“December 11–17. Revelation 6–14: ‘They Overcame … by the Blood of the Lamb,’” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023 (2021)
“December 11–17. Revelation 6–14,” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: 2023
Composite art by Eric Johnson: The Grand Council, by Robert T. Barrett; star cluster courtesy of European Space Agency
December 11–17
Revelation 6–14
“They Overcame … by the Blood of the Lamb”
Joseph Smith said that the book of Revelation “is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written” (in Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 2, 10 March 1843–14 July 1843, 98, JosephSmithPapers.org). How can you help class members find plain truths in these chapters?
Invite Sharing
To help class members review some of the insights they had as they studied Revelation 6–14, write the numbers 6 through 14 on the board. Class members could write next to a number any insights they found in the corresponding chapter that are relevant to someone living in the latter days.
Teach the Doctrine
Jesus Christ opens the seals of the book.
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To help class members visualize the book with seven seals (see Revelation 5:1), you could explain that ancient scrolls were often sealed with a bit of clay or wax. A ring or stamp would be pressed into the clay or wax before it hardened, signifying the authority of the person who sealed the scroll and discouraging unauthorized people from opening it. Class members could then share any thoughts or impressions they had while reading about this book in Revelation 6; Doctrine and Covenants 77:6–7; and this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Why do you think it is important to know this book’s symbolic meaning? Why do you think it is important to know that the Savior is the one to open each of the seals of the book? (see Revelation 5:1–9).
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord.”
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Revelation 7–11 can be difficult to understand. One blessing of a Sunday School class is that class members can help each other understand the scriptures. You could make a list of questions class members have about these chapters and invite them to share insights with each other. Encourage all class members—those who may feel more knowledgeable and those who may feel they don’t know as much—to share their insights about these chapters.
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You might start a discussion by asking class members what recurring themes they found in Revelation 7–11. They could share verses where these themes are found and explain why the themes are significant. If they need help, you could suggest that they read Revelation 11:15–17. What themes do they find in these verses, and how is this theme expressed in other verses in Revelation 7–11? Even though these chapters describe wars and plagues, what do we find that gives us hope and confidence in Jesus Christ?
We overcome Satan “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of [our] testimony.”
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Learning about the War in Heaven can help us better understand life on earth. Class members could read Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 12:7–11 (in the Bible appendix) and identify how we overcome Satan and his hosts. What other insights do we gain from the entries on the War in Heaven in the Bible Dictionary or Gospel Topics? (topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What do we learn that can help us overcome the adversary?
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The war between good and evil is described in Revelation 13–14. What does chapter 13 teach us about how the dragon fights this war? According to chapter 14, how does the Lamb fight it? It could be interesting to make a list of the ways that each side fights this war according to these two chapters. What similarities and differences do we see?
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What does it mean that the Lamb was “slain from the foundation of the world”? (Revelation 13:8; see also Revelation 5:6). Consider helping your class members find answers to this question by reading Mosiah 3:13 and Moses 7:47 as a class. What does it mean to overcome Satan “by the blood of the Lamb”? (Revelation 12:11).
“I saw another angel … having the everlasting gospel.”
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This week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families suggests learning about various angels who restored “the everlasting gospel to … them that dwell on the earth” (Revelation 14:6). Invite class members to share what they learned. What does Doctrine and Covenants 133:36–40 teach us about Revelation 14:6–7? How do we participate in the work of the angel mentioned in Revelation 14:6–7? You could also show the video “The Work of These Last Days” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Improving Our Teaching
It’s OK to say “I don’t know.” “While it is natural to want to answer every question, in some situations it is appropriate to simply say, ‘I don’t know. Let’s study that question on our own this week, and we can discuss it next time’” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 24). Then ask class members to search the scriptures and other Church resources for answers.