93 Zechariah, Reference and the Structure of Revelation 6-8:1 IWAN M. WHITELEY This article argues that Rev 6-8:1 is structured on Zech 1-2. It first undertakes a survey of interpretational difficulties that exist in Revelation 6-8:1. It contains a survey of commentators’ views regarding the unit of discourse. Then there is a demonstration that structuring Rev 6-8:1 on Zech 1-2 solves many of the difficulties, notably the rapid shift in scenes in the text. An exploration of the issue of reference ensues with the intention of suggesting that one should import information from Zech 1-2 into Revela- tion. Consequently, there is an investigation into the meaning of Zech 1-2. Finally, information from this book is imported into Rev 6-8:1. Keywords: Revelation, Zechariah 1-2, four horsemen, 144 000, seven seals, silence in heaven, reference. Introduction Revelation is still an open book in the sense that there is very little consensus on the meaning of any part of it. Beale’s work has demonstrated that an investigation into John’s use of Daniel leads to the conclusion that the book of Revelation has planning and order. This article has been written primarily to further demonstrate this. What shall follow is a survey of the interpretational difficulties in Revelation 6-8:1, then there shall be a proposed solution to those difficulties by investigating the presence of Zechariah in the text. Third, we shall explore the nature of the relationship between Zechariah and Revelation 6-8:1. Fourth we shall examine the meaning of Zechariah 1-2 and finally we shall see how this affects our understanding of Revelation 6-8:1. 1. A Survey of Interpretational Difficulties in Revelation 6-8:1 One of the most well known texts in Revelation is that of the four horsemen, but explanations for many aspects of the text are not found. It is clear that Rev 6-8:1 is structured on the seven seals, but this explanation is not satisfactory in itself because it does not explain the entire flow of the passage. Upon the opening of seals, four living creatures, call out Filología Neotestamentaria - Vol. XXIII - 2010, pp. 93-108 Facultad de Filosofía y Letras - Universidad de Córdoba (España)