They thought the end was near in their era, even saying that directly (see sources below).
John of Patmos was describing events present tense in his era around 70ad events match description. Even saying the anti christ existed already. He was describing the area of the Vatican and Romes riches including expensive dye colors they wore.
Christians themselves describe Rome compiling all culture beliefs into a one world religion thus that occured as Christianity whereby Rome chose the false prophet Yeshu son of the Harlot Mary to speak through.
Sources:
end is near in their era:
I Cor. 10:11 , Heb. 1:2 , I Peter 1:20, I Peter 4:7 , I John 2:18 etc.
The apostles understood that THEY were living in the "end-times."
So obviously we can not be in them today!
Luke 21:24 & Romans 11:25 and history of that era show that
Revelation 11:1-3 occurred already in aprox 70 ad.
The Bible warns of all these about false prophets who do not speak for G-d.
Ezekiel CH 13, Deut 18:20-22, Isa. 30:10, Jer. 5:30-31, 14:14, 23:16, 26, 31-32.