John says he was on Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. He was exiled for faith. On the Lord's Day, he was in the Spirit and heard a voice behind him like a trumpet.
The fact that he's worshiping on an island as a prisoner sets the entire book's context. This isn't written by someone comfortable or secure. It's written by someone who's suffered for Christ and is worshiping anyway. That matters for interpretation. John's not speculating about the future from a position of safety. He's declaring God's sovereignty while being persecuted.
The voice tells him to write what he sees in a book and send it to the seven churches. What follows is written to comfort believers in difficult circumstances. The Revelation isn't abstract prophecy. It's pastoral care.
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