That's what I think.
That it was given to John specifically.
I don't believe all of the apostles knew about the mark of the beast and all the events in revelation.
They had the Books of Daniel and Zechariah, and Isaiah, which gave prophecies that could have been fulfilled then, after Jesus' resurrection, or centuries later.
The disciples were asking Jesus before He ascended if He was going to bring the kingdom then. Jesus said the time was in the Father's hands. I think that God was not going to tell us what would happen after Israel finished rejecting Jesus in finality (Acts 28) until they actually had.
All of the OT prophecies could have been fulfilled in the apostolic era, between Rome and Israel. Had Isreal receive Jesus, they would have killed Jesus just the same. When Jesus rose, and ascended, it would have incited such fervent nationalism that Rome would have come in to crush them, which would have been the great tribulation. Of course some of these affect the whole earth, I'm hoping you see the distinction I'm showing.
Acts 3:19-21 KJV
19) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20)
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21) Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Jesus would have returned, saved Israel from total destruction, and started His kingdom. But they rejected Him, the Gospel was sent to the gentiles via Paul. And prophecies were given that could only be fulfilled on a worldwide basis, and after that particular era.
It's like God gives them a choice, but only after they choose does He release His word to them, "Since you've chosen this way, here's what's going to happen . . ." But He waits until they've actually made that choice.
Much love!
