John was the only original apostle to not die a martyr's death. All the other original apostles were put to death in a very severe way. What is interesting is that tradition says that around 86 A.D., they tried to execute John by dipping him in burning oil. And after they pulled him out, nothing was wrong with him. And they figured that they couldn't kill him, so they decided to exile him off onto the island of Patmos.
According to the early church fathers, John was sent out onto the island with a group of criminals. That's where they sent the criminals. And they worked hard labor. They worked in the mines over on the island of Patmos. Please keep in mind that John is in his early 90's when he was sent off to this island. And his illegal activity was that he was a Christian, because Christianity was an illegal religion. And since he was the last remaining original apostle, they really wanted to get him out of the way.
Many don't realize that he was there for 10 years on this island. He didn't just take a ferry over and sit on the island and say "I don't know why God has me here, but maybe I'll get some kind of revelation."
And that's really not what he was there for. He was sent there as a criminal, under the leadership of Domitian. He sent him over around 86 A.D. And it was not until Domitian died that the Christians asked Nerva if they could have John released and brought back, because after all, he's old and about ready to die. And so they brought him back over around 96 A.D.
And historical documents tell us that John died at about 99 years old. So just a few years after being brought back over to the mainland, he went to be with the Lord.
Yes, that is what I read about John. I think my source said he died about 98 A.D.
Also, before his exile, John planted many church congregations in Asia Minor. (Smyrna was one) He appointed bishops (overseers) in each church, laying hands on them to anoint them for service to that congregation. He appointed Polycarp over Smyrna, and Ignatiaus over Antioch. There were others. I just can't recall all of them. These two bishops where martyred, but we have some of their writings preserved to read. These bishops had direct relationships with the apostles, carrying on their teachings and practices for the next generation of believers in that early 1st century.
Amazing that John lived such a long time. That was probably unusual in those times due to persecution, martyrdom, and the harshness of life in those times.
John was the only original apostle to not die a martyr's death. All the other original apostles were put to death in a very severe way. What is interesting is that tradition says that around 86 A.D., they tried to execute John by dipping him in burning oil. And after they pulled him out, nothing was wrong with him. And they figured that they couldn't kill him, so they decided to exile him off onto the island of Patmos.
According to the early church fathers, John was sent out onto the island with a group of criminals. That's where they sent the criminals. And they worked hard labor. They worked in the mines over on the island of Patmos. Please keep in mind that John is in his early 90's when he was sent off to this island. And his illegal activity was that he was a Christian, because Christianity was an illegal religion. And since he was the last remaining original apostle, they really wanted to get him out of the way.
Many don't realize that he was there for 10 years on this island. He didn't just take a ferry over and sit on the island and say "I don't know why God has me here, but maybe I'll get some kind of revelation."
And that's really not what he was there for. He was sent there as a criminal, under the leadership of Domitian. He sent him over around 86 A.D. And it was not until Domitian died that the Christians asked Nerva if they could have John released and brought back, because after all, he's old and about ready to die. And so they brought him back over around 96 A.D.
And historical documents tell us that John died at about 99 years old. So just a few years after being brought back over to the mainland, he went to be with the Lord.
spiritually Hot for the Lord LOL I've always had a unique sense of humor.
Also, before his exile, John planted many church congregations in Asia Minor. (Smyrna was one) He appointed bishops (overseers) in each church, laying hands on them to anoint them for service to that congregation. He appointed Polycarp over Smyrna, and Ignatiaus over Antioch. There were others. I just can't recall all of them. These two bishops where martyred, but we have some of their writings preserved to read. These bishops had direct relationships with the apostles, carrying on their teachings and practices for the next generation of believers in that early 1st century.
Amazing that John lived such a long time. That was probably unusual in those times due to persecution, martyrdom, and the harshness of life in those times.
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