What if I could convince you within the first ten verses of Revelation that almost everything we've been taught about this letter is wrong? One simple little understanding that almost all the beliefs teach the same and yet it's not what the letter of Revelation is telling us. Would you be interested in learning more?
You've probably heard that John was on the island of Patmos when he wrote the letter. According to the Foxe's Book of Martyrs, John was boiled alive in oil and then, when he did not die, he was sent to exile on the island of Patmos. The letter of Revelation makes reference to the exile but the letter does not say he was on Patmos when he wrote the letter.
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:9
There are many tips in Bible study. One thing I always say is to slow down. Down skim over the text. Take notice of what is being said. The thing that separates those who see a lot in the text and those who don't is their ability to see. You need to pay attention to the words being used.
For an example, Revelation 1:9 says John "WAS on the island that is called Patmos".
If you're writing a letter in your home and you told where you were you would say, "I AM in my home". You would not say, "I was in my home" unless you're no longer in your home. That's the point. John wrote the letter and he says he "WAS on the island called Patmos".
John was on Patmos when he received the vision but he wrote the letter once returned from exile. Therefore, John did not write the letter while on the island of Patmos.
Because of the purpose of the letter of Revelation, and it's genre, John is referring to his own suffering when writing to a group of churches is Asia concerning their suffering.
"In an investigation, details matter" Jack Reacher
This seems trivial, and it is to a sorts, but what it shows is with the trivial things being looked over and mis-taught, so the important things are looked over and mis-taught. I encourage you to take a look at "How to Study" to get further information about the way to study this letter.