Revelation 21-22

Revelation 21-22 to be discussed May 12 LAST CLASS UNTIL SEPTEMBER
Day 1: Read Revelation 21:1-8, Isaiah 25:8-9
1. Read the chapter heading for Revelation 21. What period of earth’s history is described in this chapter?


2. What will be “new” about heaven and earth after the millennium? List celestial qualities of the earth that appeal to you. (See also Isaiah 25:8-9.)


3. List specific promises in Revelation 21:7 to those who overcome the world.



Day 2: Read Revelation 21:9-14, Ezekiel 48:30-35
4. What did the angel with a vial invite John to see?


5. How did John describe this vision?


6. What was written on the gates of the holy city? The foundations? Why were the walls so high? (See also Ezekiel 48:30-35.)



Day 3: Read Revelation 21:15-20 (with footnote 16b), Ephesians 2:19-22, Psalm 51:17-18, D&C 43:7
7. Why do you think the Lord is so specific about the measurement of his city?



8. Read footnote 16b. If a furlong is about 607 feet and there are 5,280 feet to a mile, approximately how many miles will the holy city measure on each side?



9. If you likened you and/or your family to the holy city, what would be the foundations? The walls? The gates? (See also Ephesians 2:19-22, Psalm 51:17-18, D&C 43:7.)



Day 4: Read Revelation 21:21-27, Alma 34:36
10. Why will there be no temple in the New Jerusalem?



11. Why will there be no need for the sun? (See also Revelation 22:5.)



12. Read Alma 34:36. Who will sit down in the Lord’s kingdom?


Day 5: Read Revelation 22:1-7, 1 Nephi 11:21-25, Genesis 3:17-24, 1 John 3:2-3
13. Read 1 Nephi 11:21-25. What do the river of water and the tree of life represent in Lehi’s dream? How does this behave like a river? Like a tree?


14. From Revelation 22:2, what special property do the leaves of the tree of life possess?


BONUS: Read 1 John 3:2-3. How does this verse explain Revelation 22:4?


15. Who will be “blessed” or happy, according to Revelation 22:7?


BONUS: Read Genesis 3:17-24. At the Fall of Adam, how was the earth cursed? When will the curse be lifted?


Day 6: Read Revelation 22:8-15
16. Why did the Lord’s angel refuse to allow John to worship him?


17. What phrase is repeated in Revelation 22: 7 and 12? What does this mean?


18. According to Revelation 22:14, who will be blessed and with what?


Day 7: Read Revelation 22:16-21, 2 Peter 1:19
19. How can Christ be both the root and the offspring of David? How is he like a bright and morning star? (See also 2 Peter 1:9.)


20. List groups from Revelation 22:17 who are asked to invite others to come unto Christ.


21. Revelation 22:18-19 give strong warnings regarding tampering with John’s Revelation.* In your own words, give the spirit of these warnings and tell why you think John included them.


From the Institute Manual
*(56-19) Revelation 22:18, 19 . Do Modern Revelations “Add unto These Things”?
“Of course, a careful reading of this text shows very clearly that John the Revelator was speaking only of the book of Revelation and not of any collection of other sacred writings. Moses used a similar expression in speaking to ancient Israel when he said: ‘Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, . . .’ This is found in the fourth chapter of the book of Deuteronomy ( verse 2 ). In the 12th chapter of the same book Moses said this: ‘What things soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.’ ( Verse 32 .)
… In warning against additions to the book of Revelation [John] spoke of that book only, insisting that no one attempt to change or corrupt what he had said. The Bible was not compiled when John wrote the book of Revelation, so he could not possibly have referred to it.
“Furthermore, scholars tell us that the Gospel of John was written after the book of Revelation, and if this be true it becomes another indication that John had no thought of precluding other writings but only of protecting this particular book of Revelation from change or corruption.” (Mark E. Petersen in CR, Oct. 1964, p. 121.)

Revelation 19-20

Revelation 19-20 Study Guide – to be discussed May 5
Day 1: Read Revelation 19:1-5, Bible Dictionary entry, “Alleluia,” D&C 29:21
1. Revelation 19 begins with the phrase, “And after these things….” Review Revelation 17 and 18 (read chapter headings) to answer the question, “After what things?”


2. Read Bible Dictionary entry, “Alleluia.” What does “Alleluia” mean? Why did the heavenly hosts rejoice and praise God?


3. What two groups began the worship described in Revelation 19:4? Who did the voice from the throne call on to give praise?


Day 2: Read Revelation 19:6-10, D&C 88:96-98, D&C 58:11, Luke 14:15-24
4. Why did the many voices in Revelation 19:6 give praise? Who is the Lamb’s wife?


5. Who is called to the marriage supper of the Lamb? (See also D&C 88:96-98, D&C 58:11.)*


BONUS: Read Luke 14:15-24. Why do some people refuse the invitation to the marriage supper? Can you think of modern applications?



6. Read Revelation 19:10. What is the testimony of Jesus? How might this testimony help prepare us for the marriage feast?


Day 3: Read Revelation 19:11-16 (with footnote 15a), D&C 133:48-51
7. Describe the rider who is named “Faithful” and “True” (v.11), and “The Word of God” (v.13). Read D&C 133:48-51. Explain why his vestments are red.


8. Read the footnote to Revelation 19:15a. What is the sharp sword with which nations will be smitten? What is the rod of iron by which they will be ruled?


9. What is written on the rider’s clothing and thigh? Why?


Day 4: Read Revelation 19:17-21 (with footnotes 18a, 21a), D&C 29:17-20
10. Who will be invited to the supper described in Revelation 19:17-18?


11. Read D&C 29:17-20. Who will BE the supper?


12. What will be the final outcome of the beast and the false prophet?


Day 5: Read Revelation 20:1-5
13. Compare Revelation 20:1 with Revelation 9:1. Who has the key to the bottomless pit? To whom did it belong all along?


14. What will the “seal” put upon Satan accomplish? Why do you think he will be “bound” rather than destroyed?**


15. Compare Revelation 19:20 with Revelation 20:4. What part will worship play in the ultimate reward of the wicked and the righteous?


Day 6: Read Revelation 20:6-10 (with footnotes 6a and 6d), D&C 63:17-18
16. What is the second death? (See footnotes 6a and 6d and D&C 63:17-18.)


17. How numerous will the wicked be in the “little season” at the end of the millennium?


18. How will these armies finally be destroyed? After their defeat, what will be Satan’s reward?


Day 7: Read Revelation 20:11-15, D&C 128:7-8, 3 Nephi 27:23-26, D&C 76:32-37, Bible Dictionary entry, “Book of Life”
19. Out of what and according to what will all men be judged? (See also D&C 128:7-8 and 3 Nephi 27:23-26.)


20. Read D&C 76:32-37. Whose names are NOT written in the Book of Life?


21. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Book of Life.” Who writes in the book of life?



From the Institute Manual:
*56-1) Revelation 19:7–9 . Who Are to Be Invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?
“‘In this dispensation the Bridegroom, who is the Lamb of God, shall come to claim his bride, which is the Church composed of the faithful saints who have watched for his return. As he taught in the parable of the marriage of the king’s son, the great marriage supper of the Lamb shall then be celebrated.’ ( Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., p. 469.) The elders of Israel are now issuing the invitations to the marriage supper of the Lord; those who believe and obey the gospel thereby accept the invitation and shall sit in due course with the King’s Son at the marriage feast.” (McConkie, DNTC, 5:563–64.)

**(56-6) Revelation 20:2, 3 . How Is Satan Bound?
“Many other scriptures refer to the thousand years of wonderful, glorious conditions on the earth, because Lucifer, Satan, the devil, will be bound.
“The scriptures say he will be ‘bound with a chain’ and ‘put into a bottomless pit.’ To me, these are symbolical terms. I cannot quite conceive of steel chains or pits that could hold Satan. The only power I know of that will bind Satan, or render him powerless, is righteous living.
“The war that started in heaven has not ended yet and shall not end until everyone has proved the extent of his ability to resist Satan. Even Jesus Christ had to bind Satan when he was tempted in the wilderness. Satan had no power over him, because Jesus resisted his temptations. Then the record says, ‘. . . he departed from him for a season.’ ( Luke 4:13 .)” (Eldred G. Smith in CR, Apr. 1970, p. 142; see also 1 Nephi 22:26 .)