John’s Relationship With His Audience
John writes in Rev. 1:9, “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” John identifies with his audience in three important aspects of Christian living: tribulation, kingdom, and patience. John spoke as one who shared in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. He was not immune from the tribulation facing his audience; he shared in it. D.S. Clark writes, “He stood with them on common ground. Every hardship they bore, he endured. Every prospect of martyrdom they faced, he had already contemplated. He was even in the vanguard bearing the first baptism of fire and blood. They would listen to the words of one who suffered in their sufferings, and stood in the forefront of their dangers.” Click to read more about “Revelation: The Commission of John”