The apostle John assumed the pastoral work in Ephesus around the year 70 A.D. , including churches in the surrounding area, the "seven churches of Asia Minor" of Revelation 2-3. The Roman emperor Nero had persecuted the Christians in Rome, but the "litmus test" that Peter had promised (1 P 4.12ss) had not yet begun. More when Domitian ascended the throne (81-96 A.D. ), persecution intensified. Domitian was a murdered in cold blood as ever be found...