The events recorded in the Revelation were at hand, 2000 years ago. The Revelation was not written in the 21st Century. Neither was it written to us in the 21st Century.
The author of the Revelation specifically stated WHOM the vision was for, and also in WHAT TIME PERIOD its events would occur. The author specifically stated that the events would come to pass shortly from the time of John’s vision, which he had received while on the isle of Patmos.
The Apostle John wrote: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants what things it behooves to take place in quickness. Blessed is the one reading, and those hearing the words of the prophecy, and keeping the things having been written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:1,3 BLB
The author clearly and specifically declared that the time for the events was near. He stated that those events would occur without delay.
Yet, despite these clear declarations, the modern church has taken wild liberties to disregard the time constraints altogether. They postulate the events of the Revelation over ages and centuries of history. Those events that which they cannot find an equivalent in history, they search for some contemporary resemblance. Failing to find that, they assume those events are still in the future. Modern ‘interpretations’ of prophecy will always fail because they have ignored the time-period given by the author of the Revelation.