The place of John’s vision was “in the isle that is called Patmos.” This was a rocky, barren island off the coast of Asia Minor. Tradition has it that John was exiled there by the Romans. There is no evidence to support this claim, however.
The purpose of the vision is stated in verse nine: “for (for the sake of) the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (cf.1:2). This gives the reason for John’s stay on Patmos. He was there to receive the revelation without any hindrance or persecution. Add to this the statement in verse nine that he was their brother and companion in tribulation, and kingdom and patience that there is no better place to avoid persecution while receiving his visions. Herod Agrippa had killed James, his brother (Acts 12:2), imprisoned Peter with the intent to rid him of his influence, but there is no mention of John in Jerusalem. We don’t hear from John until after the death of Agrippa in 44 A.D. It is assumed that he was present at the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15, but there is no specific reference to him by name. However, Galatians 2:9 mentions John in connection with Paul’s trip to Jerusalem recorded by Luke in Acts 15. So, he apparently, returned to Jerusalem by 49/50 when the conference in Jerusalem took place. How soon before then, we can not determine.
John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day (1:10) – This is probably the same circumstances surrounding the visions of Ezekiel who was taken up by the Spirit of God to see visions to come (Ezekiel 43:5). Paul was also in the Spirit when he was caught up in paradise (third heaven) and heard unspeakable words unlawful for a man to utter (2 Cor. 12:1-4). The nature of visions is briefly described by Paul as not knowing whether he was in the body or apart from the body. Therefore, the phrase “in the Spirit” probably refers to the experience of receiving the revelation of heavenly visions when physical awareness is suspended.
The Lord’s day refers to the events connected with the judgment of the Lord. This day is not a reference to a 24 hr period but to a time of judgment. 2Timothy 1:18 refers to the day of God’s mercy in the same way. It is a period in which God extends his mercy. The thought is that John was transported into heavenly visions as though he was in the day of their fulfillment. The visions he received were received “in the Lord’s day,” i.e., in the very day of God’s wrath. John was transported to that time before that time actually occurred. He envisions the day the Son of Man is revealed (Luke 17:30) or the day of the Lord (Acts 2:20, 2 Thess. 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10).
John hears the voice of instruction as a trumpet and when he turned to see, he saw 7 golden lampstands and in the middle of them one like unto a son of man. Verse 20 tells us these were the called out among the seven (7) cities (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These were precious and valuable lampstands standing in each city as a bright light (cf. Matthew 5:14-16). In the middle of the lampstands, stood one like unto the Son of Man.
1. He wears the clothing of a priest (Ex. 28:39,40; “a priest upon his throne” Zech. 6:13, Heb. 5:6, 6:20; 7:3, 17, 21, 24).
2. His head and hair were white
3. His eyes were like a flame of fire
4. His feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace
5. His voice as the voice of many waters
6. Seven stars in his right hand – messengers of the seven cities (verse 20)Â They were the means of delivering the letters to each city.
7. Sharp two-edged sword out of his mouth
8. Countenance as the shining sun
The response of John, once he saw this awesome figure is found in verse 17, which reads, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead.” Whenever mortals see such things, they are awestruck. When the three disciples saw the majestic glory of Jesus (cf. 2Peter 1:16-18), who had gone to a mountain to pray, “they fell on their face and were very afraid” (Matthew 17:6; cf. Isa. 6:1-5).
Voice Speaks:
9. “I am the First and the last, the living One; and I was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades. “Write the things you have seen, the things which are, and that shall take place hereafter.”
In His death, he not only released mankind from the penalty of sin and destroyed the work of the Devil (Heb. 2:14-15), but he took the keys of death and hades (cf. Rev. 3:7). This does not guarantee that saints will not die after this victory. It takes away the fear of death by ensuring a resurrection.