When All Heaven Breaks Loose
Mar 18, 2026 • Mike Osthimer
Why Was John Banished to Patmos?
John tells us himself: Revelation 1:9,
“I, John...
was on the island called Patmos because of the
word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
Why? He was exiled for preaching the gospel and
refusing to stop proclaiming Jesus as Lord.
Who Put Him There? Most early church tradition
(Irenaeus, Eusebius, and others) says he was
banished under Emperor Domitian, who ruled from
A.D. 81–96.
Domitian demanded emperor worship and
persecuted Christians who refused to call him “Lord
and God.” John’s faithfulness likely led to his
punishment.