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Words in the Bible are fun. Words are what remain to convey to us a dead author’s meaning. So when I find the same phrases or sentences used in different parts of a book, I notice. There are many such instances in Revelation. Look at these and then I’d like to hear about others that you found.

Revelation 1:1 and 22:26 - to show his servants . . .
Revelation 3:12 and 21:2 - New Jerusalem coming down . . .
Revelation 5:8 and 19:4 - four and twenty elders fell down . . .
Revelation 8:5 and 16:18 - voices, thunderings, lightnings . . .
Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 - keep the commandments of God . . .

The pairing of these and many other such verbal repetitions in the Book of Revelation looks to me like a nesting phenomenon. The first and last sections provide an envelope for the rest of the book. The next to first and last sections provide an envelope that slips inside the first envelope and contains another envelope, which contains yet another envelope and then another that finally contains the central part of the book.

What might this nesting phenomenon mean? It would provide either a noticed or a subliminal sense of closure, or ending. It might also spotlight the central section as perhaps the hinge of destiny; before that section fate looks one way, and after that section fate looks the other way.

Let’s look at the central section to learn what might be the hinge of destiny in the Book of Revelation. There are animals (they’re called beasts in some Bibles), the book of life (v. 8), the mark of the beast and an invitation to the one who understands (vs. 17-18). There is also a near quote from Jesus, "If anyone has an ear, let him or her hear" (v. 9).

I believe that the destiny of the world hangs on listening, not at all to minimize the sacrifice of Christ which I believe makes destiny itself possible. A study of the characterization done for the beasts in this chapter shows that they don’t listen. They don’t respect any words or worship that other people might choose. They dominate and they force their beliefs and expressions of belief on others.

God’s way is simple: Use your ears and listen. Words are fun!