Mike Parsons
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Historical Context of Revelation
The book of Revelation was written to support those who found themselves in challenging times leading up to the end of the temple system—the old “heavens and earth,” or old covenant. As Jesus foretold, the end of the age (completion of that era) would take place within a generation, and indeed, it occurred between AD66 and AD70, when the temple was destroyed. Despite claims that Revelation was written much later, the evidence points to its composition while the temple still stood, specifically to help those who would soon experience the events described. The entire book addresses things “shortly to take place,” in the words of its opening chapter.
Symbolism and the End of the Old Covenant
Revelation is highly symbolic and apocalyptic in style, drawing heavily on imagery from Old Testament sources such as Daniel and Ezekiel. Without an understanding of this symbolism and Jewish apocalyptic language, it is easy to misconstrue its meaning—leading some to interpret its symbols, such as “666” or the “mark of the beast,” as predictions of future global events, tribulation, and so forth. However, this “great tribulation” was a unique event, as Jesus stated. It was fulfilled in that generation, and never to be repeated in the same way. Both Matthew 24 and Luke 21 detail the armies surrounding Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple, marking the end of the old covenant.
The text’s references to the heavens and the earth passing away signal the temple’s destruction—the ultimate fulfilment of that age. The period described was truly “the end of days,” a time when resurrection and judgment marked the transition from the old covenant to the new. It was not about individual resurrection, but the spiritual shift described also in Daniel 12, moving from the end of the old to the birth of something new, as Jesus called it “birth pangs”—the end was the beginning.
Misinterpretations and the True Message
Revelation includes figurative language; concepts like a “thousand years’ reign” or millennium do not appear elsewhere in the Bible and were intended as rich symbols, not literal predictions of future historical events. Arguments claiming that Revelation predicts future disasters often rely on literal readings or contemporary events, but the book itself insists its prophecies would happen soon. Much modern speculation—such as equating trumpets and judgments in Revelation with ballistic missiles or helicopters—is nothing more than popular fiction.
At heart, Revelation is about the ending of the old covenant and the temple’s destruction, written for those suffering persecution at the time—particularly under Nero Caesar. The infamous “666” is the numerical value for Nero Caesar in Hebrew, while some early Latin versions read “616” (the Latin equivalent). Early Christians wrote in code since openly denouncing Nero was dangerously subversive. The persecution by Nero included the dreadful burning of Christians as Roman candles, highlighting the harsh circumstances faced by those to whom Revelation was addressed.
Ultimately, Revelation was not written as a roadmap for the distant future, but for events soon to take place and as a comfort for its original audience. It is a book filled with encoded references, rich Jewish symbolism, and apocalyptic promise.
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Sons of Issachar 