REVELATION CHAPTER TEN
This
chapter is an interlude between chapters 9 and 11. We're looking for the 3rd
woe and we get an angel, possibly Michael, who shows him a little book
containing John’s future work upon the earth. We expect the 7th
trump, but must wait until chapter 11. The angel of this chapter stands in
contrast to the “fallen star” of chapter 9.
"This
chapter is particularly touching when one realizes that by this time (95 BC)
John has long been the only Apostle remaining from the Church which Jesus
established in the Holy Land. He was told he would tarry (see John 21:21-23
& D&C 7:3) but, as far as we know nothing had yet transpired with
respect to that promise. He is now an old man, likely in his nineties, and a
prisoner on the Isle of Patmos. Imagine his feelings when he is told that he
would yet prophesy before the nations and carry out a great mission among the
people of the earth! We know that he was translated and has not yet died,
rather, has continued assisting with the work of the Lord here on earth. He
will continue to do so until the 2nd Coming, at which time he will be
resurrected." (Ridges, p. 438)
Vs. 1 – The
mighty angel may be Adam. See D&C 88:110-112 which shows the battle at the
end of the millennium, which is a different context than this verse.
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MIGHTY ANGEL
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STAR
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Descends of his own accord
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Fell to the earth
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Possesses the book
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Had to have help with the key
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Brilliant light emanates from face
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Thick black smoke
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Governs cosmic phenomena (cloud, rainbow, sun
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Drove the demonic horde
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Prince of Light
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Prince of Darkness
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Revealer of Truth
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Prince of Lies
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Taken from Draper p. 113
The rainbow is a symbol of God's promise to Enoch that
Zion will again return to the earth. JST Gen. 9:21-23. (Brandt p. 215)
Vs. 2 – The
Greek designates the hand as the “right” hand
Setting
your foot upon something represents conquest. See Josh. 10:24. All earth is
subject to this angel.
Vs. 3 – The
seven thunders are “7 angels reciting what will happen in each of the 7 seals. (Possibly
dispensation leaders-Brandt) See also D&C 88:109 (vs. 95-112) to see about
angelic power.
Vs. 4 – This
is the only place in Revelation where John is forbidden to disclose what he
sees or hears. There are other places where prophets are commanded to not write
all that they see; Dan. 12:4; 2 Nephi 27:22; Ether 3:22-23, 27-28.
It appears from the added and clarifying
knowledge revealed to Joseph “Smith that the seven thunders which here utter
their voices are the seven angels reciting in some detail that which is to be
in each of the thousand year periods of the earth’s temporal continuance. In
the very nature of things, lest men become as God, knowing the end from the
beginning, John was forbidden to record these hidden things.
It also appears that John’s vision
prefigured what is to be when the events occur and that the promised
proclamations shall yet be made when the hour for Millennial peace actually
arrives. (DNTC 3:505) See also Isaiah 11:9 and Alma 12:9-11.
Vs. 5 – Some
translations say right hand. (NIV)
Vs. 6 – “time
no longer” may refer to the fact that there is no more time to repent, or there
will be no more delay, or to the start of the millennium. See D&C 88:110.
Vs. 7 –
According to D&C 88:112 Michael is the 7th angel. The message of
this verse is in the day when Michael sounds his trump we will know all that
has been revealed to prophets.
Vs. 9 – See
D&C 77:14 again. Two additional cross references for this verse are found
in Ezek. 2:7-3:3 and Jer. 15:15-18. Eating up the book was internalizing his
mission call. We are told to Feast upon the Words of Christ.
Vs. 10 – Could
this be a reference to the fact that our responsibilities are both sweet and
bitter? We live in a great and a dreadful day. Look at Jer. 18:18-20; 20:2-9
for a comparison between John and Jeremiah.
Vs. 11 - In
June Conference 1831, Joseph stated “that John the Revelator was then among the
10 tribes of Israel who had been led away by Shalmanaser, King of Assyria. To
prepare them for their return from their long dispersion.” (HC 1:176 quoted in DNTC
3:509)
REVELATION CHAPTER ELEVEN
"Chapter
11 is for me one of the most difficult to understand. My comfort level in talking about it
is not as high as with others, especially if pushed into too much detail."
(Wilcox p. 141) "It is better to be intellectually uncertain rather than
superficially sure. This will still leave us with a great deal to be certain
about, while maintaining a humility to learn." (Wilcox p. ix)
“John informs us that after the
city and temple are rebuilt by the Jews and the Gentiles will tread it under
foot 42 months during which time there will be two prophets continually
prophesying and working mighty miracles. It seems that the Gentile army shall
be hindered from utterly destroying and overthrowing the city, while these 2
prophets continue. But after a struggle of 3 ½ years they at length succeed in
destroying these two prophets and then overrunning much of the city, they send
gifts to each other because of the death of the two prophets and in the
meantime will not allow their dead bodies to be put in graves, but suffer them
to lie in the streets of Jerusalem 3 ½ days” (PPP, A Voice of Warning, p. 41-41)
Vs. 1 – To measure seems
to indicate a judgment resulting in protection or not. The reed is apparently a
measuring rod or surveyor’s rule, probably made from the “giant reed” (arundo
donax) that grows in the swampy areas of the Mediterranean lands. The reeds
were usually 10 feet long, some as long as 20. The temple referred to here was
probably not Herod’s temple. It had been destroyed 20 years before this
revelation. It probably refers to the temple to be built in the latter days in
Jerusalem. Ezekiel described this temple in great detail in Ezek. 40-46. Joseph
Smith also spoke of this temple, “Judah must return, Jerusalem must be rebuilt,
and the temple, and water come out from under the temple and the waters of the
Dead Sea be healed. It will take some time to rebuild the walls of the city and
the temple. (TPJS p. 286) Also note that the saints of God are referred by Paul
are “an holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:19-21; I Cor. 3:16). That is to
say, the community of Saints, speaking of those who attend the temple and
worship within its walls, constitute a temple of God. These are measured by
John and receive protection. The question we might ask is, "How do I
measure up?" I wonder if temple worthiness is the standard. In New
Testament times only those who held the priesthood could enter the temple
proper. See also 2 Nephi 6:14, Joel 2:11-18
Vs. 2 -Those judged to
be within the walls of the temple worship are to be protected (vs. 1), while
those in the outer court are not to be given this protection. See also D&C
1:9; 101:11; 109:45.
42
months- the number 42 is manifest scripturally in several ways, each of which
equals three and one-half.
Dan.
7:25 Dan. 9:27 Dan. 12:7 Rev. 11:2 Rev.
11:3 Rev. 12:14
Rev.
11:11 Rev. 13:5 Luke 4:25 James 5:17
Forty-two months, or three and
one-half, or 1,260, belong to the wicked and apparently signify their work. The
number 3 ½ may mean that the work of righteousness is cut short. That number is
one half of 7, the number of perfection and completion, which belongs to God
and his Saints. We recall that the number 7 is used symbolically many times in
Revelation with regard to God and his work…Further, the root of the Hebrew word
for seven (sheva) is identical to the Hebrew verb that means ‘to take an oath’,
thus connecting the word seven to covenants and covenant making. One-half of seven,
or 3 ½ represents an incomplete covenant (religious systems that appear to be
spiritual and to possess power but do not) or the broken covenant (apostate
conditions). (Parry 137-138)
Vs. 3 – D&C 77:15 – Q.
What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of
Revelation? They are two prophets that
are to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the
restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built
the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers.
See
also 2 Nephi 8:18-20. These two
prophets appear to possess the sealing power of the priesthood, with which they
(like prophets before them) are able to control the skies and smite the earth
with plagues (see 1 Kings
17:1; Helaman
10:6–11; Moses
7:13–17; Joseph
Smith Translation, Genesis 14:30–31
2 is the number necessary to
sustain a charge at court. (Dt. 19:15; 2 Cor. 13:1; Dt. 17:6; Num 35:30) They
will provide a dual testimony. “No doubt members of the Council of the Twelve
or the First Presidency of the Church.” (DNTC 3:509)
Sack cloth is a symbol for
humility and sorrow, worn by the poor and those who are mourning. (Gen. 37:34;
Esther 4:1; Isa. 37:1)
Vs.
4 – See Zech. 4: 3, 11-14- Note that they stand next to the Lord. Many of the events
connected to the work of these two prophets recall events of the mortal
ministry of Jesus; 3 ½ year ministry, prophesying, miracles, control over
elements anointed with oil, slain in Jerusalem by evil men, their ascension
into heaven. Meahem Haran wrote: “In general, any religious activity to which
the biblical text applies the formula ‘before the Lord’ can be considered an
indication of the existence of a temple…this expression…actually belongs to the
temple’s technical terminology.” (Temples
and Temple Service, p. 26, quoted in Parry, p. 140)
The reference to two olive trees
is an indication that they have been anointed with holy oil in the Lord’s
temple. Also olive oil is put into lamps
so people can be prepared to meet Christ as in the parable of the 10 Virgins. The reference to candlesticks indicates that
they will be an example to the world. (Matt. 5:14-16)
Vs.
5 – the words from their mouth would likely bring fire from God. See 2 Kings
1:10-18 and Numbers 16:35.
Vs.
6 – This verse calls to mind the sealing of the heavens by Elijah in 1 Kings
17:1 and Nephi in Helaman 10 & 11. Jesus referred to this famine in Luke
4:25 and said that it lasted 3 ½ years! Also Nephi in Helaman 10 & 11.
Other powers are talked about
being held by all Melchizedek Priesthood holders in JST Genesis 14:30-32 and
D&C 43:25. Power over water is referenced in Moses 7:13; Moses 1:25; Hel.
8:11; Mark 4:39; D&C 61:27.
As often as they will may be an
indication that these Elders will need frequently to call upon their Priesthood
power.
Vs.
7 – This beast may be the beast of Rev. 13:1-8. Like Jesus, Joseph, Abinadi and
other martyrs, death will not come until their mission is finished.
Vs.
8 – The prophet Joseph Smith taught, “It
has always been considered a great calamity not to obtain an honorable burial:
and one of the greatest curses the ancient prophets could put on any man, was
that he should go without a burial.” (HC 5:361) See also Psalms 79:3-4;. and 2
Maccabees 5:8-19 9: and he who had driven many from their own
country into exile died in exile, having embarked to go to the Lacedaemonians
in hope of finding protection because of their kinship. 10: He who had cast out many to lie unburied had no one
to mourn for him; he had no funeral of any sort and no place in the tomb of his
fathers.
Sodom
(Gen. 19:24) and Egypt (Abr. 1:23,
Egypt=that which is forbidden) take us back to the days of Abraham.
Vs.
9-10 – The rejoicing over the death of these two prophets appears to be
wide-spread. (CNN will be loving it.) The message of these 2 prophets is
pricking the conscience of wicked people world wide.
Vs.
11-12 – See Elijah’s account in 2 Kings 2:11. Also according to Clement of
Alexandria, Moses was taken by a cloud. (Draper, p. 123) See also Ezekiel 37:10
– And the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet.”
Vs
13 – “The damage is selective. A tenth of the city falls. This is the Lord’s
portion-his tithe that he will demand of the wicked. The number ten indicates,
among other things, the whole of a part. The ten plagues were the whole of that
portion of God’s wrath brought against Egypt, but not the fullness of his
wrath. The number ten represents all the tribes taken into captivity, but not
all of the house of Israel, nor all of any one tribe. Thus, it may be that the
Seer indicates that the judgment came at the moment of ascension, upon all the
wicked who fought against the witnesses.
That John uses the figure seven
thousand as the number devoted to death lends support to this idea. The number
is probably not to be taken literally. Rather, it signifies, as in other
places, fullness and completeness. Thus, the specific number doomed to death
all died during this judgment.” (Draper p. 123-4) It also appears that some are
converted in seeing this miracle.
Vs.
14 - 2nd woe is past
Vs.
15 – The 7th angel (Michael-D&C 88:112) is announcing the
beginning of Christ’s millennial reign. “Christ will reign personally upon the
earth”. Note a little Handel's Messiah at the end of the verse. Also note the
JST takes the "S" off of Kingdoms. There will just be one.
Vs.
16 – These Elders repeat this action of worshipping He who sits upon the throne
4 times in the Book of Revelation; 4:10; 5:14; 11:16 & 19:4. In 5:8 they
bow down to the Lamb. These are the same ones who back in 6:10 asked how long
it would be before justice would come on the earth as they witnessed the
persecution in the days of John.
Vs.
17-18 – The words are given here of the praise of the 24 Elders mentioned in
vs. 16.
The
rewards of the Savior to the righteous will be discussed in Rev. 19-22 and
include a wedding, a feast, a magnificent city, healing fountains, and fruit-laden
trees of life, and the comforting peace of the Master’s gentle touch. They were
detailed also in the D&C 76:92-95. The rewards to the wicked are covered in
chapters 13-18 and part of 19. They consist of the withdrawal of his Spirit and
allowing the minion of the adversary to bring about their own collapse. (See 2
Nephi 26:10-11) (Wilcox p. 156-7)
Vs.
19 – The temple is open in preparation for its chief occupant to leave its
sanctity and descend to the earth. (Wilcox p. 158) Also to receive those who
are worthy to enter it. (Parry, p. 147)
John’s statement that there was
seen in his temple the ark of his testimony” indicates that all exalted Saints,
not just the high priest of the earthly temple, will be privileged to gain
access to Jesus Christ and his sacred, heavenly dwelling. (Parry, p. 147)
“Few things could better symbolize
the covenant that God made with Israel than the display of the Ark of the
Covenant. At this moment, when all that was promised is about to come about,
the heavenly host enter the Holy of Holies and receive their eternal rest. But
not all is done. The worlds wicked must still stand judgment. So from the temple
issue flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a
great hailstorm. All these are sent against the earth once more. (Draper, p.
125)
Parallels
between the ministry of these two witnesses and the Savior;
1.
Both in Holy Land. 2. Length of
ministry 3. Light of world and 2
candlesticks 4. Power over
elements 5. Martyrs 6. Wicked rejoice at death 7. Resurrected after 3 days 8. Destruction accompanies death 9. Many
converted by their resurrections. (Taken from Ridges p. 439-40)
212-Day 7
- 1 Corinthians
Paul
arrived in Corinth in 51 CE and stayed 1 1/2-2 years on his 2nd missionary
journey. He also visited Corinth on his 3rd journey & wrote at least 3
letters to the people there. His 1st letter & their reply to that letter
have been lost. The city he saw was little more than 100 years old, but was 5
times as large as Athens & the capital of the province of Achaia. The
original Corinth was founded in the 10th Century BCE and had been the richest
port & the largest city in ancient Greece. It was practically destroyed by
the Roman conquest in 146 BC, but rebuilt by Julius Caesar 100 years later. It
was built a Roman city. Strategically located guarding the narrow isthmus that
connects the Peloponnesus (southern Greece) to the mainland, it was a powerful
commercial center near 2 seaports only 4 miles apart, one leading to Asia and
the other to Italy.
In
Corinth you could find the cults of the gods of Egypt, Rome & Greece. The
temple of Aphrodite, the goddess
of love, stood atop the Acrocorinth, a famous temple in the Classical Age. It
had fallen into ruins by Paul's time, but successors to its 1,000 cult
prostitutes continued to ply their profession in the city below. Corinth was a
city catering to sailors & traveling salesmen. Even by the Classical Age it
had earned an unsavory reputation for its libertine atmosphere; to call someone
'a Corinthian lass' was to impugn her morals. The very word korinthiazesthai,
to live like a Corinthian, had become a part of the Greek language, and meant
to live with drunken and immoral debauchery.
Communications
revealed that there were factions forming in the branch with different views
regarding moral conduct and doctrine. Some of the converts were assuming a freethinking
attitude with respect to the doctrines which had been taught to them by Paul
and the missionaries who worked with him. Some were defending loose sexual
standards that were rampant in the notorious city. There were reactions to the
new faith which had been taught to them against the old background which had
been part of their former conduct and thinking. It was his concern over these
disappointing happenings & also the questions that had been asked of him in
the communications that caused Paul to write a letter to the saints at Corinth
at Easter time, the anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus.”
In
addition to rebuking the Corinthians for their loose manner of living, Paul
wrote for at least two other reasons: (1) to correct certain misapprehensions
which had arisen from a former letter, now lost, & (2) to answer certain
questions posed by the Corinthians in their return letter, also lost. We can
only surmise from Paul’s comments in 1st Corinthians as to the contents of his
first letter or the reply thereto ( 1 Corinthians 7:1 ).
Written probably sometime between 54 and 57 AD. his epistle was likely written earlier than any of the other New
Testament books, including the Gospels. If this is true, Paul’s brief references
to the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ found
in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 and 15:3–4 are the earliest New Testament accounts of
these events. The New Testament contains more
counsel from Paul to the Church members in Corinth than to any other branch. In
fact, Paul’s two epistles to the Corinthians constitute one-fourth of all of
Paul’s existing writings.
Corinth
would be comparable to living in large cities today, like Chicago or New York
with all the cultural, education & economic advantages coupled with all the
vices that can accompany them.
"None of Paul's Epistles is more noted than 1
Corinthians for its clarity & simplicity or for the beauty & variety of
its figures of speech. The great number of topics treated, particularly of a
doctrinal nature is not approached by any other of Paul's Epistles. It's
doctrinal value is unusually great." (Sperry, p. 136)
Chapter 1
Vs. 1 - The JST makes it clear that Paul was called by
Jesus. Sosthenes in Acts 18:12-17 is the chief ruler of the synagogue in Corinth
who was beaten. Possibly the same one. This Sosthenes appears to be a scribe
for Paul.
Vs. 10 - A plea for unity- Note the cross references.
Also note that all of Paul's epistles have a unity plea.
Vs. 14 - Where the size of a congregation permitted, the
Jewish synagogue was presided over by a college of elders ( Luke 7:3 ),
who in turn were under control of one who was “the chief of the synagogue” ( Luke 8:41 ; 13:14 ).
Crispus was one of these. He was in charge of the synagogue in Corinth at the
time that Paul ministered the gospel in that city. He was converted by Paul’s
words and shortly thereafter baptized, with his household. Paul mentions him
specifically as being one of the few he baptized in Corinth.
Vs. 17 - Some have used this scripture passage to support
the notion that Paul saw no real significance to the act of baptism and did not
consider it to be essential in God’s sight. To argue thus is to ignore the many
other passages in which Paul speaks of the ordinance not only in an approving
way but in a manner to suggest its absolute necessity for all who would enjoy a
valid relationship with Christ. (Romans
6:3, 4 ; Ephesians 4 , 5 ; Galatians 3:27 ; Colossians 2:12 .)
The context in which Paul’s statement appears is that of chastising the
Corinthian saints for their tendency to stir up division and strife, even on
the smallest of issues. He begs them to cease such practices and to be “joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” ( 1 Corinthians 1:10 .)
The Greek word for divisions,schismata, is very expressive of Paul’s true
feelings. It was as if the great apostle was so thoroughly ashamed of such
factionalism that he refused to be identified with it. The test of one’s
effectiveness as a representative of Jesus Christ is not how many he baptizes
but how well he spreads the word of God so that all who will hear
and obey may do
so.
Vs. 18- Paul used the phrase "the cross" as a
kind of shorthand reference to the Atonement.
Vs. 20- When Paul spoke
against “the wisdom of this world” he was referring to the flawed philosophical
traditions of his day and not to the worthwhile pursuit of learning and
education that the Lord encourages (Matthew 22:37; 2 Nephi 9:29; D&C 88:78–80).
Vs. 23. In setting forth the idea that the crucifixion
was a “stumblingblock” to the Jews, Paul used a metaphor common to both Greeks
and Hebrews. The word in the original Greek is skandalon, the
same from which we derive our word scandal. The skandalon was
the movable triggerstick of a trap or snare which, when struck by the foot,
caused the striker to be caught by the trap. It is often used in the New
Testament as a symbol of Christ because his appearance and brief sojourn among
men was so different from that which the Jews anticipated. They expected a
mighty king of glory who would throw off the hated yoke of Rome in one
miraculous stroke and establish a messianic kingdom in which faithful Jews
would reign supreme. As far as many of the Jews were concerned, Jesus was
nailed to a cross just as hundreds of others had been. This was indeed the
triggerstick that caused them to stumble and fall into the trap. The prophet
Jacob in the Book of Mormon also spoke of this stumbling ( Jacob 4:14, 15 ).
Vs. 26-27 - Examples? See also 2 Nephi 9:28-29; D&C
35:13; 124:1, 17-24 & DNTC, 2:316–17.)
Vs. 28 - Here is an example of how words can change
through the centuries by acquiring a meaning almost opposite to that which they
originally conveyed. In the English of the 1600s, base meant
“lowly” or “humble,” whereas today it carries with it the idea of “lewd and
evil.”
Chapter 2 -
Vs. 5- Brigham
Young explained how his own conversion resulted from a
missionary who taught by the power of the Spirit: “If all the talent, tact,
wisdom, and refinement of the world had been combined in one individual, and
that person had been sent to me with the Book of Mormon, and had declared in
the most exalted of earthly eloquence, the truth of it, undertaking to prove it
by his learning and worldly wisdom, it would have been to me like the smoke
which arises only to vanish. But when I saw a man without eloquence, or talents
for public speaking, who could only just say, ‘I know by the power of the Holy
Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the
Lord,’ the Holy Ghost proceeding from that individual illuminates my
understanding, and light, glory, and immortality is before me; I am encircled
by it, filled with it, and know for myself that the testimony of the man is
true.
Vs. 6 & 7 - For
centuries the Greeks had glorified wisdom and man’s ability to achieve.
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle—these were the men of reverence. Even the very word philosopher means “lover of wisdom.” But Paul’s point is
that true wisdom comes only from God and therefore only
those who are spiritually minded can understand and receive true wisdom. Notice the phrases Paul uses in contrasting
the two kinds of wisdom in 1
Corinthians 2:6, 7 . The core of Paul’s whole line of reasoning
is summed up in 1
Corinthians 2:14 . The unspiritual (or natural) man
misperceives truth because it is perceived only by the Spirit.
“The
Lord’s prescribed methods of acquiring sacred knowledge are very different from
the methods used by those who acquire learning exclusively by study. For
example, a frequent technique of scholarship is debate or adversarial discussion,
a method with which I have had considerable personal experience. But the Lord
has instructed us in ancient and modern scriptures that we should not contend
over the points of his doctrine.
(3 Ne. 11:28–30; D&C 10:63.) … Gospel
truths and testimony are received from the Holy Ghost through reverent personal
study and quiet contemplation” (DHOaks,Ensign, May
89)
Chapter 3 - Unity & humility are again
emphasized in this chapter. (How often? How important?
Vs. 2- Alma 12:9-10-Those who harden their hearts receive
the lesser portion of the word.
Vs. 16 & 17 - "In a place where several temples were
dedicated to Apollo, Aphrodite, and others, Paul taught about the temple of the
true God which is the Church Of Jesus Christ. The temple of God spoken of in
these verses is the body of believers in Christ, that is, his Church, and the
Spirit of God dwelleth among or within you. (Plural ye) If any man defiles the
temple of God-meaning an apostate who distorts the doctrine and draws away
disciples after him-he will be destroyed by God. (Ogden p. 132) (6:19)
Vs. 19-23 - Who do you choose, Scholars or prophets?
"Let no man glory in men. (D&C 76:59-61)
Chapter 4 - Vs. 7- Why boast of God-given
gifts? Vs. 16- Oh that we say, "be
ye followers of me".
Vs. 20- Having the scriptures is not enough!- (1
Thessalonians 1:5)
Chapter 5 - 9 of Paul's 14 Epistles warn
about sexual morality. Here Paul reprimanded the Corinthian Saints in the strongest
of terms for allowing a case of incest to go uncorrected. He commanded in the
name of the Lord that the guilty party be excommunicated. Paul said, “Know ye
not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (5:6),
speaking of the damaging potential of allowing a moral problem as serious as
incest to remain unpurged. It should be recalled that a few years later Paul
prophesied that the abandonment of true religion would be accompanied by the
acceptance of degenerate standards of moral behavior. (2
Tim. 3:1–4.) Bill O'Reilly- "We have shot ourselves in the foot"
Vs. 11- “Do not
company with fornicators—not because you are too good for them but, as
C. S. Lewis wrote, because you are not good enough. Remember that bad
situations can wear down even good people. Joseph had both good sense and good
legs in fleeing from Potiphar’s wife” (NAMaxwell, Morality [1992],
29).
Chapter 6 - D&C 58:21-22
Vs. 9- Save by grace alone? Vs. 10-11- Corinthian Saints,
once guilty of the gross sins of vs. 9 & 10 are now clean because of Jesus.
(3 Nephi 30:2)
Vs. 13-20- Paul decries the Corinthian claim that as the
hunger of the body is properly satisfied with food, so sex appetites might
properly be fed with fornication.
Chapter 7 -1. It is quite certain, based on the
customs of his time, that Paul was married early in his life. (Of the 613
commandments that the Jews believed to be found in the Old Testament, marriage
was the first-and Paul was at one time a strict Pharisee. Marriage was a
solemn duty, and he knew it was not good of for a man to be alone) 2. We
know nothing of his family. 3. Much of his council on not getting married
pertained to missionaries. 4. Much pertained to his time and not to ours as we
can currently understand it. 5. We should be grateful that we do not have to
rely only upon the writings of Paul, in their current form, for direction on
marriage. 6. There is much that Paul wrote which is very beneficial for married
couples of any age. 7:3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, (D&C 74 &18:15-16),
Vs. 19, 20, JST 29-33 (Missionaries serve better if they
are single) We don't have the ? that Paul is answering.
In 1832, as the
Prophet Joseph Smith was seeking to better understand 1 Corinthians 7:14, he received the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 74, which provides important context for the
problem Paul was addressing.
Chapter 8 - Vs. 8-9, 12 - Eating meat sacrificed
to idols. It is not the meat it is the example!
Chapter 9 - Vs. 16- D&C 4:2; 107:99-100-Often
quoted by Pres. Monson.- Duty
Vs. 20-23- Paul is willing to adjust who he is to win
converts. Accommodation, but not compromise.
Chapter 10 - Vs.
1-12 - The Israelites in the wilderness thought they were bullet-proof, but
many of them fell-vs. 12
Vs. 13- Note Alma 13:28 and footnote a. Vs. 21- Choose ye this day...
Chapter 11 The
Sacrament - "With so much at stake, {the sacrament} should be taken more
seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective
moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions. As such it
should not be rushed, It is not something to get over so that the real purposes
of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the
meeting." (JFHolland CR 1995 p. 89)
Chapter 12-14 Spiritual
gifts - D&C 46 and Moroni 10:8-18 and Student Manual p. 374.
Charity - We do not love if we do not show our love.
"The concept of love is not a giant gift on a special occasion but the
continued support of personal caring...The tragedy of many unloving people is
that they only imagine they love. In truth they want to love but do not pay the
price to move from wishful thinking to reality..The impatient jerk on a child,
the harsh word to someone trying to assist, or the cold shoulder to a spouse
all reveal a smallness of soul...It is subtly disguised in appearing to care
but being too busy...Parents in time with their divine calling know that
eternal potential is wrapped up with their helpless and uncoordinated infant.
Parents of resistant teenagers are wise if they remember that the potential is
still there, and gospel brothers and sisters with this vision will do the same.
The future is unlocked by pure love, which believes and hopes all things...For
Paul, knowledge must be supplemented and revised but love never fails (13:8).
The gospel experience of unselfish love is closer to eternity than anything
else. It may be counterfeited by immorality and cheapened in superficial
society. But genuine love is a taste of eternity. (Anderson, Understanding Paul
119, 124)
14:1-6 See TPJS p. 162, 195, 247 & 229 for additional
information on the gift of tongues.
Chapter 15 - Vs.
1-2- Believing in the past tense isn't enough. Vs. 5-8- Witnesses of the resurrection.
Vs. 12-19-Perhaps the most revealing doctrinal problem at
Corinth was the belief of some that there is no resurrection. Here Paul established the
validity of the doctrine, pointing out that Christianity is meaningless if
there is no resurrection.
Vs. 20- What % of people resurrected? Catholics are-they
have sprinklers in their cemeteries. (joke)
Vs. 29- How many churches in the world teach this
beautiful doctrine?
Vs. 31-32- Why would a person sacrifice so much for the
gospel if death were the end? Note JST
Vs. 39-41- D&C 88:14-33; 2 Cor. 12:2; John
5:28-29-D&C 76
Vs. 55-58- BEAUTIFUL!
Chapter 16- Vs. 13-14- A great pattern for living.
Vs. 20- Least desired JST (by some)
The King James Version of the Bible includes
a short explanatory note at the conclusion of each of Paul’s epistles, such as
the one found after 1 Corinthians 16:24. These notes, called subscriptions, were
not part of the original text. While there is very little evidence to determine
who wrote these notes and when they were added to New Testament manuscripts,
most scholars agree that much of the information contained in them is
incorrect.
