Revelation Part 1: The Dating
This begins a short series on the wonderful book of Revelation. The lessons in this series are as follows: the dating, the timing, the martyrs, the millennium, and the bride. All of these lessons will be for the purpose of arguing the following: “The Revelation that was seen by John was written prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and found its full fulfillment in the overthrow of Judaism in AD70.” While this proposition may seem intimidating and, perhaps, threating to some, I encourage you to read the following lessons with an open heart and mind – trusting only in God and not man. As mentioned, our first lesson will be on the dating of the book of Revelation.
Why is the dating of Revelation important?
While the dating of books of the Bible may seem like a non-important task to some, the date that a book was written can often times reveal interesting facts about the life situations of the original audience and can help to interpret certain texts. This is especially true for the book of Revelation. If Revelation was written prior to AD70, then the idea of it being a discussion of the events pertaining to the destruction of the temple would be, at the very least, possible. However, if the book of Revelation was written after AD70, then any idea of a total fall of Jerusalem fulfillment will be thrown out the window because John indicated that his book contained things past, present, and future (Revelation 1:19). It is for this reason that this essay has been written: to put forth a reasonable amount of evidence for a first century fulfillment of the book of Revelation.
Our plan of attack
There are several ways that we can approach this vast subject, and some of them will have to wait for a future essay (ex: “The Martyrs”). We will establish the dating of the book of Revelation by examining chapter eleven and noticing similarities in the book with the Olivet Discourse. These seem to be some of the more simple and concise options, and they will serve our purpose well until we can further develop our arguments in future assignments.
As seen above, we will not rely on outside evidence of any kind because it is not necessary. Our sole authority will be internal evidence found within the book of Revelation and the rest of the Bible. For those who may say that the rest of the Bible is not “internal” evidence, simply ask yourself if the same God authored it all. I believe that He did, and it is for this purpose that I do not feel any hesitation to allow all of scripture to aid in interpreting itself.
For this study, we are not concerned with debunking other positions. Instead, we will allow the power of our arguments to do the talking, and we will be glad to answer any questions at another time.
Revelation 11
Keep in mind as we enter this text that the book of Revelation is dealing with things that were past, present, and future. Revelation 11 comes after the opening of the seven seals and the blowing of six of the seven trumpets. In fact, chapter eleven contains the blowing of the last trump – the seventh one – at the time of the judgement and resurrection of the dead (Revelation 11:15-19). That being said, when would the seventh angel blow his trumpet? “In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven” (Revelation 11:13). After this, the seventh angel blew his horn. After what? After part of the city fell. What city is under consideration? As we move back through the text, we will see that they city who’s fall determined the time of the judgement, was none other than Jerusalem.
“Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months” (Revelation 11:1-2, emp. added).
What temple is under consideration? It is a temple that would be trodden under foot for forty-two months. It is a temple that was in the “holy city.” Having said this, there are only two possibilities for those who take an early date: Jerusalem and the church. If one takes a post-AD70 date, then the only possibility for the identity of the “holy city” and the “temple of God” is the church – because the Jerusalem temple would have been destroyed for some twenty-five years. However, the New Covenant temple of the church is not an earthly building, but a spiritual one (I Peter 2:5; I Timothy 3:15). Since the holy city of the New Covenant is spiritual in nature, it would be impossible for anyone to stomp on it for three years – much less destroy what God said would never pass away! This leaves us with one option: the holy city is Old Covenant Jerusalem and the temple is the one that burned in the fires of divine judgement in AD70. Jerusalem is called the holy city in Nehemiah 11:1, 18; Isaiah 48:2; 52:1; Daniel 9:24; Matthew 4:5; and 27:53.
This leads us to one conclusion concerning the date of Revelation: it had to be written prior to the fall of the temple in AD70; however, that is not the only evidence from this chapter that we can present (not that we have space to present it all!!). In Revelation 11:8, John wrote, “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified” (Revelation 11:8, emp. added). Where was Jesus crucified? It is no surprise that Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem. “Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem” (Luke 13:33, emp. added).
Olivet Discourse Comparison
Space simply does not permit us the ability to draw every possible comparison between Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and, John’s version of the Olivet Discourse, Revelation. However, we can present enough to, hopefully, satisfy our proposition. So, what is the Olivet Discourse? It is a speech given by Jesus to His disciples concerning the fall of Jerusalem. The disciples had a few questions, and they are listed below.
“Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:1-3).
"Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?" (Mark 13:4).
“So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"” (Luke 21:7).
Jesus then proceeded to give a thorough answer that contained this statement: "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled” (Luke 21:20-22). He also said, “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place” (Luke 21:31-32).
Why is this important for us? If we can find correlation between the Olivet Discourse and the book of Revelation, then we will know that Revelation is also a book dedicated to the fall of Jerusalem, and, therefore, has a pre-AD70 date. This also, as you may have already noticed, will go towards our argument in the next essay on the timing of the fulfillment of the prophecy. Now, keep in mind that we won’t be able to draw every comparison (you should try to do that!), but we will give enough. Let’s begin! Our argument will mainly focus on the first six of the seven seals as seen in Revelation 6:1-12. Notice how the six seals correspond to the signs of the fall of Jerusalem in Matthew 24.
The First Six of Seven Seals
1. Revelation 6:1-2; Wars
2. Revelation 6:3-4; Nation Against Nation
3. Revelation 6:5-6; Famine
4. Revelation 6:7-8; Death and Pestilence
5. Revelation 6:9-11; Persecution
6. Revelation 6:12-17; Earthquake, Cosmic Disturbance, Tribulation
The Olivet Discourse
1. Matthew 24:6; Wars
2. Matthew 24:7; Nation Against Nation
3. Matthew 24:7; Famine
4. Matthew 24:7; Death and Pestilence
5. Matthew 24:9; Persecution
6. Matthew 24:7, 29, 21; Earthquakes, Cosmic Disturbance, Tribulation.
Just to demonstrate the force of this quick comparison, notice these two passages in particular.
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29).
“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place” (Revelation 6:12-14).
Conclusion
We have shown from two sources in Revelation, that the earlier date is favorable in comparison to the late date. As mentioned, more evidence will be provided for this along the way. In our next essay, we will focus on the time statements given in Revelation in order to draw another comparison between the Olivet Discourse and Revelation: the predicted contemporary fulfillment.
[PART 2]