A popularly written antidote to dispensational sensationalism and newspaper exegesis. Convincing biblical and historical evidence showing that the Beast was the Roman Emperor Nero Caesar, the first civil persecutor of the Church. The second half of the book shows Revelation's date of writing, proving its composition as prior to the Fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. A thought-provoking treatment of a fascinating and confusing topic.

This new release fully updates the previous two editions, updating bibliographical material, bringing in new arguments, disposing of faulty arguments, and interacting with critics. Following is an excerpt from the Introduction.

Changes in the New Edition
But now: what has changed within? How can you justify to your wife your purchasing this title once again? I will list a few of the more noticeable changes in this edition, with brief explanatory comments. Rest assured that every chapter has been edited, and almost every paragraph with Chapters 1-3 and 5-8 undergoing the most substantial expansion and change. Note that some chapter titles have changed (Chapters 8, and 13-15).

First, the original edition of The Beast of Revelation was released in 1989. This new edition has updated all of the bibliographical references where necessary. For instance, the more recent editions of Revelation commentaries have been employed (e.g., those by Mounce and Morris); the newer edition of certain reference works have been consulted (e.g., Guthrie's latest New Testament Introduction ); and so forth. Thus, the bibliography and footnotes are updated for easier cross referencing.

Second, in addition, I have interacted with altogether new resources (e.g., the important multi-volume Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship published by IVP, 1993-2000; the latest editions of scholarly biblical and theological dictionaries). I interact with several new sources that directly respond to my earlier works (e.g., Thomas's two-volume, Revelation: An Exegetical Commentary [1992, 1995]; Beale's massive The Book of Revelation: New International Greek Testament Commentary [1999]; Kistemaker's important Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society article [September 2000]). In several places, I incorporated quotations from newer resources while dropping out those from older ones, bringing those arguments into the contemporary debate. I have also expanded the list of scholars promoting an early-date (e.g., noting Ellis's important The Making of the New Testament Documents [1999], as well as works by Rowland, Wilson, and others).

Third, I have dropped altogether mistaken observations and have modified deficient arguments. For instance, in Chapter 2 I stumbled exegetically at Revelation 1:19, which reads: "Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things." I previously argued that the Greek verb mello can be translated "about to," thus rendering the phrase "and the things about to take place after these things." Although mello can speak of temporal nearness in some texts, it does not do so here (as I note at the proper place within).

I also originally argued in Chapter 5 that the reference to "the tribulation" in Revelation 1:9 referred to the "great tribulation" of Matthew 24 and Revelation 7. But that could not be, for John was already in this "tribulation" while he was writing (which trial fell upon Christians beginning in A.D. 64), whereas he was prophesying the still future "great tribulation" (which judgment was to be upon the Jews beginning in A.D. 67). Unfortunately, I argued that the definite article "the" modified only "tribulation" (seemingly making it refer to the tribulation, i.e., the "great tribulation"). Syntactically though, the Granville Sharp rule of the article in Greek has it governing all three of the nouns (tribulation, kingdom, perseverance), thereby not highlighting the tribulation.

Furthermore, some of my statements may have been overstated. For instance, in Chapter 5 I argued dogmatically that the Neronic persecution lasted forty-two months, as if a relentless, actively-engaged pogrom against Christianity. Though some historians argue such, I now allow that Nero's persecution, once begun, may have been intermittent until his death, existing as more of a state of siege, even if not a relentless hunting down of Christians. In addition, some readers understood me to imply in Chapter 10 that Julius Caesar was actually an emperor. In the present work I make clear that Julius was not formally an emperor, though he virtually functioned as one.

Fourth, I have added much new material along the way. As I continue to research Revelation studies, first century history, apocalyptic literature, Jew-Christian relations and the like, I am frequently uncovering additional and exciting information. The new material helps flesh out the argument, giving it more weight. In a variety of contexts I have multiplied Scripture references for additional biblical support.

Fifth, I have labored to polish my writing style over the past decade. Consequently, the presentation within is a little zestier and less cumbersome than the original. Previously my focus was so much on the formal argument that stylistic matters were not as much of a concern for me. With further study in the art of writing as a form of communication and persuasion, I have learned the value of a freer flowing style. Also in some places I have added new headings or reformulated clunky older headings to allow the reader to more easily visualize the structure of my presentation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface to Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition

PART 1: WHO IS THE BEAST?
Introduction
1. The Identity of the Beast
2. The Relevance of the Beast
3. The Number of the Beast
4. The Character of the Beast
5. The War of the Beast
6. The Worship of the Beast
7. The Revival of the Beast

PART 2: WHEN WAS REVELATION WRITTEN?
8. The Interpretive Importance
9. The Thematic Evidence
10. The Political Evidence
11. The Architectural Evidence
12. The Ecclesiastical Evidence
13. The Patristic Evidence
14. The Patristic Objection
15. The Theoretical Problems
Conclusion
Scripture Index
General Index