Scripture Courses
Revelation 6–14

“Revelation 6–14,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)

Jesus Christ and His followers during the War in Heaven

Composite art by Eric Johnson; The Grand Council, by Robert T. Barrett; star cluster courtesy of European Space Agency

Revelation 6–14

In his vision, John saw the judgments of God poured out upon the earth’s inhabitants in the last days. The Church and Saints of God will experience much tribulation and persecution. John also saw the reward that awaits the faithful who are washed clean through the atoning blood of Christ. He described the War in Heaven and Christ’s victory over Satan. John saw the events of the Restoration, including the gathering of Israel.

Additional Resources

Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Revelation 6–14”

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

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Encouraging Personal Study

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

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Questions and Sharing

Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Revelation 6–14.

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Skill Training

Revelation 7:1–10; 10:1–11; 14:6–7 might be helpful places to use the skill “Using Restoration Scripture to Understand the Bible” in Scripture Study Skills. You could also practice the skill “Understanding Symbolism in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills when studying Revelation 12.

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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

Be flexible with the skill training you use in class. One of the primary outcomes of this course is to help students increase their ability to understand the scriptures through the effective use of scripture study skills. Use these suggestions or practice other skills, depending on your students’ needs.

Revelation 6–7

How can I face the challenges of the last days with strength and hope?

You could begin this learning activity by displaying the following image of an ancient scroll with seven seals.

a replica of an ancient scroll with seven wax seals

Explain to students that ancient scrolls were often sealed with a bit of clay or wax. A ring or stamp would be pressed into the clay or wax before it hardened. This stamp signified the authority of the person who sealed the scroll. Remind students that in John’s vision, God held in His right hand a scroll, or book, with seven seals. Jesus Christ, the Lamb, is described as the only one worthy to open each seal (see Revelation 5:1–9; 6:1).

Display the following chart and invite students to work in small groups to determine what was prophesied in each seal, or period of time, described in Revelation 6. As part of their study, students could read “Revelation 6. What do we know about the first six seals?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.

Six Seals Described in Revelation 6

First seal: verses 1–2

Second seal: verses 3–4

Third seal: verses 5–6

Fourth seal: verses 7–8

Fifth seal: verses 9–11

Sixth seal: verses 12–17

After students have read about each seal, invite them to discuss in their groups possible reasons the Lord may want us to know about these prophecies. You could have them share their insights with the class.

Point out that the rest of the chapters in the book of Revelation predominantly address the sixth and seventh seals. In other words, the focus of John’s vision is the last days—our days. Invite students to read Revelation 7 with their groups, looking for what it can teach them about living in the last days. Consider inviting students to also read Doctrine and Covenants 77:8–11 to better understand this chapter. After giving students time to study and discuss, consider asking the following questions:

  • What do these scripture passages teach about the gathering of Israel? (For additional insights, you could read together “Revelation 7:4–8. Who are the 144,000?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)

  • How does the gathering of Israel prepare us for celestial glory?

Consider showing the following image of the celestial kingdom, and discuss the next set of questions.

Christ welcoming resurrected people into the celestial kingdom

The City Eternal, by Keith Larson

  • What might the white robes described in Revelation 7:9 represent? (For additional insights, you could read “Revelation 7:9, 13–14. Who are the people in white robes?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.)

  • How can you obtain your own white robe? (Students may identify a truth like the following: Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be made pure and enjoy celestial glory with God.)

  • How does knowing that the Savior’s power can make you pure influence your response to tribulations in the last days?

Consider reading the following statement by Elder Neil L. Andersen:

Elder Neil L. Andersen

My brothers and sisters, it is my promise to you that increasing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will bring you added strength and greater hope. For you, the righteous, the Healer of our souls, in His time and His way, will heal all your wounds. No injustice, no persecution, no trial, no sadness, no heartache, no suffering, no wound—however deep, however wide, however painful—will be excluded from the comfort, peace, and lasting hope of Him whose open arms and whose wounded hands will welcome us back into His presence. At that day, the Apostle John testifies, the righteous “which [come] out of great tribulation” [Revelation 7:14] will stand “arrayed in white robes … before the throne of God.” The Lamb will “dwell among [us] … and God shall wipe away all tears from [your] eyes” [see Revelation 7:13, 15, 17]. This day will come. (“Wounded,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 86)

Invite some students to share how increasing faith in Jesus Christ has brought them greater strength and hope. Or you could have students share what they think it will be like to be “arrayed in white robes … before the throne of God” (Revelation 7:13, 15).

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Revelation 7:1–10; 10; 14:6–7

Why are the last days the greatest time to live on earth?

You could give students the following true-or-false quiz.

  1. John saw that only 144,000 people will be saved in the celestial kingdom.

  2. Symbolically speaking, the faithful will have the seal of God in their forehead.

  3. The little book John ate symbolized the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

  4. John saw that the angel Moroni would play an important role in the Restoration of the gospel.

Invite students to share how they answered the questions (1 = false; 2 = true; 3 = false; 4 = true). Explain that in this discussion, students will learn about what John saw in his vision about the last days.

Arrange students in groups of three. Display the following scripture passages. Point out that the verses in the Doctrine and Covenants provide important insights to the verses in Revelation (see “Using Restoration Scripture to Understand the Bible” in Scripture Study Skills). Invite each student in the groups to study one of the following sets of scriptures. Invite them to look for what is revealed about the Restoration, the gathering of Israel, and the Second Coming. Consider displaying the following questions and inviting students to discuss them in their groups.

  1. What do you think is important about the 144,000 people from the tribes of Israel?

    Revelation 7:1–10; Doctrine and Covenants 77:8–11; “Revelation 7:4–8. Who are the 144,000?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament

  2. What is the meaning of the little book that John ate?

    Revelation 10; Doctrine and Covenants 77:14; “Revelation 10:1–2, 9–10. What does the little book that John ate symbolize?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament

  3. What role have heavenly messengers played in the Restoration?

    Revelation 14:6–7; Doctrine and Covenants 128:20–21; 133:36–40

After students have had time to share with their group what they learned, you could write on the board the following truth: John prophesied about the last days, the Restoration, and the gathering of Israel to prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Depending on the focus of your discussion, you could ask questions like the following:

You could conclude the learning activity by reading the following statement by Elder Ronald A. Rasband:

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

John the Revelator prophesied of an angel of the Almighty bringing together important elements of the Restoration with these words: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” [Revelation 14:6]. Moroni was that angel. …

We live in that time prophesied; we are the people charged with ushering in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ; we are to gather God’s children, those who will hear and embrace the truths, covenants, and promises of the everlasting gospel. President Nelson calls it “the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on [the] earth today.” (“Fulfillment of Prophecy,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 75–76)

  • How do you feel about being part of “the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on [the] earth today”?

  • What are some simple ways you can prepare yourself and others for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? (Encourage students to record any impression they receive.)

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Revelation 12

How can learning about the War in Heaven help me in my battles against Satan?

You could write on the board the following heading: War in Heaven

Invite students to briefly share what they know about the War in Heaven or to ask any questions they have. You could write their insights or questions on the board and then ask:

  • Why do you think it is important for us to know about the War in Heaven?

Explain that verses 7–12 describe the War in Heaven. The other verses in Revelation 12 describe how the dragon (Satan) tries to destroy the Savior and His Church.

Invite students to work with a partner and study Revelation 12, or Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 12:1–17 (Gospel Library), looking for what they learn about Satan and how to defeat him. As part of their study, students could read the entries related to these verses in Scripture Helps: New Testament.

After giving students time to study, you could show the following picture. Ask students to share what is represented in this depiction of Revelation 12. They could apply the skill of “Understanding Symbolism in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.

a red dragon with seven heads looking at a woman holding a baby

Invite students to discuss what they learned about Satan and his followers as they studied Revelation 12. You could also invite students to share what they learned about how Jesus Christ’s followers overcame Satan in the War in Heaven. (Students may identify a truth like the following: Jesus Christ’s followers overcome Satan by relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and remaining true to their testimonies.)

Consider asking questions like the following to help students deepen their understanding of this truth:

  • What does this truth teach you about the power of Jesus Christ?

  • What does this truth teach you about the power of a personal testimony?

  • How can remembering this truth help you in your battle against Satan?

Consider reading the following statement by Elder Ronald A. Rasband:

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Satan knows his days are numbered and that time is growing shorter. As crafty and cunning as he is, he will not win. However, his battle for each one of our souls rages on. For our safety, we must build a fortress of spirituality and protection for our very souls, a fortress that will not be penetrated by the evil one. … Your testimony of Jesus Christ is your personal fortress, the security for your soul. … When we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, when we draw upon the Savior’s Atonement and press forward with faith, not fear, we are fortified against the wiles of the adversary. (“Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 108, 110)

To conclude this learning activity, you could display the following prompts and invite students to choose one:

  • Think of how your testimony of Jesus Christ has fortified you against Satan and record your thoughts and impressions.

  • Ponder how trusting in Jesus Christ and His Atonement has brought you or could bring you greater security.

  • If you are unsure about your testimony of Jesus Christ, record what you can do to strengthen your testimony of Him.

You could invite some students to share their thoughts. Encourage students to act on the impressions they received.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”