The Book of Revelation

The Jews divided all time into ages- this present age, wholly given over to evil; and the age to come, the age of God. Between the two there was to be a time of terrible trial. Between the Old and the New Testaments the Jews wrote many books which were visions of the dreadful time before the end of time and the time of blessedness to come. These books were call Apokalypses or Revelations. Although there is nothing like it in the New Testament, it belongs to a class of literature that was common between the two testaments.

Revelation brings together the worlds of heaven, earth, and hell in a final confrontation between the forces of good and evil. Its characters and images are both real and symbolic, spiritual and material. Revelation's cryptic nature makes the book a source of controversy among scholars who try to interpret its meaning and its message. 

Tradition says the book was written by John the apostle, although its authorship has been debated for centuries. It is believed to have been written during the rein of Domitian, a particularly blood thirsty Roman ruler, in about 95 AD. Domitian began a campaign of bitter persecution against anyone who would not worship the ancient gods. In particular he leveled his hatred against the Jews and the Christians. Revelation was written to encourage Christians during this difficult time and to show that Jesus Christ controls the course and climax of history.