Background on Book of Revelation

Written in ca. 95 AD by Apostle John

A. Church undergoing a time of transition

1. No authority figure to guide the Church. 12 of 13 apostles (including Paul) are
gone. John, in his 80’s or 90’s, living in exile on isle of Patmos – a rocky island off the coast of Asia Minor (present day Turkey.) Church tradition teaches that the Romans attempted to execute John by boiling him in oil. John wasn’t harmed so the Romans imprisoned him on Patmos.

2. Most eyewitnesses of Christ … his teachings and miracles … are gone.

3. Emergence of a third generation of Christians who never heard or saw Jesus. They are 60 years removed from Christ. 30 years removed from Paul and Peter.

B. Church experiencing persecution.

1. Roman emperor Domitian - Made himself protector of traditional Roman religion. He revived the imperial cult – worship of dead Roman emperors. He deified (made gods) dead members of his family (brother, son, and niece.) Other religions were tolerated as long they did not interfere with public order or could be assimilated with the traditional Roman religion. Christians refused to participate in Roman religious activities and as a consequence were persecuted. First empire wide persecution of Christians.

C. Sixty years since Christ ascended into heaven. He promised to return. Christians expected Him to return within their lifetime. Sixty years passed and He had not returned. Many Christians found that to be puzzling.

THE ABOVE CREATED FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WITHIN THE CHURCH

A. People who claimed to be Christians abandoned the faith to avoid persecution.

B. Compromise – People who claimed to be Christians continued to meet as a body BUT during the week they would bow down before the emperor’s image.

C. False teachings (Nicolaitans, mystery cults claiming secret knowledge, pagan rituals) infiltrated the Church corrupting the true gospel. Some Christians turned a blind eye.

D. Enthusiasm and fervor for Christ in areas of ministry and service beginning to fade. Replaced by disillusionment, routine, contentment, or laziness.

E. Christians experiencing persecution asking themselves “Does God see what is happening to us? Does He care? Is He going to do something about it?”