About The Revelation Scrolls
written by
Kraig J. Rice

How was the bible book of Revelation originally divided by Christ?
I find it fascinating that God allegedly arranged the bible book of Revelation to be studied in accordance with the way He wrote it. How did He write it? He had the Apostle John write it down, under inspiration, in twelve scrolls. That is the way I see it and I believe that is the correct way that God wants us to study it. If one seeks to divide Revelation in some other way, then one may get frustrated. The Apostle John received the command from Him, directly or indirectly, to write it twelve times. It was written over a long period of time but the elderly Apostle John eventually got the job done. John distributed each scroll to others after he finished writing it. What are those twelve Revelation Scrolls?

Revelation Scroll Number One- Introduction Revelation 1:1 - 20	Revelation Scroll Number Two- a letter to the church at Ephesus Revelation 2:1 - 7
Revelation Scroll Number Three- a letter to the church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8 - 11	Revelation Scroll Number Four- a letter to the church at Pergamos Revelation 2:12 - 17
Revelation Scroll Number Five- a letter to the church at Thyatira Revelation 2:18 - 29	Revelation Scroll Number Six- a letter to the church at Sardis Revelation 3:1 - 6
Revelation Scroll Number Seven- a letter to Philadelphia Revelation 3:7 - 13	Revelation Scroll Number Eight- a letter to the church at Laodicea Revelation 3:14 - 22
Revelation Scroll Number Nine- 7 seals, 3 woes, 7 trumpets Revelation 4:1 - 14:12	Revelation Scroll Number Ten- 7 bowls, 7 thunders Revelation 14:13 - 19:8 (write but no thunders)
Revelation Scroll Number Eleven- the Second Coming of Christ Revelation 19:9 - 21:4	Revelation Scroll Number Twelve- eternity Revelation 21:5 - 22:21

The Twelve are One
Just like the twelve separate tribes of Israel comprise one large united nation, the twelve separate scrolls of Revelation, when united, comprise one large bible scroll. Notice that the twelve independent scrolls are meant by God to be one total and complete scroll. Notice in the following verses that the word "prophecy" and the word "scroll" in Greek are each nouns in the singular tense-
He said to me- do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, for the time is at hand...
I testify to every man who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this scroll.
If anyone takes away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, that are written in this scroll
(Revelation 22:10, 18, 19).

Why twelve scrolls?
The number twelve can stand for government. Why? There were twelve tribes that comprised the government of the ancient nation of Israel. Joshua, a type for Jesus, chose twelve men out of the people, to carry twelve stones over the Jordan River with them. Jesus chose twelve apostles who comprised the government of the church- they were the twelve foundations of the Heavenly city, of which He is Himself the Chief cornerstone. God's new capital city of His government, the New Jerusalem, will have twelve foundations and twelve gates. What is the relevance? Since one part of Revelation is prophecy, this number could reveal to us the fact that in the last days Christ will rule the world from Jerusalem with His Overcomers as promised in the Word of God (Revelation 5:10).

God has also commanded others in the past, besides the Apostle John, to write the Word of God-
Yahweh said to Moses- write you these words- for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel
(Exodus 34:27).

Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a scroll, that it may be for the time to come- forever and ever
(Isaiah 30:8).

The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, thus speaks Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying- write all the words that I have spoken to you in a scroll
(Jeremiah 30:1-2)...in the latter days you shall understand it
(Jeremiah 30:24).

If they be ashamed of all that they have done...write it in their sight...
(Ezekiel 43:11).

Yahweh answered me- write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it- for the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and will not prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it- because it will surely come. It will not delay
(Habakkuk 2:2-3).

Yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it- and our princes, our Levites, [and] our priests, seal to it
(Nehemiah 9:38).

...it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed
(Luke 1:3-4).

...therefore my judgment is that we do not trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath...
(Acts 15:19-21).

If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things that I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord
(1 Corinthians 14:37).

More information on how Revelation was written:
In the first century A.D. all letters were written by hand mostly on paper or parchment in scroll form. The bible was written on scrolls and these scrolls were called biblion in Greek but books in English. The word for parchment in Greek is membrana.

It appears that Revelation was originally written on twelve scrolls. Many years ago, these twelve scrolls were divided into twenty two chapter divisions by church theologians. Verses were also added. These were printed in our bible books that we have at the present time. Why did they do that? In our western culture, it was an attempt to make the study of Revelation a little easier. In other words they were a tool to help us but in many ways they only caused confusion. They were not the original book divisions by Christ. In my opinion, the original book divisions were twelve in total, were given by Christ, and the Apostle John mentioned each one as a command for him to write. Why? Well, God has something He wants to impart to each of His Overcomers. It appears that many Revelation scriptures are an index to other scriptures found in the Word of God. By studying the truths of God this way we can grow in the knowledge of who God is and how we can serve Him in integrity and obedience. The primary purpose of these scrolls is to proclaim Who Jesus Christ was and is. One of His titles is Lord of Armies (Hosts). As such, John was ordered by military General, Jesus Christ, to write a letter to each of the seven churches of Revelation. Each letter would be dictated- word for word by Jesus Christ- and was to be distributed to each church as a scroll letter.

I want to repeat this- the chapter and verse divisions used today were not part of the original inspired manuscript of Revelation. They were added by theologians at a much later date. The chapter and verse divisions are not bad as long as we do not let them confuse us on what God the Holy Spirit is imparting to us. Sometimes, the original scrolls and chapter divisions are identical but sometimes they are not.

What was papyrus?
Papyrus was processed and used to write on many years ago. I guess you can say that it was the writing paper of its day. How was it made? Papyrus plants were mostly grown in the Nile delta region in Egypt and were gathered for their stalks and stems. The pith in the middle of the stalks was dried and cut into thin strips and pressed together to form a smooth, thin writing surface- an early form of paper. The ancient Egyptians also used the stems of the papyrus plants to make sails, cloth, mats, and cords. Paper made from papyrus was used by the ancient Egyptians as it was superior to writing on stones or clay tablets. It was also used by the Greeks, and later, by the Romans. As such, it was used not only for the production of books (in roll or scroll form) but also for correspondence and legal documents. Pliny the Elder gave an account of the manufacture of paper from papyrus. He revealed that the fibrous layers within the stem of the plant were removed, and a number of these longitudinal strips were placed side by side and then crossed at right angles with another set of strips placed above. The two layers formed a sheet, which was then moisturized and pressed. The side with the horizontal strips provided a better writing surface than the vertical strips. Generally, this good side alone was used, however, the opposite side could be written on also. While drying, the sap of the plant acted as a kind of a glue and cemented the 2 layers together. The sheet was pressed and finished by drying in the sun. The paper was usually pure white in color and the goal was to make it free of spots, stains, or other defects. A number of these sheets were then attached together with glue to form a long scroll that was rolled up. Usually, there was not more than 20 sheets to a scroll. Papyrus was made in Egypt and shipped to all parts of the Roman Empire in the first century A.D.

Parchment was much superior to Egyptian papyrus. It was invented and manufactured in Pergamum and sold to Rome and elsewhere. This was about the 2nd century B.C. The word for "parchment" in Greek is membrana. Just what was parchment? Parchment was made from the skin of an animal, properly prepared, so it could be written on or used in book binding. By the 3rd century A.D., papyrus was being replaced by less-expensive parchment. Delicate skins of a calf, kid, or lamb were called vellum, a more expensive form of parchment. The use of papyrus for books and documents did exist until about the 12th century in Europe in some areas. The Apostle Paul wrote on parchments- ...bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come- and the scrolls, especially the parchments
(2 Timothy 4:13).

The Apostle John saw a scroll book that was written on both sides (Revelation 5:1). God probably allowed John to see a vision that John could relate to. The scroll book that John saw in the spirit was written on both sides meaning that it was as full as it could possibly be- meaning completeness or the fact that it was complete.

GOSPEL: God's Only Son Provides Eternal Life

John was ordered to give the scrolls to the seven churches. The biblical number, seven, can stand for God's perfection, completion, or totality. It appears that God also lets us know, through the use of this number, that what is revealed in Revelation, is from Him.

We do not change God's message His message changes us

Next Page God's Plan of the Ages Back a Page Revelation Introduction