“Revelation 1–5,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)

The Figure of Christ, by Heinrich Hofmann

Revelation 1–5

While on the island of Patmos, the Apostle John received a revelation from Jesus Christ. The Savior used symbolism to teach about His power and eternal mission. He commanded John to provide counsel and correction to seven branches of the Church. John saw God the Father enthroned in heaven and exalted beings worshipping Him. God held in his hands a book with seven seals that only Jesus Christ is worthy to open.

Additional Resources

Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Revelation 1–5”

Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.

Encouraging Personal Study

Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:

The Lord often uses symbols to teach us about Himself and His gospel. The book of Revelation is full of powerful symbolism. As you study Revelation 1, pay attention to what symbols you find and what they teach you about Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 1:1–8 (Gospel Library) clarifies some of the symbolism.
Think of moments when you have felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges and temptations. As you study Revelation 2–3, look for the Lord’s promises to those who faithfully overcome the sins and tribulations of the world. Which promised blessings are you looking forward to most?
When we learn more about who Jesus Christ is, our love and reverence for Him can increase. As you read Revelation 4–5, pay attention to what you learn that can help you feel greater love and reverence for the Savior.

Questions and Sharing

Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Revelation 1–5.

Skill Training

Because the book of Revelation is full of symbolism, it might be a helpful place to use the skill “Understanding Symbolism in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.

Learning Activity Options

Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Use Scripture Helps. When preparing, carefully study the material in Scripture Helps. These resources can help clarify the doctrine, provide help for students’ questions, or spark ideas for class. You might invite the students to use Scripture Helps in their preparation for class. Encourage them to use these helps to enhance, but not replace, their study of the verses.

Revelation 1

What can I learn about Jesus Christ from the symbols in Revelation?

Consider writing the word symbols on the board. Explain that the Lord frequently uses symbolism in the scriptures to help us better understand who He is and to teach us about His gospel. You could invite students to discuss the following questions with a partner:

What are a few symbols you can think of that are mentioned in the scriptures?
What can these symbols teach you about Jesus Christ and His gospel?

Point out that the book of Revelation is full of rich symbolism. It may be helpful to explain that Revelation was written by the Apostle John. In this book, John recorded truths that were revealed to him about Jesus Christ, His role in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation, the events preceding His Second Coming, and His Millennial reign. (For more background information, see “To whom was the book of Revelation written and why?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)

In this learning activity, students will learn from some of the symbols found in Revelation 1. To prepare students for this activity, consider introducing them to the three tips from “Understanding Symbolism in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.

Display the following instructions. Invite students to use the tips for understanding symbolism and seek spiritual guidance in their studies.

Study Revelation 1:3–6, 9–20 (including the Joseph Smith Translation for Revelation 1:1–8 [Gospel Library] and 1:20 [in Revelation 1:20, footnote b]).
Use the resources found in Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Revelation 1–5,” to help you better understand the meaning and symbolism of these verses.
Prepare to share the following:
- A symbol you found
- What the symbol can teach you about Jesus Christ, your relationship with Him, or His role in God’s plan

Give students time to share with a partner or small group what they discovered. Then ask questions like the following, inviting a few students to share their insights with the class:

What are some truths you learned about Jesus Christ from the symbols you studied? (A few examples of the many truths students might share include: Through Jesus Christ we can be cleansed of our sins [see Revelation 1:5]. Jesus Christ watches over and cares for His faithful followers [see Revelation 1:13, 20]. Jesus Christ is a glorified, resurrected being who has power over death and hell [see Revelation 1:17–18].)
How can remembering these truths about the Savior affect you?

Encourage students to continue seeking to understand the symbolism in their study of the book of Revelation. You could follow up in future lessons by inviting them to share what they have learned from symbols they have found.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Revelation 2–3

Why is it worth the effort to strive to overcome the world?

Consider beginning this learning activity by discussing the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

We are presently living in what surely is a most complicated time in the history of the world. The complexities and challenges leave many people feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. (“Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 95)

What are some complexities and challenges in life that can leave people feeling overwhelmed or exhausted? (Consider writing students’ responses on the board.)

Explain that the Saints John addressed in the book of Revelation were also living in a complicated time. They faced many challenges, including severe persecution and apostasy from within the Church. Through John, the Savior provided words of counsel and encouragement. Invite students to think of specific challenges they may be facing in their lives. Encourage them as they study to pay attention to what the Holy Ghost teaches them about overcoming their challenges.

Display the following passages. Explain that each passage is a message to one of the seven branches of the Church that John addressed in the book of Revelation.

Invite students to choose one or more of these passages to study. You could encourage them to use Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Revelation 1–5,” for help understanding difficult words or phrases. Invite them to prepare to share answers to the following questions:

What challenges are described in these verses that needed to be overcome?
What do you learn about the Lord from His teachings to these Saints?
What blessings did the Lord promise to those who overcome?

Invite students to share their responses with a partner or small group. When students finish their discussion, point out that each set of counsel to the Saints contained a promise from the Lord to those who overcome. If needed, invite students to review this counsel in Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26–28; 3:5, 12, 21. Or you could share the following statement by Elder Neil L. Andersen:

The blessings that the Lord has promised to those who overcome the world are breathtaking. They will be “clothed in white … and [named in] the book of life.” The Lord “will confess [their names] before [the] Father, and before his angels” [Revelation 3:5]. Each shall have “part in the first resurrection” [Doctrine and Covenants 76:64], receive eternal life, and “go no more out” [Revelation 3:12] from the presence of God. (“Overcoming the World,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 59)

How would you summarize the blessings the Lord has promised to those who strive to overcome the world and its associated challenges? (Students may identify a truth like the following: If we overcome the wickedness of the world, then the Savior will give us the blessings of exaltation.)
How can remembering the Savior’s promised blessings help you overcome your challenges?

Consider reading John 16:32–33 and the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson. Invite students to discuss how these teachings can give us hope as we seek to overcome the world.

Because Jesus Christ overcame this fallen world, and because He atoned for each of us, you too can overcome this sin-saturated, self-centered, and often exhausting world. …

Overcoming the world is not an event that happens in a day or two. It happens over a lifetime as we repeatedly embrace the doctrine of Christ. …

As we strive to live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our hearts and our very natures begin to change. The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace, and rest. (“Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 96, 97)

How have you felt strengthened by Jesus Christ to overcome the world and its challenges? (As part of your discussion, you could watch “Overcoming Challenges” [5:02]).

5:2

Invite students to prayerfully consider what the Lord may want them to overcome with His help. Encourage them to determine what they will do to seek God’s help in overcoming these challenges.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Revelation 4–5

How can understanding more about Jesus Christ increase my love and reverence for Him?

Display an image of Jesus Christ like the one from the beginning of the lesson. Invite students to imagine they are speaking with a friend who does not know much about the Savior. The friend asks, “What makes Jesus different from other people like you and me?”

How might you respond to your friend?

Explain that the Apostle John saw a vision that can help us understand the power and majesty of Jesus Christ. Encourage students as they study this account to be receptive to feelings from the Holy Ghost that can help them feel more love and reverence for the Savior.

To introduce students to this vision, explain that John saw God the Father sitting on His throne in heaven. Surrounding the throne were various glorified beings and beasts praising and worshipping Him. (See Revelation 4:1–11. To help students understand symbolism from these verses, you could refer them to Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Revelation 1–5.” They could also study Doctrine and Covenants 77:1–5.)

Invite students to read Revelation 4:8–11, looking for what those assembled around Heavenly Father said and did.

What stands out to you about the words and actions of those surrounding God’s throne? Why?
What do you think the elders casting their crowns before Heavenly Father’s throne could represent? (Possible answers include their recognition of Heavenly Father’s greatness; their acknowledgment that they owe their exaltation to Him; and their reverence, adoration, and submissive devotion to Him.)

Invite students to study Revelation 5:1–14, looking for the important role Jesus Christ played in this vision. Point out that there are many symbols in these verses. Encourage students to use Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Revelation 1–5,” for help understanding some of these symbols. (It will also be helpful for you as the teacher to be familiar with the contents of this Scripture Helps section so you can be prepared to discuss students’ insights and questions.)

Invite students to share their insights from Revelation 5. As needed, consider using questions like the following:

What truths did you learn or feel about Jesus Christ as you studied these verses? (As students respond, some may identify a truth like the following: Jesus Christ redeemed us through His atoning sacrifice.)
Why is Jesus Christ the only one who is worthy and able to redeem us?
How can feeling sincere love and gratitude for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ affect the decisions you make?

Remind students of the scenario from the beginning of the learning activity. Invite them to find other scriptures they could share with their friend that would help them understand the significant role Jesus Christ plays in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. They could find passages on their own, or they could study some of the following: John 14:6; Mosiah 3:17; 15:1; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19; 38:1–3.

After students have finished studying, give them an opportunity to share with a partner or small group what they found. Invite them to explain why they feel the passages they chose are significant. Alternatively, you could give students time to write a response to the friend from the scenario. Then they could share those responses with a partner or small group.

Consider inviting a few students to share their testimony of Jesus Christ with the class. You could conclude by sharing your own testimony.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”