New Testament Lesson 01 (Revelation 15-22)
December 26–January 1

INTRODUCTION

These final chapters are a crescendo of adoration for the gospel and Christ’s glorious atonement. John testifies of the glorification of the earth and the righteous Saints who will finally inherit it. As is always the case, words are poor vehicles to convey the fulness of such a vision. Nephi, who received a similar vision, was commanded to “seal it up” (1 Nephi 14:18–27). John was commanded to “seal not. . .the prophecy of this book. “(Revelation 22:10).

THE ONGOING WAR WITH SATAN

Important Insights from the JST

Revelation chapter 12 was discussed in last week’s lesson; however, a few additional insights may also be helpful this week.

Joseph Smith made many significant changes in the book of Revelation in the JST.
Of the many chapters in which changes were made, chapter twelve was the most revised.
Every verse, with the exception of verse 12, received some change. In two changed verses—1 and 7—the meaning of the entire chapter was significantly altered.

● “And there appeared a great sign in heaven, in the likeness of things on the earth; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars” (JST 12:1).

● “And the dragon prevailed not against Michael, neither the child, nor the woman which was the Church of God, who had been delivered of her pains, and brought forth the kingdom of our God and his Christ” (JST 12:7).

THE CHURCH IN THE LATTER DAYS (Revelation 12)

John later received a vision of the rise of the Church in the latter days, and of Satan’s opposition to it. He connected this opposition to the same bitter spirit in the war in heaven.

● The woman represents the Church of God (Revelation 12:1–2, 5).

● The child she brings forth represents the kingdom of God—the government that will exist on the earth during Jesus Christ’s millennial reign (Revelation 12:1, 4, 15).

● The dragon represents Satan (Revelation 12:9).

● The stars of heaven that were cast down to earth are spirits who rejected the plan of salvation and followed Lucifer in the premortal life (Revelation 12:3–4).

● There Was War in Heaven (Revelation 12:7–9). Lucifer and his followers waged a war in heaven against our Father in heaven and his faithful children.
— “Devil” means “slanderer” (he spoke evil of God and his plan) (v. 9).
— “Satan” is a Hebrew word that means “adversary.”
— “Lucifer” means “light-bearer.” He was once a righteous son of God.

— The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “The contention in heaven was—Jesus said there would be certain souls that would not be saved; and the devil said he could save them all, and laid his plans before the grand council, who gave their vote in favor of Jesus Christ. So the devil rose up in rebellion against God, and was cast down, with all who put up their heads for him.”1

— D&C 29:36–37 With their agency, 1/3 of Father’s children chose to follow Satan.
— Moses 4:1–3 Ironically, Satan’s plan would have denied them their agency.
— Abraham 3:27–28 Satan was angry that his plan was not adopted, and rebelled.

Continuation on Earth of the War in Heaven

● Satan is very angry at seeks our destruction continually (Revelation 12:12).

● A description of the apostasy (Revelation 12:5–6). According to JST Rev.12:5, these are 1260 years—the period of the Great Apostasy.
— The Kingdom is caught up unto God until its restoration in the latter-days.
— The Church flees into the wilderness (D&C 86:3).

● The woman going into the wilderness is symbolic of the Church of Jesus Christ, persecuted by Satan and driven into the wilderness of apostasy (Revelation 12:13–14).

● Satan continues to make war on the Saints today (Revelation 12:17). Gordon B. Hinckley said: “That war, so bitter, so intense, has gone on, and it has never ceased. It is the war between truth and error, between agency and. compulsion, between the followers of Christ and those who have denied Him. . . . It is waged across the world over the issues of agency and compulsion. It is waged by an army of missionaries over the issues of truth and error. It is waged in our own lives, day in and day out, in our homes, in our work, in our school associations; it is waged over questions of love and respect, of loyalty and fidelity, of obedience and integrity. We are all involved in it.”2

● The Church and kingdom of God will overcome Satan through the Atonement, through testimonies, and through their sacrifices (Revelation 12:11).

The Second Coming of Christ

● Great multitudes shout praise at the Lord’s Second Coming (Revelation 19:6–9).
— His coming is symbolized as a “marriage supper.”
— Christ is the Bridegroom, and his “wife” is the Church.
— Our relationship with Christ is sacred—like a covenant of marriage.

● Christ invites all to come to the wedding supper and be exalted (Revelation 22:12–17).

The First Resurrection

● The First Resurrection will begin at the Savior’s Second Coming (Revelation 20:4–6).

— Those who will receive a celestial or terrestrial reward will come forward in this resurrection (D&C 88:98–99).

— The Second Resurrection, or the resurrection of the unjust, will not begin until the end of the Millennium Those who will receive a telestial reward and the sons of perdition will come forward in this resurrection (D&C 88:100–102).

The Millennium

● Satan will be bound for a thousand years and cannot tempt mankind (Revelation 20:1–3).
— Satan will be bound because of the righteousness of the people (1 Nephi 22:26).
— Our little children will grow up without sin unto salvation, and Jesus Christ himself shall reign in our midst (D&C 45:55–58).

— Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: “After Christ comes, all the peoples of the earth will be subject to him, but there will be multitudes of people on the face of the earth who will not be members of the Church; yet all will have to be obedient to the laws of the kingdom of God, for it will have dominion upon the whole face of the earth. These people will be subject to the political government, even though they are not members of the ecclesiastical kingdom which is the Church. This government which embraces all the peoples of the earth, both in and out of the Church, is also sometimes spoken of as the kingdom of God, because the people are subject to the kingdom of God which Christ will set up; but they have their agency and thousands will not be members of the Church until they are converted; yet at the same time they will be subject to the theocratic rule.”3

The Battle of Gog and Magog

● When the Millennium is over, Satan will be loosed again for a time (Revelation 20:7–8).

● Elder Joseph Fielding Smith clarified the difference between the battle of Armageddon and the battle of Gog and Magog: “Before the coming of Christ, the great war, sometimes called Armageddon, will take place as spoken of by Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39. Another war of Gog and Magog will be after the millennium.”4

● In the great battle of Gog & Magog, Michael and his armies will defeat Satan and his followers and cast them away forever (D&C 88:110–116).

● The final fate of Satan, his angels, and the sons of Perdition is “a lake of fire and brimstone” where they shall be “tormented day and night forever” (Revelation 20:9–11).

The Final Judgement

● All will stand before God and be judged by their works (Revelation 20:12–15).

— Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: “We are informed that the books will be opened. One of these books will be the record of our lives as it is kept in heaven. Other books which will be opened are records which have been kept on earth. From the very organization of the Church the Lord has given instruction that records should be kept of the members of the Church.”5

● Those not found in the Lamb’s “book of life” will be cast into a “lake of fire” (spiritual death and eternal disappointment) (Revelation 21:8; 20:14). The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “A man is his own tormentor and his own condemner. Hence the saying, They shall go into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. The torment of disappointment in the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone. I say, so is the torment of man.”6

THE RIGHTEOUS ARE EXALTED

● The earth will be celestialized and the righteous exalted (Revelation 21:1–7).
— John said, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (v. 1).
— John described the New Jerusalem (vv. 2–3).

● John also described the celestial city of God (Revelation 21:8–15).
— There will be no temple there, for God and Christ will be with us (Revelation 21:22–27).
— There will also be no need for the sun to provide light.
— The tree of life will be there, as will be the throne of God (Revelation 22:1–5).

— President David O. McKay said of a similar vision that he saw: “The city, I understood, was [the Savior’s]. It was the City Eternal; and the people following him were to abide there in peace and eternal happiness. But who were they? As if the Savior read my thoughts, he answered by pointing to a semicircle that then appeared above them, and on which were written in gold the words: These Are They Who Have Overcome the World—Who Have Truly Been Born Again!”7

● The Savior said, “Behold, I come quickly” (Revelation 22:7).

— Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “Not soon, but in a quick manner; that is, with speed and suddenness after all of the promised conditions precedent have occurred. ‘I am Jesus Christ, who cometh quickly, in an hour you think not.’ (D&C 51:10).”8

● John said, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Notes:

1. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 357.
2. In Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 55–58; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 42, 44–45.
3. Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Elder Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 1:229.
4. Doctrines of Salvation, 3:45.
5. The Way to Perfection [1949], 342.
6. History of the Church, 6:314.
7. Cherished Experiences from the Writings of President David O. McKay, compiled by Clare Middlemiss [1976], 60.
8. Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:590.