Revelation: Difference between revisions

Apostle John, the writer of the book of Revelation, is the son of Zebedee, a [[Galilee|Galilean]] fisherman, and the brother of Apostle [[James (Son of Zebedee)|James]]. As one of Jesus Christ’s beloved disciples, along with [[Peter]], he was among the twelve apostles and lived the longest, caring for the [[church]]. He was specially granted ears that were able to hear [[God]]‘s voice clearly,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+12%3A28-30&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 12:28–30 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and during the revelation, he heard and saw the mystery of the seven thunders. He also witnessed the [[gospel]] work that would take place in the last days and saw the redeemed saints standing with the Lamb on [[Zion|Mount Zion]]. In addition to the book of Revelation, John also wrote the [[Gospel of John]] and the three epistles of John: [[Book of 1 John|1 John]], [[Book of 2 John|2 John]], and [[Book of 3 John|3 John]].

As Emperor Domitian severely suppressed Christianity, persecution of Christians expanded beyond Rome to the entire empire.<ref>[https://www.historytoday.com/archive/causes-early-persecutions Why Early Christians Were Persecuted by the Romans], ''History Today'', August 8, 1966</ref> At that time, Apostle John, who was ministering to the church in Ephesus, was exiled to the island of Patmos.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Revelation+1%3A9&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Revelation 1:9 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> The book of Revelation appears to have been written during that period. Patmos Island, located about 90 km southwest of Ephesus in Asia Minor on the Mediterranean coast, was a rough and desolate place of exile where Rome imprisoned political prisoners and enemy forces. The exiles there suffered hard labor in the mines, and John likely endured similar hardships.

Revelation stands as the sole prophetic book in the New Testament. The [[Bible]], which began with the [[Six-Day Creation|creation of heaven and earth]] in [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]], ends with the creation of the new heaven and new earth, that is, the advent of [[heaven]], in the book of Revelation. This prophecy about the blessed future of those who would be saved, provided comfort, encouragement, and hope to the saints who were suffering severe persecution. As a book of prophecy, it contains numerous symbols, metaphors, and revelations, leading to a variety of interpretations. However, it is believed that only the [[The Root of David|Root of David]] can correctly interpret it and lead to salvation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Revelation+5%3A1-5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Revelation 5:1–5 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>

'''Letters to the Seven Churches'''<br />It is a letter sent to the seven churches in Asia Minor at the time—churches in [[Ephesus]], [[Smyrna]], [[Pergamum]], [[Thyatira]], [[Sardis]], [[Philadelphia]], and [[Laodicea (Laodikeia)|Laodicea]], containing praise and rebuke. This is a prophecy that shows not only what will happen to the churches at the time but also what will happen to the churches in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Revelation+1%3A19&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Revelation 1:19 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref>