Episode 48 (Dec. 9-15): “Glory, and Power, Be unto the Lamb for Ever”
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Here's my notes (in a super free flow of consciousness type format):
December 9–15
Revelation 1–11
“Glory, and Power, Be unto … the Lamb for Ever”
I am not going to get into the signs of the Second Coming in depth during this episode. I have upcoming bonus content that will help with that. However, I will try to set the stage for us to understand the book of Revelation and how it testifies of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes we think of the Book of Revelation as a book of fear. However Joseph Smith said:
“Prophets, priests and kings … have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 186).
Have you ever struggled to express to others what you felt during a powerful spiritual experience? Everyday language can feel inadequate to describe spiritual feelings and impressions.
Spumoni- didn’t know what pistachio flavor was
Perhaps this is why John used such rich symbolism and imagery to describe his majestic revelation. He could have simply stated that he saw Jesus Christ, but to help us understand his experience, he described the Savior using words like these: “His eyes were as a flame of fire,” “out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword,” and “his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Revelation 1:14–16).
Symbolism is also useful in that it can mean different things to different people.
Ex: Daisy Buchanan’s smile in The Great Gatsby “It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced--or seemed to face--the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor.”
Apply this to Gospel (means different things to different people, or even to the same person at different points in their lives):
“Christ holds the keys of death and hell”
Call to use the atonement and repent
Example of Christ’s authority
Testimony of Christ’s victory over death
As you read the book of Revelation, try to discover the messages John wanted you to learn and feel, even if you don’t understand the meaning behind every symbol.
Why don’t we understand?
Cultural disconnect?
Apple iPhone example:
And in his hand, I saw a shining silver stone. On the back of the stone was the fruit of the tree of the Garden of Eden. And on the front of the stone, though it was black as night, light radiated out of scales of color- as numerous as the colors of the rainbow. And out of the stone came a voice, from one who was many miles away.
Missing Emphasis?
I didn’t say he stole the money.
I didn’t SAY he stole the money.
I didn’t say HE stole the money.
I didn’t say he STOLE the money.
Has it gotten garbled?
Telelphone
The parts the monks barfed on
Why might he have compared Church congregations to candlesticks, Satan to a dragon, and Jesus Christ to a lamb? Ultimately, you don’t have to understand every symbol in Revelation to understand its important themes, including its most prominent theme: Jesus Christ and His followers will triumph over the kingdoms of men and of Satan.
THE BOOK of REVELATION IS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST. Sometimes I think we forget that. The rest of the Christian world hasn’t though!
SONG: Revelation Song by Phillips Craig and Dean
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain” Revelation 5:12
“Sing a new song” Revelation 5:9
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come” Revelation 4:8
Clothed in rainbows of living color Rev 4:3
Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder Rev 4:5
Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be Rev 5:12
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Revelation
How can I make sense of the book of Revelation?
The book of Revelation can be hard to understand, but don’t get discouraged. John’s promise may inspire you to keep trying: “Blessed are they who read, and they who hear and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time of the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 1:3 [in the Bible Appendix], emphasis added).
The following questions and resources can provide insights as you study Revelation:
Who was John? (See 1 Nephi 14:18–27; Bible Dictionary, “John.”)
- One of the Twelve;
- son of Zebedee and brother of James.
- Fisherman
- Disciple of John the Baptist
- He was one of the inner circle of three who were with the Lord at the raising of Jairus’s daughter, at the Transfiguration, and in Gethsemane.
- In his own Gospel he refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20)
- From Jesus he received the name Boanerges, “a son of thunder”
- There are frequent references to him in the accounts of the Crucifixion and Resurrection (Luke 22:8; John 18:15; 19:26–27; 20:2; 21:2).
- In the Acts he appears but seldom (Acts 3:1, 11; 4:13; 8:14). Paul refers to his meeting with him in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:9). In Rev. 1:9 John tells of his banishment to Patmos.
- John is mentioned frequently in latter-day revelation, as in 1 Ne. 14:18–27; 3 Ne. 28:6; Ether 4:16; D&C 7; 27:12; 61:14; 77; 88:141. “These passages serve to confirm and to clarify the biblical record of John and also give us a hint as to his greatness and the importance of the work the Lord has given him to do on the earth, not only in the time of the New Testament, but also in the last days. We especially have a clarification of John 21:20–23, ascertaining that John did not die but has been allowed to remain on the earth as a ministering servant until the time of the Lord’s Second Coming (3 Ne. 28:6; D&C 7).”
- Also authored the book of John, and the Epistles of John
1 Nephi 14:18–27
Book of Mormon
18 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
19 And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe.
20 And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
21 Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been.
22 And he shall also write concerning the end of the world.
23 Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men.
24 And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see.
25 But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them.
26 And also others who have been, to them hath he shown all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel.
27 And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel
How is the book organized, and what are some themes to look for? (See Bible Dictionary, “Revelation of John.”)
Also known as the Apocalypse, a Greek word meaning revealed or uncovered.
The message of Revelation is the same as that of all scripture:
there will be an eventual triumph on this earth of God over the devil;
a permanent victory of good over evil,
of the Saints over their persecutors,
of the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of men and of Satan.
This is the subject on which Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Paul, Peter, and all the prophets have written. They spoke of a day of victory that would come, and that the end would be better (more glorious) than the beginning. The victory would be achieved through Jesus Christ.
BD “Such is the theme of the Revelation. The details about the beasts, the wars, the angels, the men, etc., contribute to the development of this theme. By a little study, the theme can be perceived even if the details are not completely identified. It may be in this sense that the Prophet Joseph Smith said that Revelation was “one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written” (HC 5:342). However, the more fully the details are understood, the greater will be the appreciation of the theme. If we fail to catch a glimpse of the theme, we fail in our comprehension, no matter how many details we are able to understand.”
BD:SOME GUIDELINES TO UNDERSTANDING:
The Revelation seems to be divided into two parts. The first, Rev. 1–3, deals with things at the time the Revelation was given, and is addressed to branches of the Church in seven cities of Asia. Note Rev. 1:3: “the time is at hand.” These three chapters show clearly that the Church in that day was rapidly going into apostasy.
The second part, Rev. 4–22, deals with things yet future for John, things that had not yet come to pass. It begins with John’s time and continues to the end of the world. Note Rev. 4:1: “I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” Accordingly, it offers a sort of panoramic view of events through the ages—of Apostasy, Restoration, Judgment, and Millennium.
Apostasy and Restoration. Apostasy and Restoration are relatively gradual events. Compare the setting and the rising of the sun. It does not become dark or light all at once (see D&C 45:29).
A guided tour. An interesting circumstance in the Revelation is that an angel comes to John and explains things to him—a sort of guided tour. This is consistent with the visions given to Nephi, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Enoch, who had similar guided tours. It appears to be a typical visionary experience.
What do the symbols in Revelation represent?
BD “Such is the theme of the Revelation. The details about the beasts, the wars, the angels, the men, etc., contribute to the development of this theme. By a little study, the theme can be perceived even if the details are not completely identified. It may be in this sense that the Prophet Joseph Smith said that Revelation was “one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written” (HC 5:342). However, the more fully the details are understood, the greater will be the appreciation of the theme. If we fail to catch a glimpse of the theme, we fail in our comprehension, no matter how many details we are able to understand.”
BD:SOME GUIDELINES TO UNDERSTANDING:
The Revelation seems to be divided into two parts. The first, Rev. 1–3, deals with things at the time the Revelation was given, and is addressed to branches of the Church in seven cities of Asia. Note Rev. 1:3: “the time is at hand.” These three chapters show clearly that the Church in that day was rapidly going into apostasy.
The second part, Rev. 4–22, deals with things yet future for John, things that had not yet come to pass. It begins with John’s time and continues to the end of the world. Note Rev. 4:1: “I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” Accordingly, it offers a sort of panoramic view of events through the ages—of Apostasy, Restoration, Judgment, and Millennium.
Apostasy and Restoration. Apostasy and Restoration are relatively gradual events. Compare the setting and the rising of the sun. It does not become dark or light all at once (see D&C 45:29).
A guided tour. An interesting circumstance in the Revelation is that an angel comes to John and explains things to him—a sort of guided tour. This is consistent with the visions given to Nephi, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Enoch, who had similar guided tours. It appears to be a typical visionary experience.
What do the symbols in Revelation represent?
It might also be helpful to look for insights in the Joseph Smith Translation of various Revelation passages. (See the footnotes and the Bible appendix.)
D&C 77 is helpful too.
If you have kids/teens, there’s some great videos in the New Testament Seminary Curriculum.
Find the videos in the New Testament Seminary Curriculum:https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/new-testament-seminary-teacher-manual/introduction-to-the-revelation-of-st-john-the-divine/lesson-154-revelation-6-11-part-1?lang=eng
Revelation
John’s vision teaches how Heavenly Father saves His children.
As you begin studying the book of Revelation, think about how the things you read connect to what you know about Heavenly Father’s plan for the redemption and exaltation of His children. You could start by reviewing the overview of the plan of salvation in Preach My Gospel (pages 47–59). Then, as you read John’s account of his vision, ask yourself questions like these: What truths do I learn from Revelation about what Heavenly Father has done to help me return to Him? How can this help me understand God’s plan for me?
It may help you to know that in general:
Much of chapter 12 deals with events in the premortal life (see also “Premortality,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org).
This feels like one of those magic eye pictures. If I don’t look too closely I can understand what’s happening
Chapters 6–11, 13–14, 16–19 describe mortal life and events in the history of the earth (see also “Mortality,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org).
The Seven Seals
Major Events
First seal
The creation and fall of Adam and Eve; the ministry of Enoch and the translation of his city into heaven (Revelation 6:1–2).
Second seal
Noah and the Flood (Revelation 6:3–4).
Third seal
Ministries of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses; the Exodus; the period of reign by judges (Revelation 6:5–6).
Fourth seal
The period of reign by kings; the division of the kingdom; the conquering of the kingdoms (Revelation 6:7–8).
Fifth seal
The birth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; the establishment of his Church and the ministry of the Apostles; martyrdom of the Apostles; the Apostasy (Revelation 6:9–11).
Sixth seal
Continuation of the Apostasy; restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith; signs of the times manifest (Revelation 6:12–17; 7:1–8).
Seventh seal
Wars, plagues, and desolation; Second Coming of the Lord (Revelation 8:1–19:21). Millennium of peace (Revelation 20:1–6). Satan loosed for a season, the last great battle, and the final judgment (Revelation 20:7–15).
After the seventh seal
The earth is celestialized (Revelation 21:1–22:
Chapters 2–3, 15, 20–22 describe the Final Judgment and the glory that awaits the faithful in the eternal realms (see also “Postmortality,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org).
Revelation 2–3
Jesus Christ knows me personally and will help me overcome my challenges.
The Savior’s words in Revelation 2–3 reveal that He understood the successes and struggles unique to each branch of the Church in John’s day. He reassured the Saints in several congregations that He was aware of, among other things, their “works,” “tribulation,” “poverty,” and “charity” (Revelation 2:2, 9, 19)—along with some ways they could improve.
These chapters can remind you that the Savior understands your strengths and weaknesses and wants to help you overcome your earthly challenges. What does Jesus Christ promise to those who overcome? What changes do you feel prompted to make to overcome your challenges?
Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives
By President Russell M. Nelson April 2018
“One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.
Through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will assist us in all our righteous pursuits. I remember in an operating room, I have stood over a patient—unsure how to perform an unprecedented procedure—and experienced the Holy Ghost diagramming the technique in my mind.5
To strengthen my proposal to Wendy, I said to her, “I know about revelation and how to receive it.” To her credit—and, as I have come to learn, typical of her—she had already sought and received her own revelation about us, which gave her the courage to say yes.
As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I prayed daily for revelation and gave thanks to the Lord every time He spoke to my heart and mind.”
“Brothers and sisters, how can we become the men and women—the Christlike servants—the Lord needs us to be? How can we find answers to questions that perplex us? If Joseph Smith’s transcendent experience in the Sacred Grove teaches us anything, it is that the heavens are open and that God speaks to His children.
The Prophet Joseph Smith set a pattern for us to follow in resolving our questions. Drawn to the promise of James that if we lack wisdom we may ask of God,8 the boy Joseph took his question directly to Heavenly Father. He sought personal revelation, and his seeking opened this last dispensation.
In like manner, what will your seeking open for you? What wisdom do you lack? What do you feel an urgent need to know or understand? Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.
HOW????
Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon,14 and regular time committed to temple and family history work.
To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you—even miracles—will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you.
WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?
I am optimistic about the future. It will be filled with opportunities for each of us to progress, contribute, and take the gospel to every corner of the earth. But I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation.
Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this Easter Sunday be a defining moment in your life. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.
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