Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman Does the Book of Revelation Predict our Future?
Jan 6, 2026
Dr. Bart Ehrman, a renowned New Testament scholar and bestselling author, dives into the chilling predictions of the Book of Revelation. He explores its 90s CE authorship and the political backdrop of ancient Rome, shedding light on its intended audience. Ehrman contrasts early literal interpretations with Augustine's symbolic view of the millennium. He critiques modern futurist readings, like Hal Lindsey's helicopter analogy, arguing they misinterpret the text. The conversation delves into the scholarly consensus that Revelation primarily targets the Roman Empire, not contemporary events.
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Revelation Targets Rome, Not Distant Futures
- Revelation targets the Roman Empire, not a distant future antichrist.
- Understanding its Roman context unlocks the book's imagery and purpose.
Use The Book's Own Audience To Interpret It
- Account for the author's audience and relationship to the seven Asian Minor churches when reading Revelation.
- Use the book's addresses and exile context to interpret its symbols historically.
Early Readers Expected Imminent Fulfillment
- Early readers initially took John's 'soon' literally, expecting imminent fulfillment.
- As decades passed, literal millennial expectations became contested within the church.
