The Jimmy Akin Podcast #068 When Was the Book of Revelation Written? - Jimmy Akin
Jan 26, 2026
A lively examination of when Revelation was written, weighing clues from early Church statements and Roman emperors. Close attention to Patmos and whether John was exiled or imprisoned. Discussion of temple imagery and how it points to a pre-70 date. A case made for dating the book around 68–69 AD during the Galba interlude.
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Two Competing Date Traditions
- Two main datings exist: the 90s under Domitian and the 60s under Nero-era contexts.
- The 90s view rose in the 20th century while the 60s view dominated the 19th century.
Irenaeus's Ambiguous Testimony
- Irenaeus's statement is often read to place Revelation near Domitian's end, but its Greek is ambiguous.
- The ambiguity could mean John lived into Domitian's reign rather than that he wrote Revelation then.
Patmos Exile Doesn't Fix The Date
- John was exiled to Patmos "on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus," not imprisoned.
- Early sources disagree whether Nero or Domitian banished him, so exile alone doesn't fix the date.
