Contents
Abbreviationsxi
Prefacexiii
Introduction1
Section I:
“As a Flaming Fire and a Ministering Angel”
(D&C 7:6)
1
Power over Death
1
Authorship2
Dating and Interpretive Approaches
5
Interpretive Methodology
9
Five Additional Fundamental Elements of Style
in Revelation
14
The Final and Most Important Interpretive Tool:
The Restoration Materials
16
The Language of Revelation
16
John’s Purpose in Writing Revelation
17
Of the Connection between the Old Testament and
Revelation19
The Use of Revelation by LDS Church Leaders
and Scholars
20
Most Frequently Used Passages by LDS Leaders21
Joseph Smith’s Use of Revelation
22
John’s Vision and the
Sealed Portion of the Book of Mormon
28
Section II:
The Background to John’s Visions
29
John on the Isle of Patmos
32
The Impetus to the Visions
34
Summary36
Conclusion38
Introduction to the Vision
39
Introduction39
Opening of the Vision (1:1–2)
40
Greek Text
40
King James Version
40
BYU New Testament Rendition
40
Translation Notes and Comments
40
Analysis and Summary
43
Blessed Are They Who Understand (1:3)
44
Greek Text
44
King James Version
44
BYU New Testament Rendition
44
Translation Notes and Comments
44
Analysis and Summary
45
The Almighty (1:4–8)
45
Greek Text
45
King James Version
45
BYU New Testament Rendition
46
Translation Notes and Comments
46
Analysis and Summary
50
The Vision of the Son of Man (1:9–18)
52
Greek Text
52
King James Version
52
BYU New Testament Rendition
53
Translation Notes and Comments
53
Analysis and Summary
57
John’s Final Commission (1:19–20)
57
Greek Text
57
King James Version
58
BYU New Testament Rendition
58
Translation Notes and Comments
58
Analysis and Summary
58
Conclusion58
The Messages to the Seven Churches
60
Background60
Message to the Church at Ephesus (2:1–7)
62
Greek Text
62
King James Translation
62
BYU New Testament Rendition
62
Translation Notes and Comments
62
Analysis and Summary
66
Message to the Church at Smyrna (2:8–11)
68
Greek Text
68
King James Version
68
BYU New Testament Rendition
68
Translation Notes and Comments
69
Analysis and Summary
71
iv The Revelation of John the Apostle
Message to the Church at Pergamum (2:12–17)
Greek Text
King James Version
BYU New Testament Rendition
Translation Notes and Comments
Analysis and Summary
Message to the Church at Thyatira (2:18–29)
Greek Text
King James Version
BYU New Testament Rendition
Translation Notes and Comments
Analysis and Summary
73
73
73
74
74
78
80
80
80
81
81
85
Messages to the Seven Churches (cont.)
87
Message to the Church at Sardis (3:1–6)
87
Greek Text
87
King James Translation
87
BYU New Testament Rendition
87
Translation Notes and Comments
87
Analysis and Summary
90
Message to the Church at Philadelphia (3:7–13) 91
Greek Text
91
King James Version
91
BYU New Testament Rendition
92
Translation Notes and Comments
92
Analysis and Summary
94
Message to the Church at Laodicea (3:14–22) 95
Greek Text
95
King James Version
95
BYU New Testament Rendition
95
Translation Notes and Comments
96
Analysis and Summary
99
Conclusion99
Excursus:
The State of Apostasy at the End of the
First Century
102
The Vision of Heaven
105
Introduction105
Things Which Must Come Hereafter (4:1)
106
Greek Text
106
King James Translation
106
BYU New Testament Rendition
106
Translation Notes and Comments
106
Analysis and Summary
106
The Throne in Heaven (4:2–3)
107
Greek Text
107
King James Translation
107
BYU New Testament Rendition
107
Translation Notes and Comments
107
Analysis and Summary
108
The Twenty-Four Elders and the Sea of Glass
(4:4–6)108
Greek Text
108
King James Translation
108
BYU New Testament Rendition
109
Translation Notes and Comments
109
Analysis and Summary
110
The Four Living Creatures (4:7–8)
111
Greek Text
111
King James Translation
111
BYU New Testament Rendition
111
Translation Notes and Comments
111
Analysis and Summary
112
The Scene of Praise (4:9–11)
113
Greek Text
113
King James Translation
113
BYU New Testament Rendition
113
Translation Notes and Comments
113
Analysis and Summary
114
Conclusion115
The Lamb Slain
from the Foundation of the World
117
The Scroll of Destiny (5:1–5)
Greek Text
King James Translation
BYU New Testament Rendition
Translation Notes and Comments
Analysis and Summary
The Lamb Slain (5:6–7)
Greek Text
King James Version
BYU New Testament Rendition
Translation Notes and Comments
Analysis and Summary
The New Song (5:8–14)
Greek Text
King James Translation
BYU New Testament Rendition
Translation Notes and Comments
Analysis and Summary
117
117
117
117
117
121
121
121
121
121
121
123
123
123
124
124
124
126
The Six Seals
129
Introduction129
The Four Horsemen (6:1–8)
The First Seal (6:1–2)
130
Greek Text
130
King James Translation
130
BYU New Testament Rendition
130
Contents v Translation Notes and Comments
130
Analysis and Summary
131
The Second Seal (6:3–4)
132
Greek Text
132
King James Translation
132
BYU New Testament Rendition
132
Translation Notes and Comments
132
Analysis and Summary
133
The Third Seal (6:5–6)
134
Greek Text
134
King James Translation
134
BYU New Testament Rendition
134
Translation Notes and Comments
134
Analysis and Summary
135
The Fourth Seal (6:7–8)
136
Greek Text
136
King James Translation
136
BYU New Testament Rendition
136
Translation Notes and Comments
136
Analysis and Summary
137
The Fifth Seal (6:9–11)
137
Greek Text
137
King James Translation
138
BYU New Testament Rendition
138
Translation Notes and Comments
138
Analysis and Summary
140
The Sixth Seal (6:12–17)
142
Greek Text
142
King James Translation
142
BYU New Testament Rendition
142
Translation Notes and Comments
142
Analysis and Summary
144
Conclusion145
The Seal of the Living God
147
Introduction147
The Four Angels (7:1)
147
Greek Text
147
King James Translation
147
BYU New Testament Rendition
147
Translation Notes and Comments
148
Analysis and Summary
148
The Angel of the East (7:2–3)
150
Greek Text
150
King James Translation
150
BYU New Testament Rendition
150
Translation Notes and Comments
150
Analysis and Summary
151
The 144,000 (7:4–8)
152
Greek Text
152
King James Translation
153
BYU New Testament Rendition
153
Translation Notes and Comments
153
Analysis and Summary
153
The Countless Multitude of the Saved (7:9–17) 154
Greek Text
154
King James Translation
154
BYU New Testament Rendition
155
Translation Notes and Comments
155
Analysis and Summary
158
Opening of the Seventh Seal
161
Introduction161
Opening the Seventh Seal (8:1–5)
161
Greek Text
161
King James Version
161
BYU New Testament Rendition
162
Translation Notes and Comments
162
Analysis and Summary
166
The First Four Trumpet Blasts (8:6–12)
168
Greek Text
168
King James Translation
169
BYU New Testament Rendition
169
Translation Notes and Comments
169
Analysis and Summary
172
The Three Woes (8:13)
174
Greek Text
174
King James Translation
174
BYU New Testament Rendition
175
Translation Notes and Comments
175
Analysis and Summary
175
The Great War
177
Introduction177
The Fifth Trumpet Blast and the First Woe
(9:1–2)177
Greek Text
177
King James Translation 177
BYU New Testament Rendition
177
Translation Notes and Comments
177
Analysis and Summary
178
The Locusts (9:3–11)
179
Greek Text
179
King James Version
179
BYU New Testament Rendition
179
Translation Notes and Comments
180
Analysis and Summary
182
The Sixth Trumpet Blast and the Second Woe
(9:12–19)185
Greek Text
185
vi The Revelation of John the Apostle
King James Version
185
BYU New Testament Rendition
185
Translation Notes and Comments
186
Analysis and Summary
188
The Rest of the Men Repented Not (9:20–21) 189
Greek Text
189
King James Version
189
BYU New Testament Rendition
189
Translation Notes and Comments
190
Analysis and Summary
190
Conclusion192
The Little Scroll
195
Introduction195
Another Mighty Angel (10:1–7)
195
Greek Text
195
King James Version
196
BYU New Testament Rendition
196
Translation Notes and Comments
196
Analysis and Summary
200
The Little Scroll (10:8–11)
201
Greek Text
201
King James Version
202
BYU New Testament Rendition
202
Translation Notes and Comments
202
Analysis and Summary
203
Conclusion204
The Seventh Trumpet
205
Introduction205
Measuring the Temple (11:1–2)
205
Greek Text
205
King James Translation
205
BYU New Testament Rendition
205
Translation Notes and Comments
206
Analysis and Summary
208
The Ministry and Death of the Two Witnesses
(11:3–10)209
Greek Text
209
King James Translation
209
BYU New Testament Rendition
209
Translation Notes and Comments
209
Analysis and Summary
214
The Resurrection and
Ascension of the Two Witnesses (11:11–14)
216
Greek Text
217
Kings James Version
217
BYU New Testament Rendition
217
Translation Notes and Comments
217
Analysis and Summary
219
The Seventh Trumpet and the Last Woe
(11:15–19)220
Greek Text
221
King James Translation
221
BYU New Testament Rendition
221
Translation Notes and Comments
221
Analysis and Summary
224
Conclusion225
The Dragon, the Woman, and the Child
227
Introduction227
The Woman and the Man Child (12:1–2)
228
Greek Text
228
King James Version
228
BYU New Testament Rendition
228
Translation Notes and Comments
228
Analysis and Summary
229
The Great Red Dragon (12:3–6)
230
Greek Text
230
King James Translation
230
BYU New Testament Rendition
230
Translation Notes and Comments
230
Analysis and Summary
235
Excursus on the Doctrine of Election in
the Flesh
236
The War in Heaven (12:7–12)
238
Greek Text
238
King James Translation
238
BYU New Testament Rendition
238
Translation Notes and Comments
238
Analysis and Summary
243
Excursus on Satan and His Works
245
The Dragon and the Woman (12:13–18)
247
Greek Text
247
King James Translation
247
BYU New Testament Rendition
248
Translation Notes and Comments
248
Analysis and Summary
250
Conclusion252
The Beasts of Revelation
255
Introduction255
The Beast from the Sea (13:1–10)
256
Greek Text
256
King James Translation
256
BYU New Testament Rendition
256
Translation Notes and Comments
257
Analysis and Summary
262
Excursus on the Antichrist
266
Contents vii The Beast from the Land (13:11–17)
267
Greek Text
267
King James Translation
267
BYU New Testament Rendition
268
Translation Notes and Comments
268
Analysis and Summary
274
The Number of the Beast (13:18)
277
Greek Text
277
King James Translation
277
BYU New Testament Rendition
277
Translation Notes and Comments
277
Analysis and Summary
278
Conclusion280
The Winepress of the Wrath of God
283
Introduction283
The Virgins (14:1–5)
283
Greek Text
283
King James Version
283
BYU New Testament Rendition
284
Translation Notes and Comments
284
Analysis and Summary
288
The Message of the Three Angels (14:6–11)
289
Greek Text
289
King James Version
290
BYU New Testament Rendition
290
Translation Notes and Comments
290
Analysis and Summary
294
A Message and Promise to the Saints
(14:12–13)297
Greek Text
297
King James Version
297
BYU New Testament Rendition
297
Translation Notes and Comments
297
Analysis and Summary
298
The Harvest of the World (14:14–20)
298
Greek Text
299
King James Version
299
BYU New Testament Rendition
299
Translation Notes and Comments
299
Analysis and Summary
302
Conclusion303
The Seven Angels
305
Introduction305
The Great and Marvelous Sign (15:1)
305
Greek Text
305
King James Version
305
BYU New Testament Rendition
305
Translation Notes and Comments
305
Analysis and Commentary
306
The Saints of God (15:2–4)
306
Greek Text
306
King James Version
306
BYU New Testament Rendition
306
Translation Notes and Comments
307
Analysis and Commentary
308
The Seven Angels (15:5–8)
309
Greek Text
309
King James Version
310
BYU New Testament Rendition
310
Translation Notes and Comments
310
Analysis and Commentary
312
Conclusion313
Excursus on the Wrath of God
313
The Seven Bowls
319
The Voice from the Temple
319
The Bowl Plagues Begin (16:1)
320
Greek Text
320
King James Translation
320
BYU New Testament Rendition
320
Translation Notes and Comments
320
Analysis and Summary
320
The First Three Bowls (16:2–7)
320
Greek Text
320
King James Version
321
BYU New Testament Rendition
321
Translation Notes and Comments
321
Analysis and Summary
323
The Fourth and Fifth Bowls (16:8–11)
324
Greek Text
324
King James Translation
325
BYU New Testament Rendition
325
Translation Notes and Comments
325
Analysis and Summary
326
The Sixth Bowl (16:12–16)
328
Greek Text
328
King James Translation
328
BYU New Testament Rendition
328
Translation Notes and Comments
328
Analysis and Summary
332
The Seventh Bowl (16:17–21)
335
Greek Text
335
King James Translation
335
BYU New Testament Rendition
335
Translation Notes and Comments
335
Analysis and Summary
336
Conclusion337
viii The Revelation of John the Apostle
Babylon the Great
341
Introduction341
The Woman and the Beast (17:1–3)
341
Greek Text
341
King James Version
341
BYU New Testament Rendition
342
Translation Notes and Comments
342
Analysis and Summary
344
The Great Whore (17:4–6)
346
Greek Text
346
King James Translation
346
BYU New Testament Rendition
346
Translation Notes and Comments
346
Analysis and Summary
349
The Mystery of the Beast (17:7–13)
351
Greek Text
351
King James Version
351
BYU New Testament Rendition
351
Translation Notes and Comments
352
Analysis and Summary
356
The Fall of the Harlot (17:14–18)
359
Greek Text
359
King James Version
359
BYU New Testament Rendition
359
Translation Notes and Comments
359
Analysis and Summary
361
Conclusion362
The Fall of Babylon the Great
365
Introduction365
Sins That Reach unto Heaven (18:1–8)
365
Greek Text
365
King James Version
366
BYU New Testament Rendition
366
Translation Notes and Comments
366
Analysis and Summary
370
The Three Dirges (18:9–19)
372
Greek Text
372
King James Version
373
BYU New Testament Rendition
373
Translation Notes and Comments
373
Analysis and Summary
378
The Great Rejoicing (18:20–24)
378
Introduction378
Greek Text
378
King James Translation
379
BYU New Testament Rendition
379
Translation Notes and Comments
379
Analysis and Summary
381
Conclusion382
The King of Kings
383
Introduction383
In Praise of a God of Judgment (19:1–5)
383
Greek Text
383
King James Translation
383
BYU New Testament Rendition
384
Translation Notes and Comments
384
Analysis and Summary
386
The Marriage of the Lamb (19:6–10)
386
Greek Text
386
King James Version
386
BYU New Testament Rendition
386
Translation Notes and Comments
387
Analysis and Summary
389
The Rider on the White Horse (19:11–16)
392
Introduction392
Greek Text
392
King James Translation
392
BYU New Testament Rendition
393
Translation Notes and Comments
393
Analysis and Summary
397
The Battle of the Warrior-king (vv. 17–21)
398
Greek Text
398
King James Translation
398
BYU New Testament Rendition
398
Translation Notes and Comments
398
Analysis and Summary
400
Conclusion401
The Thousand Years
403
Introduction403
Satan Is Bound for a Thousand Years (20:1–3) 403
Greek Text
403
King James Version
403
BYU New Testament Rendition
403
Translation Notes and Comments
403
Analysis and Summary
405
The First Resurrection and the Lord’s Reign
(20:4–6)406
Greek Text
406
King James Version
406
BYU New Testament Rendition
407
Translation Notes and Comments
407
Analysis and Summary
409
The Battle of Gog and Magog (20:7–10)
410
Greek Text
410
King James Version
411
BYU New Testament Rendition
411
Translation Notes and Comments
411
Analysis and Summary
412
Contents ix The Last Judgment (20:11–15)
415
Greek Text
415
King James Version
415
BYU New Testament Rendition
415
Translation Notes and Comments
415
Analysis and Summary
417
Conclusion418
The New Jerusalem
419
Introduction419
The People of God (21:1–4)
419
Greek Text
419
King James Translation
420
BYU New Testament Rendition
420
Translation Notes and Comments
420
Analysis and Summary
423
He That Sat upon the Throne (21:5–7)
424
Greek Text
424
King James Version
424
BYU New Testament Rendition
424
Translation Notes and Comments
424
Analysis and Summary
426
The Second Death (21:8)
428
Greek Text
428
King James Version
428
BYU New Testament Rendition
428
Translation Notes and Comments
428
Analysis and Summary
429
The New Jerusalem (21:9–14)
430
Greek Text
430
King James Translation
430
BYU New Testament Rendition
430
Translation Notes and Comments
430
Analysis and Summary
433
The City—Its Walls and Gates (21:15–27)
433
Greek Text
433
King James Translation
434
BYU New Testament Rendition
434
Translation Notes and Comments
434
Analysis and Summary
439
Conclusion442
Blessed Are They That Do His Commandments
443
Introduction443
The Tree and the Waters of Life (22:1–5)
443
Greek Text
443
King James Translation
443
BYU New Testament Rendition
443
Translation Notes and Comments
444
Analysis and Summary
446
Conclusion to the Vision (22:6–15)
449
Greek Text
449
King James Translation
450
BYU New Testament Rendition
450
Translation Notes and Comments
450
Analysis and Summary
455
Final Witness, Warning, and Exhortation
(22:16–21)457
Greek Text
457
King James Version
457
BYU New Testament Rendition
457
Translation Notes and Comments
457
Analysis and Summary
461
Conclusion462
Epilogue463
Bibliography465