Analysis of locations mentioned in the Book of Revelation

The Island of Patmos and surrounding area where most of Revelation takes place.[/caption]A delve into the Prophecy Map featuring the key locations and events that are mentioned in Revelation with relevant Bible verses that appear in the Book of Revelation written by St John the Divine almost 2000 years ago.

Any location, geographical feature or event that is tied up to a recognisable location, has been extracted from the Book of Revelation to see where the Prophecy that it contains is focused, and what area it actually covers. This is an important element of the Prophecy contained within this Book as it focuses the mind on the area and course of events and what geographical area this Book of Revelation takes place. It also helps to rule out places and locations especially in connection with Mystery Babylon.

The locations that are mentioned in the Book of Revelation are the Island of Patmos, The 7 Churches of Asia Minor, Sodom and Egypt, Mount Zion, Jerusalem, Babylon, The Euphrates River, Armageddon and Gog Magog. A closer look into these places and the relevant Bible verses that shed some further light are listed below.


LOCATIONS

Patmos

Rev 1:9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Patmos is a Greek Island located in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey and is famous for being the location where St John the Divine received his vision from Jesus. He was exiled by the Romans to this island because of his faith where John is said to have received his Revelation which was in a cave on that island. It has an area of just over 13 square miles. This island plays no role in the End Times Prophecy mentioned in this Book.

The 7 Churches
Rev 1:11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

The infamous Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation include Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. On modern day maps these Churches are located on mainland Turkey. Some say these Churches are physical locations that John wrote to but are not physical buildings that we know today, as churches or the true church are a body of believers located at those locations stated. Others say that each church represents a particular age from the time that John wrote the Book of Revelation to the current day Church age that we live in now which would be Laodicea.

The 7 possible Church Ages with Name, Church Age and Time Period

Paul
Ephesus
53-170 AD

Ireneus
Smyrna
170-312

St Martin
Pergamos
312-606

Columba
Thyatira
686-1520

Luther
Sardis
1520-1750

Wesley
Philadelphia
1750-1906

Branham
Laodicea
1906-Present Day


Sodom and Egypt
Rev 11:8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

This is referencing the two witnesses which are killed by the Beast and lay in the streets for 3.5 days untouched but are resurrected back to heaven much to the amazement of onlookers. Again another Biblical sign in the last days which has yet to happen. The identity of these two witnesses is fiercely, debated in Prophecy circles.......that is a another article in it's own right.

The Great City that is mentioned many say has to be Jerusalem which is confirmed in the last few words that state "where our Lord was crucified". The reference to Sodom and Egypt is more of a spiritual reference but those locations are mentioned in more detail in the corresponding video which is at the foot of this article. Some say that Jerusalem is the Mystery Babylon mentioned in Revelation 17 and 18 and not the popular Rome, Mecca or US that is mentioned heavily on the net. This verse, some say is confirmation of that fact, with Sodom and Egypt being the two events where God judged heavily in a manner that would be remembered for all time. Again whether Jerusalem is Mystery Babylon is another article in it's own right that cannot be covered here.

Mount Zion
Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

Again Mount Zion is located in the Jerusalem area, one of the many Mounts mentioned in the Bible which also include Temple Mount (where the 1st and 2nd Temples were located) and The Mount of Olives where the infamous Olivet Discourse by Jesus took place. The Lamb referenced in this Bible quote is obviously Jesus himself and although Mount Sion is spelt with an S in the King James Version of the Bible, it is spelt with a Z in other versions. Some examples of other versions of the Bible and how they spell it below

International Standard Version
Then I looked, and there was the lamb, standing on Mount Zion! With him were 144,000 people who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

NET Bible
Then I looked, and here was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

King James 2000 Bible
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

American Standard Version
And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads.

The 144,000 were mentioned earlier in Revelation 7 and again the identity of these is fiercely debated but for me personally the 144,000 are Jews that finally came to believe in Jesus made up of 12,000 each from the 12 Tribes of Israel.... which equates to the 144,000 mentioned which is confirmed by Revelation 7:3-4 below

Revelation 7:3-4
3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Jerusalem
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Jerusalem is mentioned yet again, only this time it is called New Jerusalem, this is the final destination after the Millenial Kingdom where those who believe in the Messiah will be for eternity. This is the closing stages of Revelation. It is mentioned as a Holy City that comes down from heaven but it is unclear where this city will be located, but the fact it is called New Jerusalem gives a strong hint where this Holy City will be ultimately located.


Babylon
Rev 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

Babylon is mentioned a number of times in the Book of Revelation and again was another city that was judged in the Old Testament. The Babylon that is mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation is named as Mystery Babylon as in this verse below.

Rev 17:5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

The only verse in the whole Bible that uses predominantly Capital letters, this Mystery Babylon is something many say didn't exist at the time hence why St John used the mystery tag. Others say Rome back in the time that Revelation was written was referenced as Babylon due to the idolatry that took place there.

The Euphrates River
Rev 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

Rev 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

The Euphrates is a major river that starts in Turkey and flows through Syria and Iraq and ends up flowing into the Persian Gulf. It forms yet another major indicator in Prophecy and a sign or confirmation of the Last Days. The Euphrates has been extensively dammed in recent years so the potential to dry the river up is there and some say it has dried up on some of the lower reaches, but it's when the river dries up in it's entirety BEHIND the dams then Revelation 16 Bible Prophecy would be staring us straight in the face in no uncertain terms.

Armageddon/Megiddo
Rev 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

A very short and to the point verse which mentions Armageddon. The "he" mentioned is the Beast and the "them" is his army basically the world which will number in the hundreds of millions at least.

Armageddon is a bit of a mystery but it is a location. Armageddon is a Hebrew word, although it does not occur in the Old Testament. Its meaning is not exactly clear, but it is best taken to mean Mount Megiddo, since "Har" in Hebrew means mountain and "Mageddon" is the place-name of Megiddo. Megiddo is located in the Northern area of Israel to the South West of Nazareth, a name that should be familiar. Megiddo appears a number of times in the Old Testament.

Many battles were fought at the location of Megiddo, Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera and his Canaanite army there (Judges 4-5), Gideon drove off the Midianites and Amalekites ( Judges 6 ), Saul and the army of Israel were defeated because of their failure to trust in God ( 1 Sam 31 ), and the Egyptian army under Pharaoh Neco killed Josiah, king of Judah ( 2 Kings 23:29 ).

The battle that is mentioned in Revelation will be Armageddon. Good V Evil, the Beast and The World that worship him against Jesus and The Saints. Megiddo is where many say it will take place. See the photo in the video. It certainly looks like a place where such a battle could take place.

Gog Magog
Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Again many say that Gog and Magog and Armageddon are the same battle. Some say Gog and Magog references the Anti Christ. Others say Magog is the equivalent to Modern Day Russia. Form your own opinion! Just like China is mentioned in Revelation (the 200 million strong army) Russia will also feature in End Times Prophecy and is mentioned by The Great Prophets in the Old Testament especially in Ezekiel.

Summary
The Book of Revelation is something you can spend a lifetime reading and still never really understand it. It is billed as the "Mystery" Book in the Bible and I often liken it to Isaiah in the Old Testament which has many cross references linking to Revelation and yet again, can be baffling at best. BUT as you read over and over again, it does slowly reveal itself to those who persevere and more importantly to those who need to see and know.

What is made abundantly clear in this study is that The Book of Revelation takes place in The Middle East, just like most of the Bible does, so why should Revelation be any different. Israel is the focal point and Jerusalem is the Holy City where all compass points are set. If anything is coming from the North, East or South (mentioned by Revelation and other Major Prophets) you can be certain they are coming from those directions in relation to Jerusalem!