In the history of interpretation of Rev the expression έν πνεύματι, as used in 1. 10; 4. 2; 17. 3; and 21. 10, has been accepted so categorically as a signal of a unique state of personal visionary consciousness that other alternative meanings have been left relatively unexplored. The purpose of this paper is to inquire whether this expression is meant to describe an actual condition of ecstasy experienced by the author either previous to or during his writing activity, or whether έν πνεύματι should be seen as a different kind of component within the complex of symbolism shared by the author and his original readers.