Three Ways to Structure the Revelation of Jesus Christ

John was to write down what he sees but the book contains letters written to the saints in seven cities (ekklesias) in chapters two and three and opens with a grand vision of the present position and power of Jesus Christ. Therefore, one could see the book structured in the following way.

Threefold Structure Based on 1:19   “Write therefore the things which thou saw, and the things which are, and the       I. What You Have Seen (1:1–20)           things which shall come to pass hereafter.”
II. What Is Now (2:1–3:21)
III. What Will Take Place Later (4:1–22:21)

Others see a chiastic structure that is common among writers.

Chiastic Structure
A Prologue and Greeting (1:1–8)
B Seven Cities of the Called-out (1:4–4:2)
C Seven Seals (3:21–8:5)
D Seven Trumpets–Angels–Two Witnesses (8:2–11:19)
E Woman, Dragon, and Male Child (12:1–17)
D Two Beasts–Angels–Seven Bowls (13:1–16:21)
C ‘ Destruction of Babylon (16:18–19:10)
B’ New Jerusalem, the Bride (19:6–22:9)
A’ Closing and Epilogue (22:6–21)

Sevenfold Drama Structure
Prologue (1:1–8)
Act 1 The Seven Golden Lamp Stands (1:9–3:22)
Act 2 The Seven Seals (4:1–8:4)
Act 3 The Seven Trumpets (8:5–11:18)
Act 4 The Seven Visions (11:19–15:4)
Act 5 The Seven Bowls of Wrath (15:5–16:21)
Act 6 The Seven Judgments (17:1–20:3)
Act 7 The Seven Great Promises (20:4–22:5)