FOREWORD

One look at the Bibliography of this booklet reveals a work that is different from most of those which have been produced in our community. Bro. and Sis. Banta have done copious research in the writings of the first through third centuries A.D. in order to examine the primary source material for the issues they consider.

They were not satisfied with quotes from 19th century authors though this would have been a much easier course to follow. In matters of historical research, the primary material is often more ambiguous than the stated conclusions set forth by later commentators such as Elliott or Westcott and Hort. For that reason, the reader of this treatise may feel uncomfortable at times as he is exposed to the raw material which later historians used as the basis of their conclusions.

Things are not quite as tidy as we may wish. However, it is felt the importance of a right view of the Revelation fully justifies the research involved.

The believer in the Bible finds himself at odds with the established church. There is no doubt of the great doctrinal errors of orthodox Christendom. But the believer needs to know how God views the false church and its offspring. Does He abhor their doctrines as paganism in a different guise or does He reckon their wrong ideas as mistakes of scholarship akin to errors of conduct?

A view that the Apocalypse was written before A.D. 70 against errant Judaism virtually nullifies its impact on this issue. The primary purpose of this booklet is to show that an early date and Jewish application is wholly against the facts.

Hopefully such a demonstration will render the continuous historical approach all the more acceptable. It is that approach which permits the believer to rightly divide the Word and follow the application of the symbols of Revelation first to paganism and then to the apostate Christian system that has existed over the centuries to the present. Both are seen as the great enemy of God and His people.

It is upon such an understanding that the believer of today realizes he can have no part in a system which is anti-Christ, a system which has waged war over the centuries with the Lamb and will do so when Christ appears to triumphantly overthrow those who defame his name and kill his servants.

As members of a community called to be holy unto God, as living elements of the body of Christ, we can be, we must be, a people who remain separate showing forth the praises of our Lord and the word he has sanctified.

Don Styles, June, 1985