Revelation 4-5

Revelation 4-5 Study Guide – to be discussed March 3
Day 1: Read Revelation 4:1-3, Revelation 5:6-7(with footnotes 6a,b), Ezekiel 1:26-28, Bible Dictionary entry, "Jasper"
1. What kind of voice did John hear after a door was opened in heaven? What did the voice say?


2. Read Revelation 5:6-7 (with footnotes 6a,b) with Revelation 4:2. Who sat on the heavenly throne in John’s vision?


3. Read Ezekiel 1:26-28, Bible Dictionary entry, “Jasper.” [Note: Sardine stone was a very hard, deep orange-red jewel. The jasper was the first stone and the sardine the last tone on the priestly “breastplate of judgment” described in Exodus 28:17-21. Each stone was inscribed with one of the names of the tribes of Israel.] What color was the Jasper stone?

Ezekiel had a vision similar to the Revelator’s. Taking Ezekiel 1:26-28 with Revelation 4:3, what might the rainbow represent? The jewels? How would you feel if you received this vision?



Day 2: Read Revelation 4:4-7 (with footnotes 4a,b, 5a), D&C 77:5, Exodus 20:18-21
4. Read D&C 77:5. Who were the 24 elders John saw in vision? How were they dressed?


5. Read Exodus 20:18-21. What might the “lightenings and thunderings” in Revelation 4:5 represent? How would this part of the vision make you feel?


6. Read the JST footnote to Revelation 4:5. Who were the seven Spirits of God, and where did they stand?


BONUS: Read Acts 1:10-11, 1 Nephi 8:5-6, JS-H 1:30-31. List the responsibilities of the men in white in each scripture passage.



Day 3: Read Revelation 4:6-8 (with footnote 6b), D&C 77:1-4, Ezekiel 1:9-14
7. Read D&C 77:1. What does the “sea of glass” in Revelation 4:6 represent?


8. Read D&C 77:2-3. What do the four beasts in John’s vision represent? Are they happy?


9. Read D&C 77:4. What do the eyes and wings on the beasts represent? What were the beasts in John’s vision doing?



BONUS: Read Ezekiel 1:9-14. Compare the beasts Ezekiel saw with John’s vision.



Day 4: Read Revelation 4:9-11 (with footnote 11b)
10. What three things did the elders do because of the beasts’ worship?


11. Why is the Lord worthy of glory, honor and power?


12. Give elements of worship or praise from each of the following verses:
a. 2 Nephi 25:29 b. D&C 59:9-12


c. D&C 93:19-20 d. Psalm 150


Day 5: Read Revelation 5:1-4, D&C 77:6-7
13. In John’s vision, in which hand did God hold the book with seven seals? What kind of angel asked for one worthy to open the book?


14. Read D&C 77:6-7. What do the book and its seals represent? (See also BD entry, “Scroll.”)


15. Why did John weep?


Day 6: Read Revelation 5:5-7 (with footnote 6b)
16. Who is the “Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David”? (See also Genesis 49:9, Revelation 22:16.)


17. What kind of marks might the Lamb have which could cause him to be described as, “as it had been slain”?


18. Read the JST footnote to Revelation 5:6b. [Note: horns are symbols of power and refuge.] What changes occur in the JST? Why?


Day 7: Read Revelation 5:8-14 (with footnote 8a), D&C 128:19-23
19: Note: There are three hymns of praise (or three parts of the same hymn) described in Revelation 5:8-14. Which group begins the chorus in vv. 8-10? What three reasons does the first group give for Christ’s worthiness to open the book?



20. Who comprises the second group, giving praise in Revelation 5:11-12? From verse 12, list qualities of Christ that qualify him as the only one worthy to open the book.


21. Who swells the worshipful chorus in Revelation 5:13-14? To whom is glory given? How has the “tune changed” from the mood in Revelation 5:2-4?

Revelation 2-3

Revelation 2-3 Study Guide – to be discussed February 24
[NOTE: Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation contain letters to leaders of seven wards or branches of the church in Asia Minor. Each letter begins with a descriptive phrase about the Savior, including images designed to aid in understanding the Lord’s nature and mission.]
Day 1: Read Revelation 2:1-7 (with footnote 1a), Bible Dictionary entries “Ephesus” and “Nicolaitans,” D&C 117:11
1. How did the Lord describe himself to the bishop or church leader in Ephesus?


2. List the Lord’s compliments and concerns regarding the church at Ephesus.



3. What promises did the Lord make to all who overcome the world?


BONUS: Who were the Nicolaitans? (See BD entry, “Nicolaitans” and D&C 117:11.)



Day 2: Read Revelation 2:8-11, 1 Nephi 14:10
4. How did the Lord describe himself in his letter to the church leader at Smyrna? How do Christ’s qualifications reinforce the promised blessings?


5. How might the saints at Smyrna have been in poverty, and yet rich?



6. Read 1 Nephi 14:10. What is the “synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9)? Why is persecution part of the doctrine of Satan’s church?



Day 3: Read Revelation 2:12-17, Jeremiah 3:8, Revelation 14:8, D&C 130:9-11
7. How did the Lord describe his credentials to the church leader in Pergamos (a center for Roman emperor worship)? What compliments did the Savior have for the saints in Pergamos?



8. List concerns regarding the branch at Pergamos. (Note: The doctrine of Balaam includes the ideas of priestcraft and apostasy. See Numbers 22. Also, see Jeremiah 3:8 and Revelation 14:8 regarding “fornication.”)


9. Read D&C 130:9-11. What does the “white stone” mentioned in Revelation 2:17 represent? Who gets one?


Day 4: Read Revelation 2:18-29 (with footnotes 22a, 23b), JST Revelation 2:26-27, Revelation 22:16
10. List the compliments and concerns expressed toward the saints at Thyatira. What was their main problem?



11. Read JST Revelation 2:26-27. How are those who overcome sin and keep the commandments supposed to rule their kingdoms? Can we apply these principles today?




12. Read Revelation 22:16 with Revelation 2:28. What is the promise to the faithful saints at Thyatira? What does it represent?


Day 5: Read Revelation 3:1-6 (with footnotes 1a, 2a), Ephesians 2:1-7, Revelation 16:15
13. How did Christ introduce himself to the church at Sardis?


14. Read Ephesians 2:1-7. What does it mean to have “a name that thou livest, and art dead”? What admonitions or warnings did the Lord give to prevent this kind of death?



15. Read Revelation 16:15. The Savior warned members at Sardis he will come “as a thief” (Rev. 3:3). According to Revelation 16:15, what might we lose if we are not watchful (faithful)? What are the promises to those who overcome?



Day 6: Read Revelation 3:7-13 (with footnote 7a)
16. How did Christ identify himself to the saints at Philadelphia? Use footnote 7a to tell what is indicated by “the key of David.”


17. The church at Philadelphia (city of brotherly love) received only compliments. Read Revelation 3:8 aloud to yourself and try to imagine how you would feel if the Lord sent you this message. What is the promise? Upon what is it based?


18. List the remaining blessings promised in Revelation 3:9-12.


BONUS: What is the function of a pillar in a building? What characteristics define a good or usable pillar?



Day 7: Read Revelation 3:14-22 (with footnotes 16b, 19a), Matthew 13:44-46, D&C 6:7
19. Did the Lord have any compliments for the Laodiceans? How did he feel about their apathy?


20. Read Matthew 13:44-46 and D&C 6:7. With what do we “buy… gold tried in the fire” (Revelation 3:18)? Why do we need white clothing and eye salve?


21. List promises to those who hear, open, sup, and overcome.

Revelation 1

Revelation 1 Study Guide – to be discussed February 10
Day 1: Read Bible Dictionary entry, “Revelation of John” (p.762; paragraphs 1-3), 1 Nephi 14:18-28, Ether 3:25-27, 4:15-17, Moses 1:24-29, 7:21-28
1. According to the Bible Dictionary entry, “Revelation of John,” what is the message of Revelation?


2. What are the two parts of the revelation?


3. Read 1 Nephi 14:18-28, Ether 3:25-27, 4:15-17, and Moses 1:24-29, 7:21-28. What common vision has been shared by prophets in various dispensations? What was unique about John’s stewardship in regard to this vision?


Day 2: Read Revelation 1:1-3, JST Revelation 1:1-3
4. What (or who) is revealed in John’s revelation?


5. Which phrases in Revelation 1:1-3 indicate urgency?


6. List the three verbs in Revelation 1:3 describing actions requisite to the blessing.


BONUS: What does the JST add to your understanding?



Day 3: Read Revelation 1:4-6, JST Revelation 1:4-6, D&C 76:50-60
7. To whom was John writing? (Check also the JST.) Who was the “faithful witness”?


8. According to JST Revelation 1:4-5, what was the angel’s assignment?


9. Read D&C 76:50-60. How might we qualify to be made “kings and priests” (or queens and priestesses) through Christ?


Day 4: Read Revelation 1:7-8, JST Revelation 1:7-8, Bible Dictionary entry “Cloud,” Acts 1:9-11,
Matthew 24:29-31
10. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Cloud,” and Acts 1:9-11. John confirms, in Revelation 1:7, Christ will come “with clouds.” What might the clouds represent? (See also Matthew 24:29-31.)



11. Who will see Christ when he comes with clouds?


12. In what way(s) is Christ “Alpha” (the beginning) and “Omega” (the end)? (See also D&C 19:1-5.)




Day 5: Read Revelation 1:9-11, Bible Dictionary entry “Patmos,” D&C 29:4, 1 Corinthians 14:8-9
13. Why was John sent to the Island of Patmos? From whom did he receive “patience to endure tribulation”?




14. Read D&C 29:4 and 1 Corinthians 14:8-9. Why do you think John compared the voice he heard (Rev. 1:10) to a trumpet?



15. On what day of the week did John’s vision begin?


BONUS: Use the above map to find the seven churches of Asia (modern Turkey) mentioned by John. Based on their locations, why might these cities have been listed in this order?



Day 6: Read Revelation 1:12-15, Bible Dictionary entry “Candlestick,” D&C 38:7, Revelation 1:20
16. According to Revelation 1:20, what do the seven candlesticks represent? Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Candlestick.” Were these candlesticks designed to generate light or to carry it?


17. Where did John see the Savior standing, in relation to the seven candlesticks? Read D&C 38:7. Where does he stand today?


18. List elements of Johns’ description of the glorified Lord from Revelation 1:13-15.




BONUS: Compare symbols in John’s vision (Rev. 1:13-15) with elements in the visions recorded in Daniel 10:2-7 and D&C 110:1-4. List similarities. Why do you think these details were included?



Day 7: Read Revelation 1:16-20 (with footnote 20b)
19. How do you interpret the “sharp two-edged sword” which appears to come out of the Savior’s mouth in John’s vision. (See also Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17.)


20. What are the seven stars the Lord holds in his hand? In which hand does he hold them? Which hand does he use to comfort John?



21. What keys are in the possession of the glorified Savior in John’s vision?