NT Come Follow Me 51
Introduction:
“They Overcame … by the
Blood of the Lamb”
President
Boyd K. Packer counseled: “If the language of the scriptures at first
seems strange to you, keep reading. Soon you will come to recognize the beauty
and power found on those pages” (“The Key to Spiritual
Protection,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 27).
Revelation 12:2–4
Women travail in child birth, and from the moment we are born, Satan seeks to
claim us. Oh how we need a Savior, and Satan also sought to destroy Him.
Trust in Father’s Plan. Jesus finished all the preparations for our salvation.
Go forth with faith.
Revelation 13:7 Satan has been given a time to seek to gain power and destroy the saints of God. But with our hope in Jesus Christ, we can be assured of a positive outcome for ourselves and our loved ones as we seek to do the Father’s will.
John saw in vision that good (God) will prevail. Babylon will fall, and the faithful saints will be rescued and saved.
Revelation 7:14
Although we must go through great tribulation, we will be washed clean in the
blood of the Lamb.
Personal Study: “I saw another angel … having the everlasting
gospel.”
Revelation 14:6–7 Moroni appearing to Joseph and leading him to the plates, and the translation, distribution, and preaching the restored gospel is a fulfillment to the vision that John saw.
Angels who have participated in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Doctrine and
Covenants 13: John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John restoring the
Priesthood
27:5–13: Moroni delivering The Book of Mormon: Another
Testament of Jesus Christ; Elias, John the Baptist; Elijah; Joseph and Jacob,
Isaac and Abraham; Michael who is Adam; Peter, James, and John;
110:11–16: Moses; Elias; Elijah
128:20–21: Moroni; Michael; Peter, James, and John; voice
of God; Michael or Adam; Gabriel; Raphael; many other angels;
Family Study: We are
washed clean in the waters of baptism.
Revelation 7:9, 13–15 “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Family Study: When we
are washed clean, we desire extend that opportunity to everyone else.
My desire to serve in
the temple and to help build Zion should be greater!
Revelation 7:14–17 “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Personal Study: John saw many events of earth’s history,
especially those of the latter days.
Doctrine and Covenants 77:6–7 The book with seven seals, which John saw, represent the history of this worlds temporal existence, with each seal representing 1 or the 7,000 years.
Revelation 6:1–8 The first 4,000 years.
verses 9–11 The next 1,000 years.
(bringing us to 5,000).
The last 2,000 years, is the rest of the Book of Revelation.
John wrote this book for us!
Read Revelation 7 with the work of gathering
Israel in mind. What thoughts do you have about this work? (see also Doctrine and Covenants 77:8–11). What do you learn
from verses 13–17 about Jesus Christ and those who come
to Him?
See reading section below.
Doctrine and Covenants 77:8–11 Just as the earth was
created in 6 days and on the 7th day God rested, the temporal
existence, after the fall, is 6,000 years, with the 7th 1000 year
begin the millennium.
Two prophets will be raised to the Jewish nation in the last days.
What do chapters 8; 9; and 11 teach you about the events of the last days?
(see also Doctrine and Covenants 77:12–13, 15). How can we
prepare spiritually for these events?
See reading section below.
Doctrine and Covenants 77:12–13, 15 The sounding of the trumpets by the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of His work.
Revelation 10 tells of a book that an angel
gives to John and commands him to eat. What might this symbolize? (see Doctrine and Covenants 77:14).
See reading below.
Doctrine and Covenants 77:14 John has a mission and an ordinance to gather the tribes of Israel. (Elias must come and restore all things.)
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/6?lang=eng
Christ opens the six
seals, and John sees the events therein—In the fifth seal, he sees the
Christian martyrs; and in the sixth, he sees the signs of the times.
In this chapter, Jesus opens the seals of the book, 1-6.
1. The first beast invites John to "Come and See." John
sees Jesus on a white horse, with a bow and a crown, and He went forth
conquering and to conquer.
2. Jesus opened the second seal and John is invited by the second
beast, "Come and See."
John saw a horse that was red. He who rode the horse had power
given him to take peace from the earth. People killed each other. The rider was
given a great sword.
3. Jesus opened the third seal and John is invited by the third
beast to "Come and See." John saw a black horse. He who rode the
horse had a pair of balances in his hand. People sell goods for money.
4. Jesus opened the fourth seal and the fourth beast invited John
to "Come and See." John saw a pale horse, whose rider was named
Death, and Hell followed after him. They were given power over the fourth part
of the earth, to kill with the sword, hung, death, and beasts.
5. Jesus opened the fifth seal. John saw under the alter the souls
of those who were slain for the word of God and the tesimony the held.
They wanted to know how long it would be until the Lrod judged the
world and avenged them.
White robes were given to every one of them. He told them they
should rest for a little season, until their fellow servants and breathern were
also killed.
6. Jesus opened the sixth seal. There was an earthquake. The sun
became black, and the moon became as blood. The stars fell. The heavens
departed as a scroll. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
The notable men and the poor men hid themselves in dens and in rocks of the
mountains, trying to hide themselves from the Lord.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/7?lang=eng
John also sees in the sixth seal the Restoration of the gospel, the sealing of the 144,000, and the hosts of the exalted from all nations.
Read Revelation 7 with the work of gathering
Israel in mind. What thoughts do you have about this work? What do you learn
from verses 13–17 about Jesus Christ and those who come
to Him?
Vs 1-2 John saw a continuation of the sixth seal that was opened:
There are four angels keeping the world from current destruction.
Another angel, which had the seal of the living God, cried loudly to the flour
angels whom had power given them to hurt the earth and sea...
Vs 3-8 The angels tells the other four angles to not
hur the earth, the sea, or the trees, until the servants of God had been sealed
in their foreheads. There will be 12,000 High Priests chosen from each of the
tribes of Israel and sealed in their foreheads.
Vs 9-12 Those clothed in white robes out of every nation,
John saw them worshiping God and praising the Lamb, whith palms in their hands.
They fell on their faces before the throne of God and worshiped Him,
"Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and
honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.
Amen."
Vs 14-17 Those clothed in white robes
whom John saw, are those who came out of great tribulations, having washed
their robes, making them white in the bloof of the Lamb.
They are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in
His temple. Jesus dwells among them.
During the Millennium, the temples will be open day and night to
make sure the sacred saving and binding ordinances are available to all. But,
what am I doing now to serve God day and night?
Even now, I can having the blessings through the Spirit of not
hungering and thirsting, and being protected from the elements. Jesus will feel
us and lead us to living waters and wipe away all our tears in that great day,
and He will also bless us with peace and protection that we need now.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/8?lang=eng
What do chapters 8; 9; and 11 teach you about the events of the last days?
How can we prepare spiritually for these events?
Vs 1-13 Jesus opened the seventh seal.
If a day equaled 1000 years, half an hour would be equivalent to
12.5 years.
John saw seven angels which stood before God. They were given
seven trumpets.... they prepared themselves to sound.
First angel sounded--there was hail and fire mingled with blood.
1/3 part of the trees and all green grass was burnt up.
Second angel sounded--a great mountain of burning fire was cast
into the sea. A 1/3 part of the sea became blood; and a 1/3 part of the ships
were destroyed.
Third angel sounded--A great star fell from heaven, burning like a
lamp. It fell on the 1/3 part of the rivers and fountains of waters. The star
was called Wormwood. 1/3 part of the waters became wormwood. Many men died
because of the bitter waters.
Fourth angel sounded--1/3 part of the sun was smitted and 1/3 part
of the moon, and 1/3 part of the stars. A third a part of them were darkened,
and a 1/3 part of the day was without light, and the night also.
Then an angel flew through the heavens warning the earth of the
voice of the trumpets that had yet to sound.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/9?lang=eng
John also sees the wars and plagues poured out during the seventh seal and before the Lord comes.
What do chapters 8; 9; and 11 teach you about the events of the last days?
How can we prepare spiritually for these events?
John tells us of the things he
witnesses when the fifth and the sixth angels sounded.
It is important to repent. The Lord keeps giving us opportunities
to do so. It is also important to have His image written in our countenances
(which might mean that we have the seal of God in our foreheads).
I really don't want to be serverely tormented 5 months to bring me
to repentance.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/10?lang=eng
John seals up many things relative to the last days—He is commissioned to participate in the restoration of all things.
Revelation 10 tells of a book that an angel
gives to John and commands him to eat. What might this symbolize?
John is a prophet for all time. He was Christ's
apostle, and he chose to stay on the earth to bring souls to Christ until He
again returned to the earth. He will again prophesy before many peoples,
nations, tongues, and kings.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/11?lang=eng
In the last days, two prophets will be slain in Jerusalem—After 3½ days, they will be resurrected—Christ will reign over all the earth.
What do chapters 8; 9; and 11 teach you about the events of the last days?
How can we prepare spiritually for these events?
Vs 2 Will the place of the temple site, which is
sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslems be desecrated for 42 months, 3 1/2
years?
Vs 3-5 Two witnesses will
gave power to teach a prophesy also for 3 1/2 years, 1260 days.
Vs 6-11 These two prophets will have
great power like Moses had and Nephi had, to plague and to seal.
Once their testimony is finished, the beast will slay them. And
the world will rejoice that they have been killed and send gifts to each other.
But after 3 1/2 days, the Spirit of life from God will again enter into them
and they will stand on their feet, and great fear will fall upon those who see
them.
Vs 12 These prophets will be invited to "Come up
hither" by a great voice from heaven. And they will ascend into heaven in
a cloud, and their enemies will witness it.
Vs 13 Will
this earthquake cover the entirety of the lands of the earth?
Vs 15 “and
there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are
become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever
and ever.”
This will be announced from heaven!
Vs 16-19 These verses are powerful. Our
Lord and Almighty God, who is Eternal, who reigns and has all power and glory
has prevailed.
The evil people of nations will be angry because the Lord He is
God. All will be judged, and God's servants the prophets, and the saints who
fear His name will be blessed. And they that destroy the earth will be
destroyed.
John saw the temple of God opened in heaven and the ark of His
testament.
Personal Study: The War in Heaven continues on earth.
Revelation 12:7–11 This war that was waged in heaven is continuing here on earth.
verse 11 Satan will be overcome because of our testimony and faith in Jesus Christ. The blood of the Lamb will redeem us.
Revelation 12:17 Satan is angry with those who choose to follow Jesus. If we keep the commandments and have a testimony of Jesus Christ, Satan will war against us.
What do you learn
from Revelation 13 about how he is waging that war today?
See notes in
scripture below.
Revelation
12:11 How do “the blood of
the Lamb” and “the word of [your] testimony” (Revelation
12:11) continue to help you in this war?
Perspective. Father
in Jesus Christ and striving to be valiant in my testimony and in my service arms
me with the power of the Holy Ghost, who can protect me, warn me, and guide me.
1 Nephi 14:12–14 “…the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.”
Making and keeping temple covenants for ourselves and others is important!
Moroni 7:12–13 “…that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.”
Moses 4:1–4 Because of Satan’s rebellion against God, His Plan, and His Only Begotten, Satan was cast down.
Doctrine and Covenants 29:36–37 A third part of the hosts of heaven followed Satan and were also cast down.
The blood of the Lamb redeemed us even in our premortal
state!
Satan and his followers are denied mortal bodies.
We were permitted to come to earth to gain mortal bodies and to prove
ourselves.
We followed Jesus in our premortal lives; if we follow Him here on earth, we
can return to live with our Heavenly Father.
Family Study: The Word
of Their Testimony
Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
If we are true to Jesus, He will help us through all things
until we overcome the evils of the world through faith in Him. It is important
for us to be a light to the world and share our testimonies. Others can’t be
made perfect without us, and we can’t be made perfect without every effort to
help them come unto Christ as well.
Family Study:
Revelation 12:7–11
Can you visualize the war in heaven? Can you draw it?
14:6 Can you visualize Moroni (and other angels) flying through the midst of heaven to help open the work of restoration? Can you draw it?
Why are you thankful that angels came “having the everlasting gospel” to offer to us?
Family Study: Satan
is Deceptive
Revelation 13:11–14
How do we detect and avoid deceptions we see in
the world today?
By the Power of the Holy Ghost.
Immerse yourself in the scriptures. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Daily immersion in the word of God is crucial for spiritual survival, especially in these days of increasing upheaval” (“Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 89). What does “immersion in the word of God” mean to you?
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/12?lang=eng
John sees the
imminent apostasy of the Church—He also sees the War in Heaven in the beginning
when Satan was cast out—He sees the continuation of that war on earth.
Vs 4 Satan drew a third part of
the host of heaven and cast them down to the earth. He had no love or care for
them. He was set on destroying God's plan and anyone and everyone who got in
his way.
Satan seeks to devour every child that is born on this earth.
Vs 5 Mary brought forth
God's own Son, Jesus Christ who will rule as King of Kings forever.
Jesus was sent to save us all from sin and death.
Vs 7-9 Because of
Satan's rebellion, there was a war in heaven, and Satan and his angels were
cast out.
Vs 10-12 Rejoice, because the blood of
the Lamb saved us from Satan in our premortal state, because we chose faith in
Jesus Christ and the testimony of Him.
Rejoice again, because Jesus will again save those who are valiant
here in mortality.
Vs 12-17 Beware of evil and be careful to choose
righteousness. Satan is raging against those who choose to still bring forth
children and to follow God's plan for His family and the families of the earth.
Satan's work is to destroy the family.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/13?lang=eng
John sees fierce-looking beasts that represent
degenerate earthly kingdoms controlled by Satan—The devil works miracles and
deceives men.
What do you learn
from Revelation 13 about how he is waging that war today?
Vs 14-18 Don't be deceived. Even if Satan has limited power to heal a
beast, don't worship idols, but only the true and living good. Do not fear death.
Only receive the image of God in your countenance and no other
image. Trust that the Lord will be your Helper, Support, and King. He will feed
you and lead you along.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/rev/14?lang=eng
The Lamb will stand upon Mount Zion—The gospel
will be restored in the last days by angelic ministry—The Son of Man will
harvest the earth.
Vs 1 Remember that the 144,000 refer to the high
priests that are chosen, 12,000 out of each tribe; still, you can receive the
Father's image in your countenance, too.
Vs 2-3 We will learn to
sing this new song too.
Vs 4-5 These 144,000 men
will not be defiled by the immorality found in the world. They have followed
the Lamb and will be redeemed as the fristfruits to God and the Lamb. They are
honest and will be without fault at the throne of God.
Vs 6-10 The restoration of
the gospel began with Joseph Smith's First Vision and then Moroni's retun to
earth to give Joseph the golden plates. Many other angels have and are taking
part in the restoration and in warning the world to prepare for the Second
Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Vs 12-20 Continue to stay true to your covenants. There will be peace in
practicing patience and keeping the commandments of God, and exercising faith
in Jesus Christ.
We will continue to be blessed with continuing revelation during
these troubled times.
We are to put all our energies into building up the Lord's kingdom
and invited souls to come unto Him and be saved.
Soon the time of reaping will be fully here.
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