Irenaeus book of revelation

That is, christ is not a demiurge insulating god from the muddiness of creation. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. It is also a book of glory, depicting the ultimate victory of our lord continue reading why the modern view of the book of revelation may be flawed. It is important to note that irenaeus was not a random guy with an interest in the bible. The book of revelation is a fascinating book, and the debate regarding its interpretation will continue.

In my personal opinion, the book of revelation was written by john the apostle who was the brother of james and disciple of jesus christ. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Irenaeus of lyons, against heresies adversus haereses, book. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Since perhaps beginning with origen, and definitely since the time of augustine, those associated with the roman catholic church have done away with the meaning of the book of revelation by way of allegorizing its actual meaning. In fact, very shortly before the oftreferenced quote above, irenaeus states that the number 666 is found in all the most approved and ancient copies of revelation against heresies, 5. Earlier in this lesson, we mentioned that irenaeus was a disciple of polycarp, who in turn was a disciple of the apostle john. Revelation was written by john in ad 95, which means the book of revelation describes yet future events of the last days just before jesus comes back to this earth. Above i have listed all the evidence i could find and believe that the evidence points to the apostle john as the author of the book of revelation. As these things are so, and his number 666 is found in all the approved and ancient copies. Ken gentry in his book, before jerusalem fell cites evidence for a pre 70 ad date. 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.

Inasmuch, then, as in this world some persons go to the light, and by faith unite themselves with god, but others shun the light, and separate themselves from god, the word of god comes preparing a fit habitation for both. The testimony of irenaeus, not far removed from the apostolic age, is first rate. The book of revelation contains a lot of things that are mysterious. Irenaeus on the date of the book of revelation taylor.

But now as he was, and is not, and shall ascend out of the abyss, and goes into perdition, revelation 17. Irenaeus was a disciple of polycarp, and polycarp was a. Christology in the book of revelation and in saint irenaeus. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Why the modern view of the book of revelation may be flawed. It is commonly read at the end of the liturgical year, for it bespeaks the end of, and passing qualities of all things of this world. Irenaeus also wrote this about the book of revelation. Irenaeus wrote a number of books, but the most important that survives is the against heresies or, in its latin title, adversus haereses. Traditionally, the book of revelation has been dated near the end of the first. Heres the quote from adversus haereses by irenaeus regarding the date of the book of revelation in the context of the apostle johns life. Irenaeus seems to be unaware of any other view for the date of the book of revelation.

Preterists teach that the book of revelation is primarily a prophecy about the roman war against the jews in israel that began in a. The future apostasy in the time of antichrist, and the end of the world. The earliest external evidence for the date of revelation is the statement from irenaeus c. Irenaeus and the date of revelation there are basically two conservative views as to when the book of revelation was written. The date of the book of revelation liberty university. 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. Was it domitian or domitius nero that irenaeus was referring to. Domitian ruled around irenaeus time, and yet irenaeus says copies of revelation were ancient. Returning the book of revelation to its historical context. Dec 26, 2011 22 revelations mark of the beast exposed revelations ancient discoveries duration. He places the book near the end of domitians reign, and that ruler died in a. 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. Irenaeus makes reference to ancient copies of the book of revelation.

The development of the canon of the new testament irenaeus. To enter into an extended investigation of this would greatly exceed the limits which i have, and would not comport with my design in these notes. You need to do a little more research concerning the dating for the book of revelation. Perhaps the best known source for the book of revelation being written in ad 95 is irenaeus, bishop of lyons ad 120202. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the books contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation. Currently in the liturgies of daily mass we have been reading the book of revelation. Where the book of revelation is included in the syriac versions it is referred to as the.

The distinction to be made between the righteous and the wicked. The three remaining books set forth more directly the true doctrines of revelation, as being in utter antagonism to. Nicolaitans were one of the heretical sects that plagued the churches at ephesus and at pergamum, according to revelation 2. A surface reading of revelation 20 seems to lend itself to chiliastic interpretation, and so, beginning in the third century as the church pushed back against montanism, it also pushed back against chiliasm, and in the process, against the book of revelation. H eres the quote from adversus haereses by irenaeus regarding the date of the book of revelation in the context of the apostle johns life. Book 2, first commandment, of the shepherd of hermas. Thou hast indeed enjoined upon me, my very dear friend, that i should bring to light the valentinian doctrines, concealed, as their votaries imagine. Clement of alexandria even moses stuart, americas most prominent preterist, admitted that the tyrant here meant is probably domitian. In common with many of the fathers, irenaeus did not distinguish between the new earth recreated in its eternal statethe thousand years of revelation 20when the saints are with christ after his second advent, and the jewish traditions of the messianic kingdom. His writings contain the oldest existing writings of a bishop which include all the books that are in our new testament today. 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. Despite our various views, there are some common threads upon which christians agree. Is the book of revelation canonical in the orthodox church.

In his second book, irenaeus proceeds to a more complete demolition of those heresies which he has already explained, and argues at great length against them. Irenaeus, clement, and eusebius wrote that after domitian died, john returned to ephesus, went to the churches, and appointed leaders, and. Irenaeus, in the fifth book of his work against heresies, where he discusses the number of the name of antichrist which is given in the socalled apocalypse of john, speaks as follows concerning him. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. 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. When we open the book of revelation we discover, at once, a marked difference between it and any other portion of the new testament.

Patristic evidence early traditions about the date of revelation locate it in the reign of domitian but, despite the agreement of most commentators, this dating is by no means certain. All views believe that god is sovereign and in charge of all that occurs in history and its ultimate conclusion. Irenaeus was a disciple of polycarp, and polycarp was a disciple of the apostle john. Jan 21, 2017 in fact, very shortly before the oftreferenced quote above, irenaeus states that the number 666 is found in all the most approved and ancient copies of revelation against heresies, 5. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. Irenaeus is important to the dating of revelation for two reasons. Writing in the second century, irenaeus declared that revelation had been written toward the end of domitians reign. In book i, irenaeus talks about the valentinian gnostics and their predecessors, who he says go as far back as the magician simon magus. The author of the book of revelation christopher l. Dating the book of revelation christian research institute. For instance, in his work against heresies, book 5, chapter 30, section 3, the early church father irenaeus reported that revelation was written toward the end of domitians reign.

Some are mysterious because of the symbolism it uses, but others are mysterious because what it is referring to is simply. Revelation introduction commentary peoples new testament. Jul 25, 2016 perhaps the best known source for the book of revelation being written in ad 95 is irenaeus, bishop of lyons ad 120202. Irenaeus on the date of the book of revelation taylor marshall. It is not history like the gospels and acts, nor practical discussions and instructions like the epistles, but we at once seem to breathe the. Perhaps as much as any other nt book, we have evidence for an early, widespread, and consistent reception of revelation. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Three angels broadcasting network 3abn 3,033,490 views. Irenaeus, however, condemned those who would do that.

Aug 02, 2017 father al kimel has a post up on the christology of saint irenaeus. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological themes. According to history, who was the roman emperor during the. Jun 12, 2009 it asserts, in fact, that revelation describes events that will likely take place in the twentyfirst century rather than the first century. Irenaeus seems to be unaware of any other view for the date of the book of. What irenaeus seems to be indicating is that john was still making public. We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of antichrist. Bullinger, has stood the test of tine as an incredible resource for the diligent student. If the book of revelation is a book of prophecy as it claims to be rev. The three remaining books set forth more directly the true doctrines of revelation, as being in utter antagonism to the views held by the gnostic teachers. In order for revelation to be a prediction of the future rev. Likewise, if there were other credible contemporary patristic testimony that contradicts irenaeuss witness, then we would have to conclude that there was more than one early tradition regarding the date of the book of revelation. That is, christ is not a demiurge insulating god from the.

It asserts, in fact, that revelation describes events that will likely take place in the twentyfirst century rather than the first century. Irenaeus four authorities for the revelation of jesus christ to. Irenaeus, he notes, does not see god the son as something needed to protect the transcendence of god from creation. Much has been written on the question who was the author of this book. Revelation overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by e. Later writers, such as clement of alexandria, origen, victorinus who wrote one of the earliest commentaries on revelation, eusebius, and jerome affirm the domitian date. The evidence for the book of revelation being written in 95ad includesirenaeus.

Dear in christ, most of the antipreterist ranters proof text a passage from irenaeus writings against heresies, book v, chapter xxx to prove that the book of revelation was written after 70ad. The book of revelation is about the consummation of the ages the bringing to fruition gods plan of redemption by closing out the national kingdom of apostate judaism and bringing in the new, heavenly jerusalem, the bride and church of christ. Father al kimel has a post up on the christology of saint irenaeus. Irenaeus against heresies mentions ancient copies of. Irenaeus identifies them as followers of nicolas, one of the seven chosen in acts 6, and as men who lead lives of unrestrained indulgence1.