“The Not-So-Hidden Message in the Book of Revelation,” For the Strength of Youth, Dec. 2023.
Come, Follow Me
Revelation
The Not-So-Hidden Message in the Book of Revelation
In addition to its prophecies of Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, the book of Revelation contains a powerful message of peace and comfort.
I Stand at the Door and Knock, by J. Kirk Richards
Some people say that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ frightens them. War, famine, disease—the prophecies do contain some ominous signs. But they also tell of exciting events and divine promises. So in addition to informing us of the signs of the Second Coming, the prophecies also offer a great deal of comfort.
This is certainly true of the book of Revelation, for example, which was written by the Apostle John. It contains many prophecies about the Second Coming and also has some of the most comforting passages in all of scripture. Here are some messages of comfort from the book of Revelation.
You Can Hear the Savior’s Voice and Open the Door
To the Saints of John’s day—and to us—the Savior said:
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
The Savior wants to draw near to you (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:63). He is calling to you. You can open the door and let Him in at any time.
You Can Find Protection
In the book of Revelation, the Lord commands, “Come out of [the world], my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4). These plagues are bad, but they’re reserved for those who love wickedness and aren’t trying to escape it.
Draw close to the Lord and His people. Leave the world behind. You can find peace of mind and protection in the refuge of Zion.
You Can Overcome
In Revelation you’ll find wonderful promises from the Lord to His Saints who overcome the world (see, especially, Revelation 2–3). These eternal blessings are for those who make covenants with God and keep them. The Lord summed up these blessings:
“He [or she] that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his [or her] God, and he [or she] shall be my son [or daughter]” (Revelation 21:7).
John tells you not only what the blessings are but also how you can receive them. It is “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of [your] testimony” (Revelation 12:11). To overcome, you can rely on the grace of Jesus Christ and exercise faith in Him. As President Russell M. Nelson taught:
“Overcoming the world certainly does not mean becoming perfect in this life, nor does it mean that your problems will magically evaporate—because they won’t. And it does not mean that you won’t still make mistakes. But overcoming the world does mean that your resistance to sin will increase. Your heart will soften as your faith in Jesus Christ increases. Overcoming the world means growing to love God and His Beloved Son more than you love anyone or anything else” (“Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Oct. 2022 general conference [Liahona, Nov. 2022, 96–97]).
You Can Prepare
One clear message in the book of Revelation is that Jesus Christ will come again—and that you can prepare for it through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, making and keeping covenants, and enduring to the end. With this preparation comes the reassurance that you need not fear His coming. Instead, you can remember His ultimate comfort for His Saints:
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
With comfort and assurance like this, you will feel like saying the same thing John says at the end of his book: “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).