Before Jerusalem Fell

Before Jerusalem Fell

Dating the Book of Revelation

An Exegetical and Historical Argument
for a Pre-A.D. 70 Composition

Kenneth L. Gentry Jr., Th.D
1989

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50 page Preface answers objections by critics. Careful exegesis of Scripture and meticulous research of ancient authors. Not only resolves technical question of Revelation’s date, but provides much helpful exposition of Revelation. “An academic work clearly argued, with full documentation and detailed footnotes on the subject” (Banner of Truth). “Thorough and outstanding” (George W. Knight). “Impressive job of collecting evidence…. Well researched and cogently presented” (Criswell Theological Review). “A strong case for the early external evidence” (J.P.M. Sweet, Journal of Theological Studies). “Comprehensive survey of the issues, sources and modern writers” (E. Earle Ellis).
459pp. Index. American Vision. Hardcover.

Table of Contents

PART I: PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
1. Revelation Studies
2: The Approach to the Question of Dating

PART II: THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE
3. Introduction to the External Evidence
4. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons
5. Clement of Alexandria
6. Additional External Witnesses

PART III: THE INTERNAL EVIDENCE
7. The Role of the Internal Evidence
8. The Theme of Revelation
9. The Temporal Expectation of the Author
10. The Identity of the Sixth King
11. The Contemporary Integrity of the Temple
12. The Role of Nero Caesar
13 . The Role of Jewish Christianity
14. The Looming Jewish War

PART IV: ALLEGED DOMITIANIC EVIDENCES EXAMINED
15. Introduction to Domitianic Internal Evidence
16. The Role of Emperor Worship
17. The Persecution of Christianity
18. The Nero Redivivus Myth
19. The Condition of the Seven Churches

PART V: CONCLUSION
20. Concluding Remarks

Select Bibliography
Select Bibliography I: Modern Writings
Select Bibliography II: Ancient Writings

(On the Significance of A.D.70)
“…in Acts 2:16ff. the Pentecostal tongues event in Jerusalem was pointed to as a harbinger of ‘the day of the Lord’ that was coming. Tongues-speaking was a warning sign to Peter’s hearers of the necessity of their being ‘saved from this perverse generation’ (Acts 2:40) before the ‘great and glorious day of the Lord’ (Acts 2:20).” (Before Jerusalem Fell, p.234)

(On the Dating of Revelation)
“My confident conviction is that a solid case for a Neronic date for Revelation can be set forth from the available evidences, both internal and external.  In fact, I would lean toward a date after the outbreak of the Neronic persecution in late A.D.64 and before the declaration of the Jewish war in early A.D.67.  A date in either A.D.65 or early A.D.66 would seem most suitable.” [Before Jerusalem Fell (Tyler, TX: ICE, 1989), 336.]

(On the 144,000)
“In Revelation 7:1-8 we find an interesting temporary divine protection of ‘the land’ where four angels are seen holding back the winds of destruction… Then follows the sealing of the 144,000 from the Twelve Tribes of Israel… Clearly the reference to the Twelve Tribes is to Christians… of Jewish extraction… they are contrasted with the “great multitude” from “every nation” who praise God (v.9). …While speaking in the Olivet Discourse of the destruction of the very Temple to which the disciples could physically point… He also clearly taught that all of these things would happen to “this generation” (Matt. 24:32). Indeed, this coming event was to be “the great tribulation” (Matt. 24:21) – the very tribulation of which John writes (Rev. 7:14).” (Before Jerusalem Fell, pp.232-234)

“The final collapse of Jerusalem and the Temple.. Through these events the Jews were to “see” the Son of Man in His judgment-coming in terrifying cloud-glory: clouds are symbols of divine majesty often entailing stormy destruction.   The members of the Sanhedrin and others would experience such in their life times (Matt. 26:64; Mark 9:1; cf. Rev 1:7 with Rev 1:1,3).” (ibid. 348)

“The nature of the event has to do with a ‘Cloud-Coming’ of Christ. It is necessary here to understand the Old Testament backdrop for a proper comprehension of the matter. The Old Testament frequently uses clouds as indicators of divine judgment.” (Before Jerusalem Fell; Bethesda, MD: Christian University Press, 1997; p. 121)

“In Mark 9:1 Jesus promises that some of his hearers would not “taste of death” before witnessing the “coming of the kingdom with power.” This almost certainly refers to the destruction of the temple at the behest of Christ…” (p. lii)

“The Jerusalem holocaust was coming in that generation… I Thessalonians 2:16 speaks of Jews who ‘always fill up the measure of their sins’ and upon whom ‘the wrath has come…to the utmost.’ Hebrews 12:18-29 contrasts Judaism and its fulfillment, Christianity, and notes that there is an approaching ‘shaking’ of the old order coming.” (Before Jerusalem Fell, p.235)

(On Revelation 17:10)
“It seems indisputably clear that the book of Revelation must be dated in the reign of Nero Caesar, and consequently before his death in June, A.D. 68. He is the sixth king; the short-lived rule of the seventh king (Galba) “has not yet come.” In addition to all the foregoing, it would seem unreasonable to exclude Julius from the list in light of the circumstances and subject matter of the book.” (Before Jerusalem Fell, p.151)

(On Revelation 22:10)
“…Thayer expands on the idea of the word ‘…concerning things imminent and soon to come to pass.’ He lists Revelation 1:3 and 22:10 in his series of examples. The word is used frequently of chronologically near events, such as approaching summer (Matt. 24:32), the Passover (Matt. 26:18; John 2:13; 11:55), the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2), etc. How could events related to the collapse of the Roman Empire two or three hundred years in the future be considered “at hand”…? …Several generations of these Christians would have waxed and waned over such a period. Even more difficult to understand is how events two or three thousand years in the future could be considered “at hand” …How could such events so remotely stretched out into the future be “at hand”? But if the expected events were to occur within a period of from one to five years… then all becomes clear.”   (Before Jerusalem Fell, pp. 140-141)