How Old Was He?
Between 95 and 96 A.D. the Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos, "because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:9, HBFV throughout). At the time of his banishment John was roughly around ninety years old and had been a Christian for sixty-five years!
Not Everything Was Recorded
John was not permitted to write down everything he heard and saw in his visions.
And when the seven thunders spoke with their voices, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven say to me, "Seal what the seven thunders spoke, and do not write them." (Revelation 10:4).
Eating the Inedible
John is commanded to consume something that is inedible. He is told to eat a book that, although it initially tastes sweet in his mouth, will cause him an upset stomach.
Then the voice that I heard from heaven spoke to me again, and said, "Go, take the little book that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the earth."
And I went to the angel, and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take it and eat it; and it shall make your belly bitter, but in your mouth it shall be sweet as honey." (Revelation 10:8 - 9).
God's Surveyor and Counter
John is told to measure not only God's temple but also to count the number of worshippers within it.
Then the angel gave me a measuring rod like a staff, saying, "Arise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it." (Revelation 11:1).
Overwhelmed
John, overwhelmed by the fantastic and frightening visions he was given, attempted twice to worship an angel. The first time he did this was when he heard about the marriage supper of the Lamb, a unique prophetic event open only to those in the first resurrection.
And he said to me, "Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."
And I fell at his feet to worship him. Then he said to me, "See that you do not do this! I am a fellow servant of yours . . ." (Revelation 19:9 - 10).
The second time John attempted to worship an angel was when the prophetic visions he had been experiencing were finally finished.
Now I, John, was the one who saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who was showing me these things.
But he said to me, "See that you do not do this! For I am a fellow servant of yours . . ." (Revelation 22:8 - 9).
The Last Vision of Glory
The Apostle John is the last person mentioned in the Bible who saw God's glory.
And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of man, clothed in a garment reaching to the feet, and girded about the chest with a golden breastplate.
And His head and hair were like white wool, white as snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire; And His feet were like fine brass, as if they glowed in a furnace; and His voice was like the sound of many waters.
And in His right hand He had seven stars, and a sharp two-edged sword went out of His mouth, and His countenance was as the sun shining in its full power (Revelation 1:13 - 16).
A View of New Jerusalem
John is the first person to see the glory of the New Jerusalem God will personally construct when all prophecy has been fulfilled. It will be a magnificent spiritual city that will be the headquarters of God's kingdom for all eternity.
And I heard a great voice from heaven say, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men; and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people; and God Himself shall be with them and be their God . . . "
And I saw no temple in it; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it . . . And the nations that are saved shall walk in its light; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor into it (Revelation 21:3, 22, 24).
Humble Servant
The Apostle John mentions himself by name only five times in Revelation's 12,018 King James words.
John's first reference is to identify how he got the information for the book (Revelation 1:1). The second is part of his greeting (1:4) and the third identifies why he was on the remote island of Patmos (1:9). His last two references are a confirmation that he wrote about only what God showed and told him (see 2Peter 1:19 - 21).
And I, John, saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2).
Now I, John, was the one who saw and heard these things . . . (Revelation 22:8).