Revelation was written during Nero's reign before 70AD
A narrative by a “Tentmaker” with the help of friends
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.
1 - The time statement in Revelation 1:1 refers to soon events of cataclysmic Jewish importance. If it was written in 96 AD, there are no events soon from that time that could even remotely fit. If, however, it was before 70 AD, then the destruction of Jerusalem rises to the occasion as both Jewish and cataclysmic. The time statements demand we look here.
2 - The second century Syrian version of the book has the title of "John the Evangelist in the Isle of Patmos, where he was thrown by Nero Caesar." Nero, of course, was dead by 68 AD.
3 - The 6th king in Revelation 17 is the one that persecutes the saints. Roman emperors are (1) Julius, (2) Augustus, (3) Tiberius, (4) Caligula, (5) Claudius, then (6) Nero. Nero was the first and only Roman Caesar of the Julian line to persecute Christians. Nero's death ended the Julian dynasty. The one ruling after him reigned only a little while, Galba, 6 months who was the seventh.
4 - If the 6th king is indeed Nero, he would be the one that "now is" according to the prophecy, and this would date the writing before 68 AD when Nero supposedly committed suicide. Nero also persecuted Christians for 42 months as is stated in the prophecy. The 7th king of Revelation 17 is not yet here. If Nero is the 6th, then the book was written before Galba, i.e. before 70 AD.
5 - Caesar Nero's name in Hebrew gematria adds up to 666. Since this was written about “soon” events, no other person can be found within this time scope whose name fits this requirement and description. Especially none can be found in the “soon” future of 96 AD.
6 - Some versions have a few manuscripts that have the number of the beast as 616 instead of the Hebrew 666. (You can find this stated in almost any Study Bible). What is shocking is that using gematria Caesar Nero's name would add up to 616 in those versions, but in Hebrew, 666. This is very strong evidence that Caesar Nero really was the one being referred to as the beast and that the change from 666 to 616 in some manuscripts was intentional for that very reason. It is nearly impossible to find any other person's name in that time frame that would do this!
7 - What purpose would it serve for John to tell the first readers of his prophecy to "calculate" the number of the name of the beast if he was not to be born until 2000 years later? This implies that the beast was living at the time of this writing, thus proving not necessarily the pre-70 AD writing, but definitely the "at hand" time statements of the book.
8 - If in Revelation 11:1 John is referring to some rebuilt temple in the far distant future he is sent to measure, and he is writing in 96 AD, then his complete silence about the destruction of the temple in 70 AD is deafening!!!
9 - The incredible parallels of Matthew 24 and Revelation, which Jesus said would happen in "this generation" and "when . . . Jerusalem (is) surrounded with armies". Most of that generation were dead in the time of 96 AD and Jerusalem was surrounded with armies in 70 AD.
10 - According to the epistles to the churches and Revelation 2:9 & 3:9, there were still Judaizers presenting problems in the churches. This particular issue would be ridiculous after the holocaust of 70 AD and the resulting diaspora of nearly all in Israel except for the less “religious”.
[Editor's Note: Because any teachings by any fallible man, including this narrative, could unwittingly be flawed, all Christians should be as the Bereans in Acts 17:11, and should ask the Holy Spirit to guide them into the truth, and to discern doctrines that can be judged by their fruitfulness in strengthening Jesus' Kingdom while also encouraging loving-holiness towards God and “all” others. When the Book of Revelation, (and verse 18:4), was written during Nero's reign it encouraged an exodus from Mystery Babylon prior to its impending destruction(s), similar to Nahum's writings that encouraged believers to flee Nineveh prior to its holocaust by the Babylonians, and similar to Jesus' teachings from The Book of Daniel that encouraged believers to flee Jerusalem prior to its holocaust in 70 AD. During Nero's reign The Book of Revelation encouraged an exodus from both Jerusalem and Rome since they both have seven hills and both had a history of martyring God's prophets. Today Revelation continues to encourage believers to flee from all Mystery Babylon communities. These are idolatrous non-relational religious communities whose leadership would promote fruit destroying doctrines-of-men, that are materialistic-idolatrous, lascivious, or lustful; or that would teach the opposite of the truth concerning our Father God's immeasurable faith hope love and eternal efforts for “each” and “all” of His prodigal children; until Colossians 1:20 and 1John 3:8 would eventually be fulfilled, when “hopefully” “all” might eventually be reconciled back to His Kingdom in Heaven as a result of the cross of Christ Jesus. (1Peter 3:18-20) (Matthew 19:30, 20:16, Mark 10:31) These Mystery Babylon communities are especially evident when they martyr those who attempt to expose doctrines of men and devils for the thievery, death and destruction they cause within our world and to Jesus' Kingdom. Scripture teaches that Jesus is continually praying throughout His leadership's siftings and chastenings, in order that they would be taught the importance of continually converting and mentoring others to pursue loving-holiness towards “all” while simultaneously resisting all evil, “if” they would pray to remain one of His chosen ambassadors into the eternity ahead of them. Because of the Savior's prayers His mighty angels are continuously fulfilling 2Chronicles 16:9 without any favoritism within any culture or lineage, until all of His children would have matured and 1Corinthians 13:8-10 and Revelation 21 would be fulfilled and seen in the earth. The results of Jesus' prayerful efforts would be that His children would have learned to work in concert with His Spirit to bring forth a best-case fulfillment of all apocalyptic “prophetic-scripture”, i.e. a best-case fulfillment of the Greek word katargeō in 1Corinthians 13:8, e.g. katargeō concerning Isaiah 17, Nahum 1:15c, Zephaniah 1:2,18c and 2:9. All the while the evil one, the devil Beelzebub, works to bring forth a worst-case fulfillment of all “prophetic-scripture,” by using the blasphemies, slanders, self-righteous bigotries, and Laodicean lethargy that all doctrines-of-men continually promote, whenever some wayward teachers have blindly used the Holy scriptures to multiply their sins towards God. As Paul was duped to do prior to His seeing Christ Jesus, and immediately he became a converted-universalist. Revelation 21 reveals that at the end of this age every hardened soul who would have continually refused to receive the Gospel of the Kingdom into their hearts are destined to be left behind when Jesus' joint-heirs would be evacuated; and these few evil souls would then suffer for ages whenever a near earth nova would again sterilize the earth for a lengthy season. Similarly to how judgment upon Jerusalem and its Church there was able to be minimized via the efforts of Jesus' Church prior to 70AD, what is being accomplished in our generation is again in the hands of Jesus' Holy Church, much more than in the hands of God's Holy Angels who are mighty in power but limited in number. Because our Father God knows each of His children's fears and weaknesses, let us each pray that the Comforter would encourage God's ambassadors to be courageous and prudent, in order that they would pursue God's Holiness in a way that very soon the gates of hell will not prevail against the assaults by Jesus' Church. Only then would our Father God be glorified to our uttermost, and His ambassadors would have prepared the earth for Jesus' to reveal His New Jerusalem as a Day-Star in the eastern sky amidst the clouds of Heaven, at which time His “mercy will have triumphed over judgments” to the Glory of God the Father. [James 2:13] (Mark 14:62; Habakkuk 2:14) (2Peter 1:4; Revelation 12:11, 21:27)
Narrative scripture references:
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 Peter 3:18-20 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Matthew 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. -
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. -
Mark 10:31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Isaiah 17:1-3 [NIV A Prophecy Against Damascus] 17 A prophecy against Damascus: “See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins. 2 The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid. 3 The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim, and royal power from Damascus; the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites,” declares the Lord Almighty.
Nahum 1:15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Zephaniah 1:2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord.
Zephaniah 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. -
Habakkuk 2:14 14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. -
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. -
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. -
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
So I post these views to ascertain if some who might read them would be like the Bereans, and so these views "might" improve upon previous understandings after considering them.
Any comments anyone?
A Servant of Jesus Christ
AservantofJC
PS - The attached pic shows that the natural violence that our world and universe can hurl against our mortal corruptible bodies can only be worsened when one would refuse to learn and grow and build for a better day for themselves and "all" others, and instead would war against the master builder Christ Jesus our Lord, who is the chief cornerstone of everything that our shekinah Father God has ever created.
A narrative by a “Tentmaker” with the help of friends
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.
1 - The time statement in Revelation 1:1 refers to soon events of cataclysmic Jewish importance. If it was written in 96 AD, there are no events soon from that time that could even remotely fit. If, however, it was before 70 AD, then the destruction of Jerusalem rises to the occasion as both Jewish and cataclysmic. The time statements demand we look here.
2 - The second century Syrian version of the book has the title of "John the Evangelist in the Isle of Patmos, where he was thrown by Nero Caesar." Nero, of course, was dead by 68 AD.
3 - The 6th king in Revelation 17 is the one that persecutes the saints. Roman emperors are (1) Julius, (2) Augustus, (3) Tiberius, (4) Caligula, (5) Claudius, then (6) Nero. Nero was the first and only Roman Caesar of the Julian line to persecute Christians. Nero's death ended the Julian dynasty. The one ruling after him reigned only a little while, Galba, 6 months who was the seventh.
4 - If the 6th king is indeed Nero, he would be the one that "now is" according to the prophecy, and this would date the writing before 68 AD when Nero supposedly committed suicide. Nero also persecuted Christians for 42 months as is stated in the prophecy. The 7th king of Revelation 17 is not yet here. If Nero is the 6th, then the book was written before Galba, i.e. before 70 AD.
5 - Caesar Nero's name in Hebrew gematria adds up to 666. Since this was written about “soon” events, no other person can be found within this time scope whose name fits this requirement and description. Especially none can be found in the “soon” future of 96 AD.
6 - Some versions have a few manuscripts that have the number of the beast as 616 instead of the Hebrew 666. (You can find this stated in almost any Study Bible). What is shocking is that using gematria Caesar Nero's name would add up to 616 in those versions, but in Hebrew, 666. This is very strong evidence that Caesar Nero really was the one being referred to as the beast and that the change from 666 to 616 in some manuscripts was intentional for that very reason. It is nearly impossible to find any other person's name in that time frame that would do this!
7 - What purpose would it serve for John to tell the first readers of his prophecy to "calculate" the number of the name of the beast if he was not to be born until 2000 years later? This implies that the beast was living at the time of this writing, thus proving not necessarily the pre-70 AD writing, but definitely the "at hand" time statements of the book.
8 - If in Revelation 11:1 John is referring to some rebuilt temple in the far distant future he is sent to measure, and he is writing in 96 AD, then his complete silence about the destruction of the temple in 70 AD is deafening!!!
9 - The incredible parallels of Matthew 24 and Revelation, which Jesus said would happen in "this generation" and "when . . . Jerusalem (is) surrounded with armies". Most of that generation were dead in the time of 96 AD and Jerusalem was surrounded with armies in 70 AD.
10 - According to the epistles to the churches and Revelation 2:9 & 3:9, there were still Judaizers presenting problems in the churches. This particular issue would be ridiculous after the holocaust of 70 AD and the resulting diaspora of nearly all in Israel except for the less “religious”.
[Editor's Note: Because any teachings by any fallible man, including this narrative, could unwittingly be flawed, all Christians should be as the Bereans in Acts 17:11, and should ask the Holy Spirit to guide them into the truth, and to discern doctrines that can be judged by their fruitfulness in strengthening Jesus' Kingdom while also encouraging loving-holiness towards God and “all” others. When the Book of Revelation, (and verse 18:4), was written during Nero's reign it encouraged an exodus from Mystery Babylon prior to its impending destruction(s), similar to Nahum's writings that encouraged believers to flee Nineveh prior to its holocaust by the Babylonians, and similar to Jesus' teachings from The Book of Daniel that encouraged believers to flee Jerusalem prior to its holocaust in 70 AD. During Nero's reign The Book of Revelation encouraged an exodus from both Jerusalem and Rome since they both have seven hills and both had a history of martyring God's prophets. Today Revelation continues to encourage believers to flee from all Mystery Babylon communities. These are idolatrous non-relational religious communities whose leadership would promote fruit destroying doctrines-of-men, that are materialistic-idolatrous, lascivious, or lustful; or that would teach the opposite of the truth concerning our Father God's immeasurable faith hope love and eternal efforts for “each” and “all” of His prodigal children; until Colossians 1:20 and 1John 3:8 would eventually be fulfilled, when “hopefully” “all” might eventually be reconciled back to His Kingdom in Heaven as a result of the cross of Christ Jesus. (1Peter 3:18-20) (Matthew 19:30, 20:16, Mark 10:31) These Mystery Babylon communities are especially evident when they martyr those who attempt to expose doctrines of men and devils for the thievery, death and destruction they cause within our world and to Jesus' Kingdom. Scripture teaches that Jesus is continually praying throughout His leadership's siftings and chastenings, in order that they would be taught the importance of continually converting and mentoring others to pursue loving-holiness towards “all” while simultaneously resisting all evil, “if” they would pray to remain one of His chosen ambassadors into the eternity ahead of them. Because of the Savior's prayers His mighty angels are continuously fulfilling 2Chronicles 16:9 without any favoritism within any culture or lineage, until all of His children would have matured and 1Corinthians 13:8-10 and Revelation 21 would be fulfilled and seen in the earth. The results of Jesus' prayerful efforts would be that His children would have learned to work in concert with His Spirit to bring forth a best-case fulfillment of all apocalyptic “prophetic-scripture”, i.e. a best-case fulfillment of the Greek word katargeō in 1Corinthians 13:8, e.g. katargeō concerning Isaiah 17, Nahum 1:15c, Zephaniah 1:2,18c and 2:9. All the while the evil one, the devil Beelzebub, works to bring forth a worst-case fulfillment of all “prophetic-scripture,” by using the blasphemies, slanders, self-righteous bigotries, and Laodicean lethargy that all doctrines-of-men continually promote, whenever some wayward teachers have blindly used the Holy scriptures to multiply their sins towards God. As Paul was duped to do prior to His seeing Christ Jesus, and immediately he became a converted-universalist. Revelation 21 reveals that at the end of this age every hardened soul who would have continually refused to receive the Gospel of the Kingdom into their hearts are destined to be left behind when Jesus' joint-heirs would be evacuated; and these few evil souls would then suffer for ages whenever a near earth nova would again sterilize the earth for a lengthy season. Similarly to how judgment upon Jerusalem and its Church there was able to be minimized via the efforts of Jesus' Church prior to 70AD, what is being accomplished in our generation is again in the hands of Jesus' Holy Church, much more than in the hands of God's Holy Angels who are mighty in power but limited in number. Because our Father God knows each of His children's fears and weaknesses, let us each pray that the Comforter would encourage God's ambassadors to be courageous and prudent, in order that they would pursue God's Holiness in a way that very soon the gates of hell will not prevail against the assaults by Jesus' Church. Only then would our Father God be glorified to our uttermost, and His ambassadors would have prepared the earth for Jesus' to reveal His New Jerusalem as a Day-Star in the eastern sky amidst the clouds of Heaven, at which time His “mercy will have triumphed over judgments” to the Glory of God the Father. [James 2:13] (Mark 14:62; Habakkuk 2:14) (2Peter 1:4; Revelation 12:11, 21:27)
Narrative scripture references:
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 Peter 3:18-20 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Matthew 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. -
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. -
Mark 10:31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Isaiah 17:1-3 [NIV A Prophecy Against Damascus] 17 A prophecy against Damascus: “See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins. 2 The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid. 3 The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim, and royal power from Damascus; the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites,” declares the Lord Almighty.
Nahum 1:15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Zephaniah 1:2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord.
Zephaniah 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. -
Habakkuk 2:14 14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. -
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. -
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. -
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
So I post these views to ascertain if some who might read them would be like the Bereans, and so these views "might" improve upon previous understandings after considering them.
Any comments anyone?
A Servant of Jesus Christ
AservantofJC
PS - The attached pic shows that the natural violence that our world and universe can hurl against our mortal corruptible bodies can only be worsened when one would refuse to learn and grow and build for a better day for themselves and "all" others, and instead would war against the master builder Christ Jesus our Lord, who is the chief cornerstone of everything that our shekinah Father God has ever created.
