Post
# 158 – Come, follow Me – Week 48 -- Revelation
1–11
-- “Glory, and Power, Be unto … the Lamb for Ever”
Dear Family and
Friends
I hope this post
finds everyone in good health and well-being😊
I am still fighting the soft tissue infection. I did get a priesthood blessing
today so I have no doubt that the infection will be gone soon. I have noticed
the red spots are getting smaller😊 I wonder if this was how the lepers
felt in their day? I know that my infection does not compare with leprosy, but
it was a thought that came to my mind one day when I pulled my sleeve off and
saw all the red dots all over my arm.
It made me feel glad that I had a need to wear
my sleeve so that no one else could see my arm in this condition. I also
wondered if my parents would feel comfortable leaving their children with me if
they saw it in this condition. I am sure they would wonder if I was contagious
to their child and ask a lot of questions. I am sure that my students would ask
a lot of questions as well😊 they are so very curious. Some of them
are still asking me why I wear my sleeve and glove every day😊
With my arm being
covered none of this has needed to happen and all is as it has always been. I
am grateful that the infection has been contained in just the one arm and has
not moved to any other part of my body. If that were to happen, I would need to
be hospitalized for further treatment. I am so grateful it is only localized in
my one arm😊 when your immune system is down you need
to be very aware of your body and anything new that shows up on it😊
I have had a good and
I may say productive weekend. Actually, I think the most productive I have been
in a long while it seems☹ I still slept a lot on Saturday, but I
did manage to get a few things done. Which is a great accomplishment for me in
a few months I think😊 it seems like I have been a bit sicker
this fall than I have been for a while. And now this infection!
How are you all doing
for Christmas – are you ready? I usually start buying my gifts in January so
that I don’t need to rush or worry that I have forgotten someone and need to
buy last minute gifts. By doing it this way it is a little bit at a time and
not so much of a hit in December, which has worked out really well for me
throughout the years.
The only real problem
I have lately --- is remembering where I have hidden all of the gifts,
especially after I have rearranged my room☹ The problem then becomes finding all
of the gifts and getting them wrapped in time for Christmas morning😊
I am sure there are more that I need to find. I found a few that the kids have
outgrown☹
luckily there are grandchildren that can still appreciate the gifts that I have
already bought😊
I believe the older I
get, the simpler I like things to be. I always made sure that my children and my
grandchildren had a wonderful and memorable Christmas throughout the years. It
is hard to keep Christ the focus of your Christmas when you live in a household
of family members that do not have the same focus as you☹
I do try to be a good example and I do try to share with them about Jesus
Christ, and I think they listen.
It seems as though
they are waiting politely for me to get done so they can go back to what they
were doing or want to go and do. I guess I struggle to get my feelings expressed
or maybe they don’t understand what I am trying to share with them. I know that what I have shared was not a
spiritual experience, but the struggle is real nonetheless😊
A good place to begin
your discussion with your family members and friends about Revelations could be
to ask them what they already know about this book of scripture😊
I know that for me, the book of Revelations has been hard to understand, but I
am getting better I think at listening to the Spirit as He teaches me. I know
that I have a long way to go, but I will keep trying😊This
brings me to the introduction of our lesson directly from the Come, Follow Me
for Individuals and Families manual:
Have you ever
struggled to express to others what you felt during a powerful spiritual experience?
Everyday language can feel inadequate to describe spiritual feelings and
impressions. Perhaps this is why John used such rich symbolism and imagery to
describe his majestic revelation. He could have simply stated that he saw Jesus
Christ, but to help us understand his experience, he described the Savior using
words like these: “His eyes were as a flame of fire,” “out of his mouth went a
sharp two edged sword,” and “his countenance was as the sun shineth in his
strength” (Revelation 1:14–16).
As you read the book of Revelation, try to discover the messages John wanted
you to learn and feel, even if you don’t understand the meaning behind every
symbol. Why might he have compared Church congregations to candlesticks, Satan
to a dragon, and Jesus Christ to a lamb? Ultimately, you don’t have to
understand every symbol in Revelation to understand its important themes,
including its most prominent theme: Jesus Christ and His followers will triumph
over the kingdoms of men and of Satan.
This may be a good time to learn more about John and the
Revelation of John from the Bible Dictionary: So, who was John? He was the
writer of many of the books and epistles in the new Testament. In the bible
Dictionary it says that he was One of the Twelve; son
of Zebedee and brother of James. In his early life he was a fisherman of
comfortable circumstances. (Mark 1:20). We may assume he is the unnamed
disciple of the Baptist mentioned in John 1:40. Later on he received a call to
be a disciple of Jesus Christ (Matt.4:21-22; Luke 5:1-11). You can read more about
John in the Bible dictionary here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/john?lang=eng
as well
as the guide to the Scriptures: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/john-son-of-zebedee?lang=eng
Revelation of John – Also known as the
Apocalypse; a Greek word meaning revealed or uncovered. The message of Revelation
is the same as that of all scripture: there will be an eventual triumph I this
earth of God over the devil; a permanent victory of good over evil, of the
saints over their persecutors, of the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of men
and of Satan. This is the subject on which Amos, Isaiah Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Daniel, Paul, Peter, and all the prophets have written. They spoke of a day of
victory that would come, and that the end would be better (more glorious) than
the beginning.
The victory would be achieved through Jesus Christ. Such is the theme of the Revelation. The details about the beasts, the wars, the angels, the men, etc., contribute to the development of this theme. By a little study, the theme can be perceived even if the details are not completely identified. It may be in this sense that the Prophet Joseph Smith said that “Revelation was one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written”(HC 5:342). You can read more here in the Bible Dictionary https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/revelation-of-john?lang=eng as well as the guide to the Scriptures: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/revelation-of-john?lang=eng
The victory would be achieved through Jesus Christ. Such is the theme of the Revelation. The details about the beasts, the wars, the angels, the men, etc., contribute to the development of this theme. By a little study, the theme can be perceived even if the details are not completely identified. It may be in this sense that the Prophet Joseph Smith said that “Revelation was one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written”(HC 5:342). You can read more here in the Bible Dictionary https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/revelation-of-john?lang=eng as well as the guide to the Scriptures: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/revelation-of-john?lang=eng
Jesus Christ is the Living Son of the Living God.
Studying this chapter could be a great way for you and your
family members and friends to build your faith that the Savior lives and that
He guides His Church every day and in every way. In Revelation chapter 1 John
uses a lot of imagery and symbolism to describe the resurrected Savior and all
that He did.
As you and your family members and friends are studying this
chapter together you might have them listen and / or look for several phrases
from this chapter that include imagery and symbolism and then share with them
and discuss what each one teaches us about Jesus Christ.
Questions you could ask for an example could be: What do we
learn from these symbols about how Christ leads His Church today? And: How does
John’s description of the Savior compare to the one found in Doctrine and
Covenants 110:1-4?
- 3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
The following comes directly
from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual, though I have
added a few study aides for you:
Ideas
for Personal Scripture Study
Revelation
How can I make sense of the book of
Revelation?
The book of Revelation
can be hard to understand, but don’t get discouraged. John’s promise may
inspire you to keep trying: “Blessed are they who read, and they who hear
and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things
which are written therein, for the time of the coming of the Lord draweth nigh”
(Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation
1:3 [in the Bible
Appendix], emphasis added).
3 Blessed are they
who read, and they who hear and
understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which
are written therein, for the time of the
coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
The following
questions and resources can provide insights as you study Revelation:
- Who was John? (See 1 Nephi 14:18–27; Bible Dictionary, “John.”)
- 18 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
- 19 And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe.
- 22 And he shall also write concerning the end of the world.
- 23 Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men.
- 24 And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see.
- 25 But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them.
- 27 And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel.
- How is the book organized, and what are some themes to look for? (See Bible Dictionary, “Revelation of John.”) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bd/revelation-of-john?lang=eng
- What do the symbols in Revelation represent? (See Doctrine and Covenants 77; New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 525–68.)
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/77.15?lang=eng
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/new-testament-student-manual/revelation/chapter-53-revelation-1-3?lang=eng
- It might also be helpful to look for insights in the Joseph Smith Translation of various Revelation passages. (See the footnotes and the Bible appendix.)
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/jst/jst-rev/1?lang=eng
We can overcome challenges through Jesus Christ.
As you may have realized we are like the Saints that John wrote
about and to at least in one way – we all face trials and adversity in our
lives. This may be a good time to ask your family members and friends to look
through, to search through Revelations chapters 2 and 3 – they are to identify the
trials that the Saints in John’s time were facing.
It is important that we understand that Jesus Christ knew each
branch’s trials and troubles, He knew their strengths and their weaknesses. You
might want to share with your family members and friends any experiences in
which you have felt that the Savior was aware of you, of your individual circumstances.
In these chapters what counsel did the Lord give to the Saints
of John’s time that could also help us to overcome our individual struggles and
trials?
You know that it is also in these very Same chapters that the
Lord made some inspiring promises to those who do overcome their struggles.
You might want to search or have your family members and friends
pair up to search Revelation 2-3; 7:13 –17 to find the promises of the Lord. It
may be good to have your family members and friends to draw pictures to
represent some of these promises and then have them each share with your family
group what they find.
Okay, now it’s question time: How do these promises inspire you
and your family members and friends to continue striving to overcome your own / their own trials and weaknesses?
The following comes directly
from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual, though I have
added a few study aides for you:
Ideas
for Personal Scripture Study
Jesus Christ knows me personally and will help me overcome my
challenges.
The Savior’s words in Revelation 2–3 reveal that He
understood the successes and struggles unique to each branch of the Church in
John’s day. He reassured the Saints in several congregations that He was aware
of, among other things, their “works,” “tribulation,” “poverty,” and “charity”
(Revelation 2:2, 9, 19)—along with some ways they
could improve.
These chapters can
remind you that the Savior understands your strengths and weaknesses and wants
to help you overcome your earthly challenges. What does Jesus Christ promise to
those who overcome? What changes do you feel prompted to make to overcome your
challenges?
2 I know
thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them
which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles,
and are not, and hast found them liars:
9 I know thy works,
and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know
the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and
are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
19 I know thy works,
and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and
thy works; and the last to be more than
the first.
Jesus Christ was the only one who could make Heavenly Father’s
plan possible.
If you think that an object lesson would be beneficial for your family
members and friends to help them to understand the symbolism in Revelation 5 about the Savior opening the sealed
book? It might be helpful to have a treat in a locked container to share with your
family study group. Just before the lesson will begin you could secretly give
one person the key to the lock.
Next its your job to describe to your family members and friends
what is inside the container. You could let a dew of your family study group try
opening the box before the person with the key opens it. Then you could compare
this object lesson to Revelation 5. The following questions might help: How is
the salvation of Heavenly Father’s children like the locked container or the
sealed book? Why was Jesus Christ the only One who could open the seals? The following
quote may also be helpful to you and your family members and friends to
understand why Jesus Christ was the Only One who could atone for us.
Only Jesus Christ could atone for us.
Describing events in the premortal life, Elder Jeffrey R.
Holland taught:
“Christ volunteered to honor the moral agency of all humankind
even as He atoned for their sins. In the process, He would return to the Father
all glory for such redemptive love.
“This infinite Atonement
of Christ was possible because (1) He was the only sinless man ever to live on
this earth and therefore was not subject to the spiritual death resulting from
sin, (2) He was the Only Begotten of the Father and therefore possessed the
attributes of godhood that gave Him power over physical death, and (3) He was
apparently the only one sufficiently humble and willing in the premortal
council to be foreordained to that service” (“The
Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Mar.
2008, 35). http://rikers.org/lds/ensign/2008-03/07.html
What blessings were dependent on the Savior’s worthiness to open
the seals? (see Revelation 7:14–17).
We too can be like the
jubilant people that were mentioned in Revelation 5, we – each one of us can also raise our
voices to praise the Savior as the One who is worthy to offer us salvation.
As you know it can be most beneficial for your family members
and friends if you could all sing together some of your favorite hymns of
praise about the Savior. For instance, you might sing “Glory to God on High” (Hymns, no. 67; or see the video “Worthy Is
the Lamb” on LDS.org) and identify truths this hymn
teaches about Jesus Christ. http://www.ldshymns.com/?s=Glory%20to%20God%20on%20High
Now it is question time again: What experiences have helped us
gain testimonies of these truths? What similarities do we see between the
messages of our hymns of praise and the declarations in Revelation 5:9–14? How can we better use hymns at home and at
church to worship and praise the Lord?
The following comes directly
from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual, though I have
added a few study aides for you:
Ideas
for Personal Scripture Study
Only Jesus Christ could make Heavenly Father’s plan possible.
Although you don’t remember it, you were likely present for the
events John described in Revelation 5. As you read about these
events, consider what it must have been like when we all realized that Jesus
Christ (the “Lamb”) would make Heavenly Father’s plan possible (open the book
and loose the seven seals). Why could Jesus Christ alone do this? How can you
show your faith in Him as your Savior?
Before the Second Coming, the Lord will gather the righteous and
prepare them to dwell with Him.
As you and your family members and
friends read through Revelation 7 look for the verses that describes the events of the “sixth seal,” some of which
represent our day. It also answers the question at the end of chapter 6: “The
great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (verse 17). Maybe you and your family members and friends could look for
answers to this question in chapter 7.
The following are some other questions you and your family
members and friends could discuss: Why did the Lord delay the destruction of
the earth for a time? How do ordinances and covenants “seal [us] up unto the
day when the wrath of God shall be poured out”? (D&C 1:9). What is our work in preparing the world for the Second Coming? Doctrine and Covenants 1:4–23; 77:8–11 might provide additional insights.
The following comes directly
from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual, though I have
added a few study aides for you:
Ideas
for Personal Scripture Study
The Restoration preceded the destruction that will take place
before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 6–11 describes events that
will take place during the earth’s temporal existence (see D&C 77:6), including the
Restoration of the gospel in the latter days (see Revelation 7). As you read about the
events John prophesied and watch some of them unfold, what are you inspired to
do to better prepare yourself and your family for the Second Coming?
D&C 77:6 Q.
What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed
on the back with seven seals? A. We are to
understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries,
and the works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth
during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence.
John’s vision teaches how Heavenly Father saves His children.
As you probably know, some of our family members and friends might
find the book of Revelation a bit difficult for them to understand. It may be
helpful if they consider John’s writings in the context of Heavenly Father’s
plan to exalt His children.
As you and your family members and friends read through and study Revelation 1–11 at home in your study group, you /they may have found truths that have helped
you / them to understand Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. You could
share with them what you have found or ask them to share what they have found.
You and they may also find it helpful to review the following scriptures
about the plan of salvation:
Scriptures about the plan of salvation.
Atonement of Jesus Christ
Premortal life
Mortal life
Postmortal life
You will want to encourage
your family members and friends to continue looking for scriptures that teach
truths about the plan of salvation as you and your Family members and friends
continue to read the rest of Revelation, and give them each an opportunity
during future lessons together to share
what they find in their individual and group study of Revelations.
It may also be helpful to read through the following from the
Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
Ideas
for Personal Scripture Study
Revelation
John’s vision teaches how Heavenly Father saves His children.
As you begin studying the book of Revelation, think about how the
things you read connect to what you know about Heavenly Father’s plan for the
redemption and exaltation of His children. You could start by reviewing the
overview of the plan of salvation in Preach My Gospel (pages 47–59). Then, as you read John’s
account of his vision, ask yourself questions like these: What truths do I learn
from Revelation about what Heavenly Father has done to help me return to Him?
How can this help me understand God’s plan for me?
It may help you to
know that in general:
- Much of chapter 12 deals with events in the premortal life (see also “Premortality,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/premortality?lang=eng
- Chapters 6–11, 13–14, 16–19 describe mortal life and events in the history of the earth (see also “Mortality,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/mortality
- Chapters 2–3, 15, 20–22 describe the Final Judgment and the glory that awaits the faithful in the eternal realms (see also “Postmortality,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org). https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/postmortality
Since we did
the Christmas lesson in m last post maybe you and your family members and
friends can think of ways to continue to Light the World each and every day in
the new year. Now is a good time to make a list of things that you can each do either
individually or as a family or family group that you can continue to Light the
World in 2020😊
Tell your family
members and friends that studying Revelation 12–22 this week can deepen their
appreciation for the Savior’s role in the plan of salvation. This will be our
last lesson of this year. In the new year we will be studying the Book of
Mormon. I look forward to sharing my study of the Book of Mormon with each one
of you. Remember that you will get nearer to God by following the precepts
found in the Book of Mormon that by any other book😊
Remember who you are –
you are each a child of God. You are either a son or a daughter of God. He
loves you; He knows each one of you individually; He knows your needs even
before you know that you have a need. He is there for you. He is only a prayer
away. He is ever reaching down for your hand to lift you up. Reach up and take His
hand😊
Please remember to
come back each week and study with me and all of your cyber study buddies😊
remember to keep saying your prayers. Remember to make good choices and love
and serve one another. Remember to work on your list of things you are going to
do beginning January 1, 2020 to Light the World☹
Remember to share what you are learning. Until my next post, please remember to
make it a very good week😊
