By COGwriter
The project plan is to go through each and every verse of the Book of Revelation.
It will also include commentary.
This article is a draft and is not yet complete.
The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John when he was exiled on the island of Patmos.
It is believed to have been written in the 90s A.D. during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian.
It is the last book of the New Testament canon to have been written.
This is a book that many scholars realize was always accepted by the Church of God in Asia Minor, but was not fully accepted by the Greco-Roman churches for some time.
Notice the following from the early second century by Church of God leader Papias:
These things are attested by Papias, an ancient man who was a hearer of John and a companion of Polycarp … there will be a period of some thousand years after the resurrection of the dead, and that the kingdom of Christ will be set up in material form on this very earth. (Eusebius. The History of the Church, Book 3, Chapter XXXIX, pp. 68-69)
This shows that Papias accepted the Book of Revelation as inspired as that teaching is from Revelation 5:10 and 20:4-6. Plus it shows his connection to the Apostle John who penned it and Polycarp of Smyrna who was the lead successor to the Apostle John. Polycarp himself alluded to doctrines in Revelation in his Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians.
The fact that later second and third century Church of God leaders, like Melito of Sardis and Nepos of Arsinoe, taught the millennium, shows the continuity of the acceptance of the Book of Revelation by those in the Churches of God.
Notice something from the Greco-Roman Catholic historian Eusebius (c. 320):
It is not indeed right to overlook the fact that some have rejected the Epistle to the Hebrews, saying that it is disputed by the church of Rome. …
Among the disputed writings, which are nevertheless recognized by many, are extant the so-called epistle of James and that of Jude, also the second epistle of Peter, and those that are called the second and third of John, whether they belong to the evangelist or to another person of the same name.
Among the rejected writings must be reckoned also the Acts of Paul, and the so-called Shepherd, and the Apocalypse of Peter, and in addition to these the extant epistle of Barnabas, and the so-called Teachings of the Apostles; and besides, as I said, the Apocalypse of John, if it seem proper, which some, as I said, reject, but which others class with the accepted books. (Eusebius. The History of the Church. Book III, Chapter III verse 5 and Chapter XXV, verses 3-4, pp. 44, 59-60)
3. Dionysius ... 1. he speaks in this manner of the Apocalypse of John,
Some before us have set aside and rejected the book all together criticising it chapter by chapter, and pronouncing it without sense or argument, maintaining that the title is fraudulent.
2. For they say it is not the work of John, nor is it revelation, because it is covered thickly and densely by a vail of obscurity. And they affirm that none of the apostles, rend none of the saints, nor any one in the Church is its author, but that Cerinthus, who founded the sect which is called after him the Cerinthian, desiring reputable authority for his fiction, prefixed the name.
3. For the doctrine which he taught was this: that the kingdom of Christ will be an earthly one. ...
6. After this, he examines the entire Book of Revelation, and having proved it to be impossible to understand it according to the literal sense ... For he says ...
7. Therefore that he was called John, and that this book is the work of of one John, I do not deny. ... But I cannot readily admit that he was the apostle, the son of Zebedee, the brother of James, by whom the Gospel of John and the Catholic Epistle were written. (Eusebius. Church History, Book VII, Chapter XIV verse 3 and Chapter XXV, verses 1,2,3,6,7, pp. 159, 160)
Dionysius was a bishop, later sometimes called the Pope of Alexandria. He opposed the millennium, the biblical idea that the Kingdom of God would be on the earth once Jesus returned, and he took shots at the true Church of God leader Nepos of Arsinoe.
Cyril of Jerusalem c. 350 (Cyril. Catechetical Lecture 4. Translated by Edwin Hamilton Gifford. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 7. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1894) and Gregory of Nazianzus (Gregory of Nazianzus. Vol. 37 of Migne's Patrologia Graeca, cols. 471-474: Carmina Dogmatica, Book I, Section I, Carmen XII) left the Book of Revelation out of their lists of valid New Testament books. Both of them are considered to be saints by the Greco-Roman Catholic churches.
Clearly the Greco-Roman Catholic churches had canonical confusion as some considered Revelation to be fraudulent, some claimed the apostle Cerinthius wrote it (see also Cerinthus: An early heretic), many did not accept it, while some others denied it was written by the Apostle John.
It should also be noted that there was also canonical confusion among those who falsely claim that the New Testament was originally written in Syriac Aramaic.
What is pointed to as the oldest Syriac Aramaic New Testament (Peshitta) did not include all the books of the New Testament. The traditional New Testament of the Peshitta had only 22 books — --it was missing the Second Epistle of John, the Third Epistle of John, the Second Epistle of Peter, the Epistle of Jude and the Book of Revelation. The missing books were later reconstructed by the Syriacist John Gwynn in 1893 and 1897 from alternative manuscripts, and included them in the United Bible Societies edition of 1905. The 1997 modern Aramaic New Testament has all 27 books. But the fact that it originally missed 5 should raise flags.
As far as the Greek Orthodox go, their Council of Laodicea did not include Revelation in its c. 363 canon (Bruce, The Canon of Scripture, p. 210). Despite what Revelation states, the Eastern Orthodox Catholics do not read the Book of Revelation as part of their lectionary (Bruce, The Canon of Scripture, p. 215).
Protestants Martin Luther’s and Huldrych/Ulrich Zwingli’s position should also be mentioned:
As for Protestantism, the Anglicans and Calvinists always kept the entire New Testament. But for over a century the followers of Luther excluded Hebrews, James, Jude, and Apocalypse. … Zwingli could not see in Apocalypse a Biblical book. (Reid, Canon of the New Testament)
Martin Luther wrote about Hebrews and the books following it (his other prefaces confirm his opposition to James, Jude, and Revelation):
Up to this point we have had the true and certain chief books of the New Testament. The four which follow have from ancient times had a different reputation. In the first place, the fact that Hebrews is not an epistle of St. Paul, or of any other apostle (Luther, M. Prefaces to the Epistle of the Hebrews, 1546)
Martin Luther really did not believe in sola Scriptura and he did not want taught certain matters in the above books (see also, the free book, online at ccog.org, Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism).
Martin Luther's preterist learnings are dangerous for those living in the 21st century (see The Dangerous Rise of Preterists; there is also a related sermon video is titled Preterism: You've Gotta Be Kidding...Right?).
Martin Luther’s comments on Revelation may be part of why he did not accept the millennium and certain other prophetic teachings. The apostate Marcion also rejected the Book of Revelation and the millennium (Tertullian. Against Marcion, Book IV, Chapter 5).
Martin Luther’s statement that “Christ is neither taught nor known in it” is bizarre as much of the Book of Revelation consists of quotes of Jesus’ words, plus He was the one who repeatedly told John to write down in a book what he saw (Revelation 1:9-11,19) as well as various messages He gave (Revelation 2:1,8,18; 3:1,7,14) that we now read in it.
Martin Luther’s discounting of prophecies remains dangerous for his followers living in the 21st century.
The true Church of God differs from the Greco-Roman Catholic and Protestant churches because our history shows that we always accepted that the Book of Revelation was part of the canon of scripture (see also Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete?).
And Martin Luther has not been the only preterist.
Many in the world believe that there is no future Great Tribulation and that the events of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and events through the end of the first century fulfilled those prophecies. This is known as a preterist view.
The term preterist comes from the Latin term praeter, which conveys that something is past or beyond.
Preterists view many future biblical prophecies as already being completely fulfilled in the past.
Here is a quote from a famous Protestant scholar, the late Alfred Edersheim concerning what he felt happened in 70 A.D.:
[The] tribulation to Israel [was] unparalleled in the terrible past of its history, and unequalled even in its bloody future. Nay, so dreadful would be the persecution of that, if Divine mercy had not been interposed for the sake of the followers of Christ, the whole Jewish race that inhabited the land would have been swept away.
The above is certainly an inaccurate and twisted view of what happened compared to what Jesus taught in Matthew 24. Preterists tend to 'spiritualize' away the fact that Jesus and the Book of Revelation teach said that the sun and the moon would be darkened after the tribulation and that He would actually return (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 6:12, 22:20).
Notice what two modern Roman Catholic priests have written: Priest W. Kurz (21st century):
…great tribulation…probably already a horrific past event by the time Matthew wrote down his gospel (Kurz W. What Does the Bible Say About the End Times? A Catholic View. Servant Books, Cincinnati. Nihil Obstat: Kistner H., Schehr T.P. Imprimi Potest: Link F., Paul J.M. Imprimatur: Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxillary Bishop, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004. Servant Books, Cincinnati, 2004, p. 96). Priest H.B. Kramer (20th century).
The "great tribulation" is a stereotyped phrase used often in the Apocalypse and elsewhere in the New Testament (Mt. XXIV. 21) for the Roman persecutions. (See VII. 14).... THE GREAT TRIBULATION. The definite article used refers to something which had been mentioned before and was presumed to be known. In chapter I. 9 and II. 10, St. John states it and warns the Christians in Asia of its coming. He calls it the "hour of temptation" in II. 10. It is bloody persecution. In this verse, the stress placed on "the great one" points to the imperial persecutions, especially to the last one under Diocletian. This scene is then in the fourth century, when the Roman persecutions had been abolished. "The great tribulation" had passed away to return no more, and since then the Church had grown to grand proportions. (Kramer H.B. L. The Book of Destiny. Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), pp. 81,181-182)
This is a change in prophetic understanding that is not consistent with the teachings of the Bible nor the traditions of the early church. The fact is that much persecution against the true Church began after Constantine protected the Greco-Romans. Actually, Constantine began persecutions against all who did not accept his militaristic view of Christianity (see also Persecutions by Church and State). But the doctrinal truth is that the Great Tribulation that the Bible speaks about is NOT over. Although some modern Catholics consider that the Great Tribulation was finished by the fourth centuries, this was not the position of many that they call saints. Of course, those who believe that the Great Tribulation has occurred are not expecting it to come.
The Roman Catholic "saint and doctor of the Church" Jerome wrote:
But the more reasonable understanding of the matter is that in the time of the Antichrist there shall occur a tribulation such as there has never been since nations began to exist (Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 12, Verses 1-3. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 04/14/2010). Jerome's position above is consistent with what Jesus (Matthew 24:21-25) and the rest of the Bible teach.
Yet, even though they consider them be saints, some of those associated with Rome now seem to teach that the Great Tribulation was over by the time that Jerome wrote what he did (earlier writers such as the Shepherd of Hermas, Cyprian of Carthage, Cyril, and Tertullian also considered that the Great Tribulation was a future event and tended to tie it in with the time of the final Antichrist).
Perhaps it should be mentioned that Even the Rheims translation of the New Testament (the first major Catholic accepted translation into English) teaches:
[20] But pray that your flight be not in the winter, or on the sabbath.
[21] For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be. (Matthew 24:20-21).
The time of the great tribulation comes at a particular time of fleeing that has not yet happened. Notice also the following Eastern Orthox and two Roman Catholic positions related to the millennium and Satan's binding:
CHILIASM: Chiliasm, from the Greek word meaning "1000," is a belief based on Revelation 20:2-7. In its classical form (which interprets the Revelation 20 verses verbatim), Chiliasm teaches that Satan will be bound by Christ for 1000 years, at which time Jesus and the Saints will reign on earth, and after which, Satan will be finally defeated and the Eternal Kingdom of God will be inaugurated. . . Though some Ancient Church Fathers of the first three centuries AD had Chiliast leanings, the Orthodox Church formally denounced Chiliasm at the Second Ecumenical Council, in 381. The Church maintains that the 1000 year reign mentioned in Revelation 20 is symbolic of the era of the Christian Church's ministry in this fallen world, which shall come to its completion at a time unknown to all but God the Father. (Orthodox Christian Beliefs and Practices. © 2006-2007 Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada. http://www.uocc.ca/en-ca/faith/beliefs/ 09/24/14).
Millenium {sic}: Since the Holy Office decreed (July 21, 1944) that it cannot safely be taught that Christ at His Second Coming will reign visibly with only some of His saints (risen from the dead) for a period of time before the final and universal judgment, a spiritual millennium is seen in Apoc. 20:4-6. St. John gives a spiritual recapitulation of the activity of Satan, and the spiritual reign of the saints with Christ in heaven and in His Church on earth. When Christianity triumphed over the Beast (in its sixth head, the pagan Roman empire) Satan was chained. With the re-appearance of the Beast in the anti-Christian world empire (the seventh head), he will be unchained, and muster all his forces against the Church until the peak of the persecution under Antichrist. Meanwhile, the church enjoyed its milleniun {sic} with Christ enthroned among the nations. (LeFrois, Bernard J. Eschatological Interpretation of the Apocalypse. The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Vol. XIII, pp. 17-20; Cited in Culleton RG. The Reign of Antichrist, 1951. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1974, p. 9).
Revelation 20:1-3 . . . God has always respected our freedom of choice between covenant fidelity to him and to apostasy. That seems to be the theological point of this thousand-year period that is relatively free from Satanic temptations. (Kurz, W. What Does the Bible Say About the End Times? A Catholic View. Servant Books, Cincinnati. Nihil Obstat: Kistner H., Schehr T.P. Imprimi Potest: Link F., Paul J.M. Imprimatur: Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004, p. 168, 173-174)
Notice that the second source above suggests that Satan has been gone a thousand years. Does any thinking person believe that there was a spiritual millennium where Satan was ever bound and away from the earth for 1,000 years after Revelation (which Catholics often refer to as the Apocalypse) was written? This has never happened literally or spiritually--though it will in the millennium (see also The Day of Atonement--Its Christian Significance). Nor have I seen any credible Catholic/Orthodox writer attempt to explain when planet Earth ever had one thousand years without being influenced by Satan. But spiritualizing away and overlooking facts are key elements for preterism.
Preterists essentially take away from the Book of Revelation. Yet in it is the following warning:
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)
Those who do not accept the prophecies in the Book of Revelation are subject to being deceived and suffering various plagues that it contains.
The Bible teaches about a one thousand year period and directly associates two resurrections with it:
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:4-10)
Perhaps it should be mentioned that Satan still is around and thus that portion of Revelation has also not yet been fulfilled.
As far as the resurrections go, obviously the 'first resurrection' did not occur in 70 A.D., nor did were 'the rest of the dead' raised one thousand years later. The dead are still dead and awaiting the resurrection. Early Christians and some associated with Christianity believed that in the second and later centuries.
Furthermore, it may be of interest to realize that an apparent Christian leader named Papias, who was apparently a hearer of John and a friend of Polycarp (and is considered to be a saint by Roman Catholics), in the early second century taught about there would be a millennial reign after the resurrection of the dead (Eusebius. The History of the Church, Book III, Chapter XXIX, Verse 12, p. 69)
Notice also what second century Christian leader Polycarp of Smyrna wrote:
He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. His blood will God require of those who do not believe in Him. But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, falsewitness; "not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing," or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter II. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1 as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).
If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world, according as He has promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead, and that if we live worthily of Him, “we shall also reign together with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12), provided only we believe...For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since “every lust warreth against the spirit” and “neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God”, nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming. (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter V. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885)
“Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world?” as Paul teaches. (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter XI. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885)
Let me add right here that Polycarp of Smyrna knew the Apostle John (the one who penned the Book of Revelation). Polycarp was teaching that the kingdom was future, Jesus would come to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), and that the resurrection would come. He did not believe that all these events were over before he wrote this c. 135 A.D.
It is inconceivable that one the Apostle John appointed to be a Pastor/Bishop would not have realized the Great Tribulation was over, if in fact it was by 70 A.D. Perhaps I should mention that Polycarp is believed to have lived from around 44 A.D. to about 158 A.D.
Also from the second century, Theophilus of Antioch was also clear that the resurrection was future:
When the resurrection shall take place, then you will believe, whether you will or no; and your faith shall be reckoned for unbelief, unless you believe now. (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book 1, Chapter VII. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).
Notice also that a successor to Polycarp, Polycrates of Ephesus in the late second century, wrote that death is like sleep, and those sleeping Christians would be raised up:
For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the last day, at the coming of the Lord, when he shall come with glory from heaven and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who sleeps in Hierapolis, and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and moreover John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and being a priest wore the sacerdotal plate. He also sleeps at Ephesus (Eusebius. Church History, Book III, Chapter 31. Translated by Arthur Cushman McGiffert. Excerpted from Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series Two, Volume 1. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. American Edition, 1890. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).
Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead? (Eusebius. Church History, Book V, Chapter 24)
No true Christian believed the resurrection had already happened (see also What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrection?).
Early Christians and others did not believe that the millennium began in 70 A.D. or was over either (for details, see Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).
Even preterists agree that most early writers did NOT hold to the preterist view:
This Generation ... most of the commentators from early and medieval Christianity that I examined, referred to the prophecies of Matthew 24:27-51 (and the remainder of the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 25) not to the time near 70 A.D., but to events that will occur at the end of time and the consummation of all things. (Demar, p. 94)
The Bible does not support the preterist view and many realize that.
In Church of God, groups like the Continuing Church of God denounce preterism. Yet, Sardis-related groups, such as the Church of God, Seventh-day (CG7) now also take a partial preterist view of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
Jesus warned Sardis:
1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. (Revelation 3:1-3)
Preterists do not watch. And more and more has been dying doctrinally in CG7.
Preterists tend to state that the Book of Revelation must have been written prior to 70 A.D. for various reasons. Basically, they realize that if Revelation was written later, then that absolutely disproves preterism. But again, so do other parts of the Bible, including Revelation itself.
Preterists claim that since they believe Revelation was written by 66 A.D., that Emperor Nero was the 666 of Revelation 13 and various prophetic events in that book were long ago fulfilled.
Some have claimed that the 'temple' of Revelation 11:1-2 proves that Revelation was written prior to 70 A.D., but it does not (for details, check out the article Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?).
Although I believe that history shows that Revelation was written later, the reality is that even if Revelation was written a minimum of 3 1/2 years prior to 70 A.D. which preterists hope is the case, this still would in no way prove preterism.
The teachings of Revelation disprove preterism.
Notice, for one example, the following from Revelation 11:
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:3-15)
The two witnesses did not rise up, give their testimony, do miracles, get killed, get celebrated by the world for this, nor ascend into heaven (more on what the two witnesses will do is in the article Who Are The Two Witnesses?). Some preterists have claimed that Jesus was one or both of the two witnesses--He was not. Jesus also did not start to reign on the earth around 70 A.D. This, of itself, should show people to NOT let preterists trick them by misinterpreting and/or misapplying certain Greek statements from the Bible translated into English, which is what preterists often do.
Notice, for another example, the following from Revelation 13:
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:11-18)
There is NO historical or biblical indication that the great signs in vs. 13 happened, that the image of the Beast spoke (vs. 15), or the controlling of buying and selling requiring the mark of Beast (vs. 16-18) occurred in Judea or the world. It was not until the advent of computers and then other related technologies in the past several decades that control of buying and selling could happen as prophesed. The preterist views are wrong.
Furthermore, to believe that Revelation was written by 70 A.D. ignores an interesting clue written in the book. Notice:
9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9)
Now, Patmos was not an island that Christian leaders went to just to live. It is too small for someone such as the Apostle John to have lived safely in, if he were not already a prisoner. Notice that John wrote he was there "for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." It seems, he was imprisoned because he was a Christian leader and/or because God wanted him there to receive the Revelation.
When was he imprisoned there? According to the limited records we possess on church history, this would have been during the reign of Emperor Domitian (81-96). Preterists, however, deny that. They somehow think John left Jerusalem to go to Patmos sufficiently prior to 70 A.D. to get a message from God that mostly would be fulfilled by 70 A.D.
When he was fairly old, John reportedly was taken to Rome from Ephesus, then suddenly exiled to Patmos, by Emperor Domitian then returned to Ephesus:
Chapter 17
1. Domitian, having shown great cruelty toward many, and having unjustly put to death no small number of well-born and notable men at Rome, and having without cause exiled and confiscated the property of a great many other illustrious men, finally became a successor of Nero in his hatred and enmity toward God. He was in fact the second that stirred up a persecution against us, although his father Vespasian had undertaken nothing prejudicial to us.
Chapter 18.
1. It is said that in this persecution the apostle and evangelist John, who was still alive, was condemned to dwell on the island of Patmos in consequence of his testimony to the divine word. 2. Irenæus, in the fifth book of his work Against Heresies, where he discusses the number of the name of Antichrist which is given in the so-called Apocalypse of John, speaks as follows concerning him: 3. "If it were necessary for his name to be proclaimed openly at the present time, it would have been declared by him who saw the revelation. For it was seen not long ago, but almost in our own generation, at the end of the reign of Domitian." 4. To such a degree, indeed, did the teaching of our faith flourish at that time that even those writers who were far from our religion did not hesitate to mention in their histories the persecution and the martyrdoms which took place during it. Eusebius. Church History. Book III, Chapters 17 and 18)
1. At that time the apostle and evangelist John, the one whom Jesus loved, was still living in Asia, and governing the churches of that region, having returned after the death of Domitian from his exile on the island. 2. And that he was still alive at that time may be established by the testimony of two witnesses. They should be trustworthy who have maintained the orthodoxy of the Church; and such indeed were Irenæus and Clement of Alexandria. 3. The former in the second book of his work Against Heresies, writes as follows: "And all the elders that associated with John the disciple of the Lord in Asia bear witness that John delivered it to them. For he remained among them until the time of Trajan." 4. And in the third book of the same work he attests the same thing in the following words: "But the church in Ephesus also, which was founded by Paul, and where John remained until the time of Trajan, is a faithful witness of the apostolic tradition." (Eusebius. Church History. Book III, Chapter 23. Translated by Arthur McGiffert. Digireads, 2005 edition, p. 56).
Before going further, let me note the Domitian reigned from 81 to 96 A.D. John most likely penned the Book of Revelation in the 90s A.D., and certainly no earlier than 81 A.D. Emperor Nerva succeeded Domitian (96-98) and Emperor Trajan reigned from 98-117 (see also Timelines of Early Church History). And it is generally felt that John did not live too many years into the reign of Trajan. Preterists disagree with Irenaeus' account and create their own interpretations of the books and discount the bulk of the early historical records.
Several Syriac manuscripts of Revelation have a superscription, that is believed to come from a second century tradition, transated into English as:
“The Revelation which God gave to John the Evangelist on the island of Patmos, where he was banished by Emperor Domitian.”
Yet, ignoring this as well, preterists also do not like to consider that certain other early church-related writings were written after 70 A.D.
Comments from Herbert W. Armstrong
The late 20th century Church of God leader, Herbert W. Armstrong, wrote the following in his introduction to a booklet he wrote about the Book of Revelation:
GOD'S TIME has come! At last, the most mysterious, intriguing, never-before-understood Book of Revelation stands unveiled!
In this heretofore closed, sealed Book, the Eternal God now reveals, not only the wonderful world of PEACE -- of PLENTY -- of HAPPINESS and JOY soon to shine forth on this very present generation, but also the terrifying world-catastrophes this present world is first bringing on itself!
Science, technology and industry are producing more and more frightful weapons of mass destruction. Already they have produced the means to erase human life from the earth!
Meanwhile, immorality, crime, violence, poverty, sickness and disease, famine and starvation stalk the earth, in fast-increasing acceleration.
However, there exists a living God of love, mercy, compassion, wisdom, justice, of transcendent PURPOSE and of SUPREME POWER, very soon now to intervene, and BY FORCE to save humanity from itself. If He did not exist -- then indeed the imminent end of the world would become also THE END OF HUMAN LIFE!
But the living GOD, happily, is VERY MUCH ALIVE! -- alive to world trends -- alive to the self-inflicted plight fast closing in on a humanity now caught hopelessly in the trap of its own rebellion -- utterly helpless to extricate itself from its fast-approaching fate!
What's Coming First?
But this happy WORLD TOMORROW, under the government of Almighty GOD, will not come until man has actually reached the end of his rope! Not until man has proved beyond his last shadow of doubt that he is utterly incapable of ruling himself -- not until he has been given his last chance!
The time has come when this world must be warned!
The present strife between major nuclear powers -- the constantly accelerating international tensions -- the internal upward spiral within nations of crime, race riots, violence of every sort -- combining to plunge the world into a holocaust of destruction and death such as never happened before -- and never shall again!
The God of Creation knows human nature and its inevitable END. Every gigantic step in world events from here is pictured in God's prophecies!
God's time has come to OPEN WIDE to human understanding the awesome prophecies of the BOOK OF REVELATION. Today this solemn warning is being thundered around the world, as a witness! Take warning yourself, while you may, and mark well this fact:
No PLAGUE NEED COME NEAR YOU! YOU may, if you heed and obey God, be accounted worthy to escape these things that shall certainly come to pass! ...
A Third of Bible Is PROPHECY
Approximately ONE THIRD of all the Bible is devoted to PROPHECY. Many whole Books of Scripture, especially in the Old Testament — Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and all the so-called "minor" prophets -- are devoted primarily to PROPHECY.
And do you realize that the very CHURCH of Jesus Christ is actually built on the very FOUNDATION of these PROPHETS, and of their prophetic writings? You'll read that in Ephesians 2:20.
But the actual FRAMEWORK, or superstructure, of all the prophecies is found in two prophetic Books -- one in the Old, the other in the NEW Testament -- the Books of Daniel and the Revelation. And in the Book of Revelation, alone, do we find events of the various other prophecies correlated in order of TIME SEQUENCE.
While the Book of Revelation, itself, is a vital KEY to a large portion of the other prophecies, there are certain KEYS which open up this Book to understanding.
ONE important key is that in the Book of Revelation is a STORY-FLOW, relating one future event to another in time order -- with occasional INSETS injected into the continuous story-thread.Let us TURN to this Book that has appeared to many as the most mysterious and unfathomable of ALL prophecies. NOTHING could be more intriguing. NOTHING, in today's upset and jittery world, could be MORE IMPORTANT at this hour! For it describes this very HOUR in which we live -- it draws back the curtain on the FUTURE!
A SEALED Prophecy
The Revelation was given as a mystic and CLOSED book, sealed with seven seals. Some of the prophecies revealed to and written by Daniel also were closed and sealed until this very time of WORLD-CRISIS at the close of this present age.
Daniel wrote, at the conclusion of his Book: "I heard, but I understood not" -- that is, he heard what the angel had revealed, which Daniel wrote in his Book -- but he himself did not understand the very prophecies he had been inspired to write. The angel said to Daniel: "The words are CLOSED UP, and SEALED till the time of the end" -- and the Moffatt translation renders it "till the crisis at the CLOSE" -- that is, till this world-crisis at the close of this age! (Dan. 12:8-9.) Again, verse 4: "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
As the prophecies of Daniel were CLOSED and SEALED until this time of the END -- this world-crisis at the close -- this time of rapid transportation, men running to and fro -- this time of INCREASED KNOWLEDGE -- so also the prophecies of the Book of Revelation were SEALED!
Yes, they were sealed with seven seals, as we shall see!
But today we live in the dynamic, exciting, terrible "time of the END" -- the world-crisis at the CLOSE of the age! The prophecies and mysteries of God, sealed until now, are today REVEALED to those whom God has chosen to carry His last Message to the world as a witness! Jesus Christ, Head of His Church, is the REVEALER! Christ has opened these mysteries to His servants!
The time has come for God's servants to open up to YOU -- to lay bare before your startled eyes -- these tremendous prophecies of the Book of REVELATION!
I want you, now, to look at this Book! We're ready, now, to come directly to the first chapter and first verse of this mysterious, exciting Book. We're ready, now, to see what it does say -- and you have SURPRISES coming!The REVEALING of CHRIST
The very opening verse says:
"The revelation of Jesus Christ … to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass."
The very word "Revelation" -- the English word translated from the original Greek word "Apocalypse," as it is called in one version -- means the REVEALING. Not the hiding, sealing, or closing up, but the REVEALING! Yet the prophecy of future world events in this Book was sealed with seven seals!
Of course! And absolutely NO ONE, except Jesus Christ, was able to strip off the seals, to open up, to REVEAL the meaning of the prophecies.
Now notice, GOD gave this prophecy to CHRIST. The first three verses form the introduction. Let us read them: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand" (Rev. 1:1-3).
So notice, the prophecy first CAME from God the FATHER! It is the REVELATION -- not the concealing, but the REVEALING -- the EXPLAINING -- the OPENING UP -- of JESUS CHRIST, but God gave it to Him sealed!
Christ is the WORD -- the SPOKESMAN. And He tells us plainly, in John 12:49 and elsewhere, that He spoke NOTHING of Himself, but only as the FATHER commanded Him! Christ is the WORD. Christ is the REVEALER. Now we come to another popular error of men. (Armstrong HW. The Book of Revelation Unveiled at last! © 1959, 1972 Worldwide Church of God)
Yes, Revelation was revealed by Jesus. And while the percentage of the Bible which is prophetic is subject to debate, the Book of Revelation is a prophetic book with important messages for us in the 21st century--and many events it discusses will come to pass in the 21st century.
Here are links to the other articles in this series on Revelation:
Thiel, B. Ph.D. Commentary on the Book of Revelation. www.cogwriter.com/revelation.htm (c) 2026 0911
Items of further interest may include:
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L’Histoire Continue de l’Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim "saints" from both? "Saints" that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?
The Seven Church Eras of Revelation This is a YouTube video. A summary of the history of the Christian church's history is included in chapters 2 & 3 of the Book of Revelation. Do you know what happened to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia? What are some signs of Laodicea? Who is keeping the word of God and who is holding to traditions of men above the Bible?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
1. The Ephesus Church Era was predominant from 31 A.D. to circa 135 A.D. The Church of James, Peter, Paul, and John, etc. Here is a link to a related video sermon: Ephesus Church Era.
2. The Smyrna Church Era was predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D. The Church led by Polycarp, Melito, Polycrates, etc. Here is a link to a related video sermon: The Smyrna Church Era.
3. The Pergamos Church Era was predominant circa 450 A.D. to circa 1050 A.D. An especially persecuted Church. Here is a link to a related sermon video: Pergamos Era and the Antichrist.
4. The Thyatira Church Era was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D.--but some are still in it. The Church during the time of Peter Waldo and the Inquisition. It claimed succession from the apostles. Here is a link to a related sermon: Thyatira, Succession, and Jezebel.
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D.--but some are still in it. Discusses some early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, CG7-Salem, Jerusalem 7DCG, and COG-7th Day-Denver. Here are two historical sermons: Sardis Church Era: Beginnings, Doctrines, and Leaders and Sardis: SDBs, SDAs, & CG7s.
6. The Philadelphia Church Era and Remnant Though the era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D., a faithful remnant has continued. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God were part of the era, and now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God. Here is a link to a related sermon: Philadelphia Church Era: History & Teachings.
7. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present.--and most end time Christians are part of it. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 50+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors. See also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from 31 A.D. to the 21st century.