A String aligns two passages of the bible, based on their design. In this case, the passages beginning in Revelation 1:1 and Revelation 22:5.

String do two things. First, they have clear points of connection, like an angel sent to God’s servants. Second, the two passages work together to reveal things you wouldn’t otherwise see with a single passage. Let’s look for connections and things revealed.

Kingdom of Light

A revelation is given to Jesus, to show to us. And, the Lord God will illuminate them. What’s the connection?

The book of Luke calls Jesus a “light of revelation.”  It suggests the revelation is the illumination. Light eliminates darkness. Light makes it possible to see something. Jesus is the light. Jesus is the revelation. What he reveals is eternal.

Sent by an Angel

The revelation is sent and made known by an angel to Christ’s servant, John. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show his bondservants what must happen soon.

In both cases, Jesus sends something by an angel to his servants.

Faithful and True

Now, let’s back up and look at what’s written after the giving and before the sending. To me, this is the fascinating part.

“These words are faithful and true.” The passage on the left doesn’t have these words. They fall between the giving of the revelation which illuminates, and the sending of the angel.

The spot on the left, I believe, is a hidden place in the scripture. I used to think of it as a “blank spot,” a place in the bible with no words, yet which fits into the bible’s design. I don’t think of it that way anymore. It’s not blank. It’s simply not visible.

Pure White Light

A third Revelation passage (19:11) says Jesus is called, “Faithful and True.” So when Revelation 22:6 says, “These Words are Faithful and True,” what it really says is, “These Words are Jesus.”

Now, when I look at this spot, it’s not blank to me. It’s pure white light. It’s revealing something and someone we otherwise wouldn’t see. One who is invisible, yet who is most definitely there, standing between the words of Revelation 1.

If this is the case, that there is indeed an invisible place in Revelation 1:1, it should also fit with other passages. We’ll explore that next. For now, let’s look at the rest of the String and explore its connections.

Testimony of Jesus

John testifies to God’s word and the testimony of Jesus. On the right, Jesus says, “Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophesy.”

The word and testimony connect to the words of the prophesy of the book. But, here’s what it reveals. John’s words carry the words of Jesus. In fact, I believe Jesus himself is in the words of John’s testimony.

Hearing

Blessed are those who read and hear the words of the prophesy. On the right, John hears and sees these things, and falls down to worship before the angel, who showed it to him.

In both cases, the words are heard. The difference is, in the verse on the right, an angel is present. In the verse on the left, the angel is not seen but was mentioned earlier.

Angels are messengers who carry the words of God. Here’s what I believe it reveals: those who hear the words of the prophesy become messengers, like the angels. God’s word lives within them.

Brotherhood

The angel tells John not to worship him, as he is a fellow bondservant with John and your brothers and the prophets who keep the words of the book. Fellow messengers. That’s us.

This connects to the revelation on the left which speaks to those who “keep the things” written in the book.

Gift of God

John begins to write to the seven assemblies (churches) that are in Asia. The angel tells John to Worship God.

God is the one who gave the revelation to Jesus to show to us. The name John means, “God has graciously given,” like a light of Revelation, given to Christ, to show to us.

The connections seem unmistakable.

Light of Revelation

I’ve found the bible to be written in loops. A mini-story begins, flows out, is heard and acted upon, and returns. Then it begins again. That’s what seems to be going on right here.

John writes to the seven churches. Revelation 1:20 symbolizes the seven churches as seven lampstands, e.g. something through which seven lamps shine. Like a light of revelation which illuminates them. This is where the String began. Here is where it begins again.

Invisible made Visible

I don’t know about you, but I find this absolutely fascinating! The fact these two passages work together in such an intricate way is mind-blowing.

If there truly is an invisible place in the first verse of Revelation, it should also work hand-in-hand with other passages. First, let’s compare a passage from Colossians that talks about the Kingdom of Christ, the invisible God.

Click the right arrow or the “Kingdom of the Son” link below.