Book of Revelation Fulfilled


This page contains a list of our Bible studies on the book of Revelation, and how the prophecies in this book were fulfilled in the first century AD. Most chapter studies below contain a verse-by-verse commentary. Soon I plan to update some of these posts, especially those pertaining to “the beast of Revelation.”

Below this list is further information on [1] resources we used in our study of Revelation [2] finished and proposed series related to Revelation, and [3] a 5-part series on the evidence that Revelation was written prior to 70 AD:

[1] Revelation 1
[2] Revelation 2 (Part 1): Letters to Ephesus and Smyrna
[3] Revelation 2 (Part 2): Letters to Pergamum and Thyatira
[4] Revelation 3
[5] Revelation 4
[6] Revelation 5
[7] Revelation 6 (Part 1): Verses 1-8
[8] Revelation 6 (Part 2): Verses 9-17
[9] Revelation 7
[10] Revelation 8
[11] Revelation 9
[12] Revelation 10
[13] Revelation 11 (Part 1): Preterist View
[14] Revelation 11 (Part 2): Historicist View
[15] Revelation 12
[16] Revelation 13 (Part 1): Verses 1-10*
[17] Revelation 13 (Part 2): Verse 11-Identity of the Second Beast*
[18] Revelation 13 (Part 3): Verses 12-18*
[19] Revelation 13 (Part 4): Nero’s Beastly Character*
[20] Revelation 13 (Part 5): Ten Fulfilled Prophecies*
[21] Revelation 14
[22] Revelation 15
[23] Revelation 16
[24] Revelation 17 (Part 1): Verses 1-6
[25] Revelation 17 (Part 2): Verses 7-18*
[26] Revelation 18
[27] Revelation 19
[28] Revelation 20 (Part 1): Introduction and Outline
[29] Revelation 20 (Part 2): John Piper Hosts “An Evening of Eschatology” (Subject: The Millennium)
[30] Revelation 20 (Part 3): Amillennial Viewpoint (Post #1: Verse-by-Verse Study)
[31] Revelation 20 (Part 4): Amillennial Viewpoint (Post #2: Verse-by-Verse Study)
[32] Revelation 20 (Part 5): Amillennial Viewpoint (Post #3: Two Articles)
[33] Revelation 20 [Part 6]: Amillennial Viewpoint (Post #4: Two More Articles)
[34] Revelation 20 [Part 7]: Post-millennial Viewpoint
[35] Revelation 20 [Part 8]: Pre-millennial Viewpoint
[36] Revelation 20 (Part 9): Minority Viewpoints on the Millennium (Post #1)
[37] Revelation 20 (Part 10): Minority Viewpoints on the Millennium (Post #2)
[38] Revelation 20 (Part 11): Four Views on Gog and Magog
[39] A Discussion of Two Ages: “This age and the age to come” (Precursor to Revelation 21 Study)
[40] Revelation 21 (Part 1): Verses 1-4
[41] Revelation 21 (Part 2): Verses 5-27
[42] Revelation 22 (Part 1): Verses 1-5
[43] Revelation 22 (Part 2): Verses 6-21

*These posts were written when I understood the beast of Revelation 17 to be Rome/Nero, the seven kings of Revelation 17:10 to be the first seven Roman emperors, and the 10 horns of Revelation 17:12-14 to be the rulers of Rome’s 10 Senatorial Provinces. I now understand the beast to be Zealot-led Israel, the seven kings of Revelation 17:10 to be leaders of Israel’s Zealot movement, and the 10 horns to be 10 Jewish generals (named by Josephus) who were appointed around January 67 AD to oversee specific territories and to prepare for war with Rome. These posts will be updated accordingly when time allows.

SERIES RELATED TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION

A. Josephus and the Book of Revelation

This project features a growing number of parallels between the Book of Revelation and “The Wars of the Jews,” published by Josephus in 75 AD. It includes a chart with dates showing when these events occurred. One reason this project is valuable is that it enables us to better understand the structure of Revelation and when the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments took place:

1. Josephus and the Book of Revelation (Nine Case Studies)
2. Josephus and Revelation 6:5-6 (Wheat, Barley, Oil, and Wine)
3. 

B. Little Gems From Our Study of the Book of Revelation

Many of the studies listed at the top of this page are rather lengthy, and numerous smaller studies are buried within those posts.  This series is an attempt to pull them out and present them as stand-alone teachings:

1. Revelation 6 and Luke 23: Hide Us From the Wrath of the Lamb
2. The Avenging of Righteous Blood (Deuteronomy, Matthew, and Revelation); Revelation 6:10, 16:4-6, 17:3-6, 18:19-24, and 19:2
3. Echoes of Mount Sinai in the Book of Revelation
4. Jerusalem, a Dwelling Place of Demons (Rev. 18:2)
5. New Jerusalem, God’s Dwelling Place (Rev. 21:1-3)
6. The Significance of the Word “Desolate” in the New Testament (Rev. 17:16, 18:19)
7. Wormwood (Revelation 8): An OT-Based Judgment Upon Unfaithful Israel
8. Israel’s 5-Month Locust Invasion in 70 AD (Revelation 9:1-11)
9. The New Testament Repeatedly Applies Isaiah 65-66 to This Present Age (Revelation 21:1-3)
10. The Mystery of God (Revelation 10:7) Has Long Been Finished
11. To Seal or Not to Seal the Book? (Daniel 12 Versus Revelation 22)
12. The Harlot of Revelation 17 and its Relationship to Old Covenant Israel**
13. “The Great City Babylon…Shall Not Be Found Anymore” (Revelation 18)
14. 

**These posts were written when I understood the beast of Revelation 17 to be Rome/Nero, the seven kings of Revelation 17:10 to be the first seven Roman emperors, and the 10 horns of Revelation 17:12-14 to be the rulers of Rome’s 10 Senatorial Provinces. I now understand the beast to be Zealot-led Israel, the seven kings of Revelation 17:10 to be leaders of Israel’s Zealot movement, and the 10 horns to be 10 Jewish generals (named by Josephus) who were appointed around January 67 AD to oversee specific territories and to prepare for war with Rome. These posts will be updated accordingly when time allows.

C. The Meaning of “Those Who Dwell on Earth” in the Book of Revelation

On February 19, 2010 I (Adam) completed a three-part series on the phrase “those who dwell on the earth,” which appears in Revelation 10 times, and at least a couple dozen more times in various forms. By tracing the usage of this phrase, and examining context as well as the use of this phrase elsewhere in Scripture, a strong case can be made that this phrase is an indication of 1st century apostate Israel. This three-part series can be seen here:

[1] https://kloposmasm.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/the-earth-as-a-common-reference-to-israel-in-revelation-part-1/
[2] https://kloposmasm.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/the-earth-as-a-common-reference-to-israel-in-revelation-part-2/
[3] https://kloposmasm.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/the-earth-as-a-common-reference-to-israel-in-revelation-part-3/

D. Expected future posts or series on the book of Revelation

My desire is to create compilations of direct allusions in the book of Revelation to:

[1] the Old Covenant given to Moses at Sinai (meant to contrast the emergence of the New Covenant Church totally separated from temple-based Judaism)
[2] Jerusalem’s destruction in 586 BC (meant to foretell a very similar downfall about to occur in 70 AD, with Jerusalem taking on the name of her 586 BC conqueror–Babylon)
[3] the plagues which came upon Egypt (meant to point out that the punishments inflicted on Israel’s old enemy would now be inflicted upon her)
[4] justice for the martyred and persecuted saints and prophets at the end of the Judaic age

ADDITIONAL POSTS

  1. That Mountain Was Cast Into the Sea…and These Can Be Too
  2. The Significance of the Number ‘7’ in the Book of Revelation

EVIDENCE THAT REVELATION WAS WRITTEN PRIOR TO 70 AD

The following posts lay out a case that the book of Revelation was written prior to 70 AD, and that this book has much to say about the destruction of Jerusalem and apostate Israel which took place in John’s day. Although the external evidence is discussed first, it’s the internal evidence which is more important:

[1] External Evidence for An Early Date
[2] Internal Evidence for An Early Date (Part 1)
[3] Internal Evidence for An Early Date (Part 2)
[4] Internal Evidence for An Early Date (Part 3)
[5] Internal Evidence for An Early Date (Part 4)
[6] The Book of Revelation Written Before 70 AD (An Illustration)

45 thoughts on “Book of Revelation Fulfilled”

    • Hey Ted,

      Thanks for stopping by! We will definitely keep it up. Tonight we covered the first half of Revelation 13 in our study. It was very informative. The post is just about ready to go up, but I will probably wait for the chapter 11 and chapter 12 studies to be posted first.

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      • I was wondering what you thought occurred regarding the rapture of the saints around 70 AD as you cited some of the early church fathers who did not know that Christ had returned and were still looking forward to the Parousia.

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  2. Hey Adam

    No need to respond,get some rest.I just wanted to say that your study of the book of Revelation looks great.I know i should read them in order but i could not resist reading chapter 13 first.Wow that Nero was indeed a beast and Ten fulfilled prophecies,you get five stars! 🙂

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    • Hi Steve,

      Thanks for stopping by. I’ll have to take a look at your book – it sounds interesting. That’s very kind of you to provide it for free. Thanks also for your valuable comment under the “Synagogue of Satan” post.

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  4. Adam, have you had a chance to look through my book yet? Many of our views are similar, but in my book, I make the case how this leads to some interesting new insights into various topics. I’d be interested to receive any feedback from a fellow student of God’s Word.

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  5. Hi Steve,

    Thanks for following up with me about your book. I started reading it several months back and didn’t get too far before something happened. My computer crashed and I lost a number of things that I hadn’t yet backed up anywhere else, including your e-book. I appreciate this reminder. I’ll send you an email momentarily asking for another copy, if that’s OK. This time I’ll make sure I keep a second copy in case the same or a similar thing happens. You’ve piqued my curiosity about the new insights you’ve gained.

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  6. Hi Adam, I just came across this website while searching for info on Revelation. What a fantastic collection of notes and insights! This is really helpful. I have recently been reading Kenneth Gentry’s books and have been drawn to his partial preterist views. It makes more sense of Revelation than anything I’ve been taught before. Thanks for making this available.

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    • Hi Gary, thanks for your comment, and you’re welcome. I’m glad to hear that you’ve been helped and blessed by the material here. The preterist position makes far more sense to me than any other view I’ve heard as well. I have to say, though, that I know more people on the internet than I do in real life who agree with this viewpoint, or are even familiar with it.

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  7. Adam, I have had the same experience. I plan to teach a Bible class on the subject soon. Hopefully, at the very least, others at church will have a different perspective to consider. I did find one person in a previous class who had arrived at some of the same conclusions as I had. We were both surprised at each other as we began to express our “unusual” viewpoints on Revelation, soon realizing our agreement.

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  9. Hi Adam. I’ve been reading several of your posts, especially the ones on Revelation 20. I’ve been in a bit of dilemma on the 1000 years (so-called millennium) for some time. Can’t make up my mind if it’s the 40 years between Christ’s ministry on Earth and AD70, or from AD70 up to the present and up to when God winds up history, or something else. Sure, I believe 1000 is symbolic, but it’s the one part of scripture that still baffles me. I hold to a broadly orthodox preterist view of scripture. Could I ask you 2 questions?: (1)What is your own personal persuasion on the 1000 years at this time? At what point is Satan let loose as is mentioned in Rev 20? (2) Do you now hold the Full Preterist position that ALL was fulfilled at AD70? Or do you believe there is some sort of final fulfilment yet to come – a point at which God folds up history as we know it? Many thanks
    Mark
    Poole, England

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    • Hi Mark,

      I appreciate you sharing that. I’ve been in the same dilemma for quite a while regarding Revelation 20. What a tough passage! Even after embracing fulfilled eschatology/preterism, I couldn’t see the 1000 years as fulfilled in the first century. It just didn’t seem to fit. Then I thought I saw it – like you said, fulfilled between 30 AD – 70 AD. Recently, though, I saw some things that made this explanation no longer seem to fit.

      If it wasn’t fulfilled by that time, however, I don’t think I see any parallels elsewhere in Scripture for the devil to be released for a short time, gather up the rebellious from among the nations, attack the saints, and all of them be destroyed.

      I’m still up in the air, then, on Revelation 20 and the 1000 years.

      I identify a lot with what is said to be the full preterist position. However, I don’t believe that the gifts of the Spirit ceased in the past (as some preterists and also some futurists believe). I also recognize that a resurrection and a redemption of our bodies still awaits those in Christ who have not yet physically died, though it has been realized for those who have already passed beyond the grave.

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      • I’m a little late to the party, but here’s my take on the 1000 years…

        The Thousand years is a typological reference to the length of the Davidic Monarchy, from David, the first King in the line, to Christ, the Final, and Completion/Restoration of the Line, which is a period of…

        wait for it……

        1000 years!

        The “Thousand years” shows that Christ fulfilled the hopes of the Davidic Monarchy that Christ would fill David’s office as King (Luke 1:68-69; Acts 2:30-36; 1 Timothy 1:17; Mark 11:10; ) and restore the tabernacle of David (Acts 15:16-17) so that all the gentile nations could join in to the true worship of Jehovah. The 1000 years shows a completed Monarchy instead of the fact that the Monarchy had fallen into ruin in the 500s BC via the Babylonian captivity.

        David and Christ being the only 2 Kings in the line that matter, David the type, Christ the antitype, or fulfillment.

        Christ fulfilled what all other kings in the line failed to do, thus bringing completion to, and fulfilling the purpose for, the Davidic monarchy, which was the “1000 year reign”.

        Again, the idea of a thousand years reign with Israel’s Monarchy was an Old Testament hope — one that was wished for but failed. The hopes of this glorious reign were laid out when Solomon took the throne after David. It was said that Israel would walk in the covenant blessings, and so much so that the Gentiles would come into the covenant (such as the Queen of Sheba’s homage to Solomon). However, the “tabernacle of David” began to quickly crumble, and fell into total ruin by the time of the Babylonian exile. This all summarizes an OT type. Now, fast-forward to all the NT typology about Jesus being the TRUE “son of David” who was born as THE MESSIANIC HEIR to David’s throne for raising up the Monarchy. This is what Revelation 20 is doing. It is using the Davidic Monarchy typology and applying it to Christ and the martyr-kings who reign in the Christic Monarchy, and it does so in exactly the same typological sense as other types we are more familiar with (Jesus is the “sacrifical lamb,” etc). In Revelation 20 we see Jesus and his tribulation-martyr-kings reign; they defeat satan; they bring in the gentiles; and they judge the world. These are all the things hoped for in the OT times, but fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant Church. The Church has all dominion with Christ over heaven and earth, satan was defeated, the gentles are now in the covenant, and Christ and the Church are the judges of the whole world.

        Amazing History.

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      • Well Peter—– READ mat 16:28 Some you the apostles would be ALIVE when Jesus come into his Parrousia REIGN

        ……. James said: the Parrousia of the Lors is NEAR= EGGUS = AT HAND nothing to do with 2000 years later or so….

        Jesus said: this is the time = hour = moment = GENERATION FOR THE ACCONPLISHMENT of ALL ALL …..ALLL ALL……scriptures….

        Jesus said : John Baptist WAs the Elijah that had to come for the retablishment of all thing…. HE was the Elijah that had TO COME……. Is that CLEAR ENOUGH ???????????

        Jesus said to Peter, If I want to keep John alive when i come in my Parrousia, it’s not your affair…… And as we know by historians, John retour to Judah in years 60 or 65 approx……..

        Revelation, Jesus said: i’ll come QUICKLY = TACHU = with a SMALL delay…. SOON ……

        The angel said to John… ALL those things in the Revelation is VERY NEAR to be accomplish…
        And inside the Bible the term NEAR – EGGUS ALWAYS……ALWAYS…… ALWAYS……ALWAYS. ALWAYS……ALWAYS…… ALWAYS……ALWAYS. ALWAYS……ALWAYS…… ALWAYS……ALWAYS. ALWAYS……ALWAYS…… ALWAYS……ALWAYS. ALWAYS……ALWAYS…… ALWAYS……ALWAYS. ALWAYS……ALWAYS…… ALWAYS……ALWAYS. MEANT AT HANd = less then a generation……

        And that’s why, Flavius saw a legion of angels in the sky of Jerusalem in years 70……. === The Parrousia it was ====see Mat 16:28, etc………..

        And there’s 110 others passages like that JUST in the NT……….

        So I can laugh….. NOT you Pete………

        Serge

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  10. Hi Adam. Thanks for your response. Revelation 20 is probably the hardest chapter in the Bible. I’ve agonised over it for quite a few years. However, I tend to lean more towards the view that it refers to the period between the first coming of Jesus as Messiah until AD70 when the Old Covenant was brought to a violent end. You’re right in that it is hard to get one or two bits to fit that view, but it seems to be the only one with consistency in terms of its symbolism and how it fits with other scriptures in Revelation. It seems to then lead into the last 2 chapters that speak to the everlasting New Covenant I could be wrong, but I just can’t see it speaking of the aion we’re in now. I also don’t see that there billions upon billions awaiting some great wake-up call from their graves in the future. In other words, because of what has been fulfilled, we go straight into the presence of the Lord at death if we are believers of the One – that the White Throne judgement commenced at AD70 and is ongoing to this day. I sense this is your view too. Where I stop short of calling myself a Full preterist is that I believe there will be a point at which God draws history as we know it to an end – where the rock in Jeremiah has become the mountain that has finally filled the whole earth, so to speak. I’m teachable and always happy to be corrected. Blessings!

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    • Mark, you’re welcome. I believe I lean the same way you do, that the 1000 years in Revelation “refers to the period between the first coming of Jesus as Messiah until AD 70 when the Old Covenant was brought to a violent end.” My biggest difficulty in understanding this portion concerns the devil and his changing status as revealed elsewhere in Scripture, and lining that all up with what the text says in Revelation 20.

      I agree with you about the resurrection – that because of what was fulfilled, we are immediately with the Lord upon death if we belong to Christ. It’s been a while since I’ve studied on the White Throne judgment or any other judgment/rewards for believers, but I do tend to believe it’s ongoing and carried out as individuals pass beyond the grave. I don’t believe I see the Judgment of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25) as ongoing, however. Do you (if that’s something you’ve been able to study)?

      I want to believe that “there will be a point at which God draws history as we know it to an end – where the rock…has become the mountain that has finally filled the whole earth.” I’ve seen Scriptures which speak about the mountain filling the earth, but I don’t recall seeing them in the context of history coming to a close. Do you know of any good online studies which make such a case? Blessings to you as well!

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  11. Hi Adam. Thanks again. One interpretation I’ve come across about Satan being unleashed when the 1000 years were over could be the severe persecution of believers that took place under Nero and shortly before the AD70 judgement (Rev 20:7). There had been a period of time of many years before that point when the gospel spread very rapidly throughout the known world and perhaps that was when the adversary was being ‘chained’ so he was restricted from preventing this enormous growth that was taking place. I guess the key is to understand that Revelation is using metaphorical and allegorical language all throughout. It is so easy to slip into the bad old habit of reading it literally. A first century Jewish believer would have understood it in a way that a 21st Century westernised lens would not.

    I used to worry constantly about the Sheep and Goats portrayal and that I might be the latter. Not any more. My own persuasion at this time is that this was a First Century setting, that the audience were Jews – who was a genuine follower of Yeshua (sheep) and apostates (goats) and what would be the outcome circa AD70.

    There are a few scriptures that make me wonder if there is still a final fulfilment to come. Allegorically, I can see that those of us who are followers of Jesus are in a type of New Heaven and New Earth post-AD70 and that we are the New Jerusalem and New Temple. This is where Revelation 21 and 22 come in. But I’m not somehow convinced we are yet living in the fullness of grace this side of the grave. Yes, the church is growing worldwide at a phenomenal rate, but sin and wickedness are still rampant. Nature is still as red in tooth and claw as ever. Is that lion yet laying down with the lamb?

    When I look at Revelation 22:15 it seems to suggest that the Godless are still outside the gate, so sin has not yet been eradicated. The gate suggests there is a way in, but only through Jesus Christ. Maybe I’m missing something but I struggle to see history just going on ad infinitum for millions or billions of years. Corinthians 1 – Chapter 15 is one that partial preterists cite among others as pointing to final fulfilment yet to come. But again, there could be a misreading here. I’m a preterist, no doubt about that, but I have tended to sway back and forth from orthodox (or partial) to full and then back again. I’m teachable and always open to be convinced otherwise if I’m missing something. Blessings and great to dialogue with you!!
    Mark

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  14. I am a new student of Preterism. I was doing a study about the Second Coming Of Christ and found mention of “The Parousia by J.S. Russell”. It was carefully researched and very well written. It all seems so logical and so many problems are answered. I like your studies on Revelation and will stay tuned it.

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    • Hi Dean. Thank you, and welcome to the world of preterism. I have a copy of “The Parousia,” and I’ve read some of it but haven’t finished yet. I agree with a lot of what I’ve read in it, but not everything. Then again I don’t agree with all of my own writings from a few years ago. Within a few weeks I should be ready to post a new series that you may be interested in – about the beast of Revelation and the fourth beast/kingdom of Daniel 2 and 7.

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  15. Hello Adam, I just want to say thank you and may God continue to fill you with grace and wisdom for His glory. I have been following your blog for awhile and I have enjoyed it very much. Perhaps I am biased because I find myself sharing similar view with yours 😛 it’s not been easy to find blogs like this! I appreciate you going in depth to share your insight. I look forward to more. His grace be with you.

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    • Hi. Thank you for your comment, and I’m glad to hear that you’ve been enjoying this blog. Please feel free to share your thoughts and questions at any time. May God’s grace be with you as well.

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  17. https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsenjoyed JP’s vidio, prob have to watch it again..it made me feel better seeing these scholars disagree on Rev. 20,etc….i like your take on the beast makes alot of sense…..question? 1) what is “caught up in 1thes. ? ( 2.) what is the apostasy and the restrainer in 2thes? (3.) Are we now in between Christ’s coming’ -and the End? 1cor 15:23. …im still studying this site so i may not have seen this in previous posts. thanks for your years of in depth digging for the Truth and sharing. Lynn

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  18. Adam have u heard of September 23 or 24 in 2017 and revalation 12 I keep getting scared and confused at the same time plz help

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  19. All Church Authorities up to 1000AD believed that Revelation was written AD95/96.

    But Jesus tells us that it is post AD73 in the Book. We need look no further:

    REV 2: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

    Jerusalem was smashed like a clay jar (Jeremiah 19). Jesus refers to the smashing of it in the past tense.

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    • Hi Marcus. It’s simply not true that “all church authorities up to 1000 AD believed that Revelation was written AD 95/96.” Francis Gumerlock’s book, “Revelation and the First Century,” documents many quotes from church leaders, even prior to AD 1000, stating that certain prophecies in Revelation were fulfilled during the Jewish-Roman War and that the book was written prior to the war. Regarding Jesus’ authority, how do you understand Daniel 7:13-14? My understanding is that it describes the Dominion, power, and authority Jesus was given at His ascension (four decades before AD 73).

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      • I don’t know. But God took vengeance on Jesus’ enemies; this occurred when he destroyed Jerusalem. And Jesus refers to it ‘even as I received of my Father’. For me it is 100% that Revelation is post AD73. But I will not argue with you. Re second question – yes I agree.

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      • Daniel has more than one night vision (Dan 7: 1,15) so these verses (13,14) pertain to a separate vision than the first night vision.

        Here we see Jesus ascending from the tomb to be presented to the Father, (AD 33), and inaugurating the Kingdom of God (Heaven) as spoken of throughout the gospels. [Dan 2: 44 “In the time of those king(dom)s” – as it happens, during phase 1 of the iron leg Kingdom, not the feet of iron & clay phase]

        Go back to verses 9 & 10, and we see the Father, but not Jesus. This simply tells us that when the final Kingdom, (feet of iron & clay), is smashed, Jesus is doing it, because he is no longer seated alongside his father. I.E. he has returned on a horse.

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  20. I’ve never seen sufficient proof that Revelation was written before 70ad…

    What I’ve seen is more like “highly debatable” support for the theory – and – it clearly has been debated.

    But – it’s the fact that it’s been debated that concerns me. If it’s “debatable”, then, there is no solid, factual, historic reason to necessarily claim, one way or the other, that Revelation was in fact written before or after 70ad.

    Since Full Preterism is utterly *dependent* on Revelation having been written before 70ad, and since the books date of composition is so highly debatable, then, it all becomes a matter of an abstract “belief” – “I *believe* the book was written before 70ad…” but, if one is being rational, one *must* add “…but, I don’t *know* that as fact”. (And, the same would be true for those who “believe” otherwise).

    Since nobody can *authoritatively* say when the book was written, based on hardcore historic information, I’m certainly not going to base any of my “theology of resurrection” on it. Jesus was raised up bodily; there is no reason that God cannot do the same for everyone. He is, after all, the Creator of the Universe.

    That “physical resurrection” theology, though, is not only supported by the fact of Jesus’ own bodily resurrection, but, by a long-established body of theology that preceeded Jesus (common Pharisaic thought), and, ultimately, on the understanding that Man – the “living being” – “nephesh” – is equally comprised of both body and spirit – a body without a spirit is a rotting corpse, a spirit without a body is a phantom in a netherworld – hence, the need for bodily resurrection.

    So, I’m really probably not going to decide in favor of a “spiritual resurrection” based on an un-established pre-70ad date for the writing of Rev.

    IF someone can authoritatively show me that Revelation was indeed, and quite factually, written before 70ad, then, hey, I’ll have no choice but to change my theology regarding the resurrection.

    Until then? Honestly, I think it might not at all to be a good idea to base an entire theology on an unknown date of authorship for a book. Especially not when it results in an entire “re-thinking” of a theology that is otherwise unquestionably one of “physical resurrection”.

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  21. I read your study on Jerusalem being the “beast” and the “two witnesses” being Ananus ben Ananus and Jesus ben Gamaliel. I was searching for the date of their death by the Idumeans, and found that you gave a February/March date in 68 AD. Can you please tell me your source for this date? Thank you. Valerie

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    • Hi Valerie. Thank you for your interest in my study about the two witnesses, and for your question. One source for the date of their deaths is the “Chronology of the War According to Josephus” compiled by G. J. Goldberg:

      http://www.josephus.org/FlJosephus2/warChronology6Factions.htm

      I also combed through “The Wars of the Jews” by Josephus looking for clues, just so I wouldn’t simply take another person’s word for it. I couldn’t find any reason to disagree with that approximate date. It’s known that John Levi came to Jerusalem in November AD 67 when Vespasian attacked his location in Gischala (Galilee). It was sometime after that when the Zealot siege of Jerusalem took place (during which time Ananus and Jesus were killed).

      From what I’ve seen, the next event in “The Wars of the Jews” that can be dated with certainty took place around May AD 68. A lot of things took place in between November AD 67 and May AD 68, and the deaths of Ananus and Jesus were in the middle of those things (or a bit more than halfway between them).

      Wikipedia’s entry on “The Zealot Siege of Jerusalem” also agrees with this time frame.

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  22. Thought concerning the 2 witnesses, does not the Old Testament identify them as the 2 houses of Israel, old covenanted Israel. When Satan ” the Roman empire under Titus and his 4 legions” were let loose at the end of the 1000 years, they killed many Saints. The previous 37 years Satan “the Roman empire” was held in chains so the gospel could be preached. Jesus said approximately 30 AD I saw Satan fall from heaven, the power of the Roman empire bound so they could not touch Paul and the other Apostles and Disciples, Paul and Peter and many other would appear to have died in that time frame of 37 years later. The Roman empire released 37 years later, were the 2 witnesses killed in one day? Seems like a 3 1/2 year slaughter of the 2 houses of Israel culminating in Jerusalem could represent the 2 witnesses as a large body, and the rising of the 2 witnesses as a massive gathering of multitudes and multitudes and not 2 individuals. No matter it was just a thought, God Bless …

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    • Hi Corey,

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I don’t view Satan or the two witnesses the way you do, but that’s OK. To answer your first question, I’m also not aware of the Old Testament identifying the two witnesses as “the 2 houses of Israel, old covenanted Israel.” I’m not sure if you’ve seen my post on the two witnesses or not, but I believe they were the former high priests, Ananus ben Ananus and Jesus ben Gamaliel:

      https://adammaarschalk.com/2017/02/04/the-two-witnesses-killed-by-the-beast-revelation-113-13/

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      • The 2 witnesses were Peter and James. The transfiguration on mountain Oliver explain that. And John was related to Jesus for written the Revelation.

        Peter = Eliah = same spirit caracters… impétuosité…..
        James = Moses = a large knowing of the Law
        Jesus = John = Revelation

        The 2 witnesses were call the 2 olivers. James and Peter were on mount Oliver when the transfiguration occur.

        The 2 candela = James and Peter were the 2 columns in Jerusalem and Judeah…

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    • The two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah. It clearly states in the Bible that they will return and that they were the two men that didnt die but were taken to heaven. I am blown away at how far off someone can twist scriptures. I mean it’s so far off base.

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      • John the Baptist WAS the Elijah that had to come…. So Peter and James was Elijah and Moses that had to come…. See for yourself by the transfiguration… Peter, James and Moses and Elijah was there… And Jesus and John was also there….

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      • Revelation did talked about Elijah and Moses, not Elijah and Enoch….. That’s a very BIG mistake firsly…….

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  23. https://polldaddy.com/js/rating/rating.jsDo you thing that the apostles knew and understood ALL that ?????? It is more complicated then ALL the technologies and maths of ALL the universe. For myself, i really think NO.
    But, Revelation told: those (the apostles, etc.. (of the first century) that who’s gone the read that, will understand and be Happy. So my friend, i dont think that Revelation the way you explain-it did make someone happy in the first century, even the apostles… So with you, Reveletion is understaning 2000 years later……Can i laught i little bit ??????

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