The Book of Revelation: Preparing for The Second Coming

1. The Book of Revelation: Preparing for The Second Coming Part I

2. Statements and Quotations “Not every statement made by a Church leader, past or present, necessarily constitutes doctrine. A single statement made by a single leader on a single occasion often represents a personal, though well-considered, opinion, but is not meant to be officially binding for the whole Church. “Isolated statements are often taken out of context, leaving their original meaning distorted.” —The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Approaching Mormon Doctrine(May 4, 2007) "As I say, it never ceases to amaze me how gullible some of our Church members are" -Harold B. Lee, "Admonitions for the Priesthood of God", Ensign, Jan 1973

3. Statements and Quotations President Joseph Fielding Smith: “The voice of the First Presidency and the united voice of those others who hold the keys of the kingdom shall always guide the Saints and the world in those paths where the Lord wants them to be.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Ensign, July 1972) Boyd K. Packer: “Even with the best of intentions, [Church government] does not always work the way it should. Human nature may express itself on occasion, but not to the permanent injury of the work” (BYU Devotional and Fireside Speeches, 1990–1991 (Provo, Utah: University Publications, 1991), 84.)

4. “Whenever God gives a vision of an image, or beast, or figure of any kind, He always holds Himself responsible to give a revelation or interpretation of the meaning thereof, otherwise we are not responsible or accountable for our belief in it.” “The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 290.)

6. The Isle of Patmos

7. The Isle of Patmos “John received this revelation during a difficult time for members of the Church. During this time, there was intense persecution toward the Saints and apostasy and divisions among Church members. All the Apostles except John had been killed (according to Tertullian, Johnwas banished after being plunged into boilingoil in Rome and suffering nothing from it. It is said that all in the audience of Colosseum were converted to Christianity upon witnessing this miracle). Emperor Domitian, who had reinstituted emperor worship throughout the Roman Empire, exiled or executed those who did not worship gods approved by the Roman government and John was exiled to the island of Patmos for that reason” (New Testament Seminary Student Manual, 2015).

8. Story Time! PLEASE DO NOT SAY THE NAME OF THIS STORY OUTLOUD…. PLEASE DO NOT SAY THE NAME OF THIS STORY OUTLOUD…. PLEASE DO NOT SAY THE NAME OF THIS STORY OUTLOUD….

9. Wants pawn term, dare worsted ladle gull hoe left wetter murder inner ladle cordage honor itch offer lodge dock florist. Disc laddle gull orphin worry ladle cluck wetter putty ladle rat hut, en fur disc raisin pimple caulder ladle rat rotten hut. Wan moaning, rat rotten hut’s murder colder inset, “Ladle rat rotten hut, heresy ladle basking winsome burden barter and shirker cockles. Tick disc lady basking tudor cordage offer groin murder hoe lifts honor udder site offer florist. Shaker lake, dun stopper laundry wrote, and younder nor sorghum stenches dun stopper torqur wet strainers. “Hoe-cake, murder.” respendent ladle rat rotten hut, end tickle ladle basking on stuttered oft. Honor wrote tutor cordage offer groin murder, ladle rat rotten hut mitten anolmalous woof. “Wail, wail, wail,” set disc wicket woof, “evenescent ladle rat rotten hut. Wares or putty ladle gull goring wizard ladle basking?”

10. How is this experience similar to reading scriptures?

11. A look at the book of Revelation Revelation has it’s own outline Revelation 1:19 Write the things which… REFERENCE TOPIC Thou hast seen Revelation 1 Jesus Christ Are Revelation 2-3 7 Churches Shall be hereafter Revelation 4-22 The 7 Seals

12. A look at the book of Revelation Gerald N. Lund: “The basic structure of the vision is chronological. After seeing the Father and the Son in heaven (Rev. 4–5), he sees the first thousand years of history in rapid-fire form. Then he sees the opening of the sixth seal, which includes the restoration of the gospel. (See Rev. 6:12–7:17.) “After that, John sees the seventh period of a thousand years, with great judgments poured out upon the earth, including Armageddon (see Rev. 8–9, 11, 16), which eventually lead to the utter overthrow of Babylon (see17–18) and make way for the second coming (see 19). Immediately following that, John sees Satan bound and Christ reigning for a thousand years (see 20:1–6), a last great battle between the forces of righteousness and evil (see 20:7–10), and the final judgment (see 20:11–15). Finally, a new heaven and a new earth are brought forth. (See 21:1–22:5.)” (“Seeing the Book of Revelation as a Book of Revelation,” Ensign, Dec. 1987, 52). The Promise: Revelation 1:3

13. A look at the book of Revelation Rev. 22:17,20

14. The Second Coming “The most often mentioned event in the entire Bible is that wonderful, yet awful experience that we will have when Jesus Christ shall come to judge our world. There are many important gospel doctrines mentioned in the Bible only briefly, and some not at all. Being born again is mentioned in the Bible 9 times; baptism is mentioned 52 times, repentance is mentioned 89 times… “…But the Second Coming of Christ is mentioned over 1,800 times. If God thought this subject that important, he must have wanted us to do something about it” (Sterling W. Sill, in Conference Report, Apr. 1966, 19).

15. Chapter 1 Jesus Christ

16. Revelation 1: Jesus Christ “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day…” (Revelation 1:10) What do you do to be “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s day?

17. Revelation 1: The Lord’s Day Principles of Sabbath Worship • Does it bring me closer to God? • Is it unselfish? • Does it keep me ‘unspotted’ from the world? • Does it stop someone else from keeping the Sabbath?

18. Application for Preparation Do you prepare for and strive to keep the Sabbath Day holy?  

19. Scan Revelation 1:4-18 looking for a symbol. Revelation 1: 16‑18 Seven Stars in the Right hand Leaders of our churches are in the Lord’s hand “Candlesticks carry light; they do not create it. Their function is to make it available, not to bring it into being. So by using seven candlesticks, the Lord is showing that his congregations on earth are to carry his light to the world. Christ is the Light of the world. ‘Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do.’ (3 Ne. 18:24; Matt. 5:14–16.)” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:442).

20. Revelation 1: Jesus Christ • “The faithful witness” (vs 5) • “The ruler of the kings of the earth” (v.5)   • He “loves us” and He “washed us from our sins in his own blood” (v.5) • The “Alpha and Omega” (vs 8) • “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;” (v.14) • “His feet like unto fine brass and his voice as the sound of many waters.” (v.15)

21. Revelation 1: Jesus Christ Jesus Christ was “in the midst of the seven candlesticks,” (Revelation 1:13). During His mortal ministry, Jesus promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Doctrine and Covenants 38:7: “Mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me.” President Henry B. Eyring ”The Lord watches with us. He who sees all things, whose love is endless, and who never sleeps—He watches with us” (“Watch with Me,” Ensign, May 2001, 39).

22. Revelation 1: Jesus Christ • “The faithful witness” (vs 5) • “The ruler of the kings of the earth” (v.5)   • He “loves us” and He “washed us from our sins in his own blood” (v.5) • The “Alpha and Omega” (vs 8) • “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;” (v.14) • “His feet like unto fine brass and his voice as the sound of many waters.” (v.15)

23. Revelation 1: Jesus Christ Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8) “These letters from the Greek suggest the universal role of Jesus. He ought to be our Alpha and Omega...In every choice we make, he ought to be our point of reckoning. He should be the very brackets of existence. We should not stray outside him.” (Elder Holland, Sept 1974 Ensign)

24. Application for Preparation Do you feel that the Savior is the center of your worship and the center of your life?

25. A look at the book of Revelation Revelation has it’s own outline Revelation 1:19 Write the things which… REFERENCE TOPIC Thou hast seen Revelation 1 Jesus Christ Are Revelation 2-3 7 Churches

26. Chapter 2-3 7 Churches

28. REVEALATON 2-3:Letters to 7 Churches Unwilling to bow to Caesar and to worship him, Polycarp was tried in the presence of a mob before the governor and told to curse Christ. His reply was simple: “86 years have I served him, and he hath done me no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my king who saved me?" The governor persisted: "I have wild beasts; if thou repent not, I will throw thee to them." Polycarp replied, "Send for the beasts!"  Again the governor spoke: "If thou dost despise the wild beasts, I will make thee to be consumed by fire." Polycarp courageously answered, '"Why delayest thou? Bring what thou wilt." The governor’s messenger instructed the assembled multitude to burn him alive.  Timber and kindling were brought and Polycarp was thrown to the flames.

29. Application for Preparation We should be true “at all times, in all things, and in all places (Mosiah 18:10-18). Smyrna

30. REVEALATON 2-3:Letters to 7 Churches • Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) The church had forsaken its “first love” (Rev 2:4). • Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) “Ye shall have tribulation.” (Rev 2:10) • Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) Seek for ‘hidden manna’ (Rev 2:17). • EXODUS 16

31. Manna Rules: Exodus 16:16-26 Cross-reference: Numbers 11:4-8 lust vs desire? Numbers 11:18-20, 31-33 For the Strength of Youth, “Sexual Purity”, 4th paragraph Cross-reference: D&C 63:16 (three things lusting causes) Opposite of lust? HINT: (It’s not ‘love’) See D&C 121:45-46 What three things can charity create?

32. REVEALATON 2-3:Letters to 7 Churches • Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) The church had forsaken its “first love” (Rev 2:4). • Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) “Ye shall have tribulation.” (Rev 2:10) • Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) Seek for ‘hidden manna’ (Rev 2:17). White stone? Doctrine and Covenants 130:8–11

33. REVEALATON 2-3:Letters to 7 Churches • Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) The church had forsaken its “first love” (Rev 2:4). • Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) “Ye shall have tribulation.” (Rev 2:10) • Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) Seek for ‘hidden manna’ (Rev 2:17). • Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) “Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication…” (Rev 2:20). Those who overcome Jezebel did so “with the word of God”

34. Application for Preparation Thyatira Are there any Jezebels in your life?   Do you feel that your study of the scriptures is enough to overcome powerful Jezebel-like temptations?

35. REVEALATON 2-3:Letters to 7 Churches • Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) The church had forsaken its “first love” (Rev 2:4). • Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) “Ye shall have tribulation.” (Rev 2:10) • Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) Seek for ‘hidden manna’ (Rev 2:17). • Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) “Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication…” (Rev 2:20). Those who overcome Jezebel did so “with the word of God” • Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) “Remember what thou hast received and heard...” (Rev 3:3)

36. What is the most important word in the Dictionary? “Remember” appears 240 times in the Book of Mormon. “It could be ‘remember.’ Because all of you have made covenants… our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day, to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that they ‘may always remember him,’… ‘Remember’ is the word. ‘Remember’ is the program” (Spencer W. Kimball, Book of Mormon Student Study Guide, 147).

37. “When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen: My testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. “I urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness...You might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life? And then find a way to preserve that memory for the day.” (Ensign, October 2007) President Henry B. Eyring

38. Application for Preparation How well do you remember the Lord throughout each day?   How do you personally record the Lord’s dealings within your life?   Sardis

39. REVEALATON 2-3:Letters to 7 Churches • Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) The church had forsaken its “first love” (Rev 2:4). • Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) “Ye shall have tribulation.” (Rev 2:10) • Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) Seek for ‘hidden manna’ (Rev 2:17). • Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) “Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication…” (Rev 2:20). Those who overcome Jezebel did so “with the word of God” • Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) “Remember what thou hast received and heard...” (Rev 3:3) • Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation…” (Rev 3:10).  

40. REVEALATON 2-3:Letters to 7 Churches Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation…” (Revelation 3:10).  

41. “We live in a world offering fast food, instant messaging, on-demand movies, and immediate answers to the most trivial or profound questions. We don’t like to wait. Patience is a precious and rare virtue. Patience is a purifying process. Our Heavenly Father knows what every good parent comes to understand over time: if children are ever going to mature and reach their potential, they must learn to wait.”  (Ensign, May 2010)

42. Application for Preparation Philadelphia How is your level of patience?  

43. REVEALATON 2-3:Letters to 7 Churches • Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) The church had forsaken its “first love” (Rev 2:4). • Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) “Ye shall have tribulation.” (Rev 2:10) • Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) Seek for ‘hidden manna’ (Rev 2:17). • Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) “Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication…” (Rev 2:20). Those who overcome Jezebel did so “with the word of God” • Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) “Remember what thou hast received and heard...” (Rev 3:3) • Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation…” (Rev 3:10).   • Loadicea (Revelation 3:14-22) “Thou art neither cold nor hot…So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Rev 14-16)

44. Through a system of aqueducts, water was piped to Laodicea  from Hierapolis (hot springs) and Colossae (cold springs).  When these two rivers reached the Laodiceans, it was tepid and lukewarm.

45. 7 Churches Marion G. Romney: “There are those among us who are trying to serve the Lord without offending the devil” (Brigham Young University devotional, September 1955). “Too many of us are not committed to fully living all the commandments. Bidding Babylon farewell is our obligation. We can’t keep a summer cottage in Babylon” (Elder Neal A. Maxwell)

46. Application for Preparation What is your current gospel temperature reading?

47. Revelation 3:20 A Home Teacher was visiting his families. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door…. At church the next Sunday, the mother of the family came up to him, sheepishly handed him his card back and saw she’d added to it, "Genesis 3:10." Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in laughter… “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

48. “One day [an artist named Holman Hunt] was showing his picture of‘ Christ Knocking at the Door’ to a friend when the friend suddenly exclaimed: ‘There is one thing wrong about your picture.’“‘What is it?’ inquired the artist.“‘The door on which Jesus knocks has no handle,’ replied his friend.“‘Ah,’ responded Mr. Hunt, ‘that is not a mistake. You see, this is the door to the human heart. It can only be opened from the inside.’“And thus it is. Jesus may stand and knock, but each of us decides whether to open” (The Miracle ofForgiveness [1969], 212).

49. Chapters 4-5 Vision of Heaven

50. Chapters 4-5