seven angels at seven churches. The great vision is the Son of man with the sub or inner visions being the seven letters.
Each of the four great visions will begin with John entering the spirit. Each great vision will give a different feature of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Each of the four great visions is separate and initiated by John’s statement: in the Spirit. John leaves the natural and enters the Spirit to receive the great visions. Each great vision paints a different picture of the Christ. This gives us the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Following are the locations of John’s leaving the natural and entering the great visions (Rev 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10).
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…
Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit…
Revelation 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit…
Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit…
These four times are the only times the term in the spirit is used. A particular revelation is attached with each use. The second great vision shows Christ as the Lamb slain. We are given a picture of a Lamb with seven eyes and seven horns in the midst of the throne. The third great vision is the King of kings riding on the white horse. Again we have a picture of him from head to toe. The fourth great vision is Christ revealed through his wife the church descending out of heaven. These visions divide the Book of Revelation and begin our understanding of this boundless book.
