The Book of Revelation - Part 3 by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Here we will continue with our overview of the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The fist thing to understand, is the time and context of the writing of the Revelation.  It was written in the first century, on the isle of Patmos (Rev 1:9).  If it was written in the last part of the first century (somewhere between (85-96AD), then it would have been during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian (who reigned from 81-96AD). Emperor worship (and the worship of Domitian) has traditionally been held as the setting of the writing of Revelation.

If it was written during a time when the persecution of the believers was increasing and intensifying under the successive Caesars, then the context was very similar to that of life under Domitian’s totalitarian reign. The believers were encouraged to endure and stand firm under the pressure of persecution.

There are some indicators that the audience may have been those living under Domitian's rule (even though it may also have a latter larger and possibly a future audience throughout history to this day). Their general geographical location was seven local churches in Asia Minor (Modern Turkey) i.e. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, (Rev 1:4,11; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14). Another indication as to the context is the group called the Nicolaitans (there is only speculation as to who they were), (Rev 2:6,15). But, they must have been a group close to Ephesus and Pergamos (Pergamum), to have been mentioned in conjunction with these towns. It is assumed that were followers of a heretic named Nicolaus.

If that is the case, then they were a Gnostic sect (having a supposed superior spiritual knowledge that the ordinary people couldn’t have). They would have practised and taught impure and immoral teachings, e.g., they had a community of wives; extra-marital sex was not sinful, and that eating meat offered to idols was lawful. Interestingly, it was suggested that they had teachings similar to that of Balaam, Rev 2:6,14,15; cf. Num 31:16. Then there were Jews mentioned who were involved in local worship in the synagogue, (Rev 2:9). Finally, John had been imprisoned on the isle of Patmos, which was just off the coast of Ephesus, for sharing the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus, (Rev 1:9).

Using the above indicators, we are able to see that the original audience was a first-century one and not one today. Some might be shocked by this, but if we approach the book from this first century context, then we are less likely to make it say something that it was never meant to say. It is only after coming to this understanding that we can then look for application and response for today. As John and his original audience had similar human needs and issues as we do.

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over…