Revelation Part 01
“Blessed is he[/she] who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). Would you like to be blessed?
Next in our Know Your Sword series we will switch gears and look at the Book of Revelation. Revelation is a unique and powerful conclusion to the Bible. It is spectacular, terrifying, exhilarating, sobering, dramatic, suspenseful, mysterious and ultimately filled with hope. It has a climactic ending in which sin and death are banished forever. Despite its glorious, illuminating message, Revelation can often be misunderstood or feared. It is named Revelation as Jesus Christ intended to reveal the truth and the next steps for humanity to those who seek to understand. This last book of the Bible is studied by many who seek to understand God's ultimate plan for humanity.
The authorship of Revelation is attributed to the apostle John. He identifies himself in multiple places within the text (Revelation 1:4, 9; 22:8), and early church fathers such as Eusebius and Irenaeus affirm that John resided in Ephesus and likely wrote Revelation from the Greek island of Patmos, just off the coast of Turkey near Ephesus.
Though the writing style of Revelation differs from John's Gospel and epistles, this is understandable given the nature of its content. It is a visionary experience revealed directly by Christ. John typically writes with the authority of the last surviving apostle, addressing the churches with a pastoral and prophetic voice. In Revelation, he writes what he was told by Jesus Christ specifically to write.
Revelation was written around A.D. 90–100, during a period of heightened tension between Christianity and the Roman Empire. This timeframe aligns with the reign of Emperor Domitian (A.D. 81–96), who enforced emperor worship and persecuted Christians who refused to comply. John was exiled to the island of Patmos during Domitian’s reign. Patmos is a small, rocky island in the eastern Mediterranean. It was there that he received the visions recorded in Revelation. He may have documented the visions while still on Patmos or possibly later after his release, once he had returned to Ephesus following Domitian’s death in A.D. 96.
John received this vision in one of the darkest periods of the early Church. Christians faced rampant immorality, slander, apathy and violent persecution. By this time, they were clearly distinguished from Jews and seen as a threat to Roman order due to their refusal to participate in festivals, sacrifices or emperor worship. Roman cities, like Ephesus, were filled with temples, statues and monuments dedicated to gods and emperors—including the massive Temple of Domitian. The temple was considered a great honor for the city and featured altars to figures such as Dionysus, Satyr, Aphrodite and the imperial family. Christians like John and Paul refused to bow or offer incense to these idols, making their resistance painfully visible in a culture that demanded conformity.
In stark contrast to these pagan rituals and false assurances, John received a true and divine revelation and not from a raven or a mythological god, but from Jesus Christ Himself. Unlike the flattering messages of false teachers who followed the way of Balaam seeking prosperity and compromise, true prophecy stands firm in God’s truth. In a world full of spiritual distortion, early Christians refused to blend in. They rejected moral compromise, upheld the commandments, honored the Sabbath, and maintained integrity in matters like money. Though labeled “intolerant,” they were grounded in truth and exemplified God’s way of life in stark contrast to the environment they were immersed in.
The Book of Revelation opens with the statement, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place.” (Revelation 1:1). The Greek word apokalypsis means “unveiling” or “disclosure,” indicating a revealing of heavenly or future realities. John, a faithful servant, records what he sees without elevating himself. Revelation 1:3 promises a blessing to those who read, hear and obey its words—underscoring the importance of prophecy and preparation for what lies ahead. The message is meant to bring understanding, peace and hope to those who follow Christ.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
