When was Revelations written?
Was Revelation written in A.D.95-96?
This date was determined by the following statement by Irenaeus (AD 130 to AD 202) as quoted by Eusebius, a church historian in AD 325:
“We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of Antichrist; for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen no very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of Domitian’s reign.”
Note: This statement is the only evidence used to support the A.D. 95-96 opinion.
It has been accepted by many people without investigating its meaning and if it is correct.
This later date has been passed down to us the same way it was passed on to Eusebius; Christian theology and tradition.
Theology and tradition should never be used to date and interpret Scripture.
Note: Those who hold to the 95-96 A.D. date, claim that Revelation was written during the time of Domitian Caesar.
The major reason for this is to vindicate [justify] the doctrines of futurism or historicism.
The A.D. 95-96 idea was introduced in the USA by John Darby’s futurism around 1850-1860. [See: ‘Futurism’]
What determines the date that Revelation was written?
The book of Revelation is the only way of establishing a (near as possible) date of when it was written. [i.e. Let the Bible explain itself.]
When were the Seven Churches in Asia established?
John wrote Revelation to a specific group of churches in Asia.
Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send {it} to the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.
Note: This Revelation was to be sent to the seven churches (assemblies) in Asia (not anywhere else) at that time period.
Not to some theological invented churches in another part of the world, or in the far future.
What is the importance?
The importance of this scripture verse is always overlooked by Futurists and Historicists.
There is only one short period of time in which there were only seven churches in Asia were establised, and that was the 60’s A.D.
Note: The apostle Paul established nine churches in that area, but only seven could be addressed in Revelation. The cities of Colosse, Hierapolis, and Laodicea, were all destroyed by an earthquake around 61 A.D.
Laodicea was rebuilt soon afterwards, but the other two cities were not.
This left only seven churches in Asia during the five years just prior to the beginning of the Roman/Judean war.
Why is the church of Philadelphia an importance for a date?
Revelation 3:7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: :8 ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. :9 ‘Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Judeans, and are not, but lie– behold, I will make them to come and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you. :10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Note: John was told to inform them that an hour of temptation was about to come ‘upon all of the world’ and ‘those that dwell on the earth”.
The word world is a poor translation, which means ‘inhabited part of the earth’, not the whole earth.
Also note that Christ told them that He was coming quickly and that they should hold fast.
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Why is this important for dating Revelation?
1. It was directed to an actual established church in the A.D. 60’s.
2. The first persecution of Christians took place under Nero Caesar in AD 64.
Was John to prophesy again?
John was told that he “must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings”.
Revelation 10:11 And he said to me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and languages, and kings.
Note: This is not a continuation of the prophecies of Revelation.
The verse states again ‘before many people, nations, languages and kings’. This was after his release from exile on Patmos.
Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Note: John was in tribulation then, not in some far distant future.
If Revelation was written in 95-96 A.D., John would have been over 90 years old. It would have been very difficult for him to travel to the “nations, kings, and to continue prophecies.
[He also would have had to explain about the Temple.]
Is the Temple an indication of a date?
One of the most important proofs that Revelation was written before Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. is the fact that the temple was still intact.
Revelation 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. :2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.”
Note: This was the Temple of the first century and not some rebuilt future one.
There is not one verse in the Bible that states and/or implies of a “rebuilt” Temple. This idea is another futurist and historicist invention.
Were the prophecies of Christ fulfilled?
Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that its desolation is nigh. :21 Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them who are in the midst of it depart {from it}; and let not them that are in the countries enter into it. :22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. :23 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that nurse infants in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. :24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled.
1. Jerusalem was compassed with armies before 70 A.D.
2. The desolation of Jerusalem was nigh before 70 A.D.
3. All things written concerning Jerusalem were fulfilled in 70 A.D.
4. Judeans were led away captive into all nations after this war.
Note: The historian Josephus wrote about those that were led away into all nations.
Those under the age of 16 were sold into slavery, and most of those over 16 were taken to the many different theaters and were killed for entertainment.
5. Jerusalem was trodden down by the Gentiles [nations].
Note: This is the same thing Christ told John in Revelation 11:2. Therefore, Revelation must have been written before the nations ‘trampled Jerusalem under foot’ in 70 A.D.
6. The Temple was to be destroyed in that generation, not a future generation.
Luke 21:32 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.
Matthew 24:34 Verily I say to you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things shall be fulfilled.
Note: The prophecies made by Christ were fulfilled in the time period he said, or he was a false prophet.
[See: 'Is All Prophecy Fulfilled'?]
How did Jesus Christ indicate a time of his return?
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,
Revelation 1:3 Blessed {is} he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time {is} at hand.
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 3:11 ‘I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, in order that no one take your crown.
Revelation 22:6 And he said to me, These sayings {are} faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show to his servants the things which must shortly be done. :7 “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:10 And he *said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Note: This is not some theologian stating this. It is what Christ revealed to John. The very first verse, and the second to last verse is stating a time period.
According to the Bible, these prophecies had immediate relevance for those to whom they were written.
The Bible does not say hundreds or thousands of years, but soon; quickly; at hand; and near.
Is Revelation literal or symbolic?
The Book of Revelation has many errors when interpreting it literally. However, when interpreted as symbolic, the accounts can be symbolic truth.
Note: In fact, many of the same symbols in Revelation can be found in the dream written in the Book of Daniel.
The Book of Revelation is actually a vision [series of visions] which has to be interpreted symbolically, or it is a collection of literal false prophecies.
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Note: Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day for taking literal views of the Holy Scriptures.
They devised a system of man-made teachings, doctrines, rules and regulations around their ‘literal’ interpretation of scriptures.
They rejected Jesus’ interpretation of scripture, because their theology was challenged, [and they had him killed to protect it].
Today, there are a large number of religious leaders and their followers who are making the same ‘religious’ error.
For almost two thousand years of Christian church history, theological literalism was a major reason for the Inquisitions, crusades, and all other kinds of disputes over man-made doctrines and dogmas.
Examples: works/ faith; trinity/one God; eternal security/ no security; baptism/immersion; tongues/evidence of the Holy Spirit; predestination/ free will; heaven/hell; etc.
Those that insist that Revelation is literal have become so theologically brain polluted, that they have elevated their doctrines and beliefs over the Bible.
Note: Multitudes of people throughout history have been ridiculed, tortured and killed for not believing in the ‘Christian’ orthodox view of the Bible.
What is a Biblical conclusion for a date?
If John was banished to Patmos under the reign of Nero, [as historical evidence describes] then he finished the book of Revelation about 68 or 69 A.D. [This was after the death of Nero.]
Note: If anyone cannot understand, or doesn’t believe the first three verses of Revelation, neither can they believe the rest of the book.
If anyone is unwilling or to stubborn to accept the time periods of the text, the rest of the book can be interpreted to mean anything that the reader wants to believe.
The false doctrines of futurism and historicism are primary examples.
The book of Revelation is a symbolic portrayal of what Christ had already done, and its relevance was for the generation in their near future.
Jesus Christ is at the center of these prophecies, and not men or their theological interpretations.
Note: The 68-69 AD date for Revelation is not Preterism.
[See: ‘Preterism’]
Summary:
1. The date for Revelation must be determined by Revelation and the rest of the Bible.
2. The seven churches were established in Asia in the 60’s AD.
3. John was to prophecy again.
4. The temple was still erect.
5. There is no mention or indication of a future temple to be built.
Note: If the temple were to be rebuilt today, this would not change the words or meaning of Christ or the rest of the Scriptures.
6. The prophecies of Christ were fulfilled [or he was a false prophet].
Jerusalem was compassed with armies before 70 A.D.
The desolation of Jerusalem was nigh before 70 A.D.
All things written concerning Jerusalem were fulfilled in 70 A.D.
Judeans were led away captive into all nations.
Jerusalem was trodden down by the Gentiles [nations].
The Temple was to be destroyed in that generation, not a future generation.
7. Jesus said his return was near; quickly; soon; and at hand.
8. The Book of Revelation has many errors when interpreting it literally.
9. John saw the events of Revelation in spirit [vision], not literal.
10. Jesus Christ is at the center of prophecies. Not men or their theological interpretations.
11. That generation would not pass until all is fulfilled.
Revelation being written in 95-96 A.D. is a traditional fable that is un-biblically taught by theological uturist and historicists, to try and justify their false doctrines.
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