Revelation 17-18

Revelation 17-18 Study Guide – to be discussed April 28
Day 1: Read Revelation 17:1-5 (with footnotes 1b, 5a), 1 Nephi 14:9-12
1. What did the angel say he was going to show John in vision?




2. Describe the “great whore”:
a. On what did she ride?




b. How was she dressed?




c. What was in her golden cup?




d. What was written on her forehead?




3. Read footnotes 1b and 5a and 1 Nephi 14:9-12. What does the “great whore” represent? What is her fornication?




Day 2: Read Revelation 17:6-13 (with footnote 6c), review Revelation 13, chapter heading
4. With what was the woman drunken? Why do you think John was astonished at this vision?



5. Review the chapter heading to Revelation 13. What did the beast with seven heads and ten horns represent? Where did this beast originate and where will it end up?




6. What kind of power is represented by the seven heads and ten horns? In what are they united?




Day 3: Read Revelation 17:14-18, 1 Nephi 22:13-14
7. Who will win the war between the beast and the Lord? Why?



8. Use Revelation 17:15 to explain what the waters upon which the whore sits (see Rev. 17:1) represent.



9. Read 1 Nephi 22:13-14. Why will the beast turn on the whore?



Day 4: Read Revelation 18:1-6, D&C 101:22-25
10. What is the message of the very powerful angel who cries with a strong voice in Rev. 18:2?



11. Give three reasons why Babylon will fall.



12. What did the warning voice from heaven command the saints to do? Read D&C 101:22-25. List ways we can heed the warning.



Day 5: Read Revelation 18:7-13 (with footnote 7a), D&C 5:19
13. What is Babylon’s attitude before she falls?



14. Why will kings mourn? Why will merchants mourn?



15. There is a list in Revelation 18:12-13 of the commodities in which corrupt merchants deal. What is the last thing on the list? What evidence of this do you see today?



Day 6: Read Revelation 18:14-19, Ezekiel 27:26-36
16. Review the list in Revelation 18:12-13. Are these mostly wants or needs? Why did the merchants love Babylon?



17. Did the shipmasters and sailors seem repentant?



18. Read Ezekiel 27:26-36. Ezekiel’s vision of the fall of Tyrus foreshadows the fall of Babylon. On what does it seem the hearts of the mariners of Tyrus were set?


Day 7: Read Revelation 18:20-24, Mormon 8:33-41
19. Who will rejoice at the fall of Babylon and why? How does Revelation 18:24 answer the question of Revelation 6:9-10?


20. What phrase is repeated in Revelation 18:21, 22 and 23? What does this say about Babylon?



21. Read Mormon 8:33-41. To whom is Moroni speaking in these verses? What similarities can you find between Revelation 17-18 and Mormon 8:33-41?

Revelation 15-16

Revelation 15-16 Study Guide, to be discussed April 21
Day 1: Read Revelation 15:1-4, Exodus 15:1-6, Hymn #267
1. List what the celestial beings in Revelation 15:2 have overcome.



2. Read the song of Moses in Exodus 15:1-6. Why did Moses sing praises to the Lord?


3. Read hymn #267 in the LDS Hymnal, or find it online at lds.org (go to Menu, then “Music” under the heading “Study” and type “267” in the search box). What is the name of this hymn? List phrases from Revelation 15:3-4 included in the text of hymn #267.



Day 2: Read Revelation 15:5-8
4. What indications do we have that the seven angels described in Revelation 15:6 are emissaries from God?


5. With what were the seven vials (or bowls) filled? Who gave the vials to the angels?



6. With what was the temple filled in Revelation 15:8? What had to happen before men could enter the temple?



Day 3: Read Revelation 16:1-3 (with footnote 2a), Bible Dictionary entry, “Blood”
7. What mission was given to the seven angels with vials?


8. Who is affected by the plague poured out of the first vial? Look up “noisome” in a dictionary. What does it mean?


9. What are the results of the second plague? Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Blood.” What does blood represent?



Day 4: Read Revelation 16:4-9
10. What is the result of the third angel’s plague? How is it different from the second vial?



11. Why do the wicked deserve this punishment?



12. What is the result of the fourth angel’s plague?


Day 5: Read Revelation 16:10-13 (with footnote 10a), D&C 19:15-19
13. Where is the fifth vial poured out? Does footnote 10a add to your understanding of the type of people upon whom the fifth vial will be poured out?


14. What is the result of the sixth plague? From Revelation 16:12, what is prepared by this plague?


15. Out of whose mouths do the three unclean spirits come?


Day 6: Read Revelation 16:14-17, D&C 106:4-5, Bible Dictionary entry “Armageddon”
16. Read D&C 106:4-5. Why will the righteous NOT be caught off guard when the Lord comes again?

17. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Armageddon.” How will this battle be different from previous conflicts?*


18. Will there be time to repent after the seventh vial is poured out?


Day 7: Read Revelation 16:18-21, D&C 87:5-8
19. [Note: The “great city” probably refers to Jerusalem. A talent (v.21) weighs about 75 pounds (BD p. 789).] List the signs of the seventh plague.


20. Read D&C 87:5-8. Where can we go for refuge when the plagues are poured out?


21. Why do some people curse God instead of repent?


From the Institute Manual:
*(55-31) Revelation 16:16 . “A Place Called in the Hebrew Tongue Armageddon”
Lying about sixty miles north of Jerusalem is the site of Megiddo, a great mound or hill commanding the northern entrance to the broad plain called the valley of Esdraelon. The mountain or hill of Megiddo ( Har Meggido in Hebrew, of which Armageddon is the Greek transliteration) guarded the strategic pass that cuts through the mountain range separating the coastal plains from the inland plains and hill country of Galilee. Because of this fortress or Mount of Megiddo, the valley and surrounding areas have also come to be known as Armageddon. One of the most important highways of the ancient world—the main link between Egypt and Asia—ran through this valley and near the fortress of Megiddo. Because of that strategic location, Megiddo and the valley of Esdraelon have seen some of history’s bloodiest battles. Egyptian pharaohs, Roman legions, British troops, and Israeli tanks all have struggled in the valley of Megiddo. Prior to the second coming of Christ, all nations of the earth shall be gathered together to battle against Jerusalem. This tremendous war, one of the final great events prior to the Savior’s second coming, has been foreseen and described in detail by many of the Lord’s ancient prophets. (See, for example, Ezekiel 38 , 39 ; Joel 2 , 3 ; Isaiah 34 ; Jeremiah 25 ; Daniel 11 , 12 ; Zechariah 12–14 .) Jerusalem will be under siege and great suffering will be the lot of her inhabitants. Evidently, Armageddon, which is north of Jerusalem, will be the site of the great decisive battle of this war. “During this siege, when the nations are gathered and the Lord comes, there will be great destruction. The armies will become so confused they will fight among themselves. There will be great slaughter. Then the Lord comes to the Jews. He shows Himself. He calls upon them to come and examine His hands and His feet, and they say, ‘What are these wounds?’ And He answers them, ‘These are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am Jesus Christ.’
“Then they will accept Him as their Redeemer, which they have never been willing to do.” (Smith, Signs of the Times, p. 171.)

Revelation 13-14

Revelation 13-14 – to be discussed March 31
Day 1: Read Revelation 13:1-4 (with chapter heading and footnote 1a)
1. What does the chapter heading to Revelation 13 tell you about the beasts in this chapter?


2. Keeping in mind what the beasts represent, why do you think the beast that rises from the sea in Revelation 13:1 is described with characteristics of a leopard, bear and lion? Who gives it power and authority?


3. Why did all the world wonder after the beast? Who did the world worship?


BONUS: Rephrase the questions at the end of verse four in more modern language.


Day 2: Read Revelation 13:5-10, Bible Dictionary entry “Blasphemy,” Mormon 4:5
4. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Blasphemy.” Against whom or what does the beast’s mouth blaspheme?


5. [Note: The saints in verse 7 who will be overcome by the beast are those “whose names are not written in the book of life.” Similarly, “all that dwell upon the earth” in verse 8 refers to all the wicked.]
How do we sometimes give Satan power to war against us?



6. What does Revelation 13:10 indicate will happen to those who persecute the saints? Does Mormon 4:5 confirm this?


Day 3: Read Revelation 13:11-14
7. Describe the second beast. To whom did he encourage men to listen?


8. Can you think of any examples of a kind of person or entity today that looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon? (No proper names, please.)


9. Why is it important for us to be guided by the witness of the Spirit, not basing our testimonies on miracles, signs or wonders?


Day 4: Read Revelation 13:15-18, D&C 1:16, Deuteronomy 6:4-9
10. Read D&C 1:16 with Revelation 13:15-16. What could the marks of Satan be?


11. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. What are the marks of Jesus Christ?


12. Does it sound like merchandise is important to those who worship the beast?


Day 5: Read Revelation 14:1-5, Review D&C 77:11, D&C 133:17-22
13. Where did John see the Savior standing in Revelation 14:1? Who was with him?


14. Read D&C 133:17-22 with Revelation 14:1-2. Where did Joseph Smith see the Savior standing? Whose voice sounds like many waters, according to this passage? How might that sound?


15. List characteristics of the 144,000 from Revelation 14:4-5. [Note: “not defiled” means morally chaste, clean.]

BONUS: Read D&C 84:95-102. When will this “new song” be sung? What is the message of the song?



Day 6: Read Revelation 14:6-12, Bible Dictionary entry “Babylon”
16. What kinds of voices do the angels of the restoration* use? Why do these angels command us to “Fear God and give glory to him”?


17. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Babylon.” What are three possible meanings for the city of Babylon?


18. What is the punishment for those who worship the beast and receive his mark?



Day 7: Read Revelation 14:13-20, D&C 12:1-4
[Note: Mark the second Beatitude in Revelation 14:13.]
19. From where did John see the angel come in Revelation 14:15? Read D&C 12:1-4. Who are being reaped?


20. Over what does the angel from the altar have power? Now who is being reaped? Into what will they be cast?


21. Where is the winepress of the Lord? Gethsemane? Armageddon? Neither? Both?



*From the Institute Manual: (55-29) Revelation 14:6, 7 . “And I Saw Another Angel . . . Having the Everlasting Gospel”
“Now, as to the actual work of restoration—what angel performed this mighty deed, this work which involves the salvation of all men on earth in these latter-days? Who restored the everlasting gospel? Was it one angel or many?
“It is traditional (and true!) to reply: ‘Moroni, son of Mormon, the now resurrected Nephite prophet, who holds the keys of “the stick of Ephraim” ( D. & C. 27:5 ), the one through whose ministry the Book of Mormon was again brought to light.’ The reasoning that the Book of Mormon contains ‘the fulness of the everlasting gospel’ ( D. & C. 135:3 ); that therein is God’s message of salvation for all of the earth’s inhabitants; and that this gospel message is now being taken by the Lord’s witnesses to one nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people after another. . . .
“. . . But other angels were yet to come—Moses, Elias, Elijah, Gabriel, Raphael, and ‘divers angels. . . . all declaring their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood; giving line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little.’ ( D. & C. 128:21 .)
“Thus the angel Moroni brought the message, that is, the word; but other angels brought the keys and priesthood, the power. And in the final analysis the fulness of the everlasting gospel consists of all of the truths and powers needed to enable men to gain a fulness of salvation in the celestial heaven.” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:528–30.)