Revelation 15-22: “He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things” (December 25-31)

Detail from Christ in His Red Robe, by Minerva Teichert

There’s a lot of triumph and rejoicing in the book of Revelation, a fact which you might miss if you’re hyperfocused on symbols like the dragon, the horsemen, or the angels announcing plagues. In this week’s reading, we experience the joy associated with the Savior’s ultimate victory over Satan:

• Those who overcome evil influences shout the same praise which Lehi shouted when he saw God on His throne: “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty!” (Revelation 15:3, 1 Nephi 1:14).
• Numerous heavenly beings fall down before the throne of God shouting, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6).
• John foresees a time when Satan will be bound for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3). As Nephi explained, Satan will have no power over us during that time because we will not be willing to listen to him (1 Nephi 22:26).
• John sees “a new heaven and a new earth,” just as Isaiah and Ether prophesied (Revelation 21:1, Isaiah 65:17-18, Ether 13:9). He saw a New Jerusalem, just as Enoch and Ether prophesied, and as Jesus foretold during His visit to the American continent (Revelation 21:2, Moses 7:62, Ether 13:4-6, 3 Nephi 20:22, 3 Nephi 21:23-24). In this place, God will “wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain” (Revelation 12:4).
• In the final chapter of the book, Jesus promises three times, “I come quickly” (Revelation 22:7, 12, 20). In response, John expresses our collective yearning for the Savior’s return: “Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Nicholas J. Frederick, an associate professor of religion at Brigham Young University, says that the ultimate message of Revelation is simply, “Jesus wins!” (See “Interpretive Approaches to the Book of Revelation,” Liahona, December 2023 and “The Book of Revelation: A Testament to the Lamb of God,” Ensign, December 2019.)

Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these chapters, with associated blog posts:

1. First, we are invited (called). Then, we accept the invitation (chosen). Finally, we remain true to it over time (faithful). Blog post: Called and Chosen
2. Don’t get attached to temporary things. Center your attention on the Savior and on the things of eternity. Blog post: Babylon
3. We can be motivated to serve by seeing others’ service. Blog post: “Fellow-Servants” (Alma 17:29)
4. As we keep a record of our lives, we are changed. Blog post: The Books
5. Choosing to follow God will accelerate our resurrection. Blog post: What Is the First Resurrection?
6. The bread and water of the sacrament symbolize the power God is willing to share with us as we strive to adopt His attributes and incorporate His actions into our lives. Blog post: What Are the Bread and the Waters of Life?

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