The War between the Two Beasts and the Two Witnesses

A Chiastic Reading of Revelation 11:1-14:5 is the sub-title of my book which is reviewed recently. I would say that the literary device chiasm or chiasmus is the most important compositional device in the Old Testament and one of the most important in the New Testament. Unless we come to grips with how this compositional technique works in literary works of the Bible, we will be much poorer in terms of biblical interpretation and understanding of the text.

Read chiastically, the war in heaven between Michael and the dragon (Rev 12) determines what goes on earth between the two witnesses (Rev 11) and the two beasts (Rev 13). The two pairs of the eschatological opponents are contrasted purposefully as being in conflict as a result of the war in heaven. John has thus arranged literarily by way of a chiastic pattern that the war between the two witnesses and the two beasts frame the war in heaven between Michael and the dragon.

I am glad that Pieter de Villiers in his review (http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=5115) agrees that my monograph "reveals inadequacies in past analyses and offers some refreshing insights into the text [of Revelation]... and sheds new light on its meaning-as he spells out in his following chapters". Further de Villiers comments that the "materials generated by the application of this figure of style [chiasm] are impressive".

I would recommend all theological students and budding biblical scholars to come to grips with this patterning or compositional device which in my opinion when used appropriately, yields incredible insights into the biblical text. I will list down a number of important works on chiasm in my recommended reading list soon.

My book also argues for a futuristic interpretation of Revelation especially concerning the 3 1/2 years of Rev 11-13 which the review commended to have "special merit" in view of the historical view put forth by most scholars. I also disagree with the identification of the Beasts of Rev 13 with Roman rulers and institutions.

I have two chapters (5th and 6th) on the discussion of the chiastic pairs and the identity of the two witnesses and the two beasts, which the review finds to offer "illuminating perspectives." The review ends by stating that, "Its major contribution...is to be found in its contribution toward consolidating the trend of scholarship that researches the so-called chiastic readings of New Testament texts and that develops its great potential for biblical interpretation."

T & T Clark offers the book at a 50% discount for scholars and I think that includes post-graduate students in theology. I welcome comments from those who have read my book.