IS REVELATION ABOUT THE FALL OF JERUSALEM?
Many Bible students have concluded that a significant portion of Revelation concerns the judgment that came upon Jerusalem in A.D. 70. While faithful Christians disagree regarding the scope of the book, there are several considerations that deserve careful attention.
The book opens by declaring that the things revealed “must shortly take place” and that “the time is near” (Revelation 1:1, 3). Similar language appears again near the book’s close (Revelation 22:6, 10).
If words have meaning, the original readers were being told that at least much of what John described stood close at hand rather than thousands of years in the future.
Jesus had already predicted the destruction of Jerusalem within the lifetime of His generation (Matthew 24:1-34; Luke 21:20-24). In Revelation, the imagery of judgment closely resembles Old Testament descriptions of divine wrath against nations. The darkened sun, falling stars, and shaking heavens are prophetic figures used repeatedly by Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Joel when speaking of historical judgments upon earthly powers (Isaiah 13:9-13; Ezekiel 32:7-8; Joel 2:30-31).
Such language need not require the end of the universe. It often signifies the collapse of a political and religious order.
Particularly significant is the identification of the great city “where also our Lord was crucified” (Revelation 11:8). Whatever symbolism may be present, the crucifixion occurred in Jerusalem.
The city is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt because of her corruption and rebellion, just as the prophets frequently assigned symbolic names to Israel when she departed from God (Isaiah 1:10; Ezekiel 23:1-4). This connection strongly suggests that Jerusalem occupies a central place in the prophecy.
The harlot Babylon likewise bears remarkable similarities to first-century Jerusalem. She is charged with the blood of prophets and saints (Revelation 17:6; 18:24).
Jesus had previously declared that Jerusalem was the city that killed the prophets and would be held accountable for righteous blood shed upon the earth (Matthew 23:34-37).
The parallel is striking. The judgment announced by Christ in the Gospels appears to stand in harmony with the judgment depicted in Revelation.
The measuring of the temple in Revelation 11 also deserves consideration. John is told to measure the sanctuary while the holy city is to be trampled by the nations.
If the book was written before A.D. 70, the existence of the temple fits naturally within the historical setting. The destruction of that temple became one of the most momentous events in Jewish history and marked the definitive end of the Mosaic order that had pointed forward to Christ (Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 10:1-10).
None of these arguments by themselves settle every question. Yet taken together they form a substantial case that Revelation contains a major focus upon the downfall of Jerusalem and the vindication of Christ’s kingdom.
Whatever one’s conclusion regarding every detail of the book, Revelation proclaims a timeless message: Jesus reigns, His enemies will not prevail, and His faithful people will share in His victory (Revelation 17:14; 19:11-16; 22:1-5).
BDD
