Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

Revelation was most likely written prior to 70ad. The late dating (after 90AD) comes more from tradition and an interpretation of a quote by Iraneaus than from any strong literary or historical support.

Here are some of the historical and literary in-text reasons that strongly support Revelation being written prior to 70AD:

1) In Rev 11:13, Jerusalem has a population of 70,000. This would be a pre-siege population. The post-siege population, after 70AD, was far lower. (Currently, the population is over 800,000) 

2) Laodicea is referenced as a rich and prosperous city (Rev 3:17-18). It was hit by an earthquake in ~61/62 and refused aid from Rome to rebuild did rebuild, viewing itself as so rich it did not need aid. This fits with the language of Rev 3. better than a late date when it was in decline.

3) The temple is still extant in Rev 11:1-3. This is a lesser support as Revelation is an apocalyptic vision and does not have to be literal, or it could refer to a future temple being built.

4) No mention at all is made of the siege of Jerusalem, which would be highly unusual considering prophecies of Jesus fulfilled in the siege. Scripture is generally quick to point out fulfilled prophecy.

5) Several second century Syriac versions of the Bible introduce Revelation with this or a variation: "Again the Revelation which was upon John the Evangelist from God when he was on the Isle of Patmos where he was thrown by the Emperor Nero" Nero reigned 54AD to 68AD. 

6) In Rev 2:6-15 and Rev 3:9, Judaizers are shown as still active in the church and problematic. Yet, they were not a large problem after the siege as anti-Jewish sentiment took hold and those holding to Jewish customs were persecuted. 

7) The Jewish persecution of Christians in Rev 6 and 11 also points to pre-siege. There was vicious Christian persecution under Nero, whereas historical evidence for Domitian persecution is scant at best. 

8) John after his exile, when seen in 96ad, was feeble and could barely speak. This would make Rev 10:11 hard to fulfill.


Yet what of the quote by Iraneaus used by those in support of a late date, and the later historians who quote from him?

In the late second century, about 180AD, Irenaus wrote the following: 

"if it were necessary to have his name distinctly announced at the present time, it would doubtless have been announced by him who saw the apocalypse; for it is not a great while ago that it [or he] was seen, but almost in our own generation, toward the end of Domitian's reign...." (his reign ended in 96AD).

Note that this could have been in reference to the book of Revelation being circulated widely (seen by many), in reference to John still being alive (last seen), or a reference to the dating of the book itself being written. 

Advocates of a late date take it as 'proof' of the book being written around 91AD - but Iraneaus never explicitly says so. Contextually, since the subject is 'him who saw the apocalypse,' the likelihood of this being a reference to John still living is actually greater than that of it being a reference to Revelation.

Furthermore, Irenaeus was recalling childhood memories of what Polycarp had told him when he was a young boy - memories he had never written down. Irenaeus was born after Rev was written. (Born about 125AD, died AD202). Going off the memories of what his teacher told him in youth, it's possible he may have mixed up Domitian with Nero Domitius. The quote is second-hand hearsay written in 180AD - not 'proof' by any stretch.

Irenaeus was also not reliable in his dating. He thought Jesus' ministry lasted 20 years, and that Jesus died nearer to age 50. 

Several later historians (Eusubius, Clement, Victorinus, etc.) merely quote from Irenaeus or reference his date, vs. Corroborate it with their own research, so their references add nothing to reliability. 


Given the ample clues in the text and in history, Revelation was written prior to 70AD

January 03 2017 • 8 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

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