1) It is NOT the Book of Revelations. It is the Book of Revelation. (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) 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)
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 14:18-279) 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. 24:4-4, 10; JSM 8, 16; 2 Peter 2:1-2; Acts 20:29; 1 John 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Isa. 24:5
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 terrible 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. Bruce R. McConkie - 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. ... “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." (Ensign, Sept. 1975, p. 87)