AD70 was more of a husk than the very kernel of Jesus' message. He didn't mention it except to three of His disciples, and only because they asked - it hadn't formed an essential part of His previous public teaching.
The meaning of Scripture was taught by Jesus, and has history as a witness - its meaning isn't merely something imposed back on the Scripture from subsequent theology, experience or dogma.
Understand Scripture by what Christ said about it; and take into consideration the historical perspective of the writers' immediate audience.
Historical perspective can be lost in Covenant-Theology's Post-Millennial dogma.
Our understanding of the Book of Revelation must be anchored in the doctrine of the Lord (the Gospels, and Epistles).
Revelation should be seen as mirroring the rest of the Bible - not as adding anything to it as a sole witness
If Christ's interpretation of a text, and its historical-perspective are not considered, then the reader's own construal of the meaning of the text is involved.
Despite other valid ways of applying Biblical texts, it is indispensable that Christ's interpretation, the Apostles' interpretation, and the historical perspective of the text must hold fundamental place in the interpretation of the text.
Understanding what a Bible passage meant is important to understanding what it means.
Study what a passage meant, while at the same time be open to the possibility of any transcendent meanings - but keep in mind any transcendent meanings can't add doctrine that can't already be established by the first meaning of the texts of the Bible.
It's important to see not only the acceptability of, but also the indispensability of historical criticism.
Historical-critical first - then applied. Applications include typology.
Biblical Theology = what the Bible meant; while
Systematic Theology = how the Bible is relevant today; however
Biblical Theology must not be blind to the historical truthfulness of the Biblical story.
To interpret Revelation mythologically is a modernisation - but to force it's meaning to fit within the framework of already-established New Testament doctrine, anchors it in the Apostles' historical-critical method.
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