“Revelation 15–22,” Scripture Helps: New Testament (2024)
Scripture Helps
Revelation 15–22
The last chapters of Revelation describe the final earthly events that will fulfill Heavenly Father’s plan to redeem His children. John saw angels rejoice for the salvation made possible through Jesus Christ’s triumph over evil. John saw the fall of wicked Babylon. He saw the glory of the Second Coming and the blessings of exaltation prepared for the righteous. John saw that the righteous, who will come forth in the First Resurrection, will enjoy a thousand years of peace with Christ. The earth will then receive its celestial glory and become the eternal home for God’s people.
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Background and Context
What is the significance of “the sea of glass”?
John used the phrase “a sea of glass mingled with fire” to describe celestial glory. The Prophet Joseph Smith learned that the “sea of glass” represents “the earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state.” Joseph Smith also described the place where God resides as “a globe like a sea of glass and fire.”
What do we know about the seven angels?
“God designates seven angels to enforce the judgment. … The ministers of justice are angels of high rank, as suggested by the golden girdles they wear like that of the Son of Man.”
What do the seven vials, or bowls, represent?
One scholar pointed out “the contrast between the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls [or ‘vials’]. The seals announce the designs of God, the trumpets sound the voice of warning, and the bowls execute his judgment. … This chapter celebrates not the God of mercy but the God of justice. John shows that justice must have its day. … Chapter fifteen makes two points: first, that the plagues are inexorable once they commence; and second, that God executes them in justice and vengeance upon the world. Though punishment comes without mitigation, it is both just and righteous.”
Why is Babylon a symbol of wickedness?
In the ancient world, Babylon became the capital city of the Babylonian empire during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. As Babylon became wealthy from its many conquests, Nebuchadnezzar started an extensive building program. Babylon became the greatest city of its day. Old Testament prophets described this city as “great Babylon,” “the praise of the whole earth,” and “the glory of kingdoms.”
Unfortunately, the wealth and glory of Babylon led to moral corruption and wickedness. One historian wrote that when Alexander the Great conquered Babylon, he “was shocked by the morals of Babylon.” Babylon was so corrupt that the very name became a symbol for worldliness, spiritual wickedness, and Satan’s kingdom. One scholar observed that Babylon represents “depraved governments, institutions, businesses, and churches that exist in the last days, all of which, for wealth, fame, or power, misuse and corrupt those under their control or influence.”
Why did John describe Babylon as “the mother of harlots”?
John followed the prophetic pattern found in the Old Testament of sometimes describing nations or groups as women, brides, or harlots. In this case, the woman John saw in his revelation was a harlot. A harlot is a person who accepts money to commit sexual acts. The harlot’s fancy and expensive dress indicates her wealth and “power to seduce those of the highest rank.” In this way, the harlot “represents the philosophies and false theologies that have seduced, bound, and blinded humankind from the beginning.” The names written on her forehead indicate her rebellion against God and His covenants. This harlot has power among all nations and people. In time, the people she rules will turn on her and each other.
What does the marriage supper of the Lamb represent?
The Lamb represents Jesus Christ, who is the bridegroom. The marriage feast represents His Second Coming. The bride represents the faithful Saints of Christ’s Church who look forward to the Savior’s return. The bride is dressed in white clothing representing her purity. President Jeffrey R. Holland taught that members of the Church today “have a responsibility to prepare the Church of the Lamb of God to receive the Lamb of God—in person. … The lives we present to Him in that sacred hour must be worthy of Him!” The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “Those who keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in His statutes to the end, are the only individuals permitted to sit at this glorious feast.”
Why was the Savior wearing a red robe and riding a white horse in John’s vision?
The white horse symbolizes conquest and victory. The blood on the Savior’s robe may refer to His conquered enemies. When this event happens, “his voice shall be heard: I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; … and I have trampled them in my fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment; for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart.” Because the garments are stained in blood before the battle begins, they may also allude to Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “Having bled at every pore, how red His raiment must have been in Gethsemane, how crimson that cloak! No wonder, when Christ comes in power and glory, that He will come in reminding red attire (see D&C 133:48), signifying not only the winepress of wrath, but also to bring to our remembrance how He suffered for each of us in Gethsemane and on Calvary!”
What is the sharp sword used to smite nations and the rod of iron used to rule nations?
The sharp sword and the rod of iron both represent the word of God. The Prophet Joseph Smith clarified these verses as follows: “And out of his mouth proceedeth the word of God, and with it he will smite the nations; and he will rule them with the word of his mouth.”
What is the “supper of the great God”?
In his revelation, John saw the destruction of the wicked, which was depicted by birds eating their flesh. Ezekiel described the destruction of the wicked in a similar way. The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies that the “supper of the great God” is the destruction of those “who fight against the Lamb.” This dreadful “supper of the great God” is in stark contrast to the joyful “marriage supper of the Lamb.” The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be a very different experience for the wicked than for the righteous.
What do we know about Satan’s status during the Millennium?
In his revelation, John saw that Satan would be bound during the Millennium. The “bottomless pit” refers to the place where Satan and those who follow him will be imprisoned. An angel of the Lord will be given power to open the pit and place Satan there. For a thousand years, Satan will not have power to deceive or tempt anyone. During this time, “children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.” The prophet Nephi taught that Satan will also be bound because of the righteousness of the Saints.
Who will God set as our judges?
John does not identify those who sat on the thrones to judge. They are likely the Twelve Apostles Jesus called during His mortal ministry. Jesus said that His Apostles will sit on thrones and judge Israel. In our day, the Lord gives those with priesthood keys the authority to be judges in Israel. Ultimately, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will judge everyone.
What do we know about the First Resurrection?
John saw in his vision that many of the dead will be resurrected during what is called “the first resurrection.” Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected. After He was resurrected, the righteous people of past ages were resurrected. The scriptures also speak of the First Resurrection in a future day. From Restoration scripture we learn that those destined for celestial glory will come forth in the First Resurrection.
What are the books by which we will be judged?
In his vision, John saw the day when all of God’s children will stand before Christ to be judged out of the books. President Harold B. Lee taught: “The ‘books’ spoken of refer to the ‘records [of our works] which are kept on the earth. … The book of life is the record which is kept in heaven.’” Saving ordinances and other actions of faith and devotion are recorded in the books. The “books” can also refer to the scriptures, which contain God’s words and commandments that we are to live by. The names of the righteous will also be recorded in the book of life.
What will happen to the earth when Christ comes?
As part of the Fall of Adam, the earth fell from a paradisiacal state to a telestial state. When Christ returns and wickedness is destroyed, “Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and … the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.” After the thousand years of Christ’s reign, the earth will be transformed yet again. The Prophet Joseph Smith described this change: “This earth will be rolled back into the presence of God and crowned with Celestial Glory.”
What is the symbolism of the city that John saw in vision?
John saw in vision a city called the New Jerusalem that came down from heaven. The city was depicted as an enormous cube, which recalls the cubic dimensions of the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s temple. John saw precious stones, pearls, and gold in the city. Precious stones have been used in scripture to represent those who follow the Lord in righteousness and who have been refined through afflictions and trials.
What is the significance of God’s servants having His name in their foreheads?
To bear a name in one’s forehead can indicate allegiance and devotion. Bearing a name also suggests taking on the characteristics of the one named. Those who have the name of God in their foreheads may refer to those who have taken upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ through gospel covenants and ordinances and have become like Him.
See also “Revelation 7:2–3. What does it mean to place a seal in the foreheads of God’s servants?”
What will the Final Judgment be like?
Referencing Revelation 22:11–12 and similar passages, President Dallin H. Oaks taught: “From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”
What did John mean when he said that no one should add to “this book”?
Addressing a misunderstanding of this passage, President Jeffrey R. Holland taught:
“One of the arguments often used in any defense of a closed canon is the New Testament passage recorded in Revelation 22:18: ‘For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of … this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.’ However, there is now overwhelming consensus among virtually all biblical scholars that this verse applies only to the book of Revelation, not the whole Bible. Those scholars of our day acknowledge a number of New Testament ‘books’ that were almost certainly written after John’s revelation on the Isle of Patmos was received. Included in this category are at least the books of Jude, the three Epistles of John, and probably the entire Gospel of John itself. Perhaps there are even more than these.
“But there is a simpler answer as to why that passage in the final book of the current New Testament cannot apply to the whole Bible. That is because the whole Bible as we know it—one collection of texts bound in a single volume—did not exist when that verse was written. For centuries after John produced his writing, the individual books of the New Testament were in circulation singly or perhaps in combinations with a few other texts but almost never as a complete collection. …
“The fact of the matter is that virtually every prophet of the Old and New Testament has added scripture to that received by his predecessors.”
Learn More
The Marriage Feast
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David A. Bednar, “Put On Thy Strength, O Zion,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 92–95
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Topics and Questions, “Second Coming of Jesus Christ,” Gospel Library
Judgment
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Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32–34
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Dallin H. Oaks, “Kingdoms of Glory,” Liahona, Nov. 2023, 26–29
Media
Video
“Final Judgment” (3:50)
Images
Without Any Ire, by Nancy Glazier
Christ in a Red Robe, by Minerva Teichert
The Last Judgement, by John Scott
The City Eternal, by Keith Larson