Chiasm

REVELATION Number 32
Chiasm

In this study, and in my writing generally, when the word “church” is capitalized “Church” I am referring to the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ, as a whole. Exceptions are made when quoting another source.

I may sometimes use the term, “the Church Catholic” or even “the Catholic Church.” I tend to avoid those phrases because they are prone to cause confusion because “the Roman Church” has chosen to call itself “the Catholic Church,” thus appropriating to itself the idea that it is the one true Body and Bride of Christ. But “catholic” simply means “all-encompassing or all-embracing.”

When the word “church” is left in lowercase, I mean to refer to individual churches, local fellowships of believers. Generally, when I refer to the religious organization(s) commonly called the church, I use the term “institutional church” or something similar.

With that housekeeping out of the way, today we will learn about the literary device called a “chiasm.” The word “chiasm” comes from the Greek letter “Chi”, which looks like the letter “X.” Simply, a chiasm is a literary technique that presents a concept, and then repeats it back in reverse order. The Book of Ruth is said to be one big chiasm. Other passages of scripture are also presented using this technique.

A very simple chiasm is used in Mark 2:27 “Jesus said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.’” (NASB 2020)

“Sabbath—>man”
“Man—>Sabbath”

Passages such as Proverbs 6:16–19 provide more robust examples. There we find:

“There are six things that the LORD hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him:”

(A) Haughty eyes
(B) a lying tongue
(C) hands that shed innocent blood
(Core Focus) A heart that devises wicked plans
(C) Feet that run rapidly to evil
(B) A false witness who declares lies
(A) And one who spreads strife among brothers. (NASB 2020)

The letters to the churches in The Revelation also form a chiasm. In this chiasm, the churches in the worst shape form the boundaries (A), the healthy churches are in the minority (B), and the seriously problematic churches form the core (C).

Given this progression, it is clear that the Church as a whole is in poor shape. The churches without problems (B) are in the minority, and the chiasm is framed by those in the worst shape (A), impressing that point upon us.

The chiasm runs thus:
(A) Ephesus
            (B) Smyrna
                        (C) Pergamum
                        (C) Thyatira
                        (C) Sardis
            (B) Philadelphia
(A) Laodicea

Of importance is chapter 2 verse 23 where we find that “all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your deeds.” Here at the very center of the chiasm we find underscored the fact that these letters are not only to the individual churches, but to the Church corporately. All the churches will know that the Lord Jesus is the omniscient judge.

Near the end of each individual letter, we are admonished to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Outside these directives, this statement at the very core of the chiasm is the singular point where “all” the churches are mentioned. That this is at the core of the chiasm is particularly noteworthy.