The Revelation of Jesus Christ Revealed (eBook) Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible Clarke's Commentary [Patristic Commentaries on Revelation - Francis X. Gumerlock - Kerux 23:2 - Sep 2008](https://kerux.com/doc/2302A5.asp) [Revelation and the First Century: Preterist Interpretations of the APOCALYPSE In Early Christianity - Prophecy Questions](https://prophecyquestions.com/revelation-and-the-first-century-preterist-interpretations-of-the-apocalypse-in-early-christianity/) ### 🔹Didache (Chapter 16) - **Antichrist Concept:** Speaks of a coming **“world-deceiver”** posing as the **Son of God**, performing signs and wonders to mislead many. Though the term _Antichrist_ is not used, the description aligns with early Christian expectations of an eschatological deceiver. - **Nature of Deceiver:** A **singular figure** empowered to do unprecedented evil, bringing about a time of trial and apostasy. - **Tribulation Elements:** Describes an intense period of **lawlessness**, **betrayal**, **hatred**, and **persecution** in the **last days**. Believers must **endure a fiery trial**; only the faithful will be saved. - **Signs of the End:** Lists three signs before the Lord’s return: 1. An outspreading in heaven 2. The sound of the trumpet 3. The resurrection of the dead (not all, but those with Christ) - **Second Coming:** Jesus returns with His saints, visible on **clouds of heaven**, echoing **Matthew 24** and **Daniel 7** language. - Mostly **literal** in tone, with symbolic undertones (e.g., sheep into wolves). Emphasis on **watchfulness** and **spiritual readiness**. Warns that **faith alone is not enough** without perseverance through the final test. - **Relation to Daniel’s 70 Weeks:** No mention of **Daniel**, **70 weeks**, or related prophetic time periods. ### 🔹John’s Letters (1 John 2:18–22; 4:3; 2 John 7) John's letytersRevelelation and Daniel - **Antichrist Concept:** Uses the term **“Antichrist”** explicitly, but not to describe a single future figure. Instead, the term refers to **many present individuals** who deny Jesus as the Christ. - **Nature of Antichrist:** Anyone who **denies the Father and the Son** is called “Antichrist.” These deceivers were **already active** within the Church community. - Emphasis on a **plural**, **spiritual**, and **ethical** opposition to Christ, rather than a political or apocalyptic figure. - **Tribulation Elements:** There is **no description of a tribulation** period. The emphasis is on spiritual discernment and remaining in the truth amidst false teaching. Warns believers that the **spirit of the Antichrist** is in the world and must be tested. Calls for doctrinal vigilance. - **Second Coming / Eschatology:** John gives **no specific timeline** or direct link to Daniel, Rome, or tribulation events. Mentions **“the last hour”** (1 John 2:18) in the **present tense**, indicating that the eschatological period was already underway at the time of writing. Emphasis remains on **abiding in Christ**, which is portrayed as the faithful response during the “last hour,” rather than watching for external signs. - **Interpretation:** The phrase is **ambiguous** — it could refer to: - The **final era** before Christ’s return (a broad, undefined period), - A spiritual crisis period like the **rise of heresies**, - Or, possibly, the **judgment upon Jerusalem (70 AD)**. - **Relation to Daniel’s 70 Weeks:** **No mention** of Daniel, 70 weeks, or prophetic timelines. The framework is entirely moral and doctrinal, not apocalyptic.