1. An understanding of symbolism and the symbols used - including interpretations provided in the scriptures
2. An understanding of the plan of salvation
3. An understanding of the theme of the book - and how it applies to the individual, the church and the world.
4. Feasting upon the words - not just a basic reading of the book

1. He wouldn't stop teaching about about Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9)
2. He was not able to be killed - Although dipped in boiling Oil

"How happy is its church, on which apostles poured forth all their doctrine along with their blood; where Peter endures a passion like his Lord's; where Paul wins his crown in a death like John's[the Baptist]; where the Apostle John was first plunged, unhurt, into boiling oil, and thence remitted to his island-exile.'" The works of Tertullian - Ancient Christian Latin writer/Apologist who lived in Carthage about 160AD - Who was he? Another Link-Catholic Dictionary

• Individually as each person is saved from sin/resurrected and receives their proper glory
  • In John's Own life - this is seen in his calling and election being made sure
• It is promised to each of the churches in Revelations chapter 1-3
• It is promised to the world in the the millennial and the destruction of the world "Sin"

John's calling and election made sure - his personal triumph over evil!

He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions -- Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Three 1838-39 p.151

Symbolism of Churches - candlesticks - stars

Rev 1:11-20 John See's the Lord Standing in the midst of his church holding the bishops of the churches

• Addresses Bishop/Pastor of given Church

• Symbolism of Christ speaking to them

• Gives encouragement

• Exhorts to repentance or warns of tribulation

• Promises To him that overcometh

Chapter 2 - He receives instruction for the churches in Asia

The circle of Cities spoken of in Revelation

If you notice there is an order to the list of cities spoken of in Revelation.  It makes a circle starting at Ephesus and ending in Laodicea.  While we know that there were other branches of the church in Asia, it may be that by the time of John’s revelation on Patmos, the apostasy had eliminated all but these seven as faithful branches. Writing just before his death (A.D. 68), Paul told Timothy that “all they which are in Asia [are] turned away from me” (2 Timothy 1:15). Even the seven branches (A.D. 95), it would seem, had things of which they needed to repent. Life of Christ Manual

Doctrine of the Nicolaitans

According to the writings of the Early Church leaders, Nicolas taught a doctrine of

compromise

, implying that total separation between Christianity and the practice of occult paganism was not essential. From Early Church records, it seems apparent that this Nicolas of Antioch was so immersed in occultism, Judaism, and Christianity that he had a stomach for all of it. He had no problem intermingling these belief systems in various concoctions and saw no reason why believers couldn't continue to fellowship with those still immersed in the black magic of the Roman empire and its countless mystery pagan cults.

Bruce R. McConkie

 explained that the Nicolaitans referred to in the book of Revelation were “members of the Church who were trying to maintain their church standing while continuing to live after the manner of the world” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:446).
The Letters
Rev 2:1-7
Ephesus - Christ walketh in their midst

Rev 3:1-5
Sardis - He that hath the seven spirits of God and seven stars