The Book of Revelation for Beginners
1. NO S
2. The author of the Book is John. 1. He is the author of 5 New Testament Books . 2. He was a member of the original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 3. He was a member of the First Presidency. 4. He is often called John the Beloved, and John the Divine or Diviner, Son of Thunder. 5. He was the son of Zebedee, brother of James. 6. He was a fisherman before his call to the ministry. 7. John has not yet died-He was translated. 8. He helped restore the Melchizedek Priesthood. 9. Present with Jesus, Peter, and James at the raising of Jairus' daughter, the Mount of Transfiguration and Gethsemane. 10. It was this John who Jesus asked to take care of His mother has he hung from the cross. 11. Rumor has it that he gets together with the 3 Nephites on Friday evenings for a rousing game of Rook. (See 1 Nephi 14; Ether 4:16; D&C 7; 27:12)
3. The title of the book in Greek is Apocalypsis, from which we get its other common name, the Apocalypse. Apocalypsis is formed from two Greek words. APO=A preposition denoting separating or removal and KALYPTO=To cover, hide or veil; Hence its English title, The Book of Revelation (or the uncovering or unveiling)
4. Many prophets have seen visions similar to Johns; Adam, Enoch, Mahonri-Moriancumer, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Isaiah, Nephi (1 Nephi 14:18-27), Daniel, Joel, Ezekiel.
5. A required companion reading of the Book of Revelation must include; D&C 77; 1 Nephi 14 and Ether 4:14-17. Joseph Smith – “After I got through translating the Book of Mormon, took up the Bible to read with the Urim and Thummim. I read the first chapter of Genesis and I saw the things as they were done. I turned over the next and the next, and the whole passed before me like a grand panorama; and so on chapter after chapter until I read the whole of it. I saw it all!” (Draper, p. 12)
6. The Book of Revelation is one of the books least altered by the JST. (In Genesis the Prophet changed 771 of 1532 verses, besides adding 225 completely new verses. Thus he altered well over 50 percent of the book and expanded it by another 15 percent. In Matthew he corrected 682 of 1071 verses, or 64% of the total. By comparison, in Revelation he changed only 81 of 393 verses, or 21%)
7. Don't get bogged down with interpreting every symbol in the Book and miss the main message: there will be an eventual triumph on this earth of God over the devil; a permanent victory of good over evil. (Bible Dictionary)
8. The Book of Revelation is one of three Bible texts endorsed by the Book of Mormon. A. Isaiah – 3 Nephi 23:1 B. Malachi – 3 Nephi 24-25; 26:2 and C. Revelation – Ether 45-16, 1 Nephi 14:18-27
9. Historical background - About 95 BC, close to the end of the reign of Domitian(81-96). The Church had enjoyed great growth with the missionary work of the Twelve Apostles. Branches had been established throughout Palestine, Macedonia, Europe and Asia Minor, but they are now struggling, because of persecution from Jews (Rev. 2:9; 3:9) and Romans and apostasy from within. Because of his testimony, John has been banished to Patmos, a rocky, barren, 400 sq. mile island about 40 miles from ancient Ephesus in modern day Turkey. While there he receives one of the most significant revelations ever given. He is to send this revelation to the leaders of 7 of the churches in Asia. (Modern Day Western Turkey)
10. Acts 8:26-31 - How can I except some man should guide me?
11. "If you have already fallen in love with John's presentation of the Plan of Salvation as it is set out in the Apocalypse, you are one of the favored few in the Church. If this choice experience is yet ahead for you, the day and hour is here to launch one of the most intriguing and rewarding studies in Gospel Scholarship in which any of us ever engage...In my judgment the Gospel of John ranks far ahead of those of Matthew, Mark or Luke; as least John's record of the life of our Lord is directed to the Saints; it deals more fully with those things that interest people who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and who have the hope of eternal life. But even ahead of his gospel account stands this wondrous work, the Book of Revelation...The common notion that it deals with beasts and plagues and mysterious symbolism that cannot be understood is just not true. It is so far overstated that it gives an entirely erroneous feeling about this portion of revealed truth. Most of the book is clear and plain and should be understood by the Lord's people. Certain parts are not clear and are not understood by us-which, however does not mean that we could not understand them if we would grow in faith as we should." (BRM - Ensign, Sept. 1975 p. 87)
12. JOSEPH SMITH TRANSLATION
GENESIS 1532 Verses 771 Changed 225 added 50% altered
MATTHEW 1071 Verses 682 Changed 64%
REVELATION 393 Verses 81 Changed 21%
Ch. 1 - A. Names of Christ B. Student Manual quote on East and West C. Symbol-Right Hand
Ch. 2&3 - A. vs. 4-First Love B. I know thy works, I come quickly, He that hath an ear D. Symbol-#7-52x E. The promises and challenges are different for each of the 7 churches but one promise is the same, "Eternal Life."
Ch. 4 - A. Helps; JST, TPJS, D&C 77, 45, 84, 88, 133, 1 Nephi 13&14, Ether 4&13
To meet space limitations in selecting JST passages for the LDS edition of the KJV of the Bible, the following guidelines were used:
1. Selections must be doctrinally significant. 2. Selections must contribute something not readily apparent in the other standard works, thereby avoiding duplication and saving space for unique JST contributions. 3. Priority should be given to passages clarifying the mission of Jesus Christ, the nature of God, the nature of man, the Abrahamic covenant, the priesthood, the antiquity of the gospel, and the latter-day Restoration. 4. Excerpts up to 8 lines in length should be placed in the footnotes, and longer items should appear in a special appendix. ("I Have a Question", Ensign, June, 1992, p.29)
Ch. 5 - the most complete description we have in the scriptures of the premortal council where Christ was chosen as Savior
Ch. 6 - John is shown a history of the world video. vs. 9-11 tell of John's time - Joseph said, "I have by the Urim and Thummim see those martyrs. They were honest, devoted followers of Christ, according to the light they possessed. They will be saved." (Millet p. 27).
Ch. 7 - My favorite verse is #15. It speaks of our ability to serve and worship God forever. The word "serve" come from the Greek "latreuo" which refers to the performance of ceremonies associated with God's sanctuary, which these can perform because they are Kings and Priest of the most high. (Draper p. 86)
Ch. 8 - Vs. 1 is a great example of what we do not know. What is that silence in heaven for half an hour. The speculation is fun and thought provoking, which is another purpose of this book.
Ch. 9 - The JST of vs. 1 makes is clear that Satan does not have keys. The angel has the keys to the bottomless pit. Keys trump power. They are the right to preside.
Ch. 10- John gets a little book with his mission call to serve on the whole earth for 2000 years. John is told that he can't write all that he has seen. (vs. 4)
Ch. 11- Chronology doesn't seem important in apocalyptic literature. There is lots of bouncing around. "It is not possible for us ...to specify the exact chronology of all the events that shall attend the 2nd Coming. Nearly all the prophetic word relative to our Lord's return links various events together without reference to the order of their occurrence. Indeed, the same scriptural language is often used to describe similar events that will take place at different times. (BRM- Millennial Messiah p. 635)
Ch. 12- The chapter most changed in the Book of Revelation. (95%) The chapter shows the war in heaven and its continuation on the earth in John's time. Also; the political kingdom of God is to grow out of the Church of God.
Ch. 13 - 13-18 show that Satan's power and dominion will include influence in 3 main areas; political, religious doctrine and economic. It is significant to look at our world today and see these 3 areas. I would add a fourth-standards of morality.
Ch. 14 - Divided into 3 parts; vs. 1-5, Christ's Mount Zion appearance. 6-13, 3 angels. 14-20, The harvest of the earth when the parable of the Wheat and the Tares is fulfilled.
Ch. 15 - A chapter to remind us that in spite of what will happen in the next 3 chapters, the righteous will be in Heaven with God in grateful praise!
Ch. 16 - The vials of wrath begin to be poured out; 1) Sores, 2)Sea to blood, 3)Rivers to blood, 4)wicked burned, 5)Devils kingdom attacked, 6)River Euphrates dried to prepare way for Kingdom of Christ 7)air.
Ch. 17 - Just as the Bride is Christ's Church, the whore is the Great and Abominable Church.
Ch. 18 - The wicked will lament the fall of Babylon AND disassociate themselves from it.
Ch. 19 - The wedding feast is the long awaited 2nd Coming. We want to be well dressed for this event of events.
Ch. 20 - Note vs. 12. We will be judged from the books. Records are being kept.
Ch. 21 - We finally get to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life. Living forever
Ch. 22 - A Celestialized earth! A warning against tampering with the prophetic word of John.
