Revelation

THE BOOK OF REVELATION: M. M. NINAN
Preterist view
Hugo Grotius (17th century) and Johann Jakob Wettstein (18th century), viewed this rider as corresponding
to the famine that occurred during the reign of Claudius, the Roman Emperor from years 41 to 54.
Volkmar, a modern rationalist preterist, pinpoints the start of the famine at year 44, which kept repeating
right into the First Jewish–Roman War of 66. Ernest Renan (19th century), viewed year 68 as the most
significant year of the famine. The famine was so severe that “mothers ate their children to survive”, while
Jewish revolt leader, John Gischala, and his men, consumed the oil and wine that were luxury items from
the Jerusalem temple.
Historicist view
The common historicist view of the Third Seal is associated with the 3rd century. This was a period of
financial oppression imposed on Roman citizenry, created by heavy taxation from the emperors. Taxes
could be paid in grain, oil, and wine.
Joseph Mede (1627), indicated that the Third Seal had opened from the rule of Septimius Severus (193) to
Alexander Severus (235).
The English clergyman, Edward Bishop Elliott (1837), also highlighted the significant period of taxation
that was imposed under Caracalla’s edict in the year 212.
Alexander Keith (1832), took the opening of the Third Seal directly to the Byzantine Papacy in year 606,
following Pope Boniface III as an "Easterner on the papal throne" in 607.
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