Contents Abbreviations Preface xi xiii Introduction 1 Section I: As a Flaming Fire and a Ministering Angel (D&C 7:6) 1 Power over Death 1 Authorship 2 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 Revelation 19 The Use of Revelation by LDS Church Leaders and Scholars 20 Most Frequently Used Passages by LDS Leaders 21 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 Summary 36 Conclusion 38 Introduction to the Vision 39 Introduction 39 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 Conclusion 58 The Messages to the Seven Churches 60 Background 60 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) 73 Greek Text 73 King James Version 73 BYU New Testament Rendition 74 Translation Notes and Comments 74 Analysis and Summary 78 Message to the Church at Thyatira (2:18 29) 80 Greek Text 80 King James Version 80 BYU New Testament Rendition 81 Translation Notes and Comments 81 Analysis and Summary 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 Conclusion 99 Excursus: The State of Apostasy at the End of the First Century 102 The Vision of Heaven 105 Introduction 105 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 Conclusion 115 The Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the World 117 The Scroll of Destiny (5:1 5) 117 Greek Text 117 King James Translation 117 BYU New Testament Rendition 117 Translation Notes and Comments 117 Analysis and Summary 121 The Lamb Slain (5:6 7) 121 Greek Text 121 King James Version 121 BYU New Testament Rendition 121 Translation Notes and Comments 121 Analysis and Summary 123 The New Song (5:8 14) 123 Greek Text 123 King James Translation 124 BYU New Testament Rendition 124 Translation Notes and Comments 124 Analysis and Summary 126 The Six Seals 129 Introduction 129 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 Conclusion 145 The Seal of the Living God 147 Introduction 147 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 Introduction 161 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 Introduction 177 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 Conclusion 192 The Little Scroll 195 Introduction 195 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 Conclusion 204 The Seventh Trumpet 205 Introduction 205 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 Conclusion 225 The Dragon, the Woman, and the Child 227 Introduction 227 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 Conclusion 252 The Beasts of Revelation 255 Introduction 255 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 Conclusion 280 The Winepress of the Wrath of God 283 Introduction 283 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 Conclusion 303 The Seven Angels 305 Introduction 305 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 Conclusion 313 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 Conclusion 337
viii The Revelation of John the Apostle Babylon the Great 341 Introduction 341 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 Conclusion 362 The Fall of Babylon the Great 365 Introduction 365 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 Introduction 378 Greek Text 378 King James Translation 379 BYU New Testament Rendition 379 Translation Notes and Comments 379 Analysis and Summary 381 Conclusion 382 The King of Kings 383 Introduction 383 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 Introduction 392 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 Conclusion 401 The Thousand Years 403 Introduction 403 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 Conclusion 418 The New Jerusalem 419 Introduction 419 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 Conclusion 442 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 Conclusion 462 Epilogue 463 Bibliography 465 Blessed Are They That Do His Commandments 443 Introduction 443 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