It is generally agreed that Roman Emperor Domitian ruled at the time John was writing the Book of Revelation. John had been exiled to the island of Patmos by that Emperor, and it seems that Domitian is included in his prophecy.
We need to return to Revelation 17 to refresh our memories. Recall that the angel told John that there are a total of seven, but really eight, world-class kings coming to the earth. He said that five had already come and gone. I have pointed out up to now at least five candidates for those positions. They all looked like antichrist. They hated God. They ruled over men. They hated Israel and all the people of God.
But then the angel adds, “one is.” That is, one such person is actually alive today, John. Yes, remember he was talking to John. In John’s day, two men could have filled the antichrist bill quite well: Nero and Domitian. But the historical evidence for Domitian leads us his way for now. Does he fit the mold of the ones we have studied so far?
A simple trip to Wikipedia, and we glean a few facts. I am not quoting directly, but used that source for some common knowledge about Domitian and religion.
Domitian was a “traditionalist” as far as the Roman assortment of gods and the ways of the gods. By Roman standards he was religious and moral. He was especially devoted to Jupiter, the head of the gods in that culture, and his female counterpart, Minerva.
The Romans believed that emperors were deified, made gods, at their death, though some claimed the privilege earlier than that. Domitian did indeed deify members of his family, and wore the title of “Deus” (god) himself, putting his reign in line with the other antichrist types we have observed.
Were other religions tolerated in Rome, and under Domitian? Yes, as long as they could mix, with no disturbance, with the other religious trends. It is much like today. Christ and His teachings are fine until they cause social upheaval, or defiance of the gods of the day. It is clear that John would not be able to hide the total different-ness of his faith. Christianity had caused serious upheavals everywhere it went. It became a prime target of Rome, as did the ever-persecuted Jewish faith from which Christianity sprung, in the eyes of Rome.
A more severe view of Domitian is found in the Bible Hub “Bible Study Tools” section.
Here was a cruel man. He killed his brother, and afterwards began the second persecution of Christians. Jews were also to be put to death. A law came into being, and I quote, "That no Christian, once brought before the tribunal, should be exempted from punishment without renouncing his religion."
As with Nero, everything was blamed on Christians. Famine, pestilence, earthquake, in whatever province of Rome, was because of these pests.
An oath was created for the Christians to take. If they would not, it was instant death. There were many other ways for Christians to be found guilty. Even the ridiculing of idolatry was a serious offense. The beloved Timothy of Scripture is said to have done such a thing in A.D. 97. The citizens under this Emperor felt free to beat him to death with clubs.
Such was the reign of the 1st century antichrist. So does he fit? Certainly.
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