Detail from The Resurrected Christ, by Wilson J. Ong
Near the end of a sweeping vision, Nephi sees a man dressed in a white robe. His angel-guide explains that this man is a future apostle of Jesus Christ named John, and that he would write “concerning the end of the world.” Then, the angel adds this endorsement of John’s message: “The things which he shall write are just and true” (1 Nephi 14:20-23).
About a thousand years later, the last author in the Book of Mormon, Moroni, shares the following promise from God to his future readers: when we “rend that veil of unbelief” which covers our hearts, “then shall the revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people” (Ether 4:15-16).
The book of Revelation is an expansive testimony of Jesus Christ: His role in His Father’s plan, His power to overcome evil, and His perfect love for us. As we study Revelation the next few weeks, let’s look for the ways that John’s vision helps us better understand the Savior and exercise faith in Him.
Here are some principles I’ve learned from the first five chapters of this book, with associated blog posts:
1. Jesus supports us from the beginning to the end.
Multiple times in the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ says, “I am Alpha and Omega” (See Revelation 1:8, 11, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:13). In the Book of Mormon, He introduces Himself to a group of people on the American continent in the same way just after His death. (See 3 Nephi 9:18.) Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, and Omega is the last letter, so this is a way of conveying His comprehensive engagement: He has always been with us, and He always will be. What is true universally is also true personally: He is the Alpha and Omega, and He is our Alpha and Omega.
Why Is Jesus Called “Alpha and Omega?”
2. The love of God provides incomparable joy.
Speaking to church members in Ephesus, the Savior promises, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). In the Book of Mormon, Lehi experiences a dream in which he approaches a tree. “As I partook of the fruit thereof,” he says “it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy” (1 Nephi 8:12). God wants us to experience the transforming power of His love, and He invites us to partake of the fruit of the tree of life, which symbolizes His love for us. (See 1 Nephi 11:22-23, 1 Nephi 15:22.)
3. God’s blessings are reliable and permanent.
The Savior provides the following reassurance to church members in Philadelphia: “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out” (Revelation 3:12). Several Book of Mormon prophets use the same phrase to convey the permanence of exaltation. (See Alma 7:25, Alma 29:17, Alma 34:36, Helaman 3:29-30, 3 Nephi 28:39-40.) We can trust God’s promises. They are durable. His ultimate blessings for us will last forever.
4. God can enlighten and empower us.
Like the prophet Isaiah, John saw God seated on a throne, surrounded by heavenly beings. Both John and Isaiah said that some of these beings had six wings, and John added that they were “full of eyes within” (Revelation 4:8, Isaiah 6:1-3, 2 Nephi 16:1-3). God explained to the prophet Joseph Smith that the wings represent power and the eyes represent knowledge. (See Doctrine and Covenants 77:4.) God has all knowledge and all power, and He can therefore give us the knowledge and power we need.
5. The gospel is for everyone, and we should help everyone feel welcome.
Three times in the book of Revelation, John prophesies that the gospel of Jesus Christ will be carried to “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” (See Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 14:6.) Multiple Book of Mormon prophets used this same phrase to emphasize the universality of the gospel message. (See, for example, 1 Nephi 13:40, Mosiah 3:13, 20, Mosiah 15:28, Mosiah 16:1, Mosiah 27:25, 3 Nephi 28:29.) The Testimony of Three Witnesses and the Testimony of Eight Witnesses at the beginning of the book are both addressed to “all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come.” If God intends for all of His children to hear His word, then it stands to reason that we must be inclusive, accepting, and welcoming of all who choose to listen.
Every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People
Blog Posts: December 5-10
“I Stand at the Door and Knock”
Jesus said, “Knock, and it shall be opened to you.” In the book of Revelation, John takes this promise one step further: Jesus is knocking on our door. He is not only willing to answer us, He is already speaking to us. Even before we ask, we can listen.
Lukewarmness
God said that He wants us to be hot or cold, not lukewarm. Nephi warned that we shouldn’t be “at ease in Zion.” When we choose to participate in an activity, and especially in the gospel, we need to fully commit. We need to be all-in.
Letters to the Seven Churches
John wrote letters to seven congregations of the church. In those letters, he described the Savior, gave feedback, and listed some blessings of exaltation. Taken together, the letters can motivate us to repent and receive the blessings God offers us.
The Throne of God
Isaiah, Lehi, and John all saw God sitting on a throne, surrounded by heavenly beings who were praising Him. These visions can help us worship more reverently. We can be grateful for His supremacy and for His empowering influence in our lives.
“Worthy Is the Lamb”
In the book of Revelation, John describes an anxious moment in the premortal existence, where we all realized that none of us could fulfill God’s plan for our happiness. We were overjoyed to learn that Jesus Christ could open the book and fulfill the plan
Brother Anderson,
So many great insights. I love connecting with the Book of Mormon prophets the doctrine in the New Testament and you do it masterfully.
You may want to check you Revelations 2:2 link. I think you meant 2:7.
Best wishes for joy in Christ, our Alpha and Omega!!
Thanks for the comment! You are correct: Revelation 2:7. I just updated the post. Thanks for letting me know!
Paul