A family gathers inside the Conference Center. They are looking at a statue of the Christus.
As part of his revelation, John saw a vision of the Lamb of God opening the first six seals of a sealed book. At the opening of the sixth seal, John was shown great tribulations, followed by a vision of the servants of God who had become clean through the Savior’s atoning blood worshipping before the throne of God (see Revelation 7:9–15). This lesson can help you feel the importance of relying on Jesus Christ to become pure and remain faithful during the tribulations of the last days.
Acknowledging students’ contributions. Look for ways to acknowledge and praise the contributions of each student. Regularly convey to students that their participation in the learning process is essential and appreciated.
Student preparation: Invite students to read the question found in Revelation 6:17 and come prepared to share what they think it will take to withstand the tribulations of the last days.
Possible Learning Activities
Opening the first six seals
In your study journal, respond to the following questions:
What troubles you about living in the last days? Why?
What excites you about living in the last days? Why?
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A modern replica of an ancient papyrus scroll, folded and sealed with multiple clay seals. Sealing an ancient document in this way identified its owner and his authority, made the document legally binding, and protected it from unauthorized disclosure. Jesus Christ’s role as the only person worthy to open and read the sealed book in Revelation 5 highlights His authority as the executor of God’s plan of salvation.
Recall that in Revelation 5, John saw a book with seven seals that only Jesus Christ was worthy to open. Each seal represented a 1,000-year period of the earth’s temporal history (see Doctrine and Covenants 77:7). Beginning in Revelation 6:12, John saw the opening of the sixth seal. The sixth seal represents the thousand years leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and likely includes the time in which we now live.
For information and interpretations about the symbols described by John for the first six seals (see Revelation 6:1–11), see “Revelation 6. The First Six Seals” in the New Testament Student Manual (2014), 542–43.
Read Revelation 6:12–16, looking for some of the events John saw during the opening of the sixth seal.
What stood out to you from these verses?
What do you learn from verses 15–16 about the spiritual condition of many who live during the opening of the sixth seal?
Read Revelation 6:17 and consider marking the question in that verse.
This may be an effective time to invite students to share their thoughts from the student preparation activity.
How would you rephrase John’s question in your own words?
What do you think is the answer to John’s question?
Despite the prophesied destruction and wickedness during the last days, consider all the Lord has done and is doing to care for His Saints in preparation for His return to the earth.
What has the Savior done and what is He now doing to prepare and protect His Saints?
As you continue your study, look for teachings that can help you answer the question in Revelation 6:17. Consider how relying on Jesus Christ can help you feel peace and joy as you strive to endure the spiritual and physical challenges of the latter days.
John sees preparation for the Second Coming and a vision of the celestial kingdom
In Revelation 7, John saw four angels sent from God who have power to both save and destroy life on earth (see Revelation 7:1; Doctrine and Covenants 77:8). John foresaw these angels preparing to pour out destruction upon the earth in preparation for the Savior’s Second Coming. He also saw protection being given to members of the tribes of Israel (see Revelation 7:1–8; 9:3–4). He then saw a vision of the celestial kingdom.
If students would benefit from more information about the 144,000 high priests (see Doctrine and Covenants 77:11) described by John, consider using some of the resources found in “Revelation 7:2–8. Who are the 144,000 of the tribes of Israel, and what was sealed in their foreheads?” in the “Commentary and Background Information” section.
Read Revelation 7:9–12, looking for how John described people in the celestial kingdom.
How many people did John see, and why is that significant?
What stands out to you about the words and actions of these people?
Next, read Revelation 7:13–14 and look for future blessings awaiting the faithful and what enabled the people to enter God’s presence.
How do these verses help answer the question posed in Revelation 6:17?
What do you think it means for robes to be made white in the blood of the Lamb?
One principle that can be identified from these verses is that if we endure tribulation faithfully and become pure through Jesus Christ, we will enjoy celestial glory with God.
In addition to providing students with the following scripture references, consider inviting them to find scriptures that illustrate how we can become purified through the blood of Jesus Christ. One way they could do this is by searching topics such as “Forgive” or “Sanctification” in Guide to the Scriptures or the Topical Guide.
To further understand what it means to have our robes made white in the blood of the Lamb and how you can receive this blessing, study some or all of the following scripture references:
What did you learn about the Savior and the power of His Atonement?
What are some ways you can begin to access the cleansing power of Jesus Christ right now?
Peace and rest with God
Read Revelation 7:15–17, looking for more blessings John saw that the righteous will experience in the celestial kingdom.
Which of these blessings sounds most meaningful to you? Why?
How can understanding these future blessings influence your behavior today?
Commentary and Background Information
Revelation 7:1. What is the mission and symbolism of the four angels?
Revelation 7:1 refers to four angels, the four corners of the earth, and the four winds of the earth. The number four in the scriptures often suggests a geographical fulness, as in the four directions on a compass. These angels were given the mission to commit the everlasting gospel to “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (Doctrine and Covenants 77:8).
Revelation 7:2–8. Who are the 144,000 of the tribes of Israel, and what was sealed in their foreheads?
In Doctrine and Covenants 77:11, the Lord explained to Joseph Smith that the number 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7:4–8 is the number of representatives out of the twelve tribes of Israel who will be ordained to assist others in their quest for exaltation. It is not, as some people believe, the total number of people who will be exalted.
Concerning the sealing of “the servants of … God in their foreheads” (Revelation 7:3), the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that it “signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant” (in History, 1838–1856 [Manuscript History of the Church], volume E-1, 1690, josephsmithpapers.org).
How can I begin the process of washing my robe “white in the blood of the Lamb”? (Revelation 7:14)
Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen of the Seventy taught:
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Final official portrait of Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen of the First Quorum of the Seventy, 1999. Released October 3, 2009 at general conference.
Our responsibility is to do the work of repentance. We must abandon our sins so the cleansing can begin. The promise of the Lord is that He will cleanse our garments with His blood [see Revelation 7:14]. He gave His life and suffered for all our sins. He can redeem us from our personal fall. Through the Atonement of the Savior, giving Himself as the ransom for our sins, He authorizes the Holy Ghost to cleanse us in a baptism of fire.
How can I access the power and protection the Savior offers to His Saints during the last days?
In 1 Nephi 14:12–17, Nephi saw the wickedness and destruction of the last days and the Saints “armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory” (verse 14). Speaking of how we can arm ourselves with those same blessings, President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained:
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Official Portrait of President Henry B. Eyring taken March 2018.
How do we arm ourselves with righteousness and power? We keep the Sabbath day holy and honor the priesthood. We make and keep sacred covenants, work on our family history, and attend the temple. We strive continuously to repent and plead with the Lord to “apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins” (Mosiah 4:2). We pray and serve and testify and exercise faith in Jesus Christ.
To help students better understand the meaning of these seals, consider having them study one or more of the following scripture references and draw what they describe:
Have students share what they drew. For help interpreting the symbols in these verses, see “Revelation 6. The First Six Seals” in the New Testament Student Manual (2014), 542–43.
“Armed with righteousness and with the power of God” (1 Nephi 14:14)
Consider sharing some of the ways the Savior blesses and protects His Saints in the last days by inviting students to link or cross-reference Revelation 6:12–17 with 1 Nephi 14:12–17. Share with students the statement by President Eyring in the “Commentary and Background Information” section and consider asking questions like the following:
What do you think it means to be armed with God’s power?
How are Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ helping you stay protected and worthy during the turmoil of the last days?