“Revelation 1–5,” Scripture Helps: New Testament (2024)
Scripture Helps
Revelation 1–5
While on the island of Patmos, John received a revelation of Jesus Christ. He saw the glorified Savior holding the keys of death and hell, surrounded by angels. Jesus Christ gave messages to seven branches of the Church. These messages contained praise, correction, and counsel for the Saints as well as promises to those who overcome the evils of the world. John saw a vision of God the Father sitting upon His throne and holding a book sealed with seven seals. John desired the book to be opened. The heavenly hosts sang praises to the Lamb of God because only He is worthy to open the sealed book.
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Background and Context
To whom was the book of Revelation written and why?
The book of Revelation was written by John the Beloved from the island of Patmos. The Apostle had been exiled to Patmos because of his testimony of Jesus Christ. John called his record “the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The Greek word for revelation is apokalypsis (or apocalypse), which means a manifestation, or an uncovering of that which is hidden.
This book is a revelation of Jesus Christ’s authority, power, and preeminent role in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. The book also reveals much important information about the events leading up to the Second Coming and the Millennium.
John likely wrote his revelation toward the end of the first century AD. This was a time when the Saints were facing severe persecution from the Romans as well as serious apostasy from within the Church. John wrote a message of hope and encouragement to the Saints in his day and to those in the latter days.
Though the book is rich with imagery and symbols that are not always easy for readers in modern times to understand, the themes of the book are simple and inspiring. As explained in the Bible Dictionary, “The message of Revelation is the same as that of all scripture: there will be an eventual triumph on this earth of God over the devil; a permanent victory of good over evil, of the Saints over their persecutors, of the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of men and of Satan.”
What can I learn from the symbols in Revelation?
God often uses symbols to teach eternal truths, including truths about His Beloved Son. To understand symbols, the following guidelines may be helpful:
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Seek and ask for the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
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Study the scriptures to determine if other passages provide an interpretation or insight.
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Examine the context in which the symbols are used.
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Consider the nature and characteristics of the symbols.
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Use the study aids in the scriptures.
What are possible meanings for the symbols in Revelation 1?
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Symbol |
Possible Interpretation |
|---|---|
Symbol Seven spirits (v. 4) | Possible Interpretation |
Symbol Kings and priests (v. 6) | Possible Interpretation |
Symbol Alpha and Omega (v. 8) | Possible Interpretation First and last letters of the Greek alphabet, representing Christ’s eternal role in God’s work. |
Symbol Seven candlesticks (v. 12) | Possible Interpretation The seven churches that are to hold up the light of the gospel. |
Symbol Right hand (vs. 16–17) | Possible Interpretation Covenant hand and symbol of power; Christ holds the seven churches in His right hand. |
Symbol Seven stars (v. 16) | Possible Interpretation Another image representing the servants or leaders over the seven churches. |
Symbol Sharp, two-edged sword (v. 16) | Possible Interpretation The word of God, pronouncing judgment on the wicked and freeing the innocent. |
Symbol Keys of hell and of death (v. 18) | Possible Interpretation Keys that unlock (overcome) the doors of spiritual and physical death. |
What is significant about Jesus Christ being among the candlesticks?
The first three chapters of Revelation were specifically addressed to seven branches of the Church in Asia Minor. The seven stars represent the leaders of those branches. In Revelation 1:13, John described Jesus Christ standing in the middle of seven candlesticks, which represented the branches of the Church. This symbol suggests that Jesus Christ was among His Saints in the Church. The Lord shared a similar promise to Saints in our dispensation: “Verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst.”
Who were the Nicolaitans?
The Nicolaitans were a group of early Christians who justified sexual sin and idolatry. The Lord stated in Revelation 2:6 that He “[hated] the deeds of the Nicolaitans.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught that those who involve themselves in Nicolaitane interests are “members of the Church who [are] trying to maintain their church standing while continuing to live after the manner of the world.”
What is the second death?
“Spiritual death was introduced into the world by the Fall of Adam (Moses 6:48). Mortals with evil thoughts, words, and works are spiritually dead while still alive on earth (1 Tim. 5:6).Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and by obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel, men and women can become clean from sin and overcome spiritual death.
“Spiritual death also occurs following the death of the mortal body. Both resurrected beings and the devil and his angels will be judged. Those who have willfully rebelled against the light and truth of the gospel will suffer spiritual death. This death is often called the second death.” The second death is a permanent separation from God. Those who experience it are the only ones who will not be redeemed by Jesus Christ or inherit a kingdom of glory.
What are the hidden manna and the white stone?
The Lord provided manna for the children of Israel to eat during their 40 years in the wilderness. Manna was hidden within the ark of the covenant in the holy of holies as a memorial to this miracle. It is possible that the hidden manna mentioned in Revelation 2:17 was a symbolic reference to the manna inside the ark of the covenant. Only those who enter the presence of God by obtaining eternal life can see it.
In Doctrine and Covenants 130:10–11 we learn that “the white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become a Urim and Thummim to each individual who receives one, whereby things pertaining to a higher order of kingdoms will be made known; and a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it. The new name is the key word.”
What is the morning star?
The morning star is the last and brightest star seen before sunrise. It became a symbol of something or someone heralding a new day or the return of light. In this verse, the morning star symbolizes Jesus Christ, who ushers eternal light into the world. While speaking about those dealing with sadness in their lives, President Jeffrey R. Holland testified: “He is the bright and morning star. He is the sun … and also the Son … that always comes up. … I promise you in the name of the Lord that the sun will come up, that darkness will flee, that hope will return, that you will be happy again, that Christ is the bright and morning star.”
What does it mean that Jesus Christ has the key of David?
Revelation 3:7 contains a quotation from Isaiah, who wrote about the key of David. Isaiah was speaking about one of King David’s chief ministers, Eliakim, who was given the keys to open locked doors of the holy temple. These keys can be seen as a symbol of power and governing authority. In Revelation 3:7, Jesus referred to Himself as the one who holds the key of David, meaning that He has the power and authority to govern the kingdom of God on earth and in heaven.
Why is Jesus Christ called “the Amen”?
In Hebrew and Greek the word amen means “surely; truly; most certainly. In Revelation 3:14, Jesus Christ’s faithfulness and truthfulness as the great “Amen” are presented as a contrast to the lukewarm attitudes of the Laodiceans.
Who were the twenty-four elders?
In Revelation 4, John saw a vision of God the Father sitting on His heavenly throne, with 24 elders surrounding the throne. Modern scripture explains that these 24 elders were “elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead; who belonged to the seven churches, and were then in the paradise of God.”
What was the sea of glass?
Through revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, we learn that the sea of glass represents “the earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state.”
What did the four beasts represent?
In John’s vision of the heavenly throne, he saw four beasts praising God. Latter-day revelation explains the meaning of these beasts, as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 77:2–4. In addition, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “The four beasts were four of the most noble animals that had filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds, because they were perfect; they were like angels in their sphere; we are not told where they came from.”
What was the book with seven seals and what did it mean to open it?
As John’s vision continued, he saw “a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.” To protect official documents anciently, clay or wax seals imprinted with the name or mark of their owner were applied. A seal also made sure that the right person opened the document.
The book with seven seals represents the “history of the world,” including the “revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God” that would take place on the earth during its temporal existence. “The first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh.”
The act of opening the scroll represented executing the demands that were contained within it. Only Jesus Christ was worthy to do this. This demonstrated the Savior’s authority and ability to carry out Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.
What do the titles “Lion of the tribe of Juda,” “Root of David,” and “Lamb that was slain” teach us about Jesus Christ?
“Lion of the tribe of Juda” is a fitting title for Jesus Christ because a lion is majestic and powerful and because the Savior was born through the lineage of Judah. The symbol of a lion is a stark contrast to the meek and sacrificial “Lamb” mentioned in verses 6 and 12. These two images convey that Jesus Christ possesses both majesty and meekness.
The Savior’s title as the “Root of David” comes from a prophecy of Isaiah that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David. The Gospel writers frequently emphasized that Jesus Christ descended from David.
What did the seven horns and seven eyes on the Lamb represent?
John described the Lamb in his vision as having many horns and eyes. In the scriptures, horns are often a symbol of power. Eyes often symbolize light and knowledge. The Joseph Smith Translation indicates that the Lamb had “twelve horns and twelve eyes, which are the twelve servants of God.” Since the Lord’s people in ancient Israel were numbered as twelve tribes and the Lord organized His Church with Twelve Apostles, the number twelve can symbolize divine government and organization, or the priesthood. This verse may suggest that all priesthood power and knowledge is centered in the Lamb of God.
Learn More
Helps for Understanding the Book of Revelation
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Nicholas J. Frederick, “The Book of Revelation: A Testament to the Lamb of God,” Ensign, Dec. 2019, 46–51
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Nicholas J. Frederick, “Interpretive Approaches to the Book of Revelation” (digital-only article), Liahona, Dec. 2023, Gospel Library
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Richard D. Draper, “Messages of the Book of Revelation for Latter-day Saints” (digital-only article), Liahona, Dec 2019
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“Overview of the Book of Revelation,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Overcoming the World
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Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 95–98
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Neil L. Andersen, “Overcoming the World,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 58–62
The Lamb of God
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Jeffrey R. Holland, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 44–46
Media
Images
Island of Patmos
John on the Island of Patmos
St. John on Patmos, by Gustave Doré