In dating the writing of Revelation, we look closely at the seven letters that are within the book. I have already reviewed the first letter in the last issue. The second letter, that to Pergamum, names one Christian who has already been killed. One of the visions refers to “those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given” and to future persecution of “their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed”. But the massive persecution of which it warns is still future from when the book was written.

Thus most contemporary scholars affirm that the persecutions in Revelation were unofficial, sporadic and local and not official Roman persecutions. With the link to Roman persecution severed, the primary reason for dating it in the 60s or the 90s is gone. Most scholars date it no earlier than the 90s, in part because its criticism of Christians in the seven communities sounds as though it is directed to second or third-generation followers of Jesus who have begun to accommodate themselves to the norms and values of dominant culture. But it is also possible that it was written in the early decades of the second century.

After the introduction and inaugural vision in chapter 1, chapters 2-3 are letters to Christian communities in seven cities in Asia Minor. Two – Ephesus and Laodicea – are referred to in letters attributed to Paul. Acts refers to Thyatira, but only in the context of identifying Lydia as a native of that city. The others, Smyrna (i.e.,modern Izmir), Philadelphia, Pergamum and Sardis, are not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. We do not know who founded the Christian communities there. Perhaps John of Patmos did.

The letters include an evaluation of each community, which was either condemnation, commendation or promise. Nothing bad is said about Smyrna and Philadelphia; nothing good is said about Sardis and Laodicea. Ephesus, Pergamum and Thyatria received mixed verdicts.

The rest of the document until its closing greetings is filled with various visions. I shall present a synopsis of the visions, beginning in this issue. The first two are:

Worship in heaven and the Lamb with the scroll.

The Lamb opening the seven seals. War, famine, plague, death and earthquake   ensue. The sun become black, the moon blood red; stars fall from the sky; the rulers of this world call on the mountains to fall on them to protect them from the wrath of God and the Lamb.

Although Revelation is difficult to read and understand, you should try it once