• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

Stephen M. Miller

Award-Winning, Bestselling Christian Author

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Blog Features
  • Bible
  • Contact
Painting/photo of Jerusalem Temple-Casual English Bible

Revelation: past, present, or future?

Stephen M. Miller
woman floating in clouds
HEAVENS ABOVE. Is that what the Book of Revelation is about? End times and life after death up in heaven? Or is a book about a lower altitude? Clouds by Wikimedia, painting by Francisco Goya.

WHEN I WAS A KID, everyone seemed to think the last book in the Bible—Revelation—was about Last Things.

End Times.

The Antichrist.

Armageddon.

Not so much anymore, at least among the crowd of Bible scholars.

Steve Cooper hints at that in what has become the Bible Question of the Week. Steve wins a free book for his trouble. (Steve email me for the list of available books, including the most recent: 100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible.)

Here’s his question:

Is the Book of Revelation really meant to prepare us for the end times, or by stressing the need to know and love Christ, is it meant to prepare us for our own death, no matter when the world ends?

Maybe neither.

The Book of Revelation is a little about history in Roman times. It’s a little about the future in Eternal times. But it’s a lot about life in Our times.

It’s not so much about how to die, I think most scholars would agree.

It’s about how to live.

Let me show you.

Roman times

“The seven heads of the beast represent the seven hills where the woman rules” (Revelation 17:9).

Rome was built on seven hills.

Revelation goes on to talk about eight kings—with details that track nicely with the eight Roman emperors up until the AD 90s, when most scholars say Revelation was written.

As the theory goes, Revelation was a coded way for the writer to encourage Christians of his day to stay true to the faith during the terrible persecution they were facing from that eighth king, Emperor Domitian—one nasty guy (ruled AD 81-96).

Eternal times

“The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. God’s servants will serve him….They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun. The Lord God will give them light. They will rule for ever and ever,” (Revelation 22:3-5).

Sounds like heaven to me.

Our times

“I see everything you’re doing for me. Impressive! The love and the faith, the service and persistence. Yes, very impressive! You get better at it every day,” (Revelation 2:19).

That’s a clip from a letter to the church in Thyatira, in what is now Turkey. But some scholars say this letter and others like it were intended as barometers for all Christian souls and local churches to measure their spiritual health.

Besides, the point of the book is this: We win.

“If you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life,” (Revelation 2:10).

Nothing can beat us.

Not even death.

The Book of Revelation is a little about history, a little about the future, and a lot about life.

I think I hear some New Testament scholars saying, “Amen.” Some of them do actually get that excited.

When someone agrees with them.

Bible Gateway logo

Visit Stephen M. Miller’s profile on Pinterest.

Share this:

  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
View All Posts - Ordered by Most Recent First
« Previous
Next »

About Stephen M. Miller

STEPHEN M. MILLER is an award winning bestselling Christian author of easy-reading books about the Bible and Christianity and author of the Casual English Bible® paraphrase. His books have sold over two million copies and include The Complete Guide to the Bible and Who’s and Where’s Where in the Bible.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar

Casual English Bible Website

Featured Book

Complete Guide to the Bible

Complete Guide to the Bible
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Books-A-Million
Buy from Christian Book Distributor
Buy from Google Play

Latest Posts

  • I do one thing better than God May 27, 2025
  • When our faith glitches May 5, 2025
  • Job is the right book for me now April 16, 2025

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog Features
  • Books
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2025 · Stephen M. Miller · All Rights Reserved

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
Reject AllAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
%d