Story 2: The Historical Context of Revelation
The story we are about to read is called Revelation for a good reason. A revelation is something that happens when a mystery is revealed. Something that was hidden is uncovered. It was written by John, the apostle who journeyed with the Lord during His life on earth. It was his task to deliver the message about the end of human history. It was his tremendous privilege to describe the manner in which God would inaugurate the first steps into everlasting life.
John was a fisherman, and he was Jesus’ cousin. Jesus called him to be a disciple. John travelled for over three years with Jesus. They went all over Galilee and the countryside and down to the great city of Jerusalem. John was with Jesus as He preached His beautiful Truths of the Kingdom of God, healed the sick, raised the dead, and railed against the oppressive sins of their religious leaders. On the last night of Jesus’ life on earth, as Christ met with His disciples in the Upper Room, John sat close by his cousin and teacher. He lay his head on Christ’s chest as he listened to the words of his beloved friend. Can you imagine?
John was the only disciple that was at the cross when Jesus died. When everyone else ran away in fear, John stood with Christ as he suffered for the sins of the world. As Jesus hung on the cross, he asked John to be the one who would take care of his mother. John was the one he entrusted Mary to as he was dying. John was also the first disciple to reach the empty tomb when they learned that Jesus had risen again.
By the time John wrote the book of Revelation, many years had passed since the ascension of Jesus. The small group of men and women who believed in Jesus in the beginning had become a great Church that spread far and wide. Peter and Paul and many other apostles and missionaries had taken the Good News of Jesus Christ to the furthest reaches of the known world. The Gospel had been preached westward to Rome, as far south as Ethiopia, and as far east as India. The apostle Paul may have gone as far as Spain.
When John wrote his Revelation, more than half of the New Testament was already written and in the hands of believers. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were already being passed around the Church so that new believers all over the world could read the story about how the Son of God, the Jewish Messiah, had come to earth to die for the sins of the world. Peter, Paul, and James had already written their letters to the churches and their disciples. From what we understand, John himself had already written his story of Christ’s life on earth. We also have three other letters that he wrote to the Churches of his time. Imagine how his fellow believers must have devoured his words, knowing they were written by the man who had been with Jesus at the cross.
The Holy Spirit came in a powerful way after Jesus rose again, and Christianity was growing. The Roman Empire continued to hold rule over most of that region of the world. The rulers of Rome and their people were not, in general, fans of the Christian faith. Christians would not bow to the gods of Rome or worship the Roman emperors. It was against Roman law to reject the emperor as a god. It undermined his authority and elevated the power of another being over his. Roman citizens were offended when Christians refused to bow to their idols. It was seen as a rejection of their way of life, an affront to their community and culture. More critically, they feared it would bring the wrath of their gods upon their cities.
Many Christians were killed because they were loyal to Jesus Christ. Severe persecution was common for the early churches across the Empire. Peter and Paul had already been put to death in Rome for their faithfulness to the Gospel. From what we know in history, Peter was hung upside down on a cross when he died. He said that he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his Savior. The apostle Paul was beheaded. Many, many others had died as martyrs as well. We don’t know their names, but we know that God keeps a careful record of each one and was watching over them in their time of trial. The faithfulness of the martyrs is a dear treasure to the Lord, and their reward is very great.
In spite of all the suffering and persecution, the Early Church continued to grow. The Spirit of God was moving in power, and somehow, there is a special authority given to those who proclaim their faith in the face of persecution. The courage to rise up in the face of suffering and death, confident in the power of God and the eternal life to come, shatters the illusion that this world is all there is. It casts a vision for others of the far greater hope in Christ, and builds confident faith to live boldly for Him as well. Through the work of the Spirit and the faithfulness of the saints, the Christian faith had spread throughout the Roman Empire in one generation. The same story is happening all over the world today. Jesus Christ is Lord of the Church, and He will prevail against all the forces of human history!
By the time John wrote Revelation, he was the only disciple left out of the original twelve disciples, and he had been exiled to the Island of Patmos. All of the others had been put to death for their faith. To the Church of his time, John was a great hero of the faith, and his words were revered. The new book came in the form of a letter. Imagine the excitement that the believers felt all over the Roman world when they received this new letter.