Rolando Ramirez asks: When was Revelation written? I know this is heavily debated, but is there evidence for either 95 or 68 AD? With all the hype surrounding the end of times, this would help me make a proper choice between which view to follow. Thanks in advance!

Hi Rolando,

We agree with you that the dating of Revelation is extremely vital in exposing which view of Revelation is correct.

90-95 AD

The sole dating of the Book of Revelation being written in AD 95 was derived from a singular statement made by one of the early church fathers (Irenaeus AD 120-200). This very statement was then used by other church fathers such as Eusebius (AD 260-340) when speaking of dating Revelation. This statement is not only lacking in evidence, it has been considered questionable.

Statement:

"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" (Against Heresies 30).

Many scholars have rigorously questioned this statement due to the fact that in the beginning of the chapter, Irenaeus states that the 666 is ancient.

"Such, then, being the state of the case, and this number being found in all the most approved and ancient copies, and those men who saw John face to face bearing their testimony" (Against Heresies 30).

So was it ancient? Or was it seen near his day? It is important to note that Irenaeus has been wrong on dating things before, as he also claimed Jesus dies in his 50's.

"The thirty AEons are not typified by the fact that Christ was baptized in His thirtieth year: He did not suffer in the twelfth month after His baptism, but was more than fifty years old when He died" (Against Heresies II. 20).

64-68 AD

The early dating of Revelation holds both external and internal backing of archeological findings.

External Evidence:

1. The “Syriac version” of Revelation, reads "The Apocalypse of St. John, written in Patmos, whither John was sent by Nero Caesar."

2. The “Muratorian Fragment,” dating back to 170-190 A.D., states that this work of John was written during the reign of Nero.

3. The “Aramaic Peshitta” version has a remark that places its date prior to 70 A.D. The title page of Revelation states this work of John was written right after the reign of Nero.

4. A quote, attributed to Papius (130 AD), states that John the Apostle was martyred before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

5. After many years of proclaiming that there was a major persecution of Christians in 95 AD, this notion has been largely denounced. However, all the early church fathers, and a majority of modern scholars are in agreement that Nero was the first great persecutor of Christians, almost ending the Christian religion as a whole.

Internal evidence:

1. The myth of Nero's return to life (Nero redivivus) after his suicide in AD 68, is reflected in Revelation 13:3 according to archeologists.

2. Revelation 17:10 explains that the beast is seven kings "Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while." According to scholars on both sides, this verse accurately describes the Roman Emperors in the first century. However, late daters state that the one to come for a short while will come in the future, while early daters state that after Nero (the "one is") Galba only lasted 6 months as described in the text. (Note: 1. Julius, 2. Augustus, 3. Tiberius, 4. Gaius, 5. Claudius, 6. Nero, 7. Galba)

3. According to archeologists, the temple referenced in Revelation 11 is the same temple mentioned in Matthew 24. Jesus accurately prophesied its destruction which occurred in AD 70 (approximately 37 years after Jesus made the the prophecy) according to Josephus Flavius (The War of the Jews) 37-100 AD.

4. John also refers to a time period of 42 months in Revelation 11:2-3, which is significant in light of history. John is told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months…” During the Roman/Jewish War, it took Rome 3.5 years, or 42 months, to overcome Jerusalem and trample it. This occurred from the time Nero dispatched his general Vespasian to advance on Jerusalem in early spring 67 AD until Jerusalem and the temple were demolished and laid level by the end of September 70 AD.

Therefore, while some scholars have accepted the later 90-95 AD dating, it is the early 64-68 dating that is backed by archeological/historical evidence. Hope this helps.

Comments:

Jeff Scott: Well what makes you think that the temple of Revelation isn't the 3rd rebilt temple?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Hi Jeff, can the Holy Spirit indwell a temple today that practices sacrifice and offerings for forgiveness of sin? Wouldn't that mean that the Holy Spirit would deny Jesus as the sacrifice of all sins?

Jeff Scott: absolutely, that would contradict the work of Christ, but the temple in Revelation doesn't say that.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: But Daniel 9:27 does. Is Daniel 9:27 not speaking of the antichrist you are still awaiting? Daniel 9:27 "He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

Jeff Scott: I definitely need to look into that, if that is true, I would need to agree with you. The Holy Spirit can not be in a temple that practices sacrifice and offerings.

Tiffany Wade: But isn't there a pause of time between the 6th king and the 7th king?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Hi Tiffany. Where is this pause of time found in the Bible? The pause of time you speak of has to be assumed in order for a future tribulation to be true. If there is no pause of time, the theory falls. Can you provide any verse of this pausing of time between the king that is, and the one that is to come?

Tiffany Wade: There isn't. I was taught that it's understood from the reading, but what you say makes more sense. The beast is presented as a whole of 7 kings in succession. Not 6 in succession and the last separated into a distant time frame.

Tiffany Wade: These things are simply not taught. Glad you all are helping people like me understand better.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Thanks Tiffany!

Lauren Baker: But isn't what's going on now a parallel of Matthew 24?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: We need to stay on topic, feel free to submit a question, however, the same can be said of any time frame. Did this thought not come into play with Hitler and the people suffering in concentration camps? The fact being ignored is simple. Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24 that those things would happen when the temple was destroyed. 37 or so years later the temple was destroyed (as the eyewitness Josephus described). Was this destruction the fulfillment of Jesus' direct words or did Jesus lie about the destruction taking place within their generation?

Lauren Baker: Well according to Josephus it was. A great place for me to restart studying. Thanks! Last question, might the temple of Revelation be a heavenly temple?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Not according to the text. The temple outer courts is said to be trampled by gentiles. Evil gentiles would not be in heaven trampling anything.

Lauren Baker: I see, thanks!

Rolando Ramirez: Thank you. With so many theories that can't be proven, thanks for the pushing what can be proven. God bless you.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Thank you for the question, glad our answer helped.

Lauren Baker: I spoke with my Pastor, and he holds the same view you all have. He wants to invite you to speak at out church and do a Revelation answers and questions, how can we set this up?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Thanks Lauren, we'd love too. You can message us directly on our contact us page.

Lauren Baker: I sent you all my pastor's information.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Ok. Thanks, we will be in contact with him. God bless you.

Revelation 1:1

"The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,"