Lesson 50: Revelation 12-22

December 23-29
Revelation 12-22
"He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things"

Materials: 4 pieces of paper, art supplies (crayons, colored pencils, etc.) Scriptures
Opening Song: "I am a child of God" (Children's Songbook, 2)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Revelation 21:7 He that ^aovercometh shall ^binherit ^call things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my ^dson.

Attention Activity:
What is a vision? Can you think of some famous visions or revelations? (i.e. The First vision, the Tree of Life, The Kingdoms of Glory [D&C 76]) 

Lesson:
We have been reading about John's Revelation about the World. Today we are going to talk more about John's vision and some of the specific things he saw. 
Divide your family into 4 groups (have parents help younger children). Give each group one of the sections to read below. Each group will draw a picture to depict what John saw in his vision and share the brief explanation provided.

Revelation 12: 7-11
"The dragon is a representation of Satan, who with his followers waged the War in Heaven against Heavenly Father and His faithful children. “The third part of the stars of heaven”  are that portion of the hosts of heaven who followed Satan in the premortal war in heaven and were cast out. Elder Bruce R. McConkie described the conflict that occurred in heaven: “What kind of war? The same kind that prevails on earth; the only kind Satan and spirit beings can wage—a war of words, a tumult of opinions, a conflict of ideologies; a war between truth and error, between light and darkness. … And the battle lines are still drawn. It is now on earth as it was then in heaven; every man must choose which general he will follow” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:518)." (New Testament Student Manual)

Revelation 13: 1-13

"John saw a beast rise out of the sea. The Joseph Smith Translation indicates that the beast is “in the likeness of the kingdoms of the earth” . The beast’s many heads, crowns, and horns suggest many different kingdoms and rulers with great power. The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught: “When God made use of the figure of a beast in visions to the prophets He did it to represent those kingdoms which had degenerated and become corrupt, savage and beast-like in their dispositions, even the degenerate kingdoms of the wicked world” (in History of the Church, 5:341).

Rather than attempting to specify an exact identity of the beast, it may be more profitable to note the following general characteristics about the beast: It had power over many nations ; it opposed God and blasphemed against Him; the power it wielded was like the power that predatory animals have over their prey; Satan gave it power; people of the world worshipped or followed the beast; and it was able to overpower many, including the Saints. It could be said that any kingdom or government that exhibits these characteristics manifests the spirit of the beast." (New Testament Student Manual)

Revelation 19: 11-16

"In his vision of the Second Coming, John saw the Savior riding “a white horse” . The white horse is symbolic of conquest and victory, as horses were used almost exclusively for war in John’s time. John also saw that the Savior would return to earth wearing “a vesture dipped in blood,” meaning that His garments will be the color of blood. This color calls to mind the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane, when His atoning blood was pressed from His body just as juice is pressed from grapes in a winepress.

Commenting on the Savior’s red robes, Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated: “Having bled at every pore, how red His raiment must have been in Gethsemane, how crimson that cloak! No wonder, when Christ comes in power and glory, that He will come in reminding red attire (see D&C 133:48), signifying not only the winepress of wrath, but also to bring to our remembrance how He suffered for each of us in Gethsemane and on Calvary!” (“Overcome … Even as I Also Overcame,”Ensign, May 1987, 72).

The red apparel may also symbolize the destruction of the wicked at the Lord’s coming (see Isaiah 63:1–4; D&C 133:46–51). When Jesus comes again to the earth, He will bring justice against the wicked." (New Testament Student Manual)

Revelation 21: 10-25

"John saw in vision “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down” to earth, symbolizing God’s presence among His people. The city was depicted as an enormous cube, which recalls the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s temple, also representative of God’s dwelling place. The symbolic elements John saw that compose the city—clear glass, precious stones, pearls, and gold_—share the traits of reflecting light; resisting decaying or tarnishing; and symbolizing purity, beauty, and refinement. The walls of the city were made with all manner of precious stones. Precious stones often represent the Lord’s followers who have been refined and made holy.

The gates of the city were made of pearls and the streets of gold. Both pearls and gold can be seen as symbols of refinement: oysters produce pearls through pain and adversity, and gold requires fire to burn out impurities. The exalted will likewise have been refined through adversity.

There is no need of temples in the Holy City because all of the celestial kingdom will be as a temple; God Himself and Jesus Christ dwell there. There is no need of the sun there, for “the Lamb is the light thereof." (New Testament Student Manual)

Have each group share their picture and read or summarize the explanation from the New Testament Student Manual. Hang the pictures up somewhere in your home so that you can refer back to them as your family reads this week. 

The tagline for this lesson is "He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things." Sometimes the world seems like bleak place. It is sometimes hard to remember that there will be an end to all the pain and suffering in the world, but eventually good will conquer evil. The righteous will receive glory and all of the blessings of Heaven. If we remain true and faithful to our covenants, we will be able to receive the fullness of Heavenly Father's blessings. 

Closing Song: "I lived in Heaven" (Children's Songbook, 4)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:

Rolled Yummy Cookies (aka mom's sugar cookies)

1 c. shortening
1 c. sour cream
1 egg
2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
5 1/2 c. flour
4 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt

Cream shortening, sugar, egg. Add sour cream and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients. Stir in creamed mixture. Roll out and cut. Place on ungreased sheet. Bake at 400 for 7 minutes. Frost and decorate as desired. 

Frosting Tip: crush up cinnamon imperils candy and add to cream cheese frosting. Ice the cookies with the frosting and then decorate with store-bought icing tubes or sprinkles.