Rev. 1:9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ

What is the background of the book of Revelation?

John the son of Zebedee, brother of James, wrote the book of Revelation. He was the last living disciple of Jesus. It is thought that he was in his nineties when his death occurred. He was a fisherman before he became a fisher of men with Jesus. He referred to himself as the disciple which Jesus loved. Jesus, as He hung on the cross, put John in charge of His earthly mother, Mary, after He gave us His spirit to the Father.

John was sentenced to the Isle of Patmos after preaching and teaching about Jesus for many years. It is rumored that Domitian, the Roman Emperor, lowered John into a vat of hot oil to martyr him. John was preaching about Jesus when he was lowered and still preaching when raised up, still alive. This is when he was banished to Patmos. It is here where God gave him the prophecy of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

How was the Revelation given?

Rev. 1;10-11 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

Jesus visited John on the Lord’s Day and showed him a glimpse of the future. This vision started with praise and admonition to the seven churches in Asia. Most of the churches Jesus had warnings for and was telling them how to repent. Then, he went further into the prophecy about judging the world.

Why give these prophecies?

The whole point of the Bible is to give God’s people that were made in His image an understanding of who He is and what He has done for us. In other words, this book is God’s love letter to us. He created us to have a relationship with us just as we want a relationship with our children. He shows us the lengths which He went to save us from our sin. The final book of the Bible is the last warning He gives for those who do not accept Him as Savior.