“December 23–29. Revelation 12–22: ‘He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things’” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2019 (2019)
“December 23–29. Revelation 12–22,” Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: 2019
The City Eternal, by Keith Larson
December 23–29
Revelation 12–22
“He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things”
As you read Revelation 12–22, look for parallels between what John saw and what you see in today’s world. Seek spiritual guidance to help you find personal lessons as you immerse yourself in John’s symbolic language.
Record Your Impressions
Imagine a woman “travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.” Now imagine “a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns” hovering over the woman, poised to “devour her child as soon as it was born” (Revelation 12:2–4). To understand these verses of John’s revelation, remember that these images represent the Church and kingdom of God and the peril they would face. For the Saints who experienced intense persecution in John’s day, victory over evil may not have seemed likely. This victory can also be hard to foresee in a day like ours, when the adversary is at “war with the saints” and has “power … over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Revelation 13:7). But the end of John’s revelation gloriously shows that good will prevail over evil. Babylon will fall. Jesus Christ will reign as King of Kings. “God shall wipe away all tears,” and the faithful will reign with Him and “inherit all things” (Revelation 21:4, 7).
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
The War in Heaven continues on earth.
We don’t know a lot about the War in Heaven, but there is a vivid though brief description of it in Revelation 12:7–11. As you read these verses, picture yourself as part of that premortal conflict. What do these verses teach about how you and God’s other faithful children overcame Satan? What does this imply about how you can overcome him in our day as he continues to “make war with [those who] have the testimony of Jesus Christ”? (verse 17).
See also 1 Nephi 14:12–14; “War in Heaven,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org; Bible Dictionary, “Michael,” “War in Heaven.”
Who is the angel that John saw preaching the gospel?
One fulfillment of the prophecy in these verses occurred when Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and led him to the records that he translated and published as the Book of Mormon. This book contains the “everlasting gospel” that we are charged with preaching unto “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6).
The Lord invites me to flee Babylon and her sins.
Revelation 17–18 contains unsettling images describing the sin, materialism, and lusts of Babylon—the symbol of worldliness and wickedness. Think of examples of Babylon-like conditions that exist today in the world, and ponder what you can do to follow the counsel to “come out of” Babylon and “be not partakers of her sins” (Revelation 18:4).
All of God’s children will be judged out of the book of life.
Suppose an author offered to write a book about your life. What details or experiences would you want included? If you knew that your future actions would also be recorded, how would you approach your life differently? Think about this as you read about Judgment Day in Revelation 20:12–15. What do you hope will be written about you in the book of life?
See also Bible Dictionary, “Book of life.”
If I am faithful, I will receive celestial glory.
In contrast to the descriptions of Babylon, Revelation 21–22 describes the celestial glory that awaits faithful followers of Christ. What images, phrases, or promises in these chapters inspire you to remain faithful even when it’s difficult?
Do these verses mean that there cannot be any additional scripture besides the Bible?
Some people have cited Revelation 22:18–19 as a reason to reject the Book of Mormon and other latter-day scripture. However, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:
“There is now overwhelming consensus among virtually all biblical scholars that this verse applies only to the book of Revelation, not the whole Bible. Those scholars of our day acknowledge a number of New Testament ‘books’ that were almost certainly written after John’s revelation on the Isle of Patmos was received. …
“But there is a simpler answer. … The whole Bible as we know it—one collection of texts bound in a single volume—did not exist when that verse was written” (“My Words … Never Cease,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 91).
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening
As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some suggestions:
Some family members might enjoy and benefit from drawing pictures of the visions described in Revelation. For example, drawing pictures based on Revelation 12 could lead to discussions about the War in Heaven (see verses 7–11). Pictures based on Revelation 21 could inspire conversations about the celestial kingdom. You could also show the picture that accompanies this outline and ask family members to find verses in Revelation 19 that the picture is portraying.
What might the phrase “the word of their testimony” mean? How do our testimonies of Jesus Christ help us and others overcome Satan?
What thoughts do your family members have about the deceiving beast? How do we detect and avoid deceptions we see in the world today?
How do 1 Nephi 22:26; Doctrine and Covenants 43:30–31 help us understand what it may mean for Satan to be “bound”?
What might be the symbolic meaning of having the Savior’s name “in [our] foreheads”? (Revelation 22:4; see also Revelation 13:16–17).
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Improving Our Teaching
Follow up on invitations to act. “When you follow up on an invitation to act, you show [your family members] that you care about them and how the gospel is blessing their lives. You also give them opportunities to share their experiences, which strengthens their commitment and allows them to support one another in living the gospel” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 35).
Christ in red robes sitting upon a white horse.