Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 1:9

"I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and kingdom and patience [which are] in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." — Revelation 1:9 (ASV)

This verse begins a third introduction in which the author again identifies himself as John and adds significant information about where and when the visions took place together with their divinely appointed destination. John stresses his intimate identification with the Asian Christians and the reason for his presence on Patmos.

Patmos lies about thirty-seven miles west-southwest of Miletus, in the Icarian Sea. Consisting mainly of volcanic hills and rocky ground, it is about ten miles long and six miles wide at the north end; it was used for Roman penal purposes. It was “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” that John was on Patmos (cf. 1:2; 6:9; 20:4). He was not there to preach that Word but because of religious-political opposition to his Christian faith.

John sees his plight as part of God’s design and says he is a partner with the Asian Christians in three things. (1) Both share with Christ and one another the “suffering” (GK 2568) or agony that comes because of faithfulness to Christ as the only true Lord and God (Acts 14:22; Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 3:12). (2) They also share with Christ in his “kingdom” (i.e., his power and rule; GK 993). In one sense they already reign (1:6), though through suffering. Yet, in another sense, they will reign with Christ in the eschatological manifestation of his kingdom (20:4, 6; 22:5). (3) The present hidden rule of Christ and his followers is manifested through their “patient endurance” (GK 5705). As they look beyond their immediate distresses and put full confidence in Christ, they share now in his royal dignity and power. Whether those distresses were imprisonment, ostracism, slander, economic discrimination, hostility, disruption of the churches by false prophets, and the constant threat of death from mob violence or judicial action, believers are to realize their present kingship with Christ in their faithful endurance. Such endurance produces conflict with the powers of the world, and it calls for long-suffering as the mark of Christ’s kingship in their lives (2:2, 19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12; cf. Lk 8:15; 21:19; Romans 2:7; Colossians 1:11; et al.). Christ uses suffering to test and purify the loyalty of his servants. His strength is revealed through their weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).