gsx1138

Does anyone have any idea when the "Book of Revelations" was written? I've seen wide ranging dates. I seem to remember 2nd or 3rd century but would like some different input. I know the writing itself is pretty much out of place in the Bible so I'm figuring it was a last minute addition. Nothing like a healthy dose of fear to get people in line.

judge

The imagery in the book of revelation is actually very much in place in the bible. Much if not all of the imagery is from the Hebrew Bible.
That of course does not mean wacky modern interpretations a la Left Behind are to be taken seriously.

andrewcriddle

There are clear late 2nd century references to the 'Book of Revelation', Irenaeus etc.

Earlier references are less clear. Late writers eg Andrew of Caesarea claim explicitly that Papias (c 130) refers to this book. Statements in Eusebius that Papias believed in a literal future millenium on earth may support this. If so a date much after AD 100 would be unlikely.

Andrew Criddle

Amlodhi

Hello gsx1138,

IMO, the theory that provides the most explanations is that the book of Revelation was written in the time of the Roman Emperor Domitian (81-96 CE ).

It seems reasonably evident that the author of the book is making reference to what he thinks will be an imminent intervention by God which will vindicate the Christians, restore the Jews, and destroy the Roman Empire.

We even have an artifactual example of the imagery employed which was contemporary with the author:


This theory also provides for the intriguing possibility that the author's "beast" of Revelation was in reference to a late 1st century belief that Nero Caesar would be resurrected and once again rule over the empire.


If this is so, it would also tend to explain why some of the oldest extant manuscripts and attestations record the "number of his name" as 616 rather than 666:

Nero Caesar 54-68 AD

Latin form: in Hebrew (rsq wrn - nero caesar) gematria - N=50, R=200, W=6 Q=100, S=60, R=200 = 616

Greek form: in Hebrew (rsq nwrn - neron caesar) gematria - N=50, R=200, W=6, N=50 Q=100, S=60, R=100 = 666

That "Neron" is an acceptable form for this gematria has been verified by the discovery of an Aramaic document in Wadi Murabba'at (BASOR 170,65) where the spelling is rsq nwrn (right to left). Also, though the last two letters of the consonants "rsq" are damaged, enough is preserved to show that no "vowel letter" was written between the "q" and "s".

http://www.bibleandscience.com/history/roman.htm, and for further reference:

(Discoveries in the Judean Desert of Jordan II (Oxford, 1961), page 18, plate 29, P)


Also, as to the designation itself, there seems to be literary support that Nero was often referred to as "a monster" or "a beast".


Thus, while I don't claim this to be absolutely established, IMO it fits the pieces together better than any other theory I have heard.


Amlodhi

offa

I have in my possession Jesus of the Apocalypse. Ms Thiering goes into
great detail with the Book of Revelation.

Here is how her Introduction starts, 0 552 14238 7, pg.7

The Book of Revelation, the last book in the New Testament, is a
mysterious document. The writer, it appears, saw a vision, which a
heavenly figure on a throne was surrounded by twenty-four elders with
golden crowns on their heads. Near to the throne were four living
creatures, one like a lion, another like a calf, another like a man,
another like a flying eagle. Soon the Lamb appeared, obviously enough
Jesus, he opened the seven seals. Four horses were then seen: a white
one, a red one, a black one, and - in the Greek text - a green one,
although it has been translated as 'pale'.

Thiering writes that Rev 8:6 - 14:5 covers AD 1-50.
Rev 1:1 - 8:5 covers AD 44-51.
Rev 14:6 - 19:21 covers AD 54-74.
Rev 14:6 - 19:21 covers AD 54-74.
Rev 20-22 "The history from AD 100-114
-------------------------------------------------------------
I enjoy reading what she writes and even though I do not always agree
with her she has taught me. I am a very comfortable atheist and
disdain silly idol worshippers like our president.

offa

judge

This book is avaliable

free online if you are interested it argues for a 65-66 C.E. authorship.

Amlodhi

Hi judge,

Your link doesn't seem to work. I am curious about this proposed 65-66 C.E. date though.

Concerning the imagery on the coin (medallion), Vespasian didn't become emperor of Rome until 69 C.E. Also, passages in Revelation describing a "heavenly temple", and also a "new Jerusalem" that would descend from heaven where Christ himself would be the "temple", seem to indicate a situation in which Jerusalem had already been destroyed when the book of Revelation was authored.

Do you have this book you linked to? Does it address any of these concerns?


Thanks judge,

Amlodhi

Clivedurdle

the original Jewish version of Revelation

This states Revelation was originally written by a Jewish priest about 70 AD.

Are there problems with this?

Clivedurdle

Magus55

Around 95 A.D since it was near the end of John's life.