Authorship, occasion, and date the opening verses of the book of the revelation plainly claim the book was written by john, identified almost universally in the early church as the apostle john. Some tradition has up until recent times regarded the date revelations authorship to be around 95ad. It is one of the most difficult to understand books because of its prophetical nature, inexplicable and unfamiliar extravagant symbolism. Dionysius objections to the apostle johns authorship of the revelation were as follows.
Four reasons exist as to why one should accept johannine authorship of revelation. Traditionally, revelation is the final new testament book, but its theology, imagery, and historical. Although there is some debate, the author is probably the apostle john of the sons of zebedee. The belief in a common authorship between revelation and the gospel of john was challenged by many christian heretics late in the 2nd century and by many orthodox christian leaders in the early 3rd century. The inquiry as to the canonical authority of the revelation resolves itself into a question of authorship. Authorship when one considers the contribution of the book of revelation to the completion of the canon, its prophetic emphasis, and its teaching concerning controversial doctrines, 1 it is not surprising to find opposition to the book throughout its history. Dating the authorship of the book of revelation the. The author of revelation repeatedly identifies himself simply as john 1. Writers of commentaries and new testament introductions uniformly report that the authorship of revelation is a controversial issue. Critics since the 3 rd century ad have challenged that john the apostle wrote this book. Jul 04, 2016 this post starts a series through the book of revelation. When approaching the issue of the authorship of the book of revelation, we should bear these two factors in mind.
While its authorship may continuously be a point of contention with modern historicalcritical scholarship, this has not been the case until recently. All these prophecies come together in the book of revelation. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. The date of authorship for the book of revelation raptureless. Although the authorship of john the apostle is still defended in conservative circles, scholars outside of these circles commonly reject it and reject the idea that one author is responsible for the gospel of john, the three johannine epistles. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. There is some disagreement over whether the john who wrote the letters of john, the john who wrote the gospel of john, and the john who wrote the book of revelation are the same person. It belongs to the class of apocalyptic literature in which the divine message is conveyed by visions and dreams. Before starting in revelation 1 i want to give plenty of explanations for the authorship, textual design, interpretation, date, themes, and outlines for the book of revelation. Agur and lemuel are specifically named as the writers of proverbs 30 and 31. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. It is the vocabulary and style of the gospel of john, the johannine epistles, and revelation that scholars generally point to as decisive evidence against common authorship.
The greek form of this name represents a common hebrew name yochanan, which identifies the author as a jew the fact that the author makes no attempt to build himself up, but simply refers to himself as john, your brother 1. In fact it is the only portion of the new testament to which jesus gives his endorsement, and affixes his signature, saying at its close. He suggested that the author was a certain john the presbyter, whose name appears elsewhere in ancient writings. The apostolic authorship of the book has, nevertheless, been questioned ever since the time of dionysius of alexandria in the third century. Revelation bible study yields certain internal evidence of authorship. The scope of the book in your hands is not able to adequately address this topic. Genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, deuteronomy moses 1400 b. The author of the book of revelation identifies himself as john, and the book has been traditionally credited to john the apostle. Feb 26, 20 in the case of most books of the bible, determining the date of its authorship, while certainly important, is not necessarily crucial to its interpretation. Also called the books of writings include the following books.
The was the title given to the book in the latin vulgate 3. In its literary genre it resembles strongly the ot books of ezekiel, daniel, and zechariah. Gospel and the three letters attributed to him, wrote the last book of scripture. Outline for this study of the book of revelationpages 1, 2, and top of page 3. Although many today follow dionysius in his view of authorship, the external evidence seems overwhelmingly supportive of the traditional view. The authors of scripture study resources blue letter bible. The phrasing itself also helps to differentiate between the gospel and epistles of john on the one hand and the book of revelation on the other. Consequently, it denies to the book any specific historical fulfillment. Todays post looks at the evidence for and against john being the author of the book of revelation. The authorship debate on revelation the book of revelation is the last book of the new testament and the individual one which is an apocalypse. The book itself indicates that the author was a jew, well versed in the hebrew scriptures. The revelation of jesus christ was given to john by god to show his servants what must soon take place.
The book of revelation was the last text to be included within the formalized canon of the new testament, but on the basis of content rather than authorship. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. The writer of revelation identifies himself as john. Issues of authorship, date, literary composition, theology, audience, purpose, and the meaning of johns now obscure symbolism occupy ford throughout. There is different language between revelation and the gospel of john.
The authorship of the johannine worksthe gospel of john, epistles of john, and the book of revelationhas been debated by scholars since at least the 2nd century ad. That is the internal evidence of the book and the external testimony of early church fathers. Dec 10, 2015 who wrote the bibles book of revelation. Revelation greek apokalupsis means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. Strange work a verse by verse commentary on the bible book of revelation. There are differences in style between revelation and johns other writings, but they are insignificant and do not preclude one man from writing both. First, greater emphasis should be placed on the testimony of the early church objective evidence than analysis of internal factors within the text subjective evidence.
The theme of the book is the conflict of christ and his church with antichristian powers the devil, the beast, the false prophet, revelation 16. The authorship of the johannine worksthe gospel of john, epistles of john, and the book of revelationhas been debated by scholars since at least the 2nd. Part 2 did the apostle john write the book of revelation. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Outside of revelation, examples of apocalyptic literature in the bible are daniel chapters 712, isaiah chapters 2427, ezekiel chapters 3741, and zechariah chapters 914. The author of the book of revelation christopher l. Apr 16, 2011 the author of the book of revelation identifies himself as john, and the book has been traditionally credited to john the apostle. Many of the book s original readers were still alive during the lifetimes of justin martyr and irenaeus, both of who held to apostolic authorship. Authorship of song of songs also known as canticles is anonymous, though the majority of scholars have historically cited solomon as the book s probable author there is debate because some of the book s terminology probably didnt exist in the hebrew language until perhaps 500 bc. Melitobishop of sardisalso believed in johns authorship of revelation eusebius h. The book of revelation bible, bible study, scripture. I have come to understand that the majority of the book of revelation was written regarding events that took place at the destruction of jerusalem in ad 70.
Justin the martyr around 100 to 165 ac, irenaeus around 140 to 220 ac and the muratori canon end of 2 nd century confirm that the apostle john is the author. It is also noteworthy that like the gospel of john, revelation is a literary masterpiece. Could the author of revelation step forward, please. Is this the same john who wrote the gospel account and three letters. Examine one of the most exciting and controversial books in the bible with dr. The main debate centers on who authored the writings, and which of the writings, if any, can be ascribed to a common author. On the book of revelations authorship john apparently was not only a jewish prophet, but he was a follower of jesus of nazareth, who. An index page with links to commentaries on the individual chapters of the book of revelation. In fact it is the only portion of the new testament to which jesus gives his endorsement, and affixes his signature, saying at its closei jesus have sent mine angel to.
The poetic approach makes the book of revelation relevant to the church of all ages, but its weakness lies in the fact that it divorces the visions and prophecies from their historical setting. Second, attacks upon the apostolic authorship are often. Finally, while there is little to commend the notion that a shadowy figure named john the elder wrote the book of revelation, there is ample evidence that it was written by john the apostle. The very fact that the author of the apocalypse simply calls himself john is a dead giveaway that he was well known throughout the churches in asia minor. The internal evidence of the authorship is found in four passages in the book of revelation.
Dating the authorship of the book of revelation the poached. Ford addresses the seemingly infinite questions surrounding the book of revelation. Although the authorship of john the apostle is still defended in conservative circles, scholars outside of these circles commonly reject it and reject the idea that one author is responsible for the gospel of john, the three johannine epistles, and revelation. While there were skeptics, even early on, about the authorship of the text most likely due to the apocalyptic nature of the book, the general consensus was that john the apostle was the author. Ancient tradition attributes all the books to john the apostle. May 02, 2020 the description of the antichrist mentioned in daniel 9. The authorship of the johannine works the gospel of john, epistles of john, and the book of revelation has been debated by scholars since at least the 2nd century ad. Lets consider two of the central arguments surrounding this debate. Explore the challenging aspects of the book as well as the beautiful elements that invite us to worship god.
It is in these four passages that the author refers to himself as john. Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john 1. Moses may have compiled the book based on jobs records psalms, written by david, and several others including asaph, ezra, the sons of korah, heman, ethan, moses and a host of unnamed authors proverbs, written by solomon. He also wrote that he was on patmos, an island in the aegean sea, when he saw his first vision. Best commentaries and books on revelation logos bible. This is the last book of the bible and the only book of the nt that is exclusively prophetic in character. In the new testament, this word describes the unveiling of spiritual truth rom. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. The book of revelation was written by the apostle john revelation 1. John s authorship is affirmed by justin, irenaeus, clement of alexandria, tertullian and the muratori fragment really by the entire tradition of the church from. Jan 02, 2020 few of the books of the bible specifically name their author. Few of the books of the bible specifically name their author. Centuries ago, dionysius encourages a sharp distinction between johns works by emphasizing the quality of the greek in the gospel of john and 1 john and the poor greek of revelation. Introduction, the new american bible, catholic book publishing.
John identifies himself four times as the author 1. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Here are the books of the bible along with the name of who is most assumed by biblical scholars to be the author, along with the approximate date of authorship. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. Keener focuses on the themes in revelation, including prayer, suffering in light of hope, and how the. Brian chilton investigates the author of the book of revelation. The first two are written not only without errors in the greek, but also with real skill with respect to vocabulary, logic and coherence of meaning. The book itself reveals that the author was a jew, well versed in scripture, a church leader who was well known to the seven churches of asia minor, and a deeply. Moses genesis exodus leviticus numbers deuteronomy psalms moses is the prophet who leads israel from slavery in egypt to the edge. Revelation was written when christians were entering a time of persecution. Apr, 2011 finally, while there is little to commend the notion that a shadowy figure named john the elder wrote the book of revelation, there is ample evidence that it was written by john the apostle.
It is most important to understand that the book of revelation does not list the scenes and events in the same order in which they will actually occur. The book of revelation was likely written between a. Jun 24, 2012 the authorship date of the book of revelation. Book of the revelation encyclopedia of the bible bible. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
He also wrote the gospel of john and three letters that are in our bible. The author names himself as john in the text, but his precise. Best commentaries and books on revelation logos bible software. Identifying john as the author of the apocalypse goes a. Authorship, moses, pentateuch 3 comments on did moses really write the books of moses. Authorship of the johannine works project gutenberg self. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. The inscription to the book of revelation, in the syrian version, first published by deuteronomy dieu, in 1627, and, afterwards in the london polyglot, is the following, the revelation which god made to john the evangelist, in the island of patmos, to which he was banished by nero caesar. Author christopher r smith posted on august 25, 2014 january 21, 2018 categories bible. Thus, it occupies a central place in christian eschatology. Dionysius challenged the traditional view that john.
Reference to the apostles authorship is found as early as justin martyr, in his dialogue with trypho. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. This post starts a series through the book of revelation. Walvoord writes, clement of alexandria refers to the apostle john as returning from the isle of patmos.
The muratorian fragment, an early document listing most of the books belonging to the new testament, states that the apostle john wrote the apocalypse or revelation. The greek form of this name represents a common hebrew name yochanan, which identifies the author as a jew. It is one of the most difficult to understand books because of its prophetical nature, inexplicable and. The book of revelation is unique as the sole totally apocalyptic work in the nt. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. But this is absolutely not the case with the book of revelation. Authorship of song of songs also known as canticles is anonymous, though the majority of scholars have historically cited solomon as the books probable author there is debate because some of the books terminology probably didnt exist. The last book in the biblical canon of the new testament is the book of the apocalypse a. It is often called the apocalypse, which is its title in greek, signifying revelation, canonical authority and authorship.