2. The Revelation of St. John the
Divine
Chapters 1-3
John’s letters to the seven cities of Asia
Church at that time was quickly descending into
apostasy
Chapters 4-22
Chapter 4:1 “I will show you things which must
be hereafter…”
A view of events through the worlds history and
from that point forward
3. Apocalypse
An apocalypse, translated literally
from Greek, is a disclosure of
knowledge, i.e., a lifting of the
veil or revelation. In religious
contexts it is usually a disclosure
of something hidden.
12. Revelation 21
v. 2 - New Jerusalem
v. 11 – light like unto
Jasper
v. 18 – walls of Jasper
20:19 – foundation made of Jasper
Look around us today - , our foundations are typically made
of concrete, and although they are vital, they are the
ugliest part of the building. The very bottom foundation of
this city is made of jasper, a beautiful precious stone. The
city is so glorious that gems and precious stones are all
John can find in our world to describe it!
Editor's Notes
Almost a “Ghost of Christmas present, and Ghost of Christmas future visit….”
Because the Revelation of John has been called The Apocalypse, and because it has been written in a "divine code" misunderstood by the world since the great Apostasy, the word "apocalypse" has come to mean "the end of the world." The very word conjures up feelings of terror, of doom and devastation. But the original meaning of the word "apocalypse," used by the early Saints who understood the revelation, is "unveiling." It means a showing of something that has been hidden. The Revelation of John is not given to scare us, but to teach us what we need to know to reach the happy ending of the story of the world.
So, before we even get to the overview of the entire scheme of earthly existence, we get to see the victor: we know who is going to win, and we know how great and wonderful he is, and we know who is going to be on the winning side with him. Knowing who wins alleviates a lot of the stress of life, and of the scenes to come. Imagine watching a pre-recorded soccer or football game and already knowing your favorite team wins! You wouldn't be too stressed out when the opposing team makes a score or gets ahead for a while, because you already know the outcome. This is what we are given here--the outcome--and it is going to be glorious, and we are going to know which team to be on if we want to be a part of that. We know "the end from the beginning."
WHAT IS THE BOOK AND WHAT ARE THE SEVEN SEALS?
"Q. What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed on the back with seven seals?
"A. We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence." (D. & C. 77:6)"Q. What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed?
"A. We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh." (D. & C. 77:7.)
The Sixth Seal - Earthquakes, Mountains and Islands moved, Stars falling from the heavens – Blood Moon - Our day!
Why a marriage? Because it is the strongest covenant known to most cultures, it involves becoming literally "one" with the marriage partner, it is something that requires much planning and preparation, something to look forward to with great joy and anticipation, the greatest event in people's lives in many cultures, a time of supreme happiness, and a union that of all unions is intended to last forever. The bride in this story is, of course, the Church of God which has become Zion.
