What is the difference between John the Baptist and John the Apostle? . Interestingly, Jesus used some of the characteristics of each city to spiritually evaluate its congregation and to prophesy the history of His Church up to His second coming. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. R.H. Charles has called Pergamos 'the Lourdes of the ancient world' . [49] According to tradition, after the Assumption of Mary, John went to Ephesus. From Ephesus he wrote the three epistles attributed to him. Therefore one could logically send a letter there and then on to the remaining six cities Christ mentioned. He was visiting the surrounding area, setting up bishops. The Apostle John is also called John the Evangelist, John the Theologian, John the Apostle of Love, or the Son of Thunder. Philadelphia means "brotherly love." Do you just mean that it wasn't until later in the second century that we have a positive assertion of John's authorship (with no prior references to authorship); Or that there exists a record of an earlier assertion that the gospel was actually written anonymously? The purpose of the book was to strengthen the faith of the members of these churches by giving to them the assurance that deliverance from the evil powers arrayed against them was close at hand. Many scholars, however, agree that Revelation is not simply an abstract spiritual allegory divorced from historical events, nor merely a prophecy concerning the final upheaval at the end of the world, couched in obscure language. The only two times Sardis had been conquered were when its citizens had become overconfident and failed to watch. When they reached the top, the place was again unguarded. The Apostle John states, whoever is born of God overcomes the world; and what wins the victory over the world is our faith. The last city on the route was Laodicea, 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia. He did not know any books or was a sage man at the beginning, like the other Apostles, but was from a wealthy family. [NKJV]Because he preached the Gospels; but this John is a controversial person not confirmed by any serious document. It is the only book of the New Testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical, indicating thereby its extensive use of visions, symbols, and allegory, especially in connection with future events. biblical literature: The Revelation to John, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Revelation-to-John, McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia - Book of Revelation, PBS Frontline - Understanding The Book of Revelation, Book of Revelation - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). If scholarly research is to be trumped by blogs, this discussion belongs on the chat room. Although Saint Paul proposes to keep unmarried people celibate precisely so they can avoid these sufferings, he nowhere says they are useless or impossible to overcome. With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! He was persecuted for his witness to Christ both in Jerusalem and Asia. And, This suffering consists mainly of the daily worries and various conflicts that can arise in the bosom of any couple. . He exhorts them: "He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death" (verse 11). When the city was excavated from 1968 to 1971, its architectural remains showed it had the typical Roman style of colonnades and public buildings and a temple to the goddess Artemis. This site is dedicated to all kinds of people. The only eminently prophetic book of the New Testament, the Apocalypse, is traditionally also attributed to St John the Evangelist. The ending of Revelation, as originally written by John, is difficult to discern. What was a Christian to do? The Acts of the Apostles shows the disciple and Apostle John with Peter both in the healing and in the imprisonment of the two in the dungeon, which speaks of Johns role in the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Have a good day and may God be with you! Patients coming to the shrine believed that Asklepios would heal them. Browse other questions tagged, Like any library, Christianity Stack Exchange offers great information, but, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Before the Saviour called him to discipleship and made him a fisher of men, John the Theologian was a fisher of the sea. 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist is a completely different person. How can this new ban on drag possibly be considered constitutional? Thousands of priests and priestesses served the temple; many of the priestesses were dedicated to cultic prostitution. However, as John Carroll says in The Existential Jesus, at page 228, most scholars assume that John did not write the gospel. 2 Did the Apostle John write revelations? When John was aged, he trained Polycarp who later became Bishop of Smyrna. A:We know nothing about John of Patmos apart from his authorship of the Book of Revelation, but presumably he was able to see, in order to be able. Emmerich also described the details of the house: that it was built with rectangular stones, that the windows were high up near the flat roof and that it consisted of two parts with a hearth at the center of the house. Christ uses this lesson to drive home a powerful spiritual point to His Church: "Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you" (verse 3). Patmos, a rocky, volcanic and sparsely populated isle, was an appropriate place to send captives. Updates? [8] The book containing these descriptions was published in 1852 in Munich, Germany. The good news is that Jesus assured the members of the Church in Ephesus that they would be able to eat from the tree of life and have access to Gods heaven. Then one of the Sardian soldiers dropped a helmet and retrieved it. One of the New Testament gospels now bears his name as author, although it was anonymous until later in the second century, in which case he not only preached the gospel but wrote an account of the mission of Jesus. About 25 miles southeast of Sardis lay the city of Philadelphia, newest of the seven cities. We can say about us that we are a young married couple who strives to be a small light to the world. In Ephesus was much evil to avoid within and without the congregation. It was a flourishing city and the main center of emperor worship. The fanciful tradition that the apostle John was boiled in oil then exiled to Patmos was needed in order to get him to Patmos so that he could write the book there. Christ reminds the Thyatiran brethren they must come out of that worldly society, no matter how enticing it appeared, and not compromise with the truth. He states that he is there for the Gospel. A:We know nothing about John of Patmos apart from his authorship of the Book of Revelation, but presumably he was able to see, in order to be able to write. Originally Answered: Was John the Apostle the one who was responsible for writing the Book of Revelations, and how was he able to since it is said he was illiterate? Therefore, beloved, as you have always been obedient. 22:10-11, John brings to a close his description of his interaction with the angel who helped convey this revelation from God. This tradition is credible because banishment was a common punishment used during the Imperial period for a number of offenses. How to Market Your Business with Webinars? He promises to those of Thyatira who remain faithful that they will be arrayed, not in Thyatiran purple, a cloth used mainly by Roman royalty, but at His coming with the spiritual mantle of rulership over the nations. 8 Is the Book of Revelation written by John? "Long before Rome was undisputed mistress of the world," comments William Barclay, "Smyrna had cast in its lot with her, never to waver in its fidelity. Only he remained by the cross of Christ when all the others had left Him. This suffering consists mainly of the daily worries and various conflicts that can arise in the bosom of any couple. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Jesus was related to John in the flesh, or instead, he was his cousin. If you will check our articles, you may find some relevant answers to your questions. Gal. Polycarp taught Irenaeus, passing on to him stories about John. Thus, the sons of this woman are mentioned among the Myrrhbearers. He and his wife, Caty, have four grown daughters, and grandchildren. Christ recognizes the effort of the Ephesian brethren, in spite of many obstacles, to keep the faith and carry out the commission He had given them. . The brethren in Smyrna knew they were special targets of the persecution under Domitian, for the city's history had shown an unwavering loyalty to Rome. There is no biblical evidence indicating that John the Baptist ever became a disciple of Jesus, even though it seems he had plenty of time to do so. Reading our article, you will find relevant facts about John and, finally, understand why Jesus entrusted John to care for His mother while He was on the cross. Why did Ukraine abstain from the UNHRC vote on China? It was widely circulated by the second century CE but deemed heretical at the Second Council of Nicaea (787 CE). This despot declared himself a god and demanded the worship of his subjects with the exception of Jews. Do not seek another woman. And Jesus. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. But I give you my advice, as one who has been married by the Lord, that I may be credible. Is the Book of Revelation written by John? The author was probably a Christian from Ephesus known as " John the Elder." According to the Book, this John was on the island of Patmos, not far from the coast of Asia Minor, "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. Zebedees father was a fisherman with several employees, including his two sons, James and John. What connection was between them? He's the same John who wrote the Gospel of John and the Epistles of 1st John, 2nd John and 3rd John in the New Testament. Since this John was not the author, we do not need the oil, nor the exile. On the other hand the stories told in the apocryphal Acts of John, which appeared as early as the second century, are unhistorical invention. Why do many companies reject expired SSL certificates as bugs in bug bounties? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. As a side note, there are a couple of points one could add here. But I can just spare you. The author of the Book of Revelation identifies himself only as John. Cicero [the Roman orator] called Smyrna 'one of our most faithful and most ancient allies' . Instead, He advised them to use His true spiritual eye salve so they can clearly see and repent of their compromising attitudes. The Sardian brethren could readily identify with a warning to be watchful. 1.10). After a year's siege the Greeks appeared to lose all hope of conquering the city. When John the Forerunner (You may also want to access our article called Who was John the Baptist?) No. John was the Lords most beloved disciple. Revelation 1:1 states that the Book of Revelation was written by a person called John, and Revelation 1:9 says that he wrote from Patmos, without at any stage saying that he had been exiled to the island. Later, when the Roman Empire collapsed, its successor, the Holy Roman Empire, would inherit the role. The Apostle John spent a long time on the island of Patmos in exile. 14:1-12. If they persevere in His Word, He will give them a crown that they may rule with Him in His Kingdom. Paul says: As for virginity/celibacy, I have no commandment from the Lord. Those who refused were branded as traitors and either sentenced to death or exiled. We learn from John that he wrote Revelation from the island of Patmos (verse 9), in the Aegean Sea 40 miles off the coast of Asia Minor (modern- day Turkey). And he did this because he had received the commandment from the Lord, telling them that its fulfillment was enough for their salvation. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the middle of the paradise of God. "From all over the world," adds William Barclay, "people flocked to Pergamos for relief of their sicknesses. significant number symbol in Revelation-occurring, for instance, in four explicit septets: the churches, seals, trumpets, and bowls-there is also supposed to be a total of seven basic visions. ncdu: What's going on with this second size column? Behold, I am coming quickly! And they, leaving their father and former lives, followed the Savior. What is the true religion of God? Under these conditions, a Christian named John wrote Revelation, addressing it to the seven churches that were in Asia Minor. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found your works perfect before God. Answer (1 of 11): Revelation chapter 17 tells us clearly that Revelation was written within a ten-year span: 69 - 79 AD, during the reign of Vespasian. Five roads converged below it and contributed to Sardis's status as a great commercial center. John the Baptist was born about 6 months before Jesus and was His "forrunner". It enabled them to maintain a Christian profession while countenancing and even engaging in immoral heathen revels" (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 1975, p. 71). [5] And on her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. A:We know nothing about John of Patmos apart from his authorship of the Book of Revelation, but presumably he was able to see, in order to be able. He was blessed with the power from above to write what he saw in the prophecies God revealed to him through His glory. Or others may say that John was Jesus uncle, so we think they knew each other before Jesus baptism. John is the author of five books in the New Testament: - The Gospel of John (this is where he identifies himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved) - 1 John - 2 John - 3 John - Revelation John was one of the twelve disciples, but he was also part of the "inner circle" along with Peter and James. 6 What is the difference between John the Baptist and John the Apostle? He was visiting the surrounding area, setting up bishops, founding Christian communities, Drive-Thru, and reconciling the brethren. How can I check before my flight that the cloud separation requirements in VFR flight rules are met? Continue Learning about Religious Studies. John of the 12 disciples of Jesus wrote Revelation when he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. "There, under favor of the deified kings of Pergamos, was his favorite abode and was the worship of Asklepios, under the form of the serpent . Did the apostle James the Greater travel to Spain and was he martyred in Jerusalem? Incredibly, several centuries later the same sequence of events occurred when a Greek general besieged the city. Beginning with Ephesus, the roads follow a geographic semicircle, extending northward, turning to the east, and continuing southward to Laodiceathus connecting the cities on what must have functioned as an ancient postal route" (Archaeology and the New Testament, 1997, p. 242). Internal Evidence #1: No warnings to flee the destruction of Jerusalem which was only 4-8 years away when John supposedly wrote the book before AD 70: 1. Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and nakedI counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see" (verses 15-18). Thats why Jesus entrusted Mary to John. The Apostle John is also called John the Evangelist, John the Theologian, John the Apostle of Love, or the Son of Thunder. The only eminently prophetic book of the New Testament, the Apocalypse, is traditionally also attributed to St John the Evangelist. On the one hand, Johns Gospel is written in simple and fluent Greek, whereas the We do know that someone called John wrote the Book of Revelation because he actually signed the book. The Apostle John was the son of Zebedee. "To him who overcomes," He promised, "I will give to eat from the tree of life [symbolizing eternal life], which is in the midst of the Paradise of God" (Revelation 2:7 Revelation 2:7He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the middle of the paradise of God.American King James Version). We know from scripture that he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos near the end of his life - reliable understandings of when his epistles and the book of Revelation were penned indicate it was around the year 90 AD. The victory of God over Satan and his Antichrist (in this case, the perseverance of Christians in the face of Roman persecution) typifies similar victories over evil in ages still to come and Gods final victory at the end of time. Another big clue that John did not have his own house, or wife, or kids, or estate is when he and James followed Jesus and asked him where he stayed. The mountain on which the Church of the Apostle John is built is called Livaton.