Chiasmus / Literary Structure
The Chiastic Structure of Rev 21-22
Rev 21-22 (Revelation 21-22 — The New Jerusalem) is arranged as a chiasm— an ancient mirror pattern (A-B-C-B′-A′) in which ideas repeat in reverse order around a central pivot. The structure turns on its center: “No temple needed — the LORD God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple”. The closing vision of Revelation mirrors Genesis 1-3, forming a macro-chiasm across the whole Bible. The structure signals that the end is a new beginning — creation restored and surpassed.
The Mirror Pattern
- A
New heaven and new earth — creation renewed (cf. Gen 1:1)
Rev 21:1
- B
The holy city comes down — God's presence descends to earth
Rev 21:2-4
- C
No more sea, death, mourning, crying, or pain
Rev 21:4-5
- D
The new Jerusalem — a city of pure gold and precious stones
Rev 21:10-21
- X
No temple needed — the LORD God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple
Rev 21:22
Central pivot — the emphasized point
- D'
The kings of the earth bring their glory into the city
Rev 21:24-26
- C'
Nothing impure will enter — only those in the Lamb's book of life
Rev 21:27
- B'
The river of life and tree of life — Eden restored (cf. Gen 2)
Rev 22:1-3
- A'
They will see his face — full relationship with God (cf. Gen 3:8)
Rev 22:4-5
Indentation shows the nesting toward the central pivot and back out — the hallmark of a chiasm.
Why the Structure Matters
In a chiasm, the author’s main point is placed at the center rather than the end. Reading Rev 21-22 as a mirror pattern draws the eye to its pivot — “No temple needed — the LORD God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” — as the key the passage turns on. Recognizing the structure changes how the passage is read and preached.