I have found it interesting that a large group will overlook the time statements of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We noted in the previous blog that the things John writes are of things that must shortly come to pass (v. 1) and the content of the words of the prophecy are near to being fulfilled (v. 3 ).
The last chapter confirms the same setting and context. Verse 6 speaks of the things in it that must shortly take place. The following verse has Jesus saying, “Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” Then, verse 10 has the angel telling John, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.” When I read that, I am reminded of Daniel 8:26 which tells Daniel that the vision is secret, for it pertains to many days in the future (over 800 years). In Daniel 12:9, Daniel is told, “Go your way, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the time of the end.” Please note that the translation of the phrase refers to the time of the end, i.e., the end of the age — the Jewish age. Daniel is key to understanding much of the Book of Revelation because it pertained to the same seals that were opened and loosed by the Lamb/Lion, Jesus Christ. What was concealed in Daniel is revealed in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Then, a second time, Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming quickly” (verse 12) and “My reward is with Me to render to every man according to what he has done.” Again, before the book closes, verse 20 has Him repeating himself, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Whatever date you attach to the writing, you cannot have Jesus coming quickly and He still hasn’t come for 2,000+ years and counting. That makes Jesus liar. Especially in light of Daniel’s prophecy, it is totally inconsistent for Daniel to be told to seal up the vision because it pertains to a time over 800 years away and tell John not to seal his vision because it’s coming a soon 2,000 years from now. If 800 years is a long time in the future that justifies sealing Daniel’s vision, why wouldn’t 2,000 years justify sealing the contents of John’s vision? The only logical answer is that you don’t seal up a book when they are relevant for the present time (“time is near”, “soon come to pass”). The evidence is too overwhelming to take the view that the contents of this book pertain to our day or any other time far removed from the century in which it was written.