The Date of the Writing
of Revelation
Written around A.D. 65 before the Temple was destroyed because in Rev 11:1,2 God tells John to measure the Temple. That wouldn’t make sense if the Temple were already destroyed. The seven heads are seven kings and hills (Rev 17:9,10). The kings are the Emperors of Rome. Nero was the sixth emperor until A.D. 68. The seventh was Galba until A.D. 69.
Who was Revelation written to? How did they interpret it?
Written to the seven churches in Asia and it is also to be understood (Rev 1:3). The churches are already in tribulation along with John who has been banished to the Isle of Patmos. The interpretation of Revelation begins in the first chapter with “things that must shortly come to pass (1:1, 3:16, 22:6).” Rev 1:3 says, “the time is near.” In the Greek it means “arms length.” This book would be no encouragement or any relevance to the first century persecuted Christians if this was going to take place thousands of years later. This was to take place soon.
Theme of Revelation
Rev 1:7 implies that God is coming in judgment against the Temple. John uses the imagery “coming with the clouds.” God coming in the clouds happens when God is judging historical nations that are in rebellion to Him. An example would be in Isaiah 19:1 where the LORD rides a swift cloud in judgment against Egypt. Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple in Matt 21:41 and the Jews knew what he was talking about. Jesus is bringing judgment against the Jewish nation for turning their back on him. They caused him to be pierced (Rev 1:7) by forcing Pilate to crucify Christ. The Jews were accused of murdering Jesus in Acts 5:30. Rev 1:7 also says the tribes will mourn meaning the twelve tribes of Israel will mourn when God brings judgment on the land against Jerusalem.
Thematic Characters
“The Beast” has a general and a specific reference. Generically the beast represents the Empire of Rome that comes out of the sea or across the sea to destroy Jerusalem. Specifically the beast is NERO CEASAR. Rev 13:18 says the number of his name is 666. Nero’s name in Hebrew, NRWN QSR, adds up to 666 since every letter in Hebrew has a numerical value. After causing intense persecution against the Christians for 42 months, he finally was killed by stabbing himself with a sword in A.D. 68. The Roman historian, Tacitus, says that Rome was at its end. It seemed that the beast of Rome was dead since it lost its head (Nero) and is thrust into a series of civil wars through four emperors in two years and finally revives again with the Emperor Vespasian. The Jewish historian, Josephus, writes that the deliverance of Rome was unexpected.
Written around A.D. 65 before the Temple was destroyed because in Rev 11:1,2 God tells John to measure the Temple. That wouldn’t make sense if the Temple were already destroyed. The seven heads are seven kings and hills (Rev 17:9,10). The kings are the Emperors of Rome. Nero was the sixth emperor until A.D. 68. The seventh was Galba until A.D. 69.
Who was Revelation written to? How did they interpret it?
Written to the seven churches in Asia and it is also to be understood (Rev 1:3). The churches are already in tribulation along with John who has been banished to the Isle of Patmos. The interpretation of Revelation begins in the first chapter with “things that must shortly come to pass (1:1, 3:16, 22:6).” Rev 1:3 says, “the time is near.” In the Greek it means “arms length.” This book would be no encouragement or any relevance to the first century persecuted Christians if this was going to take place thousands of years later. This was to take place soon.
Theme of Revelation
Rev 1:7 implies that God is coming in judgment against the Temple. John uses the imagery “coming with the clouds.” God coming in the clouds happens when God is judging historical nations that are in rebellion to Him. An example would be in Isaiah 19:1 where the LORD rides a swift cloud in judgment against Egypt. Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple in Matt 21:41 and the Jews knew what he was talking about. Jesus is bringing judgment against the Jewish nation for turning their back on him. They caused him to be pierced (Rev 1:7) by forcing Pilate to crucify Christ. The Jews were accused of murdering Jesus in Acts 5:30. Rev 1:7 also says the tribes will mourn meaning the twelve tribes of Israel will mourn when God brings judgment on the land against Jerusalem.
Thematic Characters
“The Beast” has a general and a specific reference. Generically the beast represents the Empire of Rome that comes out of the sea or across the sea to destroy Jerusalem. Specifically the beast is NERO CEASAR. Rev 13:18 says the number of his name is 666. Nero’s name in Hebrew, NRWN QSR, adds up to 666 since every letter in Hebrew has a numerical value. After causing intense persecution against the Christians for 42 months, he finally was killed by stabbing himself with a sword in A.D. 68. The Roman historian, Tacitus, says that Rome was at its end. It seemed that the beast of Rome was dead since it lost its head (Nero) and is thrust into a series of civil wars through four emperors in two years and finally revives again with the Emperor Vespasian. The Jewish historian, Josephus, writes that the deliverance of Rome was unexpected.
