The Prophecies of Revelation

John of Patmos, the prophet who wrote Revelation, had his first vision of God¿s throne on 30 January AD 96 and his last vision of the New Jerusalem during December AD 96. It is possible to date most of his visions on account of his descriptions of the starry skies through a reconstruction of the heavens above Patmos and Ephesus with a computerised astronomical programme. John also mentioned thunderstorms, locusts, the sea, earthquakes and a volcano. He read spiritual messages in these against the background of the Hebrew Scriptures and his experience as a Christian prophet in the Roman Empire, while enjoying the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Certain commentators expect to find predictions about the far future in Revelation. John made it clear, though, that he only explained the difficulties Christians were facing at that time and his expectations for the immediate future. Predictions about later centuries would have had no value for his original readers. On the other hand, his message is timeless and still applicable to our time. This book is meant for all serious Bible students ¿ lay people and theologians, who are bound to find original and new insights into the New Testament.