Revelation, Book of: 1. =The Apocalypse, the closing book and the only prophetical book of
the New Testament canon. The author of this book was undoubtedly
John the apostle. His name occurs four times in the book itself(Revelation 1:1,4,9; 22:8) and there is every reason to conclude that the
"John" here mentioned was the apostle. In a manuscript of about the
twelfth century he is called "John the divine," but no reason can
be assigned for this appellation.
2. The date of the writing of this book has generally been fixed at
A.D. 96 in the reign of Domitian. There are some, however, who
contend for an earlier date, A.D. 68 or 69 in the reign of Nero.
Those who are in favour of the later date appeal to the testimony
of the Christian father Irenaeus, who received information relative
to this book from those who had seen John face to face. He says
that the Apocalypse "was seen no long time ago."
3. As to the relation between this book and the Gospel of John, it has
been well observed that "the leading ideas of both are the same.
The one gives us in a magnificent vision, the other in a great
historic drama, the supreme conflict between good and evil and its
issue. In both Jesus Christ is the central figure, whose victory
through defeat is the issue of the conflict. In both the Jewish
dispensation is the preparation for the gospel, and the warfare and
triumph of the Christ is described in language saturated with the
Old Testament. The difference of date will go a long way toward
explaining the difference of style." Plummer's Gospel of St. John,
Introd.
