Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This is the Apostle John’s personal testimony, explaining where he was and how he received the revelations scribed in this holy, sacred Book of truth. Verse 9 is the start of his testimony, in which today’s message will be about.
This is a powerful, personal testimony John makes here. First off, he is claiming to be the writer of the Book of Revelation as was mentioned in the beginning of this Book
Revelation 1:1-2 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Did The Apostle John Really Write The Book of Revelation?
Even though there is much argument whether the Apostle John, also known as “John the Evangelist,” and “The Beloved Disciple,” wrote the Book of Revelation, or whether it was some other dude named John the Presbyter who lived in the 2nd century?
Rest assured, the Apostle John did indeed write the Book of Revelation, as his testimony bears witness of this fact; “Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
This is revealing to us that the Apostle John, ie: “John the Evangelist,” “The Beloved Disciple” is an eye witness of Jesus Christ in person.
Because he wrote, “Who bare record of the word of God” (This is his own personal signature, referring to his own writings of John 1:1-14).
Who also kept and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as is also stated, “and of the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
This is a significant statement he made, because in order to be a true Apostle of Jesus Christ, you had to have been baptized by John the Baptist, and literally be an eyewitness to Jesus Christ‘s death, resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:13-22).
And the Apostle John fits all these criteria. The Apostle John was one of John the Baptist’s disciples. Therefore, he was baptized by John the Baptist (John 1:26-51)
Second, The Book of Revelation was originally a letter for the seven churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 1:4 & 11), “coincidently,” John established six out of the seven churches listed, in the first Century.
Quote: ‘XVI. John, The “beloved disciple,” was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him.’
(Pg. 22 from the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs)
Next, you have the evidence of his own experience as he has already expressed in Revelation 1:9, I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.
And this is a very true statement, according to historical documentation. He Evangelized the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout Asia Minor, which was part of the Roman Empire then. He was arrested and jailed in Ephesus.
Brought to trial under Emperor Domitian, and was sentenced to death. According to Roman Law in John’s day, Christian Biblical customs were a Federal crime, under the trumped up charges of contumacy: which is ‘a stubborn refusal to obey authority, or law.’
His sentence of death was to be boiled alive in oil, and he survived without harm. After that, he was banished to the Isle of Patmos, where he will spend some time there in his old age as a prisoner/slave in a concentration work camp.
Quote: “From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation.”
(pg. 22 of the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs)
This claim concurs with Revelation 1:9, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Now the Island of Patmos is rocky, and sits off the southwest coast of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). It was a place where criminals were held; as it was also a Roman mining and quarry camp.
It was here, on the Isle of Patmos where he wrote down the visions, these mysteries contained in the Book of Revelation that the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to John.
There is other evidence that points to the Apostle John in the first Century to be the writer of the Book of Revelation, and that is his death. It is known that he lived during the rule of Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD.) and his successor Nerva (96-99 AD.)
Traditional teachings claim: John was on the Isle of Patmos for about 18 months. This means that the last 18 months or so of Domitian’s rule, was John there for. But was recalled, or freed in the beginning of Emperor Nerva’s succession.
Quote: “Domitian after wards banished him to the isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him.”
pg. 22 of the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs)
The Apostle John was the last original disciple of Jesus Christ to die. It is written of:
James, also known as James The Great, who was beheaded in 44 AD. according to the Book of Acts 12:1-2, under king Herod Agrippa I.
Philip was crucified in 54 AD.
Matthew (the publican/tax collector) was martyred in 60 AD.
Andrew was crucified in 60 AD.
Peter was also crucified upside down in 60 AD.
Jude surname Thaddeus was crucified in 72 AD.
Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael) was beaten and crucified 72 AD.
Thomas was thrust through with a spear in 72 AD.
Simon (The Canaanite also known as the Zelotes) was crucified in 74 AD.
James also known as “James The Less” was beaten and stoned to death in 94 AD.
John died, not by martyrdom, but of old age in around 100 AD. Which makes him the last original disciple to die.
This concurs with Jesus Christ’s prophecy over John, found in, John 21:20-24 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me.
Then went this saying, abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not, unto him, he shall not die; but, if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
The reason for the mentioning of all this, is because the Apostle John who wrote the Book of Revelation on the Isle of Patmos, during his imprisonment for 18 months under Emperor Domitian, most likely wrote it from mid 94 AD. to the end of 95 AD. or so.
This debunks the myths that the Book of Revelation was written by someone else in a later Century, or by the Apostle John any earlier than 94-95 AD. as some “theories” state. All because he was not banished to the Isle of Patmos any earlier than 94 AD.
So with all this evidence, we can firmly believe that the same John who wrote, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ According To John, The 1st; 2nd; and 3rd Epistle’s of John, also wrote the Book of Revelation; in the time period His testimony bears.
When Did The Apostle John Receive the Revelations Contained In The Book of Revelation?
We now know through Apostle John’s previous testimony, where he was when he received the revelations contained in the Book of Revelation. Next, he tells us when he received them, in
Revelation 1:10 I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day
The Apostle John tells us, it was on the Lord’s day when he received this amazing experience. The “Lord’s day” is none other than Sunday, the first day of the week. Here’s how:
In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to work for six days, and on the seventh day, rest (Exodus 20:8-11). Just as God labored for six days, and on the seventh day, He also rested (Genesis 2:1-3).
The first day of the week has always been Sunday, since the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:1-5). The Sabbath (the seventh day of the week) has always been Saturday and will forever be.
Counting from Sunday to Friday, is six “days.” Saturday being the Sabbath (the seventh day of rest). Thus Sunday is the first day of the week, the day of gathering. Which is very profound why Jesus Christ would choose this day to call up John into Heaven on Sunday.
It all goes back to Genesis 1-2, once again. On Sunday, the first day of the week; The Holy Ghost, God Most High, and Jesus Christ gathered around a puddle of water, what is Biblically known as the “Sea.”
On this day, They only gathered. They did nothing else on this day as you read Genesis 1:1-5 very carefully. It was after this day that God Most High, the Father of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ Himself created.
1st day: Sunday, The Holy Spirit, God Most High, and Jesus Christ gathered together.
2nd day: Monday, They created the form of the earth known as the “firmament.”
3rd day: Tuesday, They made dry land appear; gathered the sea’s and created vegetation.
4th day: Wednesday, They created the Universe.
5th day: Thursday, They created the sea creatures of the deep and the fouls of the air.
6th day: Friday, They created the beasts of the fields, insects and lastly man (Adam).
7th day: Saturday, God rested from all Their labors (Genesis 2:1-2).
Also, the last Passover Jesus Christ partook fell on a Thursday, at the time He was on earth physically. He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot a little past midnight. Stood before the Sanhedrin and beaten before the morning of Friday around 5 am. Because Peter betrayed Jesus Christ while the rooster was crowing.
Stood before Pontius Pilate first thing Friday morning (6:00 am). After that, He was crucified and died a little after 3:00 pm. His body was prepared and buried before Friday evening (before 6:00 pm) when the Sabbath begins.
This means, He literally kept the law of God His Father, even in His death. He rested in death by Friday evening before the Sabbath began, all through Sunday morning. He prophesied His own death and resurrection before He was crucified, in this stunning detail in,
Matthew 20:17-19 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death
And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles, to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again
So then, Jesus Christ, risen from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week, as it is written, Matthew 28:1-6 In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, Behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from Heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment, white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: For I know ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
When you count from Friday; Saturday; Sunday, That’s three “days.” So this is what John is referring to, the day our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead (John 20:1-17)! This is what makes Sunday, the Lord’s day.
He rose from the dead a little after 6 am. Sunday morning and appeared from that time on, all day, to all His disciples; to gather them together.
This is really the reason why Christians go to church on Sunday, to gather together with the Lord on His day, just like His disciples did every day after (Acts 20:7).
So we see here that John was called up to Heaven, to gather with God Most High and Jesus Christ on Sunday, the day of gathering of the Lord‘s day. And in this moment, The Lord Jesus Christ had liberty to show John, great and mighty things to come.
How Did The Apostle John Receive the Revelations Contained In The Book of Revelation?
John also tells us how he received the revelations contained in the Book of Revelation. He starts out by saying in Revelation 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lords day”
What does this mean exactly? He was caught up into Heaven in the spirit, much like Ezekiel’s experience (Ezekiel 1-3). And also like Apostle Paul’s experience,
2 Corinthians 12:1-2 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third Heaven.
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
So John also received the same experiences as others did before him. John say’s, he was “in the spirit” when he was caught up into Heaven. Now the term, “in the spirit” is simply referring to the eternal soul.
Giving us a detailed picture, that God called up John into Heaven, not by body, but his soul into Heaven, to show him great and terrible things to come in the far future beyond his day.
So this is how John received the mysteries of the Book of Revelation, on the Isle of Patmos on the Lord’s day.
Revelation 4:1-2 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in Heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit:
The voice that John heard, calling him up into Heaven was the voice of Jesus Christ, for one major reason,
Revelation 1:10-11 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and,
What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
John’s description of the voice of Jesus Christ is not referring to a tone or frequency; sounding like a trumpet. Rather, he is pointing out, the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ is stern, sure and loud. A great and mighty sound! That’s what John is referring to here.
The next question would rise into anyone’s mind, when reading the Book of Revelation, how did John remember all the intricate details of the Book of Revelation?
When John was in Heaven, while being in the spirit, there were holy angel’s of each church, assigned to dictate all that the Lord said. We see this in Revelation chapters 2-3. Jesus Christ also told John to write down all that he heard and saw as well in,
Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a Book, and send it unto the seven churches
Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Furthermore, as John was sent back to earth (Revelation 10:1-2), a holy angel gave John a little Book to eat in,
Revelation 10:8-11 And the voice which I heard from Heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little Book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little Book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
And I took the little Book out of the angels hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as a soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many people, and nations and tongues, and kings
That little Book is none other than the Book of Revelation. Because it is just one part of the Holy Bible. It’s a little Book. If it were a big Book, that would reference the whole entire Holy Bible. But this word is specific, in that it said, “little Book.”
Next, John was told to eat up the little Book. This symbolizes to ingest (obtain/absorb/digest), the Book of Revelation, means to get it into the heart and soul spiritually.
So he can come back to earth, to write the Book of Revelation, preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ coupled with prophesying this Book to, “many people, and nations and tongues, and kings” as a holy angel instructed him to do so, for the remainder of His days and beyond his life, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
After writing the Book of Revelation in 18 months, while working as a prisoner in a concentration work camp, on the Isle of Patmos, he was recalled (released) in the beginning of 96AD.
He died in around 100 AD, this means he preached and prophesied for the last 4 years of his life as an old man, under the anointing and strength of the Holy Spirit, God Most High‘s Holy Spirit.
This is the same Holy Spirit who also strengthened Moses to climb Mount Sinai several times in His old age. The Same Holy Spirit who strengthened Moses and all the Israelites to hike the wilderness for 40 years, up until the day Moses died at the age 120 years old.
This is essentially how John supernaturally remembered all the tiny intricate details contained in the Book of Revelation, coupled with the help of God’s Holy Spirit. Reminding John everything that he saw and heard with his spiritual eyes and ears, to write, preach and to prophesy.
This was promised by Jesus Christ to all His disciples in, John 14:26 But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remeberance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 16:13-15 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.
And this is the testimony of the Apostle John, and we know His testimony is true, because it has already started to come to pass now, as we will see clearly in these future studies to come.
Hope For A Hopeless Generation 