NT Lessons 157-158 Revelation 14-19

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Lesson 157: Revelation 14–16

Introduction

In a vision, the Apostle John saw an angel restore the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days. He also heard a voice from heaven describing the blessings that come to those who die having been faithful to the Lord. John saw the gathering of the righteous and the gathering of the wicked in the latter days and the judgments of God being poured out upon the wicked.

I. Revelation 14  John sees the Restoration of the gospel and the gathering of the righteous and wicked

---Write the following question on the board:

Is it possible to enjoy peace even when the world is filled with wickedness, calamities, and violence?

---Invite several students to respond to this question and explain their responses.

---Invite students to look for truths as they study Revelation 14–16 that can bring them peace while living in a wicked and tumultuous world prior to Jesus Christ’s Second Coming.

---Explain that as recorded in Revelation 14:1–13, the Apostle John saw a vision of the latter days. In his vision he saw the calamities that would come upon the wicked. He also saw what would bring peace to the righteous.

---Invite a student to read Revelation 14:1–5 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what John saw happening in the latter days.

• What did John see happening in the latter days?

---Remind students that the 144,000 are high priests of the twelve tribes of Israel who will be ordained from every nation to administer the gospel and bring people to the Church (see Revelation 7:4–8; D&C 77:11).

• According to verses 4–5, how did John describe the 144,000 high priests who would administer the gospel throughout the earth? (Explain that the phrase “not defiled with women” [verse 4] means they were chaste, the phrase “in their mouth was found no guile” [verse 5] means they were honest and sincere, and the phrase “without fault” [verse 5] means they were clean from sin.)
• Why do you think being chaste, honest, and clean from sin would help the 144,000 high priests take the gospel to others?

---Explain that during John’s vision of the latter days he saw three angels. Invite three students to represent the three angels (these students may remain in their seats). Invite the student who represents the first angel to read Revelation 14:6 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the angel had.

• What did the angel have?

---Invite the student representing the first angel to read Doctrine and Covenants 133:36–37 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the angel did with the everlasting gospel.

• What did the angel do with the everlasting gospel?

---Display the picture Moroni Appears to Joseph Smith in His Room (Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 91; see also LDS.org). Ask a student to recount what happened during Moroni’s first visit to Joseph Smith. (If students need reminding of these events, you could invite a student to read Joseph Smith—History 1:29–35 aloud.)

• Under God’s direction, what did Moroni give to Joseph Smith that helped restore the gospel to the earth? (The record containing the Book of Mormon.)

---Display a picture of a temple that has a statue of the angel Moroni on top, such as the picture of the Salt Lake Temple found in the Gospel Art Book (no. 119; see also LDS.org).

• Why do you think a statue of the angel Moroni is placed on top of many of our temples?

---Explain that in a conference talk, President Gordon B. Hinckley quoted Revelation 14:6 and then declared, “That angel has come. His name is Moroni” (“Stay the Course—Keep the Faith,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 70). The angel may also represent a composite of the many heavenly messengers, including Moroni, who have assisted in the latter-day Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:529–31; see also D&C 13; 110:11–16; 128:20–21).

---Invite the student representing the first angel to read Revelation 14:7 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the angel said.

• What did the angel say?
• What is the meaning of the phrase “the hour of his judgment is come”? (The time will come when Jesus Christ will judge all the people of the earth. His judgments will occur both at the Second Coming [see Malachi 3:1–5] and at the Final Judgment [see 2 Nephi 9:15].)
• Based on what we have learned, what is one reason God restored the gospel of Jesus Christ? (Students should identify the following truth: God restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to prepare the earth’s inhabitants for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.)
• In what ways does the gospel of Jesus Christ prepare people for His Second Coming?

---Invite students to ponder how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has helped bring them peace while living in a wicked and tumultuous world. Ask a few students to share their thoughts with the class.

---Invite the student representing the second angel to read Revelation 14:8 aloud and the student representing the third angel to read Revelation 14:9–11 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the angels said.

• According to verse 8, what did the second angel say? (Explain that one meaning of the phrase “Babylon is fallen” is that the day will come when the wickedness of the world will end.)
• How might it bring us peace to know that the wickedness of the world will end?
• According to verses 9–11, what did the third angel say would happen to those who chose to follow “the beast” (verse 9), or Satan?

---Invite a student to read aloud the following statements by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Ask the class to listen for how the Prophet explained the torment the wicked would experience after they die.

“The great misery of departed spirits in the world of spirits, where they go after death, is to know that they come short of the glory that others enjoy and that they might have enjoyed themselves, and they are their own accusers” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 224).

“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 [see Revelation 21:8]. The torment of disappointment in the mind of man is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and brimstone” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 224).

• According to the Prophet Joseph Smith, what will be part of the torment the wicked will experience after they die?

---Point out that after learning what the wicked will experience after they die, John heard a voice from heaven describing what the righteous will experience after they die.

---Invite a student to read Revelation 14:12–13 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the righteous will experience after they die.

• What will the righteous experience after they die?
• What do you think it means that they will “rest from their labours”? (verse 13).
• How would you summarize John’s teachings in verses 12–13 as a principle? (Students may use different words, but make sure they identify a principle similar to the following: If we live righteously, then we will be blessed for our works and rest from our labors after we die.)
• How might this principle bring us peace even when we are surrounded by wickedness?

---Consider sharing your testimony of the importance of choosing to live righteously in a wicked world. Invite students to ponder what they can do in their lives to make sure they will not suffer the torment of the wicked but instead enjoy the peace of the righteous. Invite them to act on any impressions they receive.

---Summarize Revelation 14:14–20 by explaining that John described two harvests. In his vision, John saw that during the first harvest the righteous would be gathered from the wicked (see verses 14–16) and that during the second harvest the wicked would be gathered and ultimately destroyed (see verses 17–20).

II. Revelation 15–16  John sees the righteous in the celestial kingdom and seven plagues in the latter days

---Invite a student to read Revelation 15:1 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what else John saw occurring in the last days. Invite students to report what they find.

---Explain that as recorded in Revelation 15–16, John described seven plagues that would torment the wicked in the last days. However, before he described these plagues, John paused to reiterate the blessings that the righteous would receive. Summarize Revelation 15:2–4 by explaining that John saw a vision of those who would overcome Satan and praise God in the celestial kingdom.

---Draw seven vials or bowls on the board, and number them 1 through 7 (or simply write the numbers on the board). Explain that in his vision John saw seven vials, or bowls, that contained the seven plagues.

---Invite several students to take turns reading aloud from Revelation 16:2–4, 8–12, 16–21. Ask the class to follow along, looking for how John described the seven plagues. Pause after each plague is described, and invite a student to write the plague on the board under the corresponding vial (or number) on the board.

---After a student reads John’s description of the third plague, invite a student to read Revelation 16:6 aloud. Ask the class to look for one reason people will suffer this plague in the last days.

• What is one reason people will suffer this plague?

---After a student reads the description of the sixth plague, explain that during this plague the Euphrates River will dry up to prepare for the gathering of the world’s kings for the battle at Armageddon (see Revelation 16:12–16; see also Zechariah 12:11). At the end of this battle, the Savior will appear to the people in Jerusalem (see D&C 45:47–53) and to all the people of the earth (see Matthew 24:30; D&C 101:23).

---Invite a student to read Revelation 16:15 aloud, and ask the class to look for what we can do to be prepared for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. Explain that the phrase “keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked” refers to being spiritually ready.

• According to verse 15, what can we do to be prepared for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming? (Students should identify the following principle: If we are watchful and spiritually ready, then we will be prepared for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.)
• What are some ways we can become spiritually ready?

---Testify that the Lord loves His people and desires that we prepare for His Second Coming. Encourage students to be watchful and spiritually ready so they can receive the Lord’s blessings.

Commentary and Background Information

Revelation 14:8. “Babylon … , that great city”

“Babel was founded by Nimrod and was one of the oldest cities in the land of Mesopotamia, or Shinar (Gen. 10:8–10). The Lord confounded the languages at the time the people were building the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9; Ether 1:3–5, 33–35). Babylon later became Nebuchadnezzar’s capital. He built an enormous city of which the ruins still remain. Babylon became a very wicked city and has since come to symbolize the wickedness of the world” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Babel, Babylon,” scriptures.lds.org).

Revelation 16:15. “Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments”

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles applied the phrase “keepeth his garments” (Revelation 16:15) to “temple garments, garments of the holy priesthood, symbolical of the robes of righteousness with which the saints must clothe themselves if they are to gain eternal life.” He then taught the following concerning this phrase:

“Both literally and figuratively, to defile one’s garments is to disobey the Lord’s law, and to keep one’s garments (Rev. 16:15) is to keep the commandments and qualify for the robes of righteousness that clothe celestial beings” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 3:454–55; see also Revelation 3:3–5).

Revelation 16:16. Gathering in Armageddon

“The name Armageddon is derived from the Hebrew Har Megiddon, meaning the ‘mountain of Megiddo.’ The valley of Megiddo is in the western portion of the plain of Esdraelon, fifty miles (eighty kilometers) north of Jerusalem, and is the site of several crucial battles in Old Testament times. A great and final conflict that will take place near the time of the Second Coming of the Lord is called the battle of Armageddon because it will begin in the same locale. (See Ezek. 39:11; Zech. 12–14, especially 12:11; Rev. 16:14–21.)” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Armageddon,” scriptures.lds.org). The battle that will begin at Har Megiddon will spread to Jerusalem.

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Testify

One of the most important things you can do is testify of gospel truths and your love for Heavenly Father and His Son. Your testimony can help fortify students’ faith and comfort them as they face the difficulties of living in a wicked world.

Lesson 158: Revelation 17–19

Introduction

John saw that spiritual Babylon, or the wicked world, will war against the Lamb of God and that the Lamb will triumph over evil. The Saints are called to come out of spiritual Babylon, and the clean and righteous will be called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. John saw Jesus Christ coming in great power to destroy those who fight against Him.

I. Revelation 17–18  John foresees the destruction of spiritual Babylon

---Write on the board the following statement by Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy, and invite a student to read it aloud. (This statement is found in “Avoid It” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 17, 2013], 1, speeches.byu.edu.)

“It is easier to avoid temptation than it is to resist temptation” (Elder Lynn G. Robbins).

• Why do you think it is easier to avoid temptation than it is to resist it?
• What can happen if we put ourselves in situations where we must constantly resist temptation?

---Invite students to look for a truth as they study Revelation 17–18 that will help them know how to avoid many of the temptations and sins of the world.

---Remind students that John saw in vision seven angels that would pour out plagues upon the wicked in the last days (see Revelation 16). Invite a student to read Revelation 17:1 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what one of the seven angels said he would show John.

• What did the angel say he would show John?

---Invite students to read Revelation 17:15 silently, looking for what the many waters represent.

• According to verse 15, what do the many waters that the woman sits upon represent? (People and nations she has power and influence over [see also 1 Nephi 14:11].)

---Invite a few students to take turns reading aloud from Revelation 17:2–6. Ask the class to follow along, looking for words and phrases that describe the woman and her influence on the world.

• What words and phrases describe the woman?
• According to verse 2, how is the woman’s influence upon the rulers and people of the earth described?
• What do you think is represented in verse 6 by the woman being drunk with the blood of the Saints and martyrs? (Throughout the ages, many righteous people have been slain by the wicked, and the scriptural language suggests that slaying the righteous had an intoxicating effect on those who carried out the slaughter.)

---Explain that the beast described in verse 3 may represent Rome in John’s day as well as corrupt kingdoms and nations in the last days (see Revelation 17:8–13).

---Ask students to consider who or what is represented by the woman described in verses 1–6. Invite students to read Revelation 17:18 silently, looking for what the woman represents.

• According to verse 18, what does the woman represent?

---Explain that the “great city” (verse 18) refers to spiritual Babylon (see D&C 133:14). Because of the worldliness and corruption of ancient Babylon, and because it was a place where the children of Israel were captive, Babylon is often used figuratively in the scriptures to represent sin, worldliness, the influence of the devil on the earth, and spiritual captivity (see also 1 Nephi 13:1–9; 14:9–10).

---Write on the board:

The Woman = Babylon, or the wickedness of the world

---Invite students to read Revelation 17:14 silently, looking for whom Babylon will fight against. Ask students to report what they find.

• What will be the outcome of this war? (After students respond, write the following truth on the board: In the last days, Jesus Christ will overcome the wickedness of the world.)
• How can knowing this truth help you as a follower of Jesus Christ?

---Summarize Revelation 18:1–3 by explaining that another angel announced the fall of wicked Babylon.

---Invite a student to read Revelation 18:4 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the Lord instructed His people to do.

• What did the Lord instruct His people to do?
• What reasons did the Lord give for His people to come out of Babylon? (To avoid the sins of the world and the plagues or judgments that would come upon the wicked.)
• What truth can we identify from the Lord’s instruction to His people to separate themselves from the wickedness of the world? (Although students may use different words, ensure they identify a truth similar to the following: Separating ourselves from the wickedness of the world can help us avoid sin and the judgments that will come upon the wicked in the last days. You may want to suggest that students mark the words in verse 4 that teach this truth.)

---Divide students into groups of two to four. Provide the following questions to each group as a handout, and instruct students to discuss the questions with their group:

(click to view larger)

Separating Ourselves from Spiritual Babylon

• How does the restored gospel of Jesus Christ help us separate ourselves from the wickedness of the world?
• What can we do to separate ourselves from the wickedness of the world while we continue to live among, love, and interact with those who do not share our standards?
• How has separating from unrighteous influences and practices helped you or others you know avoid some of the temptations and sins of the world?

© 2015 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

---After sufficient time, invite several students to share with the class what they discussed in their groups. Invite students to write on a piece of paper (1) the unrighteous influences or practices they need to separate themselves from and (2) how they will do so. Invite them to keep the piece of paper where they can refer to it often, and encourage them to act on what they have written.

---Summarize Revelation 18:5–24 by explaining that John saw the fall of wicked Babylon and the sorrow of her supporters.

III. Revelation 19  John sees Jesus Christ coming in power to destroy those who fight against Him

---Show students a picture of a bride and groom. Ask students what they think is the best gift they could give their future spouse on their wedding day. After students respond, read the following statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“On your wedding day the very best gift you can give your eternal companion is your very best self—clean and pure and worthy of such purity in return” (“Personal Purity,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 77).

• Why do you think being clean and pure is the best gift you could give your spouse on your wedding day?

---Explain that Revelation 19 records a marriage analogy used to depict the Savior’s Second Coming. Summarize Revelation 19:1–6 by explaining that John saw that the righteous will praise God for His judgments against the wicked.

---Invite a student to read Revelation 19:7 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for whose marriage the angel announced to John.

• Whose marriage did the angel announce to John?
• What did John learn about the wife of the Lamb?

---Explain that the “marriage of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:7) refers to the Savior’s Second Coming. Invite a student to read aloud the following statement by Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ask the class to listen for who the Lamb’s bride is.

“In this dispensation the Bridegroom, who is the Lamb of God, shall come to claim his bride, which is the Church composed of the faithful saints who have watched for his return” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 469).

• In what ways is a marriage relationship a fitting symbol for our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ? (You might explain that marriage is a relationship that requires faithfulness, sacrifice, love, commitment, and trust.)

---Invite a student to read Revelation 19:8–9 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what Saints can do to make themselves ready for the Savior’s Second Coming. You might explain that white linen can symbolize holiness, cleanliness, and righteousness.

• As symbolized by the clothing of the Lamb’s wife, what must we do to make ourselves ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ? (After students respond, write the following principle on the board: If we are clean and righteous, then we will be ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.)

---Explain that the word granted in verse 8 means given or bestowed. To be cleansed of sin and made righteous is a gift from God.

• What has God done to provide a way for us to be cleansed of sin and become righteous?
• Why do you think being clean and righteous is one of the best gifts we can give to the Savior when He comes again?

---Invite students to read Revelation 19:10 silently, looking for how John reacted after hearing what the angel proclaimed to him. Ask students to report what they find.

• What did the angel declare to John that he (the angel) and other servants of God possess? (The testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy.)

---Explain that the “spirit of prophecy” (verse 10) refers to the gift of revelation and inspiration from God, which allows someone to receive and speak His word (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophecy, Prophesy,” scriptures.lds.org).

• How might a person who possesses a testimony of Jesus prepare for the Second Coming?

---Invite a few students to take turns reading aloud from Revelation 19:11–16, including the Joseph Smith Translation of Revelation 19:15 (in Revelation 19:15, footnote a). Ask the class to follow along, looking for words and phrases that describe the Savior at His Second Coming. Ask students to report what they find.

---Explain that the white horse mentioned in verse 11 is symbolic of conquest and victory. The Savior will come to conquer sin and wickedness.

• According to verse 13, how is the Savior’s clothing described? (Explain that the phrase “vesture dipped in blood” means His clothing will be the color of blood. This color symbolizes the destruction of the wicked at His coming [see D&C 133:46–51] and can also remind us of the suffering He experienced during His Atonement.)

---Point out that Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 19:15 clarifies that John saw that when the Savior came as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He would rule the nations with the word of God. Summarize Revelation 19:17–21 by explaining that John saw the destruction of those who fought against the Lamb of God (see Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 19:18 [in Revelation 19:18, footnote a]).

---Conclude by asking students to ponder what they can do to make themselves ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. Encourage them to act on any promptings they receive.

Commentary and Background Information

Revelation 17:5. “Babylon the great”

John’s vision of Babylon parallels much of Nephi’s vision of the great and abominable church, or the church of the devil (see 1 Nephi 13–14). Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

“Babylon the great is the church of the devil; it is the world with all its evil and carnality; it is every organization of every kind, sort and form—whether religious, civic, political, fraternal, or otherwise—which espouses a philosophy or promotes a cause which leads men away from salvation and toward the kingdoms of lesser glory in the eternal world” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:558).

Revelation 18:4. “Come out of [Babylon], … be not partakers of her sins”

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught what members of the Church can do to live in the world without being contaminated by its evils:

“Much of the world is being engulfed in a rising river of degenerate filth, with the abandonment of virtue, righteousness, personal integrity, traditional marriage, and family life. …

“… Despite pockets of evil, the world overall is majestically beautiful, filled with many good and sincere people. God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness” (“How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 100).

Revelation 18:4. “That ye receive not of her plagues”

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the righteous will not be spared from all trials and suffering associated with the judgments that will come upon the wicked:

“It is a false idea that the Saints will escape all the judgments, whilst the wicked suffer; for all flesh is subject to suffer, and ‘the righteous shall hardly escape;’ … many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease, to pestilence, etc., by reason of the weakness of the flesh, and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God” (in History of the Church, 4:11).

Revelation 19:9. “The marriage supper of the Lamb”

The “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9) is a symbolic reference to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught:

“Those who keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in His statutes to the end, are the only individuals permitted to sit at this glorious feast. …

“Reflect for a moment, brethren [and sisters], and enquire, whether you would consider yourselves worthy [of] a seat at the marriage feast” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 165–66).

Revelation 19:13. “Clothed with a vesture dipped in blood”

Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following concerning the Savior’s red clothing at His Second Coming:

“Having bled at every pore, how red His raiment must have been in Gethsemane, how crimson that cloak!

“No wonder, when Christ comes in power and glory, that He will come in reminding red attire (see D&C 133:48), signifying not only the winepress of wrath, but also to bring to our remembrance how He suffered for each of us in Gethsemane and on Calvary!” (“Overcome … Even As I Also Overcame,” Ensign, May 1987, 72).

Supplemental Teaching Ideas

Revelation 17:14. “The Lamb shall overcome”

After identifying the truth that in the last days, Jesus Christ will overcome the wickedness of the world, invite a student to read 1 Nephi 14:13–14 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what Nephi saw the Saints of the Church would be armed with in the last days. Invite students to report what they find.

• What do you think it means to be “armed with righteousness and with the power of God”? (1 Nephi 14:14).
• How do you think being “armed with righteousness and with the power of God” (1 Nephi 14:14) can help us in our spiritual fight against sin and evil?

Revelation 19:8. “Arrayed in fine linen, clean and white”

After reading Revelation 19:8–9, ask students to contrast how the Saints are dressed as recorded in Revelation 19:8 with how the woman is dressed as recorded in Revelation 17:4.

• How is the dress of the Saints different from that of the woman?
• What might this difference in dress represent?

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Focus on converting principles

When determining what to teach in a scripture block, focus on truths that will help students come closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior. President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency counseled: “As you prepare a lesson, look in it for converting principles. … A converting principle is one that leads to obedience to the will of God” (“Converting Principles” [evening with Elder L. Tom Perry, Feb. 2, 1996], 1, si.lds.org).