Literary Analysis
Revelation, apocalyptic in its genre, was written to the Roman province of Asia. There were a number of cities connected by the great Circular Road of Asia which included all of the seven cities mention in chapters two and three. The cities are listed in the order in which a letter carrier would most likely have traveled assuming an arrival from Patmos by ship in the port at Ephesus.[1] The theme of the book is the revelation of the prophetic program and person of Christ. Revelation seeks to encourage Christians to endure the coming persecution and be secure in the knowledge that Christ is victorious over the world and the Devil. The book also serves as a reminder that all prophecy focuses on Christ in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Finally, the book seeks to correct some of the doctrinal problems that persisted in these churches and provide them with guidance in areas such as Christian living and salvation. Though confusing at times, Revelation was written to be understood by the recipients.
[1] Easley, Kendall H. Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 1.