The previous article defined this doctrine and gave a brief overview of its development. Eusebius further wrote that polycarp held to his beliefs ecclesiastical history, book 5, chap. It is not history like the gospels and acts, nor practical discussions and instructions like the epistles, but we at once seem to breathe the atmosphere of prophets like ezekiel and daniel. When john received the vision with messages to seven congregations of the church of god in asia minor, he recorded jesus saying, i am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, and what you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. That is why the stories surrounding polycarp and polycrates are very important to the topic of church history.
Kummel provides the following information on dating the apocalypse of john introduction to the new testament, pp. His only existing writing, a pastoral letter to the church at philippi, shows he had little formal. In the second and third chapters of the book of revelation, there are seven letters addressed to the angel of each of seven churches. The authorship of the johannine worksthe gospel of john, epistles of john, and the book of revelationhas been debated by scholars since at least the 2nd century ad. The book of revelation and the significance of ad70 by j. Polycarps most popular book is early christian writings. I am amazed at the proliferation of a faulty and inconclusive idea that pervades futurist teachings regarding the dating of the book of revelation. Irenaeus, the pupil of polycarp, the disciple of st.
The apocalypse, or revelation, is often quoted by him as the revelation of john, the disciple of the lord. It is important to note that irenaeus was not a random guy with an interest in the bible. He who grants me to endure the fire will enable me also to remain on the pyre unmoved, without the security you desire from nails. As bishop, polycarp had a reputation for defending orthodoxy. Perhaps the best known source for the book of revelation being written in ad 95 is irenaeus, bishop of lyons ad 120202. Some writers, however, have advanced the preterist from a latin word meaning that which is past view, contending that the apocalypse was penned around a. The canon and how much did early christians refer to the new testament notes oct. Many claim the book of revelation was written before 70ad. Polycarp disciple of the apostle john and the second century. Iranaeus was a student of polycarp, who was a disciple of the apostle john who wrote the revelation. Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle john irenaeus, a bishop and historian who lived during the second century, wrote in against heresies book 3, chap. When we open the book of revelation we discover, at once, a marked difference between it and any other portion of the new testament. So, paul was very important to polycarp, particularly from his writings.
Introduction from the notes on the introductory matters, i concluded that the apostle john wrote revelation from the island of patmos at the end of domitians reign. If this faithful christian leader were alive today, would he support the any of the protestant, roman catholic, eastern orthodox churches or instead be part of a group like the continuing church of god. The historicist view teaches that the book of revelation is a symbolic presentation of church history beginning in the first century ad through the end of age. The smell of acne face cleanser filled the room as i dove into mysterious depictions of fourfaced angels, beasts from the sea and land, of massive angels, and 100pound hailstones being hurled to the earth. The book of revelation as a whole has the external form of a letter in that it begins with an opening salutation 1. Polycarp, and the presbyters with him, to the church of god sojourning at philippi. Polycarp was a noted and respected bishop of smyrna, one of only two churches not admonished by jesus in the seven letters found in revelation 2 and 3. If the book of revelation is a book of prophecy as it claims to be rev. Polycarp, by his persuasive teaching, turned a large number of the marcionites from their errors. A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 2 letters. Robinson 1976 the book of revelation is unique among the new testament writings in being dated in early tradition. There may have been a single author for the gospel and the three epistles. Polycarp of smyrna resources american bible society.
Revelation introduction commentary peoples new testament. The authorship of the johannine worksthe gospel of john, epistles of john, and the book of revelation has been debated by scholars since at least the 2nd century ad. With regard to the inspiration of the book revelation, we deem it superfluous to add another word. Revelation overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this versebyverse commentary contain gems of information found nowhere outside the ancient jewish writings. February 23 is the feast day of polycarp of smyrna. Jude, and revelationwhich is to say, all of the 27 books of the new testament.
Known as a political center of asia minor, it took its obligation of caesar worship seriously, especially when polycarp, the bishop of smyrna, was martyred by burning in 155 ad. It appears that polycarp was already a bishop of smyrna at a young age. Revelation overview john gills exposition on the whole. According to the martyrdom of polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. Mercy to you, and peace from god almighty, and from the lord jesus christ, our saviour, be multiplied. There is in each of these letters, a command to write to the angel of the church. John, the writer of the book of revelation, sets out to tell his readers something vital about the paradox of the days and years ahead. A simple but inspiring, versebyverse guide to the book of revelation, with a glossary of terms and symbols. Traditionally, the book of revelation has been dated near the end of the first century, around a.
What was jesus message to the church in smyrna in revelation. I dont know if this is off topic or not but, if polycarp was a disciple of john is it safe to say polycarp would have know when john wrote revelation and then would have passed this info onto irenaeus who was polycarp s disciple. Books by polycarp author of the epistle of polycarp to the. Here, at the end of the book of revelation, john recorded the exact same message that he did in chapter 1. Polycarp had been a christian since he was a child, but the. The book of revelation is a fascinating book, and the debate regarding its interpretation will continue. He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a preeminent martyr, whose death all desire to imitate, being altogether consistent with the gospel of. He was the bishop of hierpolis in phrygia and was martyred in 163 ad around the same time that polycarp was martyred. What was the church like 50 years after the book of revelation was written. This was one reason he was greatly revered as a teacher and church leader. Bible a commentary on the book of revelation chapter 2. The holy bible book 66 revelation kjv dramatized audio.
Apocalypse, from the verb apokalupto, to reveal, is the name given to the last book in the bible. This is the second article in the series on the development of the trinity doctrine. In 155 ad, polycarp, bishop of smyrna and a close friend of ignatius, was killed by the sword, his body burned at the stake in. Eusebius was against chiliasm, and thought to be biased against papias and not confirming the canonicity of the book of revelation because of this. The second letter is addressed to the angel of the church in smyrna. Now polycarp himself never met paul, but he knew pauls writings, quoted them often, and later himself wrote a letter to the church at philippi, as paul himself had written the book of philippians in our new testament. In his youth he was a student of polycarp, who was for many years a disciple of the apostle john.
His testimony is particularly valuable, as he was in early life acquainted with polycarp, who was a contemporary and friend of the apostle john lardner, ii. The whole history of polycarp, and his testimony to the books of the new testament, may be seen in lardner, ii. This is the story of the blessed polycarp, the twelfth martyr in smyrna, though he has a unique place memory of all people, being remembered even by all the heathen. John, quotes it as written by john, the disciple of the lord. Smyrna was located in asia minor, present day turkey, and is one of the seven churches mentioned in the book of revelation. Either view would still make revelation future for the futurist.
Determining the date revelations authorship biblical. When the proconsul pleaded to polycarp to save his own life by denying christ, polycarp responded. Irenaeus on the date of the book of revelation taylor. As is clearly seen below, the early church father iranaeus stated the book of revelation was written at the end of emperor domitians reign 8196 it has been determined the book was written in 96ad. I ask this because i have been studying the book of revelation lately and the date of its writing. Dear in christ, most of the antipreterist ranters proof text a passage from irenaeus writings against heresies, book v, chapter xxx to prove that the book of revelation was written after 70ad. The reason for this difference in style could possibly be that, the book of revelation was revealed to john the apostle at his old age and was possibly penned with the help of someone who was not good in greek language. Heres the quote from adversus haereses by irenaeus regarding the date of the book of revelation in the context of the apostle johns life. Irenaeus was a disciple of polycarp, and polycarp was a.
He opposed the teachings of the marcionite and valentinian heresies. Irenaeuss writings are among the most extensive from his time. If, polycarp would have been the church of god leader in charge of smyrna when the apostle john recorded the following words of jesus. According to the martyrdom of polycarp he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. Since domitian was assassinated in ad 96, we can date the book roughly at ad 95. Of his reference to the book of revelation, lardner says. The evidence for the book of revelation being written in 95ad includesirenaeus. The crown of life would be the exact opposite of that. All views believe that god is sovereign and in charge of all that occurs in history and its ultimate conclusion. And that false notion of this book s date is raised everytime a futurist is faced with kingdom eschatology and tries to shoot it down. Polycarp was a pupil of john, the author of revelation. The angel at philadelphia likewise had in their sight but a little strength. The account is in the form of a letter from eyewitnesses to other churches in the area. Several years ago, i was invited to speak at a conference which took place in the city of izmir, turkey.
A popular notion concerning the dating of the book of revelation has been 96. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried revelation 2. Revelation overview john gills exposition on the whole bible. This text is the story, from around 160 ad, of the martyrdom of polycarp, the bishop of the church in smyrna, a city in asia minor modern izmir in turkey devoted to roman worship. The main debate centers on who authored the writings, and which of the writings, if any, can be ascribed to a common author. That this book was written by the apostle and evangelist john, is clear not only from the express mention of his name, and from his office, a servant of jesus christ, revelation 1. The preterist view teaches that the events recorded in the book of revelation were largely fulfilled in ad 70 with the fall of the jerusalem temple. His letter shows that the original canon of the new testament, including the book of revelation, was not only known in asia minor but passed on to the christians in that region. Polycarp was an old man, at least 86 see part 10, and probably the last surviving person to have known an apostle, having been a disciple of st. The current article discusses the views of one of the first postbiblical writers, namely polycarp, who lived from about the year 70 to 155.
The book of revelation may have been written around a. Aug 30, 2012 polycarp speaks of a present aeon which is reminiscent of luke 20. Still earlier, papias looked upon the book as inspired, and bore testimony to its genuineness. Although a christian work, the apocalypse belongs to a class of literature dealing with eschatological subjects and much in vogue among the jews of the first century before, and after, christ. The canon and how much did early christians refer to the. Timothy george preached at beeson divinity school in fall 2018 on rev. Protestants call it the book of revelation, the title which it bears in the king james version. For instance, zane hodges is a futurist, who holds to the early date of revelation. Rightly dividing the word revelations early dating. Revelation overview albert barnes notes on the whole bible.
The words of jesus to the church in smyrna in revelation 2. He was martyred at the age of 86 around the middle of the second century 155160 a. Polycarp was bishop of smyrna today known as izmir, a city on the west coast of turkey. I know thy affliction and poverty a poor prerogative in the eyes of the world. The letters to the seven churches in asia at the beginning of the book of revelation include a letter to the church in smyrna, identifying it as a church undergoing. Polycarp says apostle john lived during caesar trajan ad 98117 a. It is not history like the gospels and acts, nor practical discussions and instructions like the epistles, but we at once seem to breathe the. One of apostle johns students, polycarp who lived from 69 to 155 a. If, polycarp would have been the church of god leader in charge of smyrna when the apostle john. Kistemaker, exposition of the book of revelation baker book house.
This is not indeed absolute proof, but it furnishes strong presumptive evidence in favor of the opinion that the book of revelation was written by the apostle john. And when the blessed polycarp was at rome in the time of anicetus, and they disagreed a little about certain other things, they immediately made peace with one another, not caring to quarrel over this matter. Polycarp was also responsible for converting many from gnosticism. Polycarp was, as there is every reason to suppose, the personal friend of john, and irenaeus was the personal friend of polycarp lardner, ii. Irenaeus against heresies mentions ancient copies of.
One cant help but wonder if this angel was referring to johns student and disciple polycarp. Having by his patience vanquished the unjust ruler, and having thus received the crown of immortality, etc. Smyrna was a large, important city on the western coast of asia minor, famed for its schools of medicine and science. John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of jesus christ, which god. The contrast in literary form between the direct address of the letters and the symbolic drama of the remainder of the book is startling. The book of revelation probably succeeded in preserving a smaller number of jerusalem christians till the second coming than the seven messengers of the 7 churches who brought revelation from asia to jerusalem. It is the earliest chronicle of a martyrdom outside the new testament.
The following text is an edited and adapted version of a sermon dr. Nov 19, 2012 this is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. This makes the most sense given that john was the writer of revelation, the book that. The book of revelation is the inspired word of god i have read it and it did not inspire fear in me it let me know that in the end god knows all the future and that his will shall be done and that evil shall eventually be permanently defeated and that we shall live in a perfect eternal existence with jesus. By contrast, if one is a futurist regarding the book of revelation, one could hold to either the early date or the late date. Irenaeus on the date of the book of revelation taylor marshall. On the other hand papias was a direct disciple of john the apostle, so one could argue that the previous quote is from what papias got from john verbally, not from the book of revelation. John enters upon that grand vision which takes up the residue of the book. Ad 69 155 was a 2ndcentury christian bishop of smyrna. Biography and readings for polycarp, commemorated feb. An address to the angel of that church, containing a testimony of his mixed, or good. Polycarp has 40 books on goodreads with 3196 ratings. We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of antichrist. The inscription to the book of revelation, in the syrian version, first published by deuteronomy dieu, in 1627, and, afterwards in the london polyglot, is the following, the revelation which god made to john the evangelist, in the island of patmos, to which he was banished by nero caesar.
This is a modern translation of the epistle of polycarp to the philippians, the same church that paul wrote to almost a century earlier. Irenaeus against heresies mentions ancient copies of revelation. Revelation has long been attributed to the author of johns gospel, in spite of the differences in style of writing. He also was the last one to write of any of the books included in the new. I want to draw your attention in a message to the 2nd chapter of revelation revelation, chapter 2 and i told you a couple of weeks ago when we began this little series that i wanted to give you a. The letters to the seven churches in asia at the beginning of the book of revelation include a letter to the church in smyrna, identifying it as a church undergoing persecution. Considering the large number of external testimonies to authorship, this fact alone is remarkable. The foregoing evidence demonstrates that polycarp knew of all the books of the new testament.
Polycarps adherence to the teachings of the apostles became especially evident during his visit to rome, most likely in 154 or 155. There is, however, what may, without impropriety, be regarded as an important testimony of polycarp in regard to this book. Despite our various views, there are some common threads upon which christians agree. Polycarp disciple of the apostle john and the second century church stephen. The heretic marcion had led many astray by his efforts to separate the church from its jewish roots. As a teenager, i remember being a bit frightened of the book of revelation.