Tag: Revelation


Where are all the Roman seal impressions?

Where are all the Roman seal impressions?

In Revelation 5-8, John describes a scroll in heaven that is sealed with seven seals, each of which is broken in turn. One would assume this imagery was based on current practice, yet almost no Roman-era seal impressions from a scroll or other document have been found. Why not? There are plenty of literary references to the practice of sealing or unsealing various things, including documents. Among those in the NT: Matthew 27:66 – a seal was set on the stone blocking the tomb of Jesus; Eph 1:13, 4:30 – followers of......


John on the Island of Patmos

John on the Island of Patmos

John wrote the letter of Revelation from the island of Patmos (Rev 1:9). The island of Patmos is about 60 miles from the ancient city of Ephesus. Both are visible on this Google Earth image. The island of Patmos covers about 13 square miles and is home to a couple of modern villages. The two largest are Skala and Chora. Already by the 3rd century BC the island had an acropolis with defensive walls and towers. Little else is known about John’s stay on Patmos. Tradition holds that John was banished to......