<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE BOOK OF REVELATION" Introduction (Part Two) INTRODUCTION 1. In Part One of this Introduction to the Book of Revelation, we considered... a. The unique nature of the book as containing elements of apocalyptic literature b. The importance of understanding the book as first written to early Christians c. Four common views of interpreting the book (preterist, historicist, futurist, idealist) d. My eclectic approach to interpreting the book (though mostly preterist) 2. In Part Two, we will complete our introduction to the Book of Revelation by considering... a. Who wrote the book b. The date it was written c. The purpose of the book d. The key verse of the book e. A brief outline of the book [The book begins by saying, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants..." (Re 1:1), so we know its ultimate source came from God Himself, but who wrote the book as we have it...?] I. THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK A. IDENTIFIED AS "JOHN"... 1. "...who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus" - Re 1:1-2 2. While debated by some, he was most likely the apostle John, brother of James 3. Author of the gospel of John, and three epistles (1,2, & 3 John) B. JOHN'S AUTHORSHIP SUPPORTED BY... 1. Justin Martyr (165 A.D.) 2. Irenaeus (185 A.D.) 3. Clement of Alexandria (220 A.D.) 4. Hippolytus (236 A.D.) 5. Origen (254 A.D.) [While scholars are mostly unanimous on John the apostle as the author of the Book Of Revelation, the date of when the book was written is another matter...] II. THE DATE OF THE BOOK A. THE ISSUE RELATED TO THE DATE WRITTEN... 1. When one dates the book will have a bearing upon one's interpretation of the book 2. Especially if one (such as myself) follows the "preterist" view 3. Two dates are usually proposed: a. An "early date", around 64-68 A.D., during the reign of the Roman emperor, Nero b. A "late date", around 95-96 A.D., during the reign of the Roman emperor, Domitian B. EXTERNAL SUPPORT FOR THE LATE DATE (95-96 A.D.)... 1. Appeal is often made to a statement of Irenaeus who lived in the late 2nd Century A.D. 2. His statement is rather ambiguous, however, and can be understood in different ways 3. For a detailed examination of Irenaeus' quotation, see Redating The New Testament, by John A. T. Robinson C. EXTERNAL SUPPORT FOR THE EARLY DATE (64-68 A.D.)... 1. The Syriac version of the New Testament (dating back to the 2nd Century A.D.) says the book was written during the reign of Nero 2. The Muratorian Fragment (170-190 A.D.) and Monarchian Prologues (250-350 A.D.) claim that Paul wrote to seven churches following the pattern of John's example in Revelation, placing the Book of Revelation even before some of the Pauline epistles - Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 12; p. 406 3. Because of the contradictory nature of the external evidence, I place more weight on the internal evidence (evidence from within the book itself) D. INTERNAL EVIDENCE FOR DATING THE BOOK... 1. In Re 11:1-14 the temple, which was demolished in August of 70 A.D., is still standing. a. Advocates of the "late date" naturally understand this passage in a strictly figurative sense b. But consider Philip Schaff: "While somewhat figurative, the allusion to the crucifixion of our Lord (Re 11:8) compel us to think of the historical Jerusalem." 2. In Re 17:9-11, we find mention of EIGHT "kings" a. If these "kings" are emperors of Rome, starting with Augustus the FIRST FIVE were: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero (who died June 9, 68 A.D.) b. Nero's death left the empire in an uproar; this may be the "deadly wound" in Re 13:3,12,14 c. Three men (Galba, Otho, and Vitellius) tried vainly to consolidate power over the empire, but it was Vespasian who restored order in 70 A.D. d. Thus, the "deadly wound" was healed, and Vespasian would be the SIXTH "king" (or the "one is" in Re 17:10) e. This would make Titus the SEVENTH emperor and Domitian the EIGHTH 3. Notice carefully, that in Re 17:8,11 John was told that the beast "is not" a. It "was", and "is about to come" (ASV), but at the time the Revelation was being given, the beast "IS NOT"! b. If we understand (as I do) that the "beast" represents imperial Rome as personified in its emperors Nero and Domitian, then Revelation could NOT have been written during the reigns of either Nero or Domitian! 4. The condition of persecution that had been experienced already by those in the book are similar to that mentioned by Peter a. He wrote to the Christians in Asia Minor also, just a few years before (cf. 1Pe 1:1) b. They were undergoing persecution similar to that described in Re 2 & 3 (cf. 1Pe 1:6; 4:12; 5:9) 1) Persecution by the Jews with the help of Roman authorities 2) Something that had been going on since the days of Paul's first missionary journey E. MY PERSONAL CONCLUSION REGARDING THE DATE... 1. The internal evidence indicates that the Revelation was given during the reign of VESPASIAN, the SIXTH emperor, while the "beast is not" - Re 17:8,11 2. This would place the date of the book around the spring of 70 A.D. - Philip Schaff, History Of The Church, Vol. I 3. A date between the death of Nero in 68 A.D. and the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. was also favored by F. J. A. Hort, J. B. Lightfoot, and B. F. Westcott - John A. T. Robinson, Redating The New Testament, p. 224 4. Philip Schaff, who at one time held the "late date", stated the following: a. "The early date is best suited for the nature and object of the Apocalypse, and facilitates its historical understanding. Christ pointed in his eschatological discourses to the destruction of Jerusalem and the preceding tribulation as the great crisis in the history of the theocracy and the type of the judgment of the world. And there never was a more alarming state of society." b. "The horrors of the French Revolution were confined to one country, but the tribulation of the six years preceding the destruction of Jerusalem extended over the whole Roman empire and embraced wars and rebellions, frequent and unusual conflagrations, earthquakes and famines and plagues, and all sorts of public calamities and miseries untold. It seemed, indeed, that the world, shaken to its very center, was coming to a close, and every Christian must have felt that the prophecies of Christ were being fulfilled before his eyes." c. "It was at this unique juncture in the history of mankind that St. John, with the consuming fire in Rome and the infernal spectacle of the Neronian persecution behind him, the terrors of the Jewish war and the Roman interregnum around him, and the catastrophe of Jerusalem and the Jewish theocracy before him, received those wonderful visions of the impending conflicts and final triumphs of the Christian church. His was truly a book of the times and for the times, and administered to the persecuted brethren the one but all-sufficient consolation: Maranatha! Maranatha!" (History of The Christian Church, Vol. I, pp. 836-837) [If the Book of Revelation was written in the spring of 70 A.D. before Jerusalem fell in September, 70 A.D., what was it's purpose...?] III. THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK A. AS CLEARLY STATED IN THE BOOK... 1. Both at the beginning and end of the book - cf. Re 1:1,3; 22:6,10 2. To reveal "things which must shortly come to pass" 3. It is a revelation from Christ Himself of the judgment to come upon those who were persecuting His people - cf. Re 6:9-11; 16:5-7 4. This judgment was directed especially toward those who had been deceived by Satan to attack the Church of Christ B. TO REVEAL JUDGMENTS TO COME... 1. "Undoubtedly he had in view primarily the overthrow of Jerusalem and heathen Rome, the two great foes of Christianity at that time." - Philip Schaff 2. I also would suggest that the purpose of the book is to reveal how Christ was going to bring judgment on Jerusalem and Rome for rejecting God and persecuting His people a. This judgment occurred with the destruction of Jerusalem in the fall of 70 A.D. b. And with the final cessation of persecution by Rome in 313 A.D. when Constantine became an emperor supportive of Christianity C. TO BOTH WARN AND COMFORT... 1. For erring disciples, it is a book of warning ("repent" or else) - cf. Re 2:5,16 2. For faithful disciples, it is a book of comfort ("blessed" are those who overcome) - cf. Re 1:3; 2:7; 3:21; 14:13; 22:14 [Before we conclude this two-part introduction to the Book of Revelation, it may be helpful to offer a brief outline of the main points of the book as I understand it...] IV. OUTLINE OF THE REVELATION INTRODUCTION, VISION OF JESUS, LETTERS TO CHURCHES Re 1:1-3:22 I. VISIONS OF JUDGMENT AGAINST UNFAITHFUL JERUSALEM Re 4:1-11:19 II. VISIONS OF JUDGMENT AGAINST PAGAN ROME Re 12:1-19:21 III. VISIONS OF THE FUTURE & BEYOND Re 20:1-22:5 CONCLUSION WITH FINAL EXHORTATIONS Re 22:6-21 CONCLUSION 1. The Book Of Revelation may be challenging... a. Containing elements of apocalyptic literature (filled with visions and symbols) b. With uncertainty about the date written, and the proper method of interpretation 2. But the main point of the book is clear, as stated in what may be the key verse: "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." - Re 17:14 As a sister in Christ once said to me, "Mark, the Book of Revelation can be summarized in two words: Jesus wins!" I agree! 3. It is incumbent upon Christians to heed both the warnings and blessings in this book... a. Because there are elements of the book that have yet to be fulfilled b. Including a time in which Satan will once again deceive the nations to battle against the church - cf. Re 20:7-10 Will we remain faithful even to the point of death should that happen in our lifetime? The Book of Revelation can help us in that regard... "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days." "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." - Re 2:10-11<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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