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Appendix 3

The dating of the book of Revelation

It is acknowledged that theological scholars of varying persuasions disagree on exactly when the Book of Revelation was written. Although most would suggest a date of around 96 AD, we quote the following to support the case for the book being written during the Acts period, which came to a close in approximately 60 AD.

"Had the Jews repented in accordance with Acts 3:19-26, Christ would have returned, but before that there would have been the great and terrible day of the Lord: the subject of Revelation (1: 10). John also says these things must shortly come to pass (Revelation 1: 1), a phrase very similar to that used in many Acts period epistles, but never seen after Acts 28:28. The Revelation concludes with "Even so, come, Lord Jesus," (22:20 KJV), surely the plea and prayer of the Acts period. (Compare Revelation 1: 1,3 and 22:6,7,10,12,20 with, for example, 1 Peter 4:7; Hebrews 10:25,37; Romans 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:7-8; 7:29-31; 10:11.)

The entire context of Revelation, with its symbolic expressions and allusions, has much in common with the Old Testament prophecies and is very Jewish. Also the number of references to Jews, Jerusalem, etc., in Revelation imply that this book was written before the end of the Acts period for the benefit of the Jewish Christians in the seven churches [see chapters 2 & 3 of Revelation]. The Jewish nation is clearly central to the message of Revelation."

From "Approaching the Bible" (pp. 320,321) by Michael Penny; published by The Open Bible Trust, GB, and Grace Publications Inc., USA, 1992.

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