by allowing the war in heaven motif2 to have a dominant role in interpretation, the understanding of Revelation’s plot is enhanced and the hymnic sections are seen to make a meaningful contribution to such a reading. It is part of the purpose of this study to show that heavenly temple, which contains the throne room, has a controlling influence on the narrative. It is from the throne room that the cosmic conflict began and from which the heavenly songs originate. Their refrains are reflective of