The Book of Revelation-Day 1
1) It
is NOT the Book of Revelations. It is the Book of Revelation. (NO S)
2) “Titles
of Christ in the Book of Revelation”
3) 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 he gets
together with the 3 Nephites on Friday evenings for a rousing game of Rook. (1
Nephi 14; Ether 4:16; D&C 7; 27:12; 3 Nephi 28)
4) Notice
the books by LDS authors- we believe the book! Its reception in modern times
has not been so unqualified as that of the rest of the New Testament. Luther
was at first strongly averse to the book, though, later, he printed it with
Hebrews, James, and Jude in an appendix to his New Testament. Zwingli regarded
it as non-biblical, and Calvin did not comment upon it. (J.R. Dummelow, The
One Volume Bible Commentary, p. 1069).
5) 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) DIVINE -
Not used as an adjective to mean Godly, but rather a noun to mean one who sees
the future. As a Diviner.
6 )Many
prophets have seen visions similar to John's; Adam, Enoch, Mahonri-Moriancumer,
Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Isaiah, Nephi (1 Nephi 14:18-27), Daniel, Joel, Ezekiel.
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)
7) A
required companion reading of the Book of Revelation must include; D&C 77.
8)
Our understanding of The Book of Revelation is significantly enhanced by the
JST, but it is not the book which received the most changes in the Bible.
Genesis 1532
verses 771 changed 225 added
50% altered 15% added
Matthew 1071
verses 682 changed 64% altered
Revelation 393
verses 81 changed 21% altered
We
will follow the King James Version with occasional reference to the JST
9) The message of Revelation is
there will be an eventual triumph on this earth of God over the devil; a permanent
victory of good over evil. (Bible Dictionary)
10) 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
11)
Historical background - About 95 BC, close to the end of the reign of Domitian(81-96).
The Church 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. See Matt. 24:4-10; JSM 8-16; 2
Peter 2:1-2; Acts 20:29; 1 John 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Isa. 24:5.
12) Quotes from people about the
Book of Revelation
1.
Martin Luther; "My spirit cannot accommodate itself to this book."
2.
Joseph Smith, "It is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be
written." (TPJS p. 290)
3.
Eusebius, "The Gospel and Epistle were written in flawless Greek; free
from barbarism, vulgarism; whereas the
Apocalypse was written in inaccurate Greek, full of barbarous idioms and
solecism." (Eusebius, Vol. vii 25)
4.
Robert Millet, "The Revelation is not very plain: As most readers of
Revelation can attest, reading this book is unlike any other experience we have
with the scriptures. Whereas most of the Book of Mormon, for example, is given
to us 'in plainness' (2 Nephi 25:4; 31:3; 33:6), Revelation is not terribly plain
to the generality of the Saints. John's messages are not always clear, and
coming to understand what is intended often requires extensive cross
referencing, searching out historical details, and much pondering and
discernment. (Revelation of John Offers
Recurring Lessons, Doctrinal Refrains, Church News, Dec. 23, 1995)
5.
Clyde J. Williams - "The world perceives the Book of Revelation very differently
from the way the faithful Latter-Day Saints perceive it. Many sectarian
scholars view John's book as nothing more than writing and prophecies
concerning his own day. Others view Revelation as merely a series of symbolic
illustrations showing the triumph of good over evil. Latter-Day Saints see the
Book of Revelation as containing information that deals with the past, present
and future, with the greatest emphasis on the future." (CES
Symposium)
6.
Gerald N. Lund - "The Apocalypse was written primarily for saints of
latter days. It reveals or uncovers the events of our own day and the near
future. Therefore, it is of great value for us to put forth the effort
necessary to make it a book of revealing, a book of revelation. (Things Which Must Shortly Come To Pass,
Studies in Scripture vol. six)
7. 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; at 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;... (BR McConkie, Ensign, Sept. 1975, p.
87)
8. S. Michael Wilcox - "
Another view of good and evil states that the war between good and evil is a
revolution, a rebellion against the original good. It claims that evil is a
parasite; there is nothing original about it...This concept when applied to John's
Revelation, provides a key to its interpretation and application. Using images,
John described and symbolically detailed Christ's kingdom. He also used imagery
and symbolism to describe the adversary's kingdom personality and will. The
imagery used for Satan's kingdom is like a distorted reflection coming from a
curved mirror placed in front of the imagery of Christ's kingdom. Side by side,
one after another, John placed his symbols."
Symbols are powerful teaching tools because they can
communicate to people in different generations and cultures. They can
communicate multiple messages. God often uses symbols to teach eternal truths,
including truths about His Beloved Son. To understand symbols, the following
guidelines may be helpful: (1) study the scriptures to determine if other
passages provide an interpretation or insight, (2) examine the context in
which the symbols are used, (3) consider the nature and characteristics of
the symbols, (4) use the study aids in the scriptures, and (5) most
important, seek personal revelation from God. 6) Check out that cool chart that
Gary made.
