Tradition is not proof. Never has been. And there was more than one "John" in the ministry in the early church (John surnamed Mark, for instance).
John in writing Revelation says he was presently at that time a "companion in tribulation" along with his brethren (Rev. 1:9). Combined with all the other datable events John gives in Revelation, this "tribulation" period can only be the one which happened just after the AD 57 Ephesian riot in Asia, an episode in which Paul said he had "despaired even of life" (2 Cor. 1:8). The Jews antagonistic to the faith took advantage of that riot directed against Paul to continue persecuting the believers. John's being sent to Patmos (just off coast from Ephesus, and under its jurisdiction) was a result of the persecution in Asia against Christians which was jumpstarted by the AD 57 Ephesian riot against Paul.
@3 Resurrections.....I'm back....
I feel as though I am so behind but I want to address this John business with you and ask you why you believe the following to be wrong ( because you will
) ( And that is perfectly fine...
...before going into any more specifics on dates. Catching up on old posts and reading newer ideas... I feel like I am studying for finals.... and alas it was so much easier then. Seriously though..........
This makes a lot of sense to me... tell me why it is wrong please.
The answer to the question was the book of Revelation written by the apostle John, is A.D. 95. Discover why that is the correct answer.
www.neverthirsty.org
The author and date of the book of Revelation is determined by internal and external information. First we will consider the internal and external data that helps us know that the apostle John wrote the book. Second, internal and external data is provided for the location where the book was written and the date of its writing.
Date of the Book of Revelation
The Author – The Internal Evidence
First, we will address the question, “Who wrote the book of Revelation?” The internal evidence of the book of Revelation is very important since the Word of God is without error and is the only source of truth. It is important to note that the Scripture is the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15) and it is the Word of God (Colossians 1:25). The external evidence can only support what is internal. The external can never override the internal truth. That is the operational principle by which we discover truths about the book of Revelation.
First, let’s examine what the book of Revelation says about its author. We will start with Revelation 1:4.
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne . . . Revelation 1:4 (NASB)
Here we are told that John wrote to the seven churches in Asia. Then in chapters two and three of the book of Revelation, God used him to communicate to seven churches. A person identified as “John” is the author of the book. Paul, James, Peter, and Jude introduced themselves to their readers as the author of their letters or books at the beginning also.
Then in Revelation 1:9-10, John refers to himself as “I.”
I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet . . . Revelation 1:9-10 (NASB)
Then John once again refers to himself as “I” in verse 10. In fact, he refers to himself as”I” in every chapter of the book of Revelation, except in chapters two and three where he quotes God as saying, “I”. In the last chapter, Revelation 22:8, John uses his name once again. That means John referred to himself by name in the first chapters and the last chapter and as “I” in between. The internal evidence states that John is the author of the entire book of Revelation.
Who is this John? Revelation 1:5 gives us a hint when the author says, “To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood . . .” This is a very personal statement and is very similar to the opening verses of 1 John. In 1 John 1:1, the apostle John speaks about touching the Lord with his hands and seeing Him. It is important to recall that he was the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20). Consequently when the author speaks of Jesus as the One who loves us, it is a clue that this is the apostle John. No other author in the New Testament spoke in this manner of his personal relationship with Jesus as John did! This strongly suggests the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation.
The Author – The External Evidence
The testimony of the early church fathers strongly supports the view that the apostle John is the author of the book of Revelation. For example, Irenaeus (A.D. 115 – 202) wrote this in his book
Against Heresies,
John also, the Lord’s disciple, when beholding the sacerdotal and glorious advent of His kingdom, says in the Apocalypse: “I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks . . .” [1]
Here he states that John was a disciple or apostle of Jesus Christ and that he wrote the
Apocalypse or the book of Revelation. The verse that he quotes is Revelation 1:12. Then in numerous other passages in
Against Heresies he refers to John and quotes from the book of Revelation.[2]
Justin Martyr (A.D. 100 -166) wrote in
Dialogue With Trypho chap 81 that the author of Revelation was John, an apostle of the Lord. He goes on to say,
John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who are in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem . . .[3]
John Walvoord makes this statement about the authorship of Revelation,
The arguments for rejecting the apostolic authorship stem largely from the theological climate of the third century. At that time the Alexandrian School of Theology, including Dionysius, opposed the doctrine of the millennial kingdom which is plainly taught in chapter 20 with its reference to the thousand years. An attack by them on the authorship of John intended to weaken the force of the prophecy . . .
The substantiating evidence for any other author than John the Apostle, however, is almost entirely lacking. While notable scholars can be cited in support of divergent views, the proof dissipates upon examination. It seems clear that the early church attributed the book to John the Apostle. Justin Martyr quotes John’s view that Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem. Irenaeus quotes every chapter of the book of the Revelation. In like manner, Tertullian cites the author as “the Apostle John” and quotes from almost every chapter of the book. Hippolytus quotes extensively from chapters 17 and 18, attributing them to John the Apostle. Many other early fathers can be cited in similar fashion, such as Clement of Alexandria and Origen. The latter not only quotes from the book but confirms that John the Apostle was on the Isle of Patmos.
The first commentary on the book of Revelation to be preserved, written by Victorinus, regards John the Apostle as the author. [4]
The Muratorian Fragment reveals that most of the New Testament books were already recognized and accepted in the early part of the second century (A.D. 100-150). This would have been shortly after the apostle John died. The Muratorian Fragment was written about A.D. 170 since Polycarp (A.D. 69-155) refers to the Fragment himself.[5] The Fragment is important since it recognizes most of the books of the New Testament and mentions their authors. Here is a partial quote from the Fragment. For a full quote visit
The Muratorian Fragment.
As for the letters of Paul, they themselves show those who wish to understand from which place and for which cause they were directed. First of all [he wrote] to the Corinthians forbidding schisms and heresies; then to the Galatians [forbidding] circumcision; to the Romans he wrote at greater length about the order of the Scriptures and also insisting that Christ was their primary theme. It is necessary for us to give an argued account of all these, since the blessed apostle Paul himself, following the order of his predecessor John, but not naming him, writes to seven churches in the following order: first to the Corinthians, second to the Ephesians, third to the Philippians, fourth to the Colossians, fifth to the Galatians, sixth to the Thessalonians, seventh to the Romans. But although [the message] is repeated to the Corinthians and Thessalonians by way of reproof, yet one church is recognized as diffused throughout the whole world. For John also, while he writes to seven churches in the Apocalypse, yet speaks to all. Moreover [Paul writes] one [letter] to Philemon, one to Titus and two to Timothy in love and affection; but they have been hallowed for the honor of the catholic church in the regulation of ecclesiastical discipline. [6]
It is important to notice that the Fragment states that John wrote to the seven churches of the Apocalypse. The external evidence strongly agrees with the internal evidence that the apostle John is the author of the book of Revelation. Now the question before us is when was Revelation written and where was it written?
