Apocalypse, a-poc'a-lips, a name frequently given to the last book of the New Testament. It is believed to have been written near the close of the first century by John, "the beloved disciple," after he had been banished to the isle of Patmos by the Roman Domitian. The word apocalypse is from the Greek and signifies "I reveal." The apostle begins his revelation with the words, "I, John, was in the isle that is called Patmos," but it is claimed that the book was written after his return to Ephesus.