“Lesson 55: Revelation 12–16,” New Testament Teacher Manual (2018)
“Lesson 55,” New Testament Teacher Manual
55
Revelation 12–16
Introduction and Timeline
In Revelation 12–16, John described in some detail the war that Satan wages against God and His faithful Saints, which began in the premortal world and continues in mortality. In spite of the fearful events described in these chapters, there are great reasons to hope and rejoice. John the Revelator assured his readers that although Satan makes war with the Saints of God, they can be victorious. We can overcome Satan by relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, living so that our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, and keeping the covenants we make with God. As we are faithful in these ways, we will also receive protection from the plagues to be poured out upon the earth. We also learn in these chapters that God restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth in order to help His children withstand and overcome these tribulations in the last days.
Chapter Overviews
John saw a woman (the Church), her child (the kingdom of God), and a great red dragon (Satan). He saw the War in Heaven, Satan’s continuation of that war against the Church established by Jesus Christ in the meridian of time, and Satan’s war against all mortals who keep the commandments of God.
John saw a vision of a fierce beast (earthly kingdoms that war against the Saints). The Saints do not worship the beast but show patience and faith in Jesus Christ. A second beast resembling a lamb but speaking like a dragon labors on behalf of the first beast, performing wonders and deceiving people.
The Lamb of God stands upon Mount Zion, together with 144,000 people. John saw an angel with the everlasting gospel to preach to those on earth, symbolizing the latter-day Restoration of the gospel. A second angel heralds the destruction of Babylon, and a third warns of the impending destruction of the wicked. The Son of Man and His angels gather the wicked and cast them into “the great winepress of the wrath of God.”
Exalted Saints who have overcome the beast praise God in celestial glory. Angels prepare to pour out God’s judgment upon the wicked.
John saw a vision of seven angels, each pouring out a plague of wrath upon the wicked. The wicked do not repent. Kings of the earth gather to battle at Armageddon. John saw thunder and lightning, a great earthquake, and great hail.
Suggestions for Teaching
Revelation 12–13
The War Satan Waged in the Premortal World Continues Today
Ask students what thoughts or emotions they might have if they unexpectedly heard that their country was going to war and they would be required to become a soldier in the war. Have students briefly look in Revelation 12:7–9; 13:7 (see Revelation 12:6–8 in the Joseph Smith Translation [in the Bible appendix]) to find the wars mentioned there. Ask students what wars are mentioned in those scripture passages. (The premortal War in Heaven and Satan’s war against the Saints on earth, which is a continuation of the premortal war.) You might ask students to share how people in the world today are “at war” with Satan.
Explain to students that this lesson will review how the spiritual war we are fighting began and will teach students how to overcome Satan and his forces.
Explain that there are numerous symbols in Revelation 12. Place the following scripture references on the board. (If you are using the Joseph Smith Translation, the assigned passages would be Revelation 12:1–2; 12:4; 12:3, 5.) Assign each student to read one of the passages and identify the symbols described there and any identifying features about each symbol. Write their responses on the board. The board might look like the following:
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A woman travailing to deliver a child Clothed with the sun The moon under her feet A crown with twelve stars |
A red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns Cast a third part of the stars to earth Stood to devour the woman’s child |
Man child who will rule all nations with a rod of iron Caught up to God’s throne Woman who fled into wilderness Found a place prepared by God |
Ask students to learn more about these symbols listed on the board by taking several minutes to study the student manual commentaries for Revelation 12:1–2, 5, 7; for Revelation 12:1; for Revelation 12:3–4, 7–10; and for Revelation 12:6, 14. Consider having students pair up with another member of the class to explain to one another their understanding of Revelation 12:1–6 (verses 1–5 in the Joseph Smith Translation). After the student pairs have finished, make sure they understand the following points: Satan and his followers sought to destroy the New Testament Church; the New Testament Church fell into apostasy; Satan continues to make war against the Saints of God; the latter-day Church will help prepare individuals and families for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Ask a student to read aloud Revelation 12:7–10 (verses 6–10 in the Joseph Smith Translation) while the class follows along and looks for what is being described. Allow students to share their ideas, and make sure they understand that the verses are describing the premortal War in Heaven. Then you might invite students to explain the relevance of the War in Heaven by asking:
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How does the premortal War in Heaven affect us today?
Have students read Revelation 12:11 (same verse in the Joseph Smith Translation) and identify what made it possible for Satan to be defeated in the War in Heaven. (The Atonement of Jesus Christ and the testimonies of those who followed Him.) After students report their answers, invite them to state a principle taught in this verse by asking:
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How can our knowledge of how Satan was defeated in the premortal world be used to help us in mortality? (It may be helpful to write the following principle on the board: We can overcome Satan in his war against us by relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and our testimony of Jesus.)
Then ask students:
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How might you use Revelation 12:11 to help someone who feels that he or she cannot win against Satan in this life?
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How does the Joseph Smith Translation help you understand this verse?
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What recent experiences have you had when your testimony of Jesus Christ helped you to overcome temptation or to make a correct decision?
Ask a student to read aloud Revelation 12:12–13, 17. Then ask:
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In verse 17, John saw that the dragon “went to make war with the remnant of her seed.” What is meant by “her seed”? (Those who “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” If students need more clarification, see the student manual commentary for Revelation 12:17.)
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How is it a benefit to know Satan’s intentions toward you? (Consider asking students to cross-reference Revelation 12:17 with 2 Nephi 2:27 to show that Satan’s intention is to make us miserable and to destroy us.)
Introduce Revelation 13 by telling students that in this chapter we can learn more about how Satan continues to wage war against the Saints of God. Ask a student to read Revelation 13:1 aloud and another student to read Revelation 13:11 aloud. Ask students to listen for details about the two beasts mentioned in these verses. Then ask for student responses. Ask students to listen for the meaning of the two beasts as you have two students read aloud the student manual commentaries for Revelation 13:1–7 and for Revelation 13:11–17. Give students a moment to study Revelation 13:7–12, 14 and identify what the beasts seek to do and what we can learn about how to overcome those who advance Satan’s work. You can help students analyze these verses by asking questions like the following:
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What are the intentions of the beasts described in these verses? How are these intentions like the intentions of Satan’s work?
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What did you find in these verses that will help protect the Saints in this spiritual war? (Possible answers: The patience and faith of the Saints. Relying upon the Atonement of the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”)
You might also emphasize this principle: We can overcome Satan and his continuous war against the Saints if our names are written in the book of life. Write this bold statement underneath the previous statement of principle you wrote on the board. Have students read the student manual commentary for Revelation 13:8 for an explanation of the book of life.
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What does it mean to have our names written in the book of life?
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What do you think John meant when he said that patience and faith will be required of the Saints? (You might refer students to the student manual commentary for Revelation 13:10; 14:12.)
Give students a few minutes to write down what they would like written in the book of life about them. Assure students that if they keep the covenants they have entered into with God, their names will be written in the book of life.
Revelation 14
A Vision of the Restoration of the Gospel, Missionary Work, and the Latter Days
Consider giving students a brief summary of Revelation 14:1–5. Explain that verses 6 and 7 describe John’s visions of three angels who made important pronouncements. Ask students to read Revelation 14:6–7, looking for the purpose of the first angel’s visit and what message he brought. (Possible answers: He brought the gospel, suggesting the Restoration of the gospel; he announced that the hour of God’s judgment had come; and he declared that all people should worship God.) After students have identified these main points of the angel’s message, ask students the following questions to deepen their understanding:
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Verse 6 describes the message of the gospel being delivered to the earth, and verse 7 describes God’s judgment being poured out upon the earth. Why was it important for the Restoration to occur before God’s Final Judgment? (One answer students may give is: God restored the gospel in the last days to prepare earth’s inhabitants for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Consider writing this bold statement on the board. Consider inviting students to cross-reference Revelation 14:6–7 with Doctrine and Covenants 1:17.) Then ask:
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In what ways does the Restoration of the gospel save people from the Lord’s judgments? (If time permits, you might have students read Doctrine and Covenants 1:17–23 for further information about how the restored gospel can save people from the judgments that are coming.)
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In addition to serving as full-time missionaries, what do you feel we can do to take the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people?
To help students understand the remainder of Revelation 14, consider having them study Revelation 14:8–13, looking for the contrast between what awaits those who accept the gospel message and what awaits those who fight against this message. After sufficient time, invite students to comment on what they discovered. Testify that the message of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ is for all people and that the Lord loves all of His children. Because the Lord loves us, He is sending forth the gospel to the four corners of the world. Those who embrace the gospel and remain true to their covenants will escape the Lord’s wrath described in Revelation 14.
Revelation 16
A Vision of Seven Plagues Poured Out upon Earth’s Inhabitants
Draw simple pictures of seven containers on the board, such as jars, vials, vases, or bowls, and read Revelation 16:1 to your students. Then write the following scripture references on the board, perhaps one reference by each container. Assign each student or group of students to read one of the references, looking for the plague John saw poured out upon the earth. You could have students write a description of each plague on the board next to the appropriate reference. The board might look like the following:
Revelation 16:2. A noisome and grievous sore fell upon men.
Revelation 16:3. The sea became like blood; all creatures in the sea died.
Revelation 16:4. The rivers and fountains of water became blood.
Revelation 16:8–9. The sun scorched mankind.
Revelation 16:10–11. Darkness spread across the kingdom of the devil, and the wicked gnawed their tongues for pain and did not repent.
Revelation 16:12–16. The great river Euphrates was dried up, and the forces of evil gathered at Armageddon.
Revelation 16:17–20. Thunders, lightnings, earthquakes, hail stones—the face of the earth changed.
Ask:
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What do verses 9 and 11 reveal about people’s wickedness in the last days—the time when these plagues will be poured out? (The people are so wicked that they refuse to turn to the Lord in repentance despite the destruction going on around them.)
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What concerns do you have as you read about the coming of these seven plagues? (Students may wonder if they will fall victim to the plagues or what they might do to escape these plagues.)
Have a student read aloud Revelation 16:15. Point out that the phrase “I come as a thief” refers to the Second Coming of the Savior. Lead a class discussion on what the phrase “keepeth his garments” means (the student manual commentary for Revelation 16:15 will be helpful in this discussion). The following principle should be clear to students: The Saints who live in spiritual readiness will be blessed as God pours out plagues of judgment upon the wicked. Consider writing this statement on the board with the other bold statements written earlier in the lesson.
You might conclude today’s lesson by telling students that each of the chapters they have studied today teaches what we can do to escape wickedness and many of the destructions that will be poured out upon the earth’s inhabitants in the last days. Ask students to take a moment to consider the statements written on the board and to write an answer to the following question:
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What commitment do you feel the Lord wants you to make today that will increase your spiritual readiness and ability to overcome evil?
Invite students to contemplate the truths listed on the board and to share times when they have felt the Lord’s protection. Invite them to testify of the spiritual protection they have felt as a result of righteous living. Testify of the truths you have taught today. Express your confidence that your students will be able to follow through with the commitment they wrote and that blessings will come to them as they do so.