New Testament Study and Teaching Helps — Lesson 53

Revelation 15-22 A Preview

As always, the chapter headings are of great help, but here is an even more succinct overview of these chapters:

- the righteous gather and praise God

- the wicked, being spread throughout the world, suffer plagues and destruction

- Armageddon

- the rest of the wicked are destroyed by Christ

- the Millennium begins

- Satan is bound, then loosed again briefly at the end of the Millennium

- the battle of Gog and Magog

- the Resurrection

- the Judgment

- the celestial kingdom

Revelation 15-16 Plagues and Armageddon

Revelation 15:1 refers to “the seven last plagues,” which will come upon the wicked as a manifestation of “the wrath of God.”:

- Identify these plagues in Revelation 15:5-7 and Revelation 16:1-4, 8-10, 12-14, 17.

- What are the reasons given for these plagues; along with the characteristics of those being punished, according to Revelation 16:2, 6, 9, 11, 14?

- As a counterpoint, what things are said about the Lord in Revelation 15:2-4, 8 and Revelation 16:5, 7?

- The name Armageddon comes from the Hebrew for “mountain of Megiddo,” which is about fifty miles north of Jerusalem, “and is the site of several crucial battles in Old Testament times. A great and final conflict that will take place near the time of the second coming of the Lord is called the battle of Armageddon because it will begin in the same locale” (see LDS Guide to the Scriptures).

- What else do you learn about the battle of Armageddon in Revelation 16:15-17?

- What things will happen after Armageddon, in Revelation 16:18-21?

- Note that the earthquake described in verse 18 will be the greatest in all history (“such as was not since men were upon the earth”).

- The city referred to in verse 19 is likely Jerusalem, which will be “divided into three parts,” presumably by the earthquake of verse 18.

- Verse 20 may refer to the continents and islands of the earth returning to one great land mass (see Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:264).

- The hailstones mentioned in verse 21 are “the weight of a talent,” which would be about 75 pounds each.

Revelation 17-18 The Destruction of the Wicked

Next, John sees more of the wickedness that would prevail throughout the world. Read Revelation 17:1-6, 12-13 (see also 1 Nephi 13:4-9; 14:9-17). Clearly, the ultimate target of the “great whore” is the Savior, His works, and His people (Revelation 17:14). What is the clear commandment to God’s people in Revelation 18:4?

Babylon is symbolic of all wickedness and worldliness. Read about the destruction and demise of Babylon and the “mother of harlots,” in Revelation 18:1-10, 17-21. What was found in the ruined city, according to verse 24?

Revelation 19 Alleluia

- We begin with “much people in heaven” and “a great multitude” exclaiming Alleluia (meaning “praise the Lord”) four times in Revelation 19:1-6. What are they celebrating?

- This transitions into the second coming of Jesus Christ, identified as “the marriage supper of the Lamb” in verses 7-9. What imagery or symbolism do you see in these verses? (For example, who or what is represented by “the marriage,” “the Lamb,” “his wife,” and “fine linen, clean and white”?)

- We do not know the identity of the person/angel who was speaking to John in verse 10 (see also Revelation 22:8-9). His instruction to John to worship God, “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” can be interpreted to mean (among other things) that all prophets teach and testify of Jesus Christ. What else do you think this phrase can mean for you?

- Read about the glorious continuation of John’s vision in verses 11-16 (see also D&C 133:46-57; John 1:1, 14; 1 Nephi 14:14).

- Apparently, some of the wicked of the world still survived the previously-described destructions. What becomes their fate, in Revelation 19:17-21? (Note the JST changes for verses 18, 21; see also Ephesians 6:17.)

Revelation 20 Millennium, Resurrection, Gog and Magog, Judgment

Read all of this chapter and make a list of things that will happen during the Millennium. Which verses stand out most for you? Why?

- Those who will live and reign with Christ a thousand years are part of the “first resurrection” (see Revelation 20:4-6) and will eventually enter into the celestial kingdom (see also D&C 76:50-70, 92-96; D&C 88:97-98).

- The first resurrection also includes those who will enter into the terrestrial kingdom (see also D&C 76:71-80; D&C 88:99).

- Not addressed in Revelation 20 are those who come forth in the second resurrection at the end of the Millennium and will enter into the telestial kingdom (see also D&C 76:81-90, 98-112; D&C 88:100-101).

- The second resurrection will also include those who enter into outer darkness as sons and daughters of perdition (see also D&C 76:30-49; D&C 88:102).

- For a brief description of those who go to all four eternal destinations, see Revelation 22:11.

Note: Regarding the battle described in Revelation 20:7-10, be aware that there are two battles or wars in the scriptures that are called the Battle of Gog and Magog. The first is also called Armageddon and will take place in the land of Israel, shortly before the Second Coming (see Ezekiel 38:14-23; 39:1-7). The aggressors will be from Magog (the location of which is not fully known), being led by a king named Gog (also unidentified).

The second Battle of Gog and Magog (in Revelation 20:7-10) takes place at the end of the Millennium, when Satan will be loosed and will gather forces to fight against “the saints” (verse 9). It appears to be a very brief battle, for John saw that “fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them” (also verse 9).

Revelation 21-22 The Celestial Kingdom

What a wonderful way to end the book of Revelation—by reading how the Lord, His gospel, and His saints will prevail in the end over the adversary. Good will triumph over evil. It is also a wonderful conclusion to our study of the New Testament, learning about the glorious future for those who persevere on the covenant path.

Read and ponder the following, looking for descriptive features, items, and conditions in the celestial kingdom:

- Revelation 21:1-7 (note that in verse 2 the “new Jerusalem” is a reference to the celestial kingdom; not the city of Zion that is yet to built in Jackson County, Missouri; see also verse 10).

- Next, read more about the celestial kingdom in Revelation 21:21-27; and Revelation 22:1-5.

- Go back and find the various names and titles for Jesus Christ, in Revelation 21:2-3, 6, 14, 22 and Revelation 22:5, 13, 16, 20-21.

- What is the Lord’s invitation to each of us, in Revelation 22:17? How can you apply this verse into things you do in your daily life?

- John’s next to last statement, “come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20) is surely our prayer also, as we strive to obey, love, serve, and endure. Read or sing all four verses of the hymn, “Come, O Thou King of Kings” (Hymns, #59).

- In the October 2023 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson stated: “Because of Jesus Christ’s infinite Atonement, our Heavenly Father’s plan is a perfect plan! An understanding of God’s fabulous plan takes the mystery out of life and the uncertainty out of our future.”

- For the April 2020 Ensign magazine, President Nelson shared an article titled, “The Future of the Church: Preparing the World for the Savior’s Second Coming.” He invited us to “remember that the fulness of Christ’s ministry lies in the future. The prophecies of His Second Coming have yet to be fulfilled. We are just building up to the climax of this last dispensation—when the Savior’s Second Coming becomes a reality.”

- John’s last statement is a blessing upon us: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (Revelation 22:21). What does “grace” from Christ mean to you?

- What is most significant for you in Revelation 21-22? Why?

- Read or sing, “Now Let Us Rejoice” (Hymns, #3).

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