Revelation of John

The last book in the New Testament, consisting of a revelation given to John the Apostle. He was permitted to see the history of the world, especially the last days (Rev. 1:1–2; 1 Ne. 14:18–27; D&C 77). The Revelation of John is also known as the Apocalypse.

John received this revelation on the Lord’s day on the isle of Patmos (Rev. 1:9–10), off the coast of Asia, not far from Ephesus. The exact date of the revelation is not known.

Keys to understanding the book are included in 1 Nephi 14:18–27 and Doctrine and Covenants 77 (Ether 4:15–16).

Chapters 1–3 are an introduction to the book and letters to the seven churches in Asia. John wrote the letters to help the Saints resolve certain problems. Chapters 4–5 record visions that John received showing the majesty and righteous power of God and Christ. In chapters 6–9, 11, John recorded seeing a book sealed with seven seals, each seal representing one thousand years of the earth’s temporal history. These chapters deal primarily with events contained in the seventh seal (see Rev. 8–9; 11:1–15). Chapter 10 describes a book that John ate. The book represents a future mission that he would perform. Chapter 12 records a vision of the evil that began in heaven when Satan rebelled and was cast out. The war that began there continues to be fought on earth. In chapters 13, 17–19, John described the wicked earthly kingdoms controlled by Satan and recorded their fate, including the final destruction of evil. Chapters 14–16 describe the righteousness of the Saints in the midst of evil just before the Second Coming of Christ. Chapters 20–22 describe the Millennium, the beautiful city of New Jerusalem, and the final events of the earth’s history.