“HE THAT OVERCOMETH SHALL INHERIT ALL THINGS”Lesson 45Revelation 1-3, 12

JOHN

Son of Zebedee and brother of James One of the Sons of Thunder In his early life he was a fisherman in fairly

comfortable circumstances One of the inner circle of three with Peter and James “The disciple whom Jesus loved” Banished by the Roman Emperor Domitian (81 –

96AD) to the Isle of Patmos for preaching of Christ (This is at least 50 years after he was with Jesus)

Did not die but has been allowed to remain on the earth as a ministering servant until the time of the Lord’s Second Coming (3 Ne. 28:6; D&C 7).

PATMOS

Patmos is located in the Aegean Sea and has a total area of only 13 square miles. Ephesus, where John had lived before, is the closest of the seven churches to the island.

REV. 1:10-19JOHN IS INSTRUCTED TO RECORD THE REVELATION HE RECEIVES FROM THE LORD THROUGH AN ANGEL. HE SEES IN REVELATION SEVERAL SYMBOLS REPRESENTING PARTS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST: • SEVEN GOLDEN

CANDLESTICKS• SEVEN STARS• A SHARP TWO-EDGED

SWORD• KEYS

The book of Revelation is written primarily in symbolic language. Its theme is that “there will be an eventual triumph on 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. … 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” (Bible Dictionary, “Revelation of John,” 762).

REVELATION 1:20

7 candlesticks = the 7 branches of the church

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “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).

REVELATION 1:20

Seven candlesticks = the seven branches of the church

Seven stars = the branch presidents (angels) of those seven branches

Seven candlesticks = the seven branches of the church

Seven stars = the branch presidents (angels) of those seven branches

The sharp two-edged sword coming out of the mouth of the Lord = the Word of God (1:16)

Keys of hell and death (1:18)

The three introductory chapters record John’s testimony of the truthfulness of the revelation, John’s instructions from the Lord, and John’s counsel to the seven branches of the Church in Asia. Chapter 4 records John’s vision of heaven, and Chapters 5 through 20 record his vision of the triumphant destiny of God’s kingdom. This vision shows the battles against Satan’s kingdom, the destruction of Satan’s kingdom, and the final scenes in the world’s history. After this is a vision of the new heavens and new earth—the world in its celestial state (Revelation 21:1–5). The book of Revelation concludes with the angel’s testimony and additional counsel from the Lord.

Understanding the Book of Revelation

REV. 2 - 3THE LORD TELLS THE SEVEN BRANCHES IN ASIA ABOUT THE BLESSINGS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME.

Ephesus Smyrna Pergamos Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea Rev. 2:1-7 Rev. 2:8-11 Re. 2:12-17 Rev. 2:18-29 Rev. 3:1-6 Rev. 3:7-13 Rev. 3:14-22

The good qualities of

each branch

Patient Has put false prophets on trial and found them guilty Labored and not fainted Hates the Nicolaitans (a sect that claimed license for sensual sin)

Good works Tribulation Poverty

Held fast in a very sinful place Has not denied the faith, even when Antipas was martyred there

Good works Charity Service Patience

Only a few are righteous

Have kept the word of God Have not denied Christ

None mentioned

The sins of each

branch

“Thou hast left thy first love”—perhaps growing indifferent?

No specific sins mentioned

Some desire earthly honors and rewards more than to follow the Lord’s will (the doctrine of Balaam) Some follow the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (a group that claimed license for sensual sin)

Have been tolerant of Jezebel, a false prophetess who seduces people into fornication and other sins

Seems to be alive but is really dead Works are not perfect before God

None mentioned Lukewarm: neither cold nor hot Materialistic Self-centered Rich Unaware that they are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”

How to repent

Repent by doing the “first works” (v.5)

Do not fear suffering Be faithful unto death

Repent, “or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

Hold fast Strengthen those who remain but are ready to die Remember what they have received Hold fast Repent Watch for the return of the Savior

Hold fast to that which thou hast; let no man take thy crown

Seek to “buy” refinement and white raiment and eyesalve that they may be truly rich, clothed, and able to see Be zealous Repent

Promised blessings to those who overcome

Promised blessing if they repent: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life.

Will receive crown of life Shall not be hurt by the second death

To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden (sacred) manna.”

Those who overcome will receive power over the nations, ruling with a rod of iron Receive the morning star (Christ himself?)

Shall walk with God in white raiment Name will not be blotted out of the book of life (see D&C 128:7)

Will be kept from temptation Will be a pillar in the temple of God Will have the name of God and the name of the city of God written on them

Will sit with God on his throne

WHAT IS THE FINAL OUTCOME OF OVERCOMING THE WORLD?

Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.

DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 132:20

Revelation 12: A description of the war in heaven and its continuation on earth

He sees a vision of a woman about to give birth

She brings forth a manchild

He sees a great red dragon who takes 1/3 of the stars of heaven after him and tries to eat up the child

The woman represents the Church of God

The child represents the Kingdom of God—the political government that will be in place during the Millennium

The dragon is Satan, who tries to obstruct the work of the Kingdom

President Wilford Woodruff said: “There are two powers on the earth and in the midst of the inhabitants of the earth—the power of God and the power of the devil. … When God has had a people on the earth, it matters not in what age, Lucifer, the son of the morning, and the millions of fallen spirits that were cast out of heaven, have warred against God, against Christ, against the work of God, and against the people of God. And they are not backward in doing it in our day and generation. Whenever the Lord set His hand to perform any work, those powers labored to overthrow it” (in Deseret Evening News, 17 Oct. 1896, 9; quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 56; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 43).

REVELATION 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

How can the Atonement of Christ and our testimonies of it help us in our individual struggles against Satan?