The Day the Revelation Came to Man

It was Sunday morning, 95 AD, somewhere on the small island in the Aegean Sea called Patmos where the Apostle John—having been banished there by Rome for his testimony of Jesus Christ—was in some remote corner of that island worshiping God.

Though other days were undoubtedly consumed in the company of other prisoners doing hard labor inside the mines of the volcanic island, Sundays apparently allowed the old Apostle time to be alone and to rest. For "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day", the Apostle said.

Little did he know, however, that on this given Sunday, as he knelt in prayer, he would come face to face with Jesus Christ and then taken into heaven to eyewitness the Revelation, a vision of the future never before revealed to any man.

We know it as The Revelation, the last book in our Bible. It is John’s written account of the Revelation exactly as he experienced it. All that he saw and heard he arduously recorded in compliance with the will of God so that the Vision might be shown to the Church, and thereby the Church would know it.

Moreover, the fact that the Apostle John was chosen to record the Revelation speaks volumes about God’s ability to accomplish His purposes despite even the most adverse of circumstances, whether from natural causes, or the cunning devices of devil and man.

After all, John was about ninety years old and therefore long past what might be considered a practical age for such an arduous task. Furthermore, it was the sole intention of Rome to silence John’s work and ministry when it banished him to the remote island of Patmos.

In other words, God was making what you and I might regard as an untenable choice and to our enemy an altogether improbable one when He selected John. Nonetheless, He knew all along the time, the place, and the man by which, and to whom He would reveal the Revelation, therefore nothing did (or ever will) prevent Him from accomplishing His own wise and holy ends.

"For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all Gods," the Psalmist wrote. "Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places" (Ps.135:5, 6).

The Revelation was not John's vision. It was the vision of Jesus, shown to Him by the Father with instructions that it be revealed to man. Why the aged Apostle was chosen, we don't know. But those of us who are elderly should find encouragement in it, for we can be of service to God despite the odds, if He so graciously grants it.

Would you like to learn the Revelation?

Please read our commentary and study questions, preview our resources, links, and videos. It has never been as important for Christians to find assurance in the future.

"And new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you"
--Isaiah 43:9

On Sunday morning, 95 AD, somewhere on the small island in the Aegean Sea called Patmos, the Apostle John—having been banished there by Rome for his testimony of Jesus Christ—was in some remote corner of that island worshiping God.

Though the other days of the week were undoubtedly consumed doing hard labor inside the mines of the volcanic island in the company of other prisoners , Sundays apparently allowed the old Apostle time to be alone and to rest. On this Sunday morning, however, little did he know as he knelt in prayer that he would come face to face with Jesus Christ and then taken into heaven to eyewitness a vision of the future never before revealed to any man.

The Book you are about to study, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is John’s written account of that event exactly as he experienced it. All that he saw and heard he arduously recorded in compliance with the will of God so that the Vision might be shown to the Church, and thereby that the Church would know it.

Learn the Revelation

If you're a Christian, then you must learn the Revelation. Why, because God wants you to learn the Revelation.

It's true that the prophetic book is comprised of complex symbols and images that make it more than a casual reading. Nonetheless, it is God's intention for the Church to read, understand, and obey the sayings of Revelation. For it is clearly stated that it is that "which God gave…to show His servants" (Rev.1:1).

Before we dig in to the purpose for the prophecy though, it would be helpful to understand its origin.

Late in the first century, the Apostle John was arrested by Rome for his testimony of Jesus Christ and imprisoned on a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea called Patmos. Then on one given day around 95 AD, the aged apostle, while in worship, was visited by Jesus Christ and subsequently escorted into the future by an angel to bear witness of and to document the vision.

Accordingly, from his first encounter with Jesus through his subsequent journey into the future and back again to Patmos, John arduously recorded every word of God, every testimony of Jesus Christ, and every word picture and symbol just as he heard it and saw it. Then he presented it to the Church.

What you and I regard as the last book of the Bible called "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" is that selfsame account, exactly as it was presented first to the congregation at Ephesus nearly two thousand years ago.

Okay, let's consider the vision.

Arguably, the most complete prophecy of future events recorded in Scripture, it should be noted that the Revelation is not John's vision. The vision belongs to Jesus Christ. God the Father gave God the Son the vision to reveal to John that he would in turn reveal it to the servants of Christ. So that Christians in every generation might know the "things which must shortly take place" (Rev. 1:1). That is, that we might know the future.

But let's be clear. Yes, God has given us the Revelation to learn, but not for reasons some would suggest. The Revelation was not given so we can set a date for Christ’s coming; the Bible is adamant that of that day and hour no one knows, except the Father (Matt. 24:36). Or was it given so we can identity the Antichrist; the Church has been instructed only to watch for Jesus Christ, not for the Antichrist.

Make no mistake; the Revelation has one purpose: To unveil Jesus Christ so we may know how God will accomplish all His work and purposes through Him in the last days. It is the final work of Christ—the destruction of all that is evil and the restoration of all that is good—that God wants us to understand.

But there's more. A blessing is promised to those who learn the Revelation. Listen to the Apostle: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it" (Rev.1:3). It's as Solomon stated, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter" (Proverbs 25:2).

Finally, observe that Revelation is intended for "His servants" (Rev.1:1). That is to say, the "bond slaves” or devoted followers of Christ. What makes this special is found in the words of Jesus when He said, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends…" (John 15:15). In other words, we should want to learn the revelation, not as a mandate from God, but with an understanding that the privilege has been granted to us because we are regarded as His friends.

"Your words were found," the prophet wrote, "and I ate them and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jer.15:16)

If you're a Christian, and haven't read the Revelation, you are invited to do so on my site titled "Learn the Revelation" at http//learntherevelation.blogspot.com. There is a verse-by-verse commentary along with some study questions. It's a labor of love, so feel free to join in. Hey, let's learn the Revelation together.

About the Author

James Kobzeff has been a born again Christian for the past fifty years. He owes his biblical training to teachers such as Chuck Smith, Chuck Missler, J. Vernon McGee, and a host of biblical commentators. He maintains his blog titled "Learn the Revelation" simply to teach the Revelation. Please visit at => Learn the Revelation.