“He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things”

GD NT Lesson 45: Revelation 1-3 & 12

IntroductionJesus to Nicodemus he could be born again

John 3:4

The woman at the well was offered living water

John 4:11

The apostles were warned about the “leaven of the Pharisees”

Mark 8:15-16

What is the common thread? The words of Christ were interpreted literally when intended to be symbolic

Revelations is poetic imagery. It is intended to teach through visual cues

Bruce R. McConkie“Are we expected to understand the book of Revelation?” and then responded, Certainly. Why else did the Lord reveal it? The common notion that it deals with beasts and plagues and mysterious symbolisms 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. If we apply ourselves with full purpose of heart, we can catch the vision of what the ancient Revelator recorded.”

HistoryWritten by John (one of the original apostles)

Banished to the island of Patmos (off west coast of present-day Turkey)

“Revelation” was translated from the Greek word “Apocolypse” = to make known or uncover

Bible Dictionary: Revelation of John (para 1&2)

Purpose: triumph of Christ (hope), intended to help us make choices about our day - not simply a play-by-play of the last days

Guidelines to Understanding Section

Written in two parts (1-3: church in his day, 4-22, future (not necessarily in chronological order)

John sees several symbols representing parts of the Church of Jesus Christ4 things we should do with the book of Revelation JST Rev

1:1-3 (pg 799)

Read, hear, understand (added in JST) and keep

Why was understanding added? How does understanding alter how we ‘keep’?

How do we gain real understanding…if it is beyond us? 3 Nephi 17:3

Isn’t that comforting doctrine? We don’t need to be scholars, just humble truth-seekers

Why is ‘keep’ so often overlooked when it comes to the book of Revelation? Are we too focused on the interpretation of symbol

Chapter 1: SymbolsRevelation 1:10-12, (interpretation given in vs 20)

Candlestick is a KJV word for menorah/lamp (used oil in the seven bowls). Olive oil is often used as a symbol for the Spirit (giving light, healing, peace)

How is this an appropriate symbol for wards & branches today? McConkie quote (next slide)

Bruce R. McConkie“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 to portray the seven churches to whom John is now to give counsel, the Lord is showing that his congregations on earth are to carry his light to the world” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:442).

Chapter 1: SymbolsWhere is the Savior in relation to the candlesticks? Rev 1:13

He is not an absentee ruler, he is among us

Rev 1:14-16

What do golden girdle, white hair, fine brass, and sunshine all connect with? Victory through purity

vs 15, his voice as the sound of many waters

ATOT: Bridal veil falls in spring. The sound of the river was soothing yet struck fear in me at the same time.

How is His voice like that feeling?

Chapter 1: Symbolsvs 16, seven stars (vs 20, servants/leaders) of the Church, how is that an apt symbol? They are constant, we can navigate by them. We can feel secure that they rest in His hand.

vs 16, two-edged sword, Truth cuts deeply (1 Ne 16:2)

Truth will always motivate us to do something (either to be humble and change or to be prideful and rebel)

2 different responses to Abinidi’s testimony: The wicked priests hear truth and sought to kill him, Alma heard truth and was compelled by the Spirit to flee

ATOT: teaching Sam to write a letter g. He wanted to do it "his way" which looked like a q. Anyway that isn't the right way is, by default, wrong

Chapter 1: SymbolsRev 1:17-18

What is John’s response to seeing the power and majesty of the Savior?

How does the Savior comfort him? A tender touch & testimony.

Keys in ancient time were rare and worn around the neck. They signified authority and power.

What does keys of ‘death and hell’ mean? 2 Ne 9:10, death = death of the body, hell = death of the spirit.

How does Christ have the keys of death and hell? Resurrection and atonement.

Rev 3:7, He has the key to allow us access to the Father. He alone can open or shut it. Yet his promise in vs 8 is reassuring - the door is wide open.

Mormon 9:3-4, he may not have to shut the door, if we are unworthy, we will be uncomfortable entering (the door is always open)

The Lord tells the seven branches in Asia about the blessings promised to those who overcome

Chapters 2 & 3 contain the words of the Lord to each of the seven branches (example of his ‘in the midst of them’ leadership).

The verses deal with their strengths and weaknesses of each area.

The Savior’s correction pattern (Michael Wilcox book)

1. Praise for the positive

2. Correction for the negative

3. Promises offered if the transgressions are overcome

Why do we often skip step 1 and 3?

What does step 1 offer? Trust and comfort.

Why is step 3 important? Freakonomics: We response to incentives

It gives hope and determination to change.

To EphesusPraise: Rev 2:2-3

Correction: Rev 2:4

Promise: Rev 2:7

What is the tree of life?

1 Ne 11:21-22, Love of God

Why is this the most desirable of all blessings?

To SmyrnaPraise: Rev 2:9

How can we be in poverty but be “rich”

no needed correction: Rev 2:10

Promises: Rev 2:11

What is the second death? Spiritual death.

Alma 12:16, 32

To PergamosPraise: Rev 2:13

Correction: Rev 2:14, Balaam - OT prophet, was strong at first but eventually gave in to Balak’s offer of riches and taught him how to weaken the army of Israel.

Promises: Rev 2:17

hidden manna= sacred, not revealed to everyone (knowledge received in the temple)

white stone = D&C 130: 10-11, gift of revelation

new name = associated with a change in authority, a fresh start, the beginning of an era (The pope takes a new name, Kings & Queens receive a new name at coronation)

To ThyatiraPraise: Rev 2:19

Correction: Rev 2:20

Jezebel, Ahab’s wife who brought the worship of Baal back into Israel. She was cast out of a window and all of their descendants were killed.

Promises: Rev 2:26-27, JST (pg 799), offers a much softer promise.

How are we like clay in the hands of the potter?

To SardisCorrection comes first (there is not much left to compliment): Rev 3:1-2, hypocrisy: they have a reputation for being Saints but are not living up to it

Praise: Rev 3:4, a few remain faithful

Promises: Rev 3:5

What is the ‘book of life’? Bible Dictionary: sum total of one’s thoughts and actions.

To PhiladelphiaPraise: Rev 3:10-11

No correction (I’m sure they weren’t perfect but he chose to focus on their good)

Promise: Rev 3:12

What does a pillar do…especially in Greek architecture? It hold up the edifice, strengthens from within, is permanent, brings beauty.

What does it mean to have his name written on us? We will become like Him.

To LaodiceaNot much room for praise

Correction: Rev 3:15-17

How are we spiritually “lukewarm”

Gordon B. Hinckley: “Each of us has to face the matter—either the Church is true, or it is a fraud. There is no middle ground. It is the Church and kingdom of God, or it is nothing” (“Loyalty,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 60).

They had shifted their affection to worldly things. They aren’t against the church, they just don’t feel its need.

ATOT: MTV Cribs, the houses were amazing but they were empty.

Promise: Rev 3:19-21, he shows an increase of love (just like he recommends in D&C 121:43-44)

Conclusion Rev 3:20

The door to our hearts is shut

He is knocking, calling out quietly

Why don’t we open it?

We don’t recognize the voice

Our house is a mess, we haven’t been ‘trimming our lamps, watching for him’

ATOT: Going to Katie’s house and waiting in the driveway

If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in (despite the state)