Read closely Rev 1:9
9I 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.
Note the word highlighted, "was", that it's past tense. Why past tense and not present tense? If John were writing while yet on Patmos, "was" would not have been used, but rather 'am'. This leads me to believe it was written sometime after his exile had ended, consistent with Rev 10:11 wherein he's told he must again prophesy (below).
Rev 10:11
11And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
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To me,
Patmos meaning is important: a barren island,
a rocky place…a place of banishment.
For the word’s sake…reminds me of to rejoice when they cast you out, or they put you out from among them …for this is for the words sake? Key then is John was in the place of banishment for the words sake … maybe The Revelation of Jesus Christ was written on the isle of banishment, in a rocky place, a place that
was barren. I think of Paul in a hole or in prison saying “rejoice, I say it again, Rejoice!” “Bring me my cloak and parchments” …
but
where was the Revelation of Jesus Christ given of God unto Him, to show His servants …where was the Revelation of Jesus Christ penned? ….Not in
stone tables?
Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Yet
the isle of Patmos …
a rocky place, a place of banishment also reminds of Matthew 16:15-18 He said unto them, But do you say I am? [16] And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. [17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in heaven. [18] And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and
upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
^John
was on the isle of Patmos, a rocky place —where flesh and blood had not revealed unto John the Revelation of Jesus Christ, but the Father which is in heaven….