Actor portraying Jesus Christ is standing on a hillside as the sun rises over the horizon.
Because of its use of symbolism, the book of Revelation can sometimes seem strange or confusing. It is true that the book of Revelation is full of symbolism that makes parts of it difficult to understand. However, many messages in the book of Revelation are simple truths about such things as the roles of Jesus Christ, events surrounding the Second Coming, and the ultimate victory of good over evil. The book was written by John the Apostle and is addressed to seven congregations of the Church in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Like many today, these faithful followers of Jesus Christ suffered because of their belief in Jesus Christ and were comforted by the messages and imagery written by John. This lesson is intended to help you understand some of the symbolism in the book of Revelation and what it can teach you about Jesus Christ.
Understanding symbolism. Symbols are often used in the scriptures to teach meaningful spiritual truths. Take time to help students apply different methods of interpreting these symbols. Doing so will help them better understand the whole book of Revelation.
Student preparation: Invite students to read “Revelation of John” in the Guide to the Scriptures, available at scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and come prepared to share what they are interested in learning about and why.
Possible Learning Activities
John’s vision
Display the following image and invite students to discuss what they see happening in it and any questions they have about it.
Alternatively, consider beginning the lesson as follows: Before class, place an object on a table or chair at the front of the class. Cover the object so students will not know what it is. When class begins, invite students to guess what the object is. After several guesses, invite a student to come to the front of the class to lift part of the covering so that only he or she can see the object. Ask this student to describe the object to the class without saying what it is. Invite the student to sit down. Consider asking the following question:
How might the student who described the object represent one role of prophets and apostles?
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Book of Revelation Transparencies
As “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1), the book of Revelation is sometimes called the “Apocalypse,” which in Greek means “revealed or uncovered” (see Bible Dictionary, “Revelation of John”).
This book reveals the Lord Jesus Christ and His authority, power, and preeminent role in the Father’s plan of salvation. The book also reveals important information about the events leading up to the Second Coming and the Millennium.
The Apostle John, the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ, is the author of this book. John wrote the book from the island of Patmos at a time when Christians were facing false teachings, apathy, and severe persecution (see Revelation 1:9; 2:4, 10, 14–15; 3:16; 6:9).
The Book of Mormon affirms that John was foreordained to write the things recorded in the book of Revelation (see 1 Nephi 14:18–27; Ether 4:16).
This could be a good time to invite students to share their thoughts from the student preparation activity.
Read Revelation 1:1–3 and notice what John taught about the revelation he received. (Note that the Joseph Smith Translation states, “Blessed are they who read and they who hear and understand the words of this prophecy.”)
What stood out to you in these verses?
What does John say a person must do to be blessed by the content of the book of Revelation?
Read the Joseph Smith Translation of Revelation 1:4–8 and look for what John wanted these Saints to know and feel about Jesus Christ.
See the “Commentary and Background Information” section for insights on “kings and priests” and “Alpha and Omega.”
What did you find in Revelation 1:4–8 that John wanted the Saints to know and feel about Jesus Christ?
Which of these truths about Jesus Christ would be helpful to these Saints who were suffering persecution?
Consider writing on the board the truths students found.
How might these truths be helpful to you as you face challenges in life?
John’s symbolic vision
In his vision, John heard the voice of Christ (see Revelation 1:10–11). When he turned toward the Savior’s voice, he saw symbolic imagery similar to the picture shown at the beginning of the lesson.
Throughout the scriptures, prophets used symbolism to deepen understanding about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Symbolism can be an effective teaching tool because it can be understood by people of different languages, cultures, and generations. Symbolism can also communicate several different messages. Additionally, symbolism can enrich understanding by inspiring ideas and emotions that are difficult to communicate with words alone.
How confident are you in your ability to understand the meaning of symbols in the scriptures?
Think of some of the symbols used in the New Testament to describe Jesus Christ (such as lamb, bread, water, rock, and shepherd). How do these symbols help you better understand Him?
Read Revelation 1:12–18 and look for additional details and symbols in John’s vision of Jesus Christ.
In the following chart you will see some of the symbols mentioned in John’s vision. One valuable way to understand symbols in the scriptures is to use other scriptures.
Consider making a copy of the handout for each student. Invite them to read the scriptures and write the possible meaning of the symbols. It might be helpful for students to work through the handout in pairs, in small groups, or as a class.
Insights about additional symbols not found in the chart can be found in the “Commentary and Background Information” section.
Allow students to share their findings and any questions they may have.
Thinking about Jesus’s glory and potential meanings of the symbols in John’s vision, look back at the image displayed at the beginning of the lesson.
How would you explain what this image represents?
What truths can we learn about the relationship between Jesus Christ and His faithful followers?
One truth we can learn from these symbols is that Jesus Christ watches over and cares for His faithful followers.
How might this truth and these symbols have been a blessing to the Saints of the seven churches?
In what circumstances might this truth or symbolic image of Christ be a source of comfort to a teenager today?
How has the symbolism of this chapter helped you better understand who the Savior is and what He is like?
What did you learn about symbolism that can help you as you continue to study the book of Revelation?
Consider sharing testimony of the things you felt about Jesus Christ and how He watches over and cares for His faithful followers. Students could be invited to do the same.
Commentary and Background Information
Revelation 1:6. What did John mean by saying Jesus has made us “kings and priests”?
President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918) taught:
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Portrait of Joseph F. Smith
The object of our earthly existence is that we may have a fulness of joy, and that we may become the sons and daughters of God, in the fullest sense of the word, being heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ [see Romans 8:14–17], to be kings and priests unto God, to inherit glory, dominion, exaltation, thrones and every power and attribute developed and possessed by our Heavenly Father. This is the object of our being on this earth. In order to attain unto this exalted position, it is necessary that we go through this mortal experience, or probation, by which we may prove ourselves worthy, through the aid of our elder brother Jesus.
(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 150)
President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) taught:
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Portrait of President Joseph Fielding Smith sitting in a black leather chair in front of a book shelf. He is holding a copy of the scriptures in his hands.
[The faithful] have been promised that they shall become sons and daughters of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ, and if they have been true to the commandments and covenants the Lord has given us, to be kings and priests and queens and priestesses, possessing the fulness of the blessings of the celestial kingdom.
(Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. [1963], 4:61)
Revelation 1:8. What do we learn from Jesus Christ’s title “Almighty”?
The title “Almighty” is the English translation of the Greek word Pantokrator, which suggests one who rules and regulates all things. One theme of the book of Revelation is that even though God’s people in all ages face persecution and trouble, God does indeed govern all things and will one day put an end to all evil. Several images from the first chapters of Revelation reinforce the Savior’s role as “the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8): His word is represented as “a sharp twoedged sword” (Revelation 1:16), He holds “the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18), and He knows people’s works (see Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19).
Revelation 1:8. What does it mean that Jesus is the “Alpha and Omega”?
Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
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Head and shoulders portrait of Elder Bruce R. McConkie.
These words, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, are used figuratively to teach the timelessness and eternal nature of our Lord’s existence, that is that “from eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail” [Doctrine and Covenants 76:4].
(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary [1973], 3:439)
What meaning is there in the candlesticks seen in John’s vision?
Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
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Head and shoulders portrait of Elder Bruce R. McConkie.
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. Christ is the Light of the world (John 8:12). “Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do” [3 Nephi 18:24; Matthew 5:14–16].
(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary [1990], 3:442)
Supplemental Learning Activities
The context of the book of Revelation
To introduce the context of the book of Revelation, consider creating a quiz that asks to whom, from where, and why this book was written. Students could read Revelation 1:4, 9 to find answers.
John’s vision and the Book of Mormon
The following verses could be used to show that John’s vision was important enough to be taught about by Book of Mormon prophets. Invite students to read 1 Nephi 14:18–29 and look for what Nephi saw and why he didn’t write about parts of his vision. Students could also read Ether 4:16 to look for what the Lord said about the fulfillment of John’s vision.