Revelation 6-14

Below are the quotes that were used in the video.

This week’s Come, Follow Me reading centers on prophesies that deal with our day and the future. Some may read these chapters and focus on death and destruction. John focuses on God being in control and He is allowing these things to happen to save His people.

“Revelation chapter five concluded with the hosts of heaven – both animal and exalted mankind – praising Christ and God through the singing of hymns. Christ was acknowledged as the only being capable of opening the seals on the scroll – and thereby brining to pass the Plan of Salvation and the Father’s will. Now, in chapter six, Christ begins opening each of the seals one by one – thereby unfolding history before the eyes of John and his readers.” (Miller, Book of Revelation – Family Study Notes, p. 45)

Revelation 6:1-8

White – symbolic of peace, purity, victory and conquest.
The bow implies warfare - both physical and spiritual. You have typified a time when righteousness was on the offensive and reigned with much power over evil. (Draper, 1991, p. 62)
The crown - in this case, a laurel wreath crown - suggests victory, and an overcoming of the word.
1,000 years that could be peaceful but is not. For example, Enoch in Moses 7:13-16.
Red (Greek purros) - The word means literally red as fire (the dragon in chapter twelve has the same color). The color suggests death by violent means, usually by bloodshed. But it also represents sin, especially the sin that moves against humanity.
The phrase "kill one another" (Greek, allloussphaxousin) indicates both international and civil strife (see also Mormon 4:5).
Great sword (Greek, machaira) - a curved bladed saber common to the cavalry that symbolizes the violence, death and destruction of that era. (Draper (1991), 64)
“Thus, this horseman is indicative of that which was most prevalent during this second millennium: corruption, sin and organized warfare.” (Gaskill, Commentary on the Book of Revelation, p.83).
Black - the color of extreme hunger and famine (Lam. 4:8-9).
A pair of balances - used to measure the food during the famine, a practice known from earlier times (Lev. 26:26). In this era there will be times when food is so scarce that it will need to be measured out to insure that no one gets any extra.
A measure of wheat = about two pints (BD).
A penny = one day’s wages (Matt. 20:2).
‘A measure of wheat for a penny’ – indicates that one quart of wheat can be purchased for an entire day’s labors. Normally, one would be able to purchase 10-16 times that much wheat for one day’s wages. This amount suggests food prices about twelve times higher than normal and implies inflation and famine conditions.
Pale (Greek chloros) - “sickly pale green” or a “yellowish green.” (Draper (1991), 67; Morris (1999), 104.)
Elder McConkie suggests that the Pale horse symbolizes famine, pestilence and bloodshed. DNTC 3: 481. We should probably understand it to mean the colour of a corpse. (Leon Morris,"Revelation," Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, p. 104.)
One scholar stated: “No period before this saw more vicious generals and armies. It was the time when some of the world’s greatest empires rose and fell: Babylon, Assyria, Persia, and Macedonia among them. As armies marched, men died in droves, and Hell gaped open wide its jaws to receive them.” (Draper (1991), 67.)

Revelation 6:9-11

The altar is a symbol for both God and Sacrifice. Thus, “under the altar” suggests sacrifice for God. It implies that their lives had been given in sacrifice to God.
White robes - Their reward implies that they lived lives of purity, and ultimately were victorious and will be an heir of the Celestial Kingdom.
‘Their fellowservants also and their brethren.’ These “Fellow Servants” who had yet (in John’s day) to be martyred, were those who would be slain for the Gospel and their testimonies in the 6th and 7th Seals. (See D&C 135:7)
With the sixth seal, we enter into the modern era. John dedicates 23 verses to the sixth seal. A great earthquake reminds us of D&C 45:33. The sun becomes black during the sixth and seventh seal. Consider D&C 88:87, D&C 45:42, D&C 29:14.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “We are now living during the final years of the sixth seal, that thousand year period which began in 1000 A. D. and will continue through the Saturday night of time and until just before the Sabbatical era when Christ shall reign personally on earth, when all of the blessings of the Great Millennium shall be poured out upon this planet. This, accordingly, is the era when the signs of the times shall be shown forth, and they are in fact everywhere to be seen.” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., pp. 715-734).

“As a prelude to our Lord's glorious return, such transcendent events shall occur, both in heaven and on earth, that there is no language known to mortals, nor any imagery or illustration, which can convey to them the wonders of that dreadful day.

“And we can envision only in small measure the great events which they saw and understood by the power of the Spirit; that is, we are so limited unless and until we enjoy the same Spirit and see the same things which that God who is no respecter of persons revealed to them.

“"And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken....

“Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." (Joseph Smith 1:33-36; Matt. 24:29.) (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-1973], 3: 486-487)

Revelation 7:1-4

The symbolic implication behind the “four angels” is found in the reality that anciently the number four symbolized “geographic fullness” or “totality.” Thus, what these angels do will have power and effect upon the entire world. And who are these four? D&C 77:8 tells us:
Q. What are we to understand by the four angels, spoken of in the 7th chapter and 1st verse of Revelation?
A. We are to understand that they are four angels sent forth from God, to whom is given power over the four parts of the earth, to save life and to destroy; these are they who have the everlasting gospel to commit to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; having power to shut up the heavens, to seal up unto life, or to cast down to the regions of darkness.
Wind (Gr. ánemos) - implies a “hurricane force” hot or scorching wind. A wind of a very violent nature.
12- A number symbolic of the priesthood.
12 X 12 – Symbolic of priesthood authority.
1,000 – symbolizes “immensity,” “fullness of quantity” or “multitude.”
144,000 – Symbolic of the fullness or completeness of priesthood authority.
D&C 77:11 – they “are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.”

Of this sealing the Prophet Joseph Smith said: "Four destroying angels holding power over the four quarters of the earth until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure.

“When a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother." (TPJS, p. 321.)

“These exalted beings wear “white robes,” likely symbolic of achieved purity – through their obedience and through Christ’s Atonement (Revelation 7:14). But the color white may also be a symbol of their “celestial resurrected bodies.” One text records: “In the Christian tradition, the garment ...is connected with ... the resurrection of the body. Tertullian, commenting on Revelation 7:13-14, writes: ‘We find in scripture an allusion to garments as being the symbol of the hope of the flesh ... this symbolism also furnishes us with an argument for bodily resurrection.’” They are also said to be waving palms. Palm branches symbolize triumph, victory, and joy. They are evidence that these men and women depicted here have triumphed over this world.” (Gaskill, Commentary on the Book of Revelation, p.97).

One of the great promises is that ‘God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.’ This is a very intimate act indicating a great deal of love and trust. For most individuals, there are very few close loved ones who they would feel comfortable allowing them to wipe away tears from their eyes. Our relationship with God will be so close, and so full of love and trust that we will rejoice in having Him wipe away the tears from our eyes and the pain from our hearts.

“Chapter six, anticipating the outpouring of the wrath of God, asked the question: ‘Who shall be able to stand?’ John answers that question in chapter seven: those who have been sealed against destruction by washing their robes in the blood of the Lamb.” Zion is the vehicle provided the Saints, whereby they can escape much of the “tribulation” John foresaw.

“Revelation chapter eight picks up where chapter six left off. In chapters eight and nine we read of the punishments to be doled out to the wicked because of their blatant disobedience. Revelation chapter eight is the “breaking” or “opening” of the 7th seal. In it we see the “just reward” of the wicked” (Gaskill, Commentary on the Book of Revelation, p.99).

“Whether the half hour here spoken of, ” said Orson Pratt, “is according to our reckoning – thirty minutes, or whether it be according to the reckoning of the Lord we do not know. We know that the word hour is used in some portions of the Scriptures to represent quite a lengthy period of time.”

“For instance, we the Latter-Day Saints are living in the eleventh hour, that is in the eleventh period of time, and for aught we know the half hour during which silence is to prevail in heavens may be quite an extensive period of time” (21 years). (JD 16:328)

“During the period of silence all things are perfectly still; no angels flying during the half hour; no trumpets sounding; no noise in the heavens above; but immediately after this great silence the curtain of heaven shall be unfolded as a scroll is unfolded.

The face of the Lord will be unveiled, and those who are alive will be quickened, and they will be caught up; and the saints who are in their graves, will come forth and be caught up, together with those who are quickened, and they will be taken into the heavens into the midst of those celestial beings who will make their appearance at that time.” (JD 16:328)

There are seven angels and seven plagues that will be experienced in the last days leading up to Christ’s return. One commentator noted: “The separate plagues are not to be taken as happening one after the other. Rather, the whole world will likely be set in commotion simultaneously” (Draper (1991), 96). The seven plagues are covered in the following passages:
Angel #1 = Revelation 8:7
Angel #2 = Revelation 8:8-9
Angel #3 = Revelation 8:10-11
Angel #4 = Revelation 8:12-13
Angel #5 = Revelation 9:1-2
Angel #6 = Revelation 9:12-19
Angel #7 = Revelation 11:15-19

“Incidentally, it is the seven plagues, not the coming of Christ, that ushers in the Millennium (see McConkie (1982), 578-588; Draper (1991), 95; Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection (Salt Lake City, UT: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1931), 291).

“The plagues mentioned in these verses – and used by God as a last ditch effort to soften the hearts of the wicked – are echoes of the plagues poured out upon Egypt under Moses’ ministry (Exodus 7:12). One text states: “Ancient Egypt is a type of the present-day world and its wickedness, and Egypt’s [plagues were] a type of the destruction that will fall upon the world in the days to come.” Yet, unlike the plagues in Moses’ day, these plagues may not be natural phenomena like volcanoes or earthquakes. Thus, Elder McConkie wrote: “Speculatively, most of the plagues and destructions here announced could be brought to pass by men themselves as they use the weapons and armaments they have created” (Gaskill, Commentary on the Book of Revelation, p.104).

In verses 7-12, John sees fire and desolation poured out upon the earth during the seventh seal but preceding the Second Coming. “In this outpouring he views a "third part" of the trees and green grass burned up, a "third part" of the sea turned to blood, a "third part" of the creatures in the sea and boats on the sea being destroyed, a "third part" of all water becoming bitter and undrinkable, and a "third part" of the sun, moon, and stars darkened. All of this, though catastrophic, still sends the message that not "everything" is destroyed. God yet exhibits a degree of mercy by limiting the power or influence of the disasters John was shown in his vision” (Alonzo L. Gaskill, The Lost Language of Symbolism: An Essential Guide for Recognizing and Interpreting Symbols of the Gospel (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 2003), 118).

Revelation chapters eight and nine speaks of six of seven angels (which he had been shown in vision). You would expect that the 7th angel would now be discussed but that will need to wait until Revelation 11:15. Chapter 10 is an interlude and includes insights on what John has seen and heard.

“John’s interlude (here in chapter 10) helps the reader to understand both the active and significant role John will play in bringing to pass the events listed in his vision. And, it also helps the reader understand why John (beginning in Chapter eleven) actually becomes a physical participant in the unfolding events of the vision. Up to this point in the vision he had simply been an observer. Chapter eleven opens with John’s first official act – the measuring of the temple.” (Gaskill, Commentary on the Book of Revelation, p.124-5).

Parley P. Pratt: "John, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation, gives us many more particulars concerning this same event [the great war in Israel after the Jews are gathered there]. He informs us that after the city and temple are rebuilt by the Jews, the Gentiles will tread it under foot forty and two months, during which time there will be two prophets continually prophesying and working mighty miracles. And it seems that the Gentile army shall be hindered from utterly destroying and overthrowing the city, while these two prophets continue.

But, after a struggle of three years and a half, they will at length succeed in destroying these two prophets and then overrunning much of the city; they will send gifts to each other because of the death of the two prophets, and in the meantime will not allow their dead bodies to be put in graves, but suffer them to lie in the streets of Jerusalem three days and a half, during which time the armies of the Gentiles, consisting of many kindreds, tongues and nations, passing through the city, plundering the Jews, will see their dead bodies lying in the street.

But after three days and a half, on a sudden, the spirit of life from God will enter them; they will arise and stand upon their feet, and great fear will fall upon them that see them. And then they shall hear a voice from heaven saying, 'Come up hither,' and they will ascend up to heaven in a cloud, with enemies beholding them." (Voice of Warning, p. 33.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie identified the two prophets as: “… followers of that humble man Joseph Smith, through whom the Lord of Heaven restored the fullness of his everlasting gospel in this final dispensation of grace. No doubt they will be members of the Council of the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:509).

At the conclusion of this chapter John sees the heavenly temple. Anciently, the Ark of the Covenant represented God (His throne and presence), and was kept hidden behind the veil to the Holy of Holies just as God is hidden from us by a veil. Richard Draper wrote: “The opening of the temple symbolizes that all may now enter God’s rest. But not all is done. The world’s wicked must still stand judgment. So from the temple issues flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and earthquake, and a great hailstorm. All these are sent against the earth once more.” (Draper (1991), 125)

Revelation 12:1-6

Woman. The “woman” is a standard scriptural symbol for the Church.
A woman clothed with the sun. The Joseph Smith translation of 12:7 makes clear that the woman represents the true Church of God.
Just as the sun is a symbol for things celestial, the moon reminds us of things which are terrestrial. The moon has no light of its own, but rather merely reflects the light of the sun. The moon is a symbol for other organizaiont that only reflect some truth (revealed through the true Church) – but they are not the source of any of that truth themselves.
Crown - laurels of victory (stephanos).
“The “12 stars” on the head of the woman/Church symbolized both the 12 apostles that govern the word, but more particularly, priesthood power or authority in general.
“According to this symbolism, it was not an easy thing for the Church to bring forth the kingdom of God but required both sacrifice and pain.” (Donald W. Parry and Jay A. Parry, Understanding the Book of Revelation Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998, 152.)
John speaks of a “red dragon.” The Greek says a “fire red” “serpent” or “sea monster.” The red provokes images of sin, bloodshed, and death.
The “Greek word (drakn) signifies a serpent or sea monster, but it is best understood as the personification of seething chaos, often represented as the dark primeval waters, which oppose not only God but all that is holy.” (Richard D. Draper, Opening the Seven Seals: The Visions of John the Revelator Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1991, 130.)
7 Heads, 10 Horns and 7 Crowns.
“The seven crowns are not the laurels of victory (stephanos), which the woman wears, but diadems (diad‘ma), symbols of political domination. The scriptures never depict Satan wearing laurels because he wins no permanent victories. The seven crowned heads suggest the universality of his rule as the king of chaos. They represent Satan’s pseudoclaim to royalty set against that of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, whom John describes as wearing ‘many diadems’ The horns seem to denote the dragon’s all-pervasive false sovereignty. Horns symbolize power… Ten represents the whole of a part but not the whole itself. Thus, the dragon has great power, but John shows that he does not have all power; some portion is lacking. This is not true of the Lamb whom John depicts with seven horns, the symbol of fulness. Thus, John’s metaphors subtly show that the Lamb has all power and can overmaster the dragon.” (Draper (1991), 132)
The phrase “it was caught up” means that it didn’t quite get established as the early Saints had hoped.
The JST has 1260 “years.” “If taken as days – as the KJV has it – this apostasy would last some 31/2 years, which would imply that the Apostasy was temporary – or would not have a permanent hold upon the Church (31/2 implying that “power is limited” and “bounds are set”). …Whether you look at it as being years or days, it seems clear that the 1260 is intended to be understood as equivalent to 31/2 – or in other words, as a symbol for the reality that Satan’s power and influence would be limited (i.e., the apostasy would not be permanent). (Gaskill, Commentary on the Book of Revelation, p.143).

Revelation 12:7

Dragon – agent of destruction, chaos.
Devil - Not used in the Old Testament, devil is a word found in the New Testament, which was translated from Greek rather than Hebrew.
Satan - The word means "false accuser" or "slanderer."
Was called Lucifer (Heb. heylel) light bearer, shining one, morning star. (see Doc. and Cov. 72:26)
“Became” Perdition (Gr. apoleia) destroying, utter destruction, waste. (see Doc. and Cov. 72:26)

Revelation 12:13-17

“The persecution of the church is … Satan’s reaction to his defeat in heaven. Since his activities must now be confined to earth he hits out against those associated with his conqueror.” (Morris (1999), 158-159.)
“Wings.” Doc. & Ccov 77:4 informs us that wings symbolized the power to move and to act. The Church will have divine assistance to move and act, to flee. God will take her (the Church) away because of the works of Satan and his followers.
The “wilderness” represents the apostasy or a spiritual barrenness or spiritual wasteland. “During the period that the Church is gone from the earth, she will be ‘nourished’ by God, which probably means he will make certain that all is in readiness when the time comes for the restoration.” (Parry and Parry (1998), 160.)
Flood – dirty, swift, dangerous
“The persecution of the church is ... Satan’s reaction to his defeat in heaven. Since his activities must now be confined “Satan particularly attacks those who ‘keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’ And his efforts are neither feeble nor sporadic. The war in heaven continues as Satan constantly brings the battle to the righteous on the earth. This verse applies not only to the gradually dwindling numbers of the righteous in Christ’s Church in the meridian of time but also to the increasing number of righteous in the restored Church of Jesus Christ in our day.” (Parry and Parry (1998), 161.)

Revelation 13

In this chapter of the Revelation John develops for his readers a picture of a kind of “Satanic Trinity” or a counterfeit to the Godhead. As you read, pay attention to how Satan tries to imitate God.
Beast 1: The Dragon.
Beast 2: Sseven heads and ten horns (Rev 13:1-2). This “beast acts as Satan’s great agent and symbolically represents an earthly combination of kingdoms, churches, governments, social movements, Etc., and in the Book of Mormon would be known as the “Great and Abominable Church.”
Beast 3: lamb with two horns (Rev 13:11). “Now we have another “beast” that looks like a cute little lamb with two little horns. He appears cute and cuddly, and imitates the Lamb of God – however, he speaks “as a dragon.” In other words, he is the mouthpiece for Satan – the dragon. One commentator suggested: “The second monster is … perhaps even more dangerous because of its deceptively harmless appearance. It stands as a deliberate counterfeit of the Lord… With the coming of the false prophet, a wolf in lamb’s clothing, the evil [trinity] stands complete. Now they can imitate by deception the true Godhead.” (Draper (1991), 146-147.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “As the servants of God have their calling and election made sure when they are "sealed. . . in their foreheads" (Rev. 7:2-8), so the Great Imitator places a mark in the right hand or foreheads of those who follow him. Figuratively, this means they receive blessings-if his rewards lawfully may be so named-from under his hands.

“In the literal sense, we have, of course, seen marks and signs which identify and set apart those who adhere to religious systems that are not of God and which use economic sanctions as a tool to force adherence to their system of worship. It will be interesting-interesting? nay, fascinating!-to see what the future holds as the full meaning of this passage unfolds and the identity of the actual "beast" is revealed.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols., 3:, p.525).

“This angel is often associate with Moroni and is the reason why the angle Moroni stands atop of many temples in our day. This angel is also symbolic of more than just Moroni and at least part of this prophesy will have a post-millennial fulfillment. Note that the judgment in V:7 is the final judgment, and thus comes much later than Moroni’s ministry to Joseph Smith. In addition, Moroni brought back scripture, but the keys and priesthood were brought by others. One LDS commentator wrote: “This is a composite angel involved in the restoration of all things ... [as] other scriptures clearly suggest a number of angels or messengers [helped restore the gospel].” (Ogden and Skinner (1998), 335-336. See also TPJS p. 364-365). Another LDS commentator wrote: “The angel seems to represent the Church members serving in their callings as missionaries who will take the teachings of that book [the Book of Mormon] and a warning message to all the nations of the earth.” (Draper (1991), 158 citing McConkie (1987-1988), 3:529-530.)

Satan, Babylon, and the Wicked
The wicked take upon themselves the “mark” of the beast (Revelation 13:16-18, 14:9).
In her wrath Babylon intoxicated the wicked (Revelation 14:8).
Satan offers the cup of sin to any that will drink (Revelation 14:8).
Following Satan will get you “fire and brimstone” – the burring pain of sulfur (Revelation 14:10).

Christ and the Faithful
The righteous and faithful take upon themselves the mark of God (Revelation 14:1).
In His wrath God will judge the wicked (Revelation 14:10).
God offers the blessings of Christ’s cup to any who will drink (D & C 19:15-20), and the bitter cup to any who refuse what Christ has done (Revelation 14:10).
Following Christ will get you the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost – the baptism of fire (2 Nephi 31:17).

Teaching Thoughts:

God is in control.
Chapter 7 is full of hope (white robes, palms in hands, God wiping away all tears).
Remember that “power is given” by God and it is limited in scope, degree and time.
In seeing our day, what did John see that God will do tp help us?