Apocalyptic Literature: Revelation

The book of Revelation has been written for the Christians in the Roman province of Asia in modern day Turkey. The book opposes the power of Rome, in particular the Roman emperor cult.
Rome and the cult of the Emperor are portrayed as beasts with a terribly powerful bad influence (see Revelation 13), that they have been given by the devil (see Revelation 12). The beasts use their power against Christians.
The background is the persecution of Christians during the reign of a Roman Emperor, probably Domitian or Trajan (between AD 90 and 120).

The author of Revelation aims to encourage Christians with his writing. They must not take part in worshipping the Emperor and persevere despite the persecution. It is hard and tough at the moment and there are more disasters to come. But there will be a turnaround and then the Kingdom of God will come.