Revelation of John

The Book of Revelation (Greek Apokalupsis Ioannou) is the NT's one work of sustained apocalyptic literature, addressed to seven churches of Asia Minor and presenting visions of cosmic conflict, divine judgment, and the ultimate triumph of God and the Lamb. Its author identifies himself as John (Rev. 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8), traditionally identified as the Apostle John, though some scholars prefer a different John ("John the Elder"). The date is debated: the evidence of Domitian's persecution suggests 81–96 A.D. (early date: 64–68 A.D., Nero's reign). The book's genre is complex — it is simultaneously an apocalypse (revelatory heavenly visions), a prophecy ("words of this prophecy," Rev. 1:3; 22:7), and a circular letter to specific congregations. Its theological center is the throne-room vision of God and the Lamb (Rev. 4–5), which grounds the confidence that God's purposes will prevail despite earthly persecution. The four major interpretive approaches are: preterist (the visions describe first-century events), historicist (the visions trace the church's history from the 1st century to Christ's return), futurist (the visions primarily describe future end-time events), and idealist (the visions are timeless symbols of the cosmic struggle between good and evil). The book's central message is stated at its end: "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev. 22:20).