LESSON PLAN FOR REVELATION 1-6

BACKGROUND

• Author: John the Beloved (1 Nephi 14:18-27, Ether 4:16,  D&C 77)

• Dated: Around 80-100 AD

• Written from the Island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea where John is living in exile (Rev. 1:9)

• Audience: Specifically written to seven branches of the church in the area of modern day Turkey (Rev 1:11).  Generally speaking, written to all disciples of Christ.

ICEBREAKER

Show "Rockwell Retro Encabulator Video” -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXJKdh1KZ0w

Q: Have you ever felt like this when studying the Book of Revelation?

So what do you think? 

TRANSITION

And the reason I like this video as an introduction to The Book of Revelation is because I remember feeling like that when I first tried to read it. I was like “What on earth is he talking about?!  I felt like so much of his message was going right over my head.  If you’ve felt that way in the past have no fear.  I will help you as your teacher to understand it better.  I promise you that whatever effort you are willing to expend on seeking to understand this book, it will yield meaning to you fourfold.  Eventually, you may come to the same conclusion

Joseph Smith did about the Book of Revelation.  He said:

“The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written.”

Joseph Smith Jr.

(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.290)

SEARCH

Q: What four things must you do to in order to be blessed by the Book of Revelation? (Rev. 1:3 From JST excerpts in Appendices)

A: Read, Hear, Understand, Keep

KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF REVELATION

#1 Use the Joseph Smith Translation. 

When Joseph was working through his inspired translation of the Bible, he made many significant changes to the Book of Revelation. In fact, about 20% of the Book of Revelation is different in the JST. So don’t ignore those changes. They make a huge difference in our understanding. 

#2 Use modern scripture. 

It’s important to remember that John is not the only prophet in the earth’s history to receive revelation concerning the latter days, the second coming, and the millennium. God has also shown other prophets similar visions and prophecies. As members of the restored church have a distinct advantage in our ability to understand the Book of Revelation better than anybody else because we have modern scripture to help us. Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life, and Nephi’s subsequent visions can offer clarity to the symbols of Revelation as well as visions given to Enoch and Moses.  The Doctrine and Covenants has many details to add to our understanding of the end times. Particular sections to be aware of include D&C 88, 130, and D&C 77 is actually a Q and A session with the prophet specifically covering symbols in Revelation.

#3 Know your Old Testament and look for allusions to it. 

The Old Testament is by far the biggest influence on the writings in Revelation. When he writes this book, John assumes you already know your Daniel, your Ezekiel, your Isaiah and Exodus.  Almost every chapter of the Book of Revelation has some allusion to a story or teaching in the Old Testament.  You aren’t going to understand the concept of Armageddon if you haven’t read Ezekiel. You’re not gong to understand the image of the “two witnesses” if you haven’t read Zechariah. And you aren’t going to get the allusions to Balaam and Balak if you don’t know the Book of Numbers. The better you know the Old Testament, the better you will understand Revelation. If you don’t feel very confident in your grasp of the Old Testament  then it’s best to keep you eye on the footnotes for Old Testament references, then go there for additional insight and comprehension.

#4 Read Revelation as poetry. 

Because that is what it is. It is Hebrew poetry. You can’t approach this book the same way you would a newspaper, or a novel even. It’s often more about feeling than telling. This is one of the very reasons people find the Book of Revelation difficult. We’re not very used to reading serious poetry any more. Revelation is much more Isaiah, than Doctrine and Covenants.  It’s much more Shakespeare, than Hemmingway if you know what I mean. John is going to teach us with imagery, figurative language, and symbols. We have to be careful of trying to read too much literal fulfillment in his writing. Not that there aren't literal fulfillments to these prophecies, but certainly they all have some figurative meaning. Also I believe that John is describing exactly what he is seeing when he writes. I don’t believe the theory that he is struggling to describe things from the modern world with which he is unfamiliar.  I find that a figurative interpretation is almost always more insightful and helpful than any literal translation. So put on your poetry glasses, and set your prose glasses aside.

#5 Look for contrasts. 

John loved to teach in dichotomies. The Book of Revelation is probably the clearest example of this technique. Everything comes in twos. And you can learn a lot about one side of the pair by contrasting it with the other, and vice versa. Just like in his epistles, John is going to present the two kingdoms we have to choose from. We can choose the lamb, or the seven headed dragon, the bride of Christ, or the great whore, the New Jerusalem, or Babylon, the mark of the beast, or the seal of the living God.  This is the reason why I think Joseph Smith said what he said about Revelation, that it was the plainest book. It’s not plain in its language, or its symbolism, or its interpretation. It is however, very plain in its message. 

#6  Seek the Spirit and look for the personal and spiritual message of the Book of Revelation. 

I don’t think John’s primary purpose was to prophesy about the future (although Revelation certainly does), but to help us make a choice. The emphasis is on living a better life rather than sensationalizing apocalyptic events. He will help us to make correct choices and better discern between good and evil.  John will warn us about getting too comfortable with the world but he also wants to offer us hope and encouragement. The Book of Revelation is not all doom and gloom, in fact, I would argue that there is far more hopeful imagery and inspiration than warning and destruction. And that is what we should be looking for, that personal message for us. You can approach this book armed with scholarly volumes full of historical, linguistic, and cultural analysis and I’m sure it will enlighten and help you. But, if you study it with the Spirit, and an eye to it’s personal meaning for you, that’s when the Book of Revelation will really open up and its plain message will truly sink deep into your heart. 

REVELATION 1

Q: What does this chapter teach you about Jesus Christ?  

• 1:5 He is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead,(the first to be resurrected)  the prince of the kings of the earth, he loved us, he washed us from our sins in his own blood. 

• 1:6 He makes kings and priests

• 1:7 He will return

• 1:8 He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, He is, was, and, is to come. He’s eternal, And he is the Almighty. He has all power.

NOTE: If you want to have some fun or you want to spark some interest about the Book of Revelation, just do a google image search for Revelation and you’ll find tons of interesting images. 

Seven golden candlesticks.  What do these represent? 

Well, perhaps the Lord understands that we might need a little help with interpreting his vision so he tells us what they are in vs. 20. They represent the seven branches of the church that John is writing to. Why seven? Is this message just for them? Well, keep in mind that whenever numbers are used in Revelation, you should never take them at face value. The numbers are also symbolic. Seven is the number of completeness, wholeness, or perfection. There are seven days in a week, comprising the whole week. So if he is writing this message to the Seven churches, this probably means the message is to the whole church, the complete church, not just these particular seven. I suppose that includes us then, doesn’t it.  Why candlesticks to represent the church? We are to stand out from the rest of the world. Like Jesus told us, "ye are the light of the world . . . neither do men light a candle a place it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men” It’s a reminder of our duty to give direction, example, and truth to the rest of the world. 

Why golden candlesticks? Because we are precious to Him. We are segullah, or a peculiar people to him. 

Now think about this, where is Christ in relation to the golden candlesticks? Vs. 13, in the midst of them. This idea is repeated in Revelation 2:1 where he is described as walking in the midst off the candlesticks. Christ is with us. He’s not off in some remote corner of the universe, he’s not removed from the world, he’s not out there or even up there. He’s with us. That’s one of the symbols I love about the temple. If somebody asked me where Jesus lives, I could give them an actual address.  His house is just up the street from me. If you are lucky enough to have a temple in your community, you can really appreciate that symbol. He lives with us, in our nations, in our communities. In our midst. 

Now what about the actual description of the Savior in the vision. What do all these descriptions of his physical appearance have in common? He’s dressed in a “golden girdle”, Hair white like wool, as white as snow, flame of fire, fine brass tuned in a furnace, countenance as the sun shineth in his strength.  They all suggest purity and light. Christ was pure, and sinless, and full of light and truth. 

What do you think about his voice being as the sound of many waters. What do you picture when I say the sound many waters? Maybe some of you will imagine a waterfall, a rushing river, or maybe the waves crashing at the beach of the ocean. Each of these images certainly embody the incredible power of the voice of the Great Jehovah. However, how do you feel when you hear these sounds of water, waves and waterfalls? It makes you feel peaceful. It’s calming and soothing. Can you think of a better description of the voice of Christ? Powerful, yet peaceful. 

He holds in his hand seven stars. What do they represent? He tells us in vs 20. They are the seven angels of the churches. But if you look in the footnotes you’ll see that the JST changes it to servants. So the stars are the leaders of the church. Why are stars a good symbol for our church leaders?  What did they use stars for back then? Navigation. We too can successfully navigate the wilderness of life if we take our bearings from our stars. Remember parallel imagery, later in Revelation you’ll see that Satan has his stars as well, but they are falling stars, or if you remember from Jude, wandering stars. You can’t get your bearings from falling or wandering stars. Even today what do we call celebrities? Movie stars, Rock stars, and sports stars. We should be careful not to take our bearing from them, they aren’t constant and unchanging like the stars of God’s church. And where are those stars in relation to the savior? In his right hand. 

What comes out of his mouth? A sharp two edged sword. What could that mean? Well, what comes out of God’s mouth? His words. And this imagery is all over the scriptures, you see it come up many times in the Doctrine and Covenants. One example D&C 6:2--I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword. God’s word is powerful and quick. It pierces hearts, and cutteth the guilty to the very center. It’s the weapon of the righteous who don the armor of God. It defends us from the temptations of the devil and cuts through the lies of the world.  Great symbol.

All of this power is a little overwhelming for John and he falls at his feet. But don’t you love this description in v. 17-18. He laid his right hand upon me saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last. Such tenderness in that image. That gentle hand on John’s back. Yes, Christ is powerful, and pure, but he’s loving. He cares about us as individuals. He’s there to comfort and console us.  Remember that image for later in the Book of Revelation when things do seem to get a little scary. Don’t forget that loving, kind hand, and that powerful, peaceful voice saying fear not. 

One final symbol, he has a set of keys in his hand. The keys of hell and death. Jesus truly holds the power over spiritual and physical death. He has opened a way for all of us to escape that prison of death and sin. 

REVELATION 2-3

The Pattern: Each message seems to consist of the following steps:

• Praise for the positive

• Correction for the negative

• Promises offered if problems are overcome.

This actually isn’t a bad pattern for all of us to follow when dealing with correction of those we love. As Christ says in 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. 

THE PROMISES

1. Eat of the tree of life

2. Shall not be hurt by the second death

3. Eat hidden manna

4. A white stone with a new name written on it

5. Power of the nations, rule them

6. The morning star

7. Clothed in white raiment

8. Name not blotted out in the book of life

9. You name confessed by Christ before the Father

10. Become a pillar in God’s temple

11. Go no more out

12. Name of God, name of God’s city, and his new name written on you

13. Sit with Christ on his throne

Maybe just a little help on the interpretation of a few of those. When he says hidden manna, remember that manna was bread from heaven given to the children of Israel to sustain them on their journey to the promised land. They were instructed to gather it everyday to nourish and feed them. That manna was a symbol. It represented the word of God, his truth. Check Deuteronomy 8:3 to see that. So when he promises us hidden manna, he means there will be truth and scripture that has been hidden from mankind up until then. Those that overcome will get to learn things that no man has ever comprehended before. The mysteries of God will be revealed to them!

The white stone with a new name written on it is talked about in D&C 130:10-11. There we find out that this is a personal Urim and Thummim given to each inhabitant of the Celestial Kingdom. “Whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known.” So its a similar promise to the one concerning hidden manna. We will have the ability to know and understand things that we couldn’t have known before. Our own personal Urim and Thummim, which by the way means lights and perfections. This unique gift, whether literal or symbolic, will fill us with light and help to perfect us and our knowledge.

What does it mean to go no more out? I think it means that the test will one day end. Mortality is not forever. There will come a time when we go no more out, to fight or be tested. If we have passed that test, the next life will be one of joy and rest. We won’t have to face pain, and temptation, and death anymore. The test will be over and the holidays will begin!

APPLY

Q: Which of the blessings on that list do you most look forward to and why? 

Quote from President Ezra Taft Benson

“I testify to you that God's pay is the best pay that this world or any other world knows anything about.  And it comes in full abundance only to those who love the Lord and put Him first.”

Ezra Taft Benson

(The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 352).

THE TWO DOORS

There is one other set of verses in these chapters that I just can’t leave behind, and that is the imagery of the two doors in 3:8, and 3:20. 

The first door in 3:8 is the Lord’s door. And how is it described? It’s an open door. It’s inviting, and welcoming, and open to anyone who wishes to come in.  No matter who out there that wishes to close that door to you, it is impossible. No man can shut the door of God on you. God invites all to come unto him. Nobody who desires his kingdom will ever be shut out of it. You want God’s love, and guidance, and grace, and truth, just walk right through that door, and it will be yours.

The door in vs. 20 is a different door. It’s our door. The door to our lives and hearts. That’s a door that we do control and can be shut. But Christ doesn’t just wait behind his own open door, hoping that our needs will drive us to it, he comes actively pursuing us. He comes to invite us to open our door. He doesn’t pound on the door demanding we let he him, he doesn’t break it down, He stands there and gently knocks, calling us to let him in and to feast with him. And what a wonderful dinner guest he would be. And what a phenomenal feast. On what? I imagine the feast of his words, and love, and truth, and light. That door is our agency. How will you respond to the knocking? Will you let him in?  I hope you will.

REVELATION 4

Q: How do you picture heaven? 

Q: Do you picture it like this at all? This is what John saw as a representation of heaven. BUT, it’s symbolic. 

Q: WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE?

• Why precious stones?(Jasper, sardine stone, emerald)

• Why a rainbow around his throne?

• Who are the 24 elders?

• What about the “sea of glass” like “crystal”?

• What do these beasts mean? Are there really animals like that in heaven?

So why precious stones? Gemstones have great worth. Our celestial reward will be worth the sacrifices and efforts we expend in which to obtain it. 

Why a rainbow? God is always associated with light. And a rainbow is light in its most beautiful manifestation. Light and truth are synonymous in the scriptures. Heaven reflects and radiates God’s beautiful light. The rainbow is also a symbol of mercy in the scripture. Think Noah and the Ark. The rainbow was a sign that the flood and storm was over, and God’s beautiful mercy was bending back to earth after the darkness. Heaven is a place of mercy.

Who are the 24 elders?

D&C 77 tells us that they are faithful members of the church. So who will we see in heaven? The faithful. People we know who lived good lives but are now gone. Heaven will be a place where we reunite with the righteous people of the earth.

What about the sea of glass like crystal? D&C 77 tells us that it is the earth in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state. This earth will one day become the Celestial Kingdom. It will become heaven. I don’t think this means that heaven will be like living on a giant crystal ball. Remember symbolism. Crystal is see through. It has nothing to hide. There are no mysteries hiding within. Heaven will be a place where things are no longer hidden to us. We will understand it all.  Crystal is also strong and doesn’t decay. Heaven will be eternal as well. Crystal is pure, the Celestial kingdom will be pure, as well as those who inhabit it.

What about these four strange beasts with wings and many eyes. Sounds like something from a horror movie right?  Is that what lives in heaven? No.

D&C 77 tells us that they are (there’s that key word again) figurative expressions. They teach us something about the kind of beings and creatures that live there.

They represent the happiness of man, and of beasts, and of creeping things, and of the fowls of the air”.

Why the wings and eyes? They are a representation of light and knowledge, that is they are full of knowledge and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act. etc. So don’t get to wrapped up in the image of the beasts themselves, but keep in mind what they represent, glorified, happy, powerful, and intelligent beings and creatures in God’s kingdom.

So does that give you a better understanding of what heaven is like? It is a place of light and beauty, where we enjoy the presence of God and other Exalted people, glorified animals all living in sanctified world. It makes sense that they would say in vs. 8 holy, holy, holy, lord god almighty which was, and is, and is to come.  

REVELATION 5-6 SYMBOL HUNT

I’ll display up on the board a verse with a symbol in it, then I’ll show you a list of different possible interpretations of that symbol. You’re job will be to identify which one is the best match.  What I do with this kind of thing is divide my class up into teams, give them a small whiteboard to write on, and then give a point to the team that can identify the correct interpretation first.  Between each round, you can take the time to discuss each of the symbols and still get a generally good flow of the narrative. 

5:1 The book sealed on the back with seven seals.  

The answer is J. The history of the world.

We know this for sure because of D&C 77:6

Q. What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed on the back with seven seals?

  A. We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence.

5:1 What do each of the seals themselves represent?

The answer is N.  1000 Years

And we know this because of D&C 77:7 which says:

Q. What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed?

A. We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh.

NOTE: And a quick reminder here. Remember that you should not take numbers in the Book of Revelation at face value. They too are symbolic. Remember 7 is a number of completeness, or to represent the whole. I don’t we should take this literally that the earth’s temporal existence is or will be 7000 years, or that we could use this number to try and pinpoint an exact date for the return of Christ. John is simply dividing the earths history up into different periods, or perhaps even dispensations. Each of the seals are going to be opened, and once the seventh seal is opened, the return of the Savior begins. 

5:5-6 The Lion of Judah, the Root of David, and the Lamb as it had been slain with (Joseph changes the number) 12 horns, and 12 eyes. 

And the answer is K. Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the individual that makes God’s work and glory possible through the power of his atonement.  That is why they sing the new song in vs. 9-10— 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

And I would ask you to consider your feelings about the atonement here.  Does the atonement of Christ make you sing? Do you rejoice over it’s power. What song would you sing? How Great thou Art? I Believe in Christ? I Stand all Amazed? The Atonement causes us to sing out with joy and praise that through it, God’s work and glory can be fulfilled. 

5:6 Why 12 horns and 12 eyes on the lamb? 

The answer is D

The key is in the number 12 and the answer is in the verse itself. “Which are the 12 servants of God sent forth into all the earth. 

Why are horns and eyes a good symbol for Christ’s prophets and apostles?

Horns represented power in John’s day. A horn is an extension of an animals power. Like a tool or a weapon. The head moves the horns and act in unison with it. Just like the apostles to Christ. Christ is the head of the church, and the apostles an extension of his power.  And eyes makes sense. Prophets are also known as seers. Men who see things that we can’t. They see the future, they see hidden truths, they see coming problems, they see the path through the darkness. They are also called revelators. They reveal what they see. 

6:2 The first horseman on the white horse.

And the answer is E

The desire to conquer and have power.

You see at the end of vs 2 that his is the riders desire. And he wears a crown on his head. A symbol of power over others.

6:4 Then the second horseman on the red horse.

The answer is L. War

He takes peace, they kill one another, and he has a great sword.

6:5-6 The third horseman on the black horse?

The answer is H. Famine

Balances back then were used for measuring out food. The prices the horseman is calling out are very expensive. A penny was a full day’s worth of work, and a measure is not much. Only 2 points. This would be representative of a time of famine.

6:7-8 The fourth horseman on a pale horse, which actually, the greek word suggests green. But not a vibrant, lively green, but a sickly green. An unhealthy green. Wha does he represent?

The answer is A. Death and disease

And you can see how all four horseman are related. The desire for power and conquering leads to war, which always leads to hunger and death. And you can see these interpretations at the end of vs. 8. 

And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, the red horse, and with hunger the black horse, and with death, the pale horse, and the beasts of the earth, I would say the white horse is the connection there because animals were often used to represent nations in the scriptures. These nations seek to conquer and dominate each other. If you are interested you can check out that imagery in Daniel 7.

6:9 The souls under the altar.

The answer is G. They are martyrs.  All those who have died for their testimony. People like Abinadi, Stephen, all the early apostles excluding John, Joseph Smith and Hyrum. All these individuals gave their lives for the gospel. 

6:12 Starting with vs. 12 The Great Earthquake

The answer is I. Unstable and uncertain times where things fall apart (Standards, morals, marriages, families, governments)

I don’t think we need to be checking the Richter scale as much as the news. Our world is in commotion. There is a lot of instability in our world. What makes an earthquake dangerous? Things falling. If you’re out in the middle of an open field, an earthquake isn’t that dangerous, you’d just enjoy the ride. But if you’re inside, or in the city, things falling is the major danger. The last days are times of great instability. Morally, we are on shaky ground. 

6:12-13 The sun becomes as sackcloth of ashes, the moon as blood and the stars are falling from the heaven. 

The answer is C.  Spiritual darkness of the last days

What John has done in this prophecy is take out each of the three major sources of light in his day. If you were standing outside and the sun turned black, then the moon a dark red, then the stars started to fall you would notice that is has gotten very dark. What’s he saying about the last days. They are times of great darkness. The light of the Spirit, of truth, of love begins to wax dim in the latter days. Remember that stars were used for navigation. The stars falling from the sky would cause people to get lost. We live in dark times where many are lost. 

6:14 The mountains and the islands moving out of their places.

The answer is B. There will no “safe” places for the wicked to flee to. Nobody can defend themselves from God’s wrath and from the destruction that comes to the wicked.  

Back in John’s day, mountains and islands were places of safety. Castles and fortresses were often built on mountains or on islands. That’s why they put moats around castles, to kind of make an artificial island. Much harder to attack. What’s he saying about the last days. There will be no where to run to. If you are wicked, there will be no places of safety to protect you from the wrath of God.

Finally the last one 6:17

The answer is F

This is not a symbol but a very important verse to consider. This is the most important question in the Book of Revelation. Who shall be able to stand? In this world of war and famine, and disease, and darkness, and instability, of stars falling and mountains and islands fleeing, who shall be able to stand? And I’m happy to tell you, that there is a way to stand in the latter days. There are places of safety offered. And that question will be answered in the next chapter. So that is where we will pick it up in the next video. So I’m leaving you on a bit of a cliffhanger here. Next week, we’re going to find out who will be able to stand in the Latter days.