December 4-10

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We have been promised that our dispensation will not end in apostasy. However, in order to better understand the context in which Revelation was given, let’s imagine the situation of the converts in Asia Minor in our present day.

You are a member of the church. Unfortunately, eleven of the apostles have been killed, including the prophet. There is one apostle left, and he has been sent to a random island because he was preaching about Jesus Christ. You live in an environment hostile towards your beliefs. Churches are vandalized and boarded up because they’re illegal. There are some days when you wonder if this could really all be true; how could it be true when you see so much of it crumbling around you? There are leaders in your area, but they seem rather concerned as well by the loss of the apostles. When you do meet with other believers, there is sometimes contention because people remember the doctrine differently. There are also days where you still believe the church holds the truth, but why is the Lord abandoning it? If it is His church, why is He letting it fall apart like this?

I do not know how the members of the seven churches in Asia Minor truly felt. Perhaps their faith went far beyond what I’m describing. Perhaps they never faltered. But regardless of the personal feelings of the members of the time, the apostles were being killed off and Christianity was persecuted and illegal in many areas. 

Imagine being the last apostle. Even if there is plenty of confusion surrounding the true doctrine of Christ, John knows the truth. He knows what’s happening and what’s coming. Did it worry him or did he have a full understanding that the Lord was well aware of the coming apostasy and would take care of everything? Because he’s an apostle, it’s easy to think that he was faithful and fine and knew it would all work out, but then I think of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, calling out to the Lord and asking Him where He is hiding. The restored church is being torn apart before it’s even begun to truly grow, and the leader is locked away in prison where he can’t guide them. How can we go on in these circumstances?

Such was the situation in which John received a visit from the Savior as well as the beautiful admonition to write down the vision and send it to the converts in Asia Minor. To be reminded of His Omnipotence and awareness and power at such a time must have been vastly comforting in a world where everything seemed to be falling apart. Imagine being the converts and reading that despite all that was going on, the Savior was still present and still cared. He was still at the helm even if you could no longer feel the ship beneath your feet.

The Book of Revelation is intimidating, at least to me. It just takes more effort to seek out the individual symbols and to figure out which time period is being discussed and which group of people is being addressed (On that particular note, I HIGHLY recommend utilizing the institute manual; it changed my whole experience). However, when I think of it in context, I can imagine how the Saints in the ancient Christian church must have clung to these words. These were not just the words of a beloved missionary and friend; he was dictating for the Savior, Himself.

It helps me feel a bit more motivated to study. Not only does it make me feel more motivated, but I can find myself in these words.

Perhaps we do not have the same circumstances as these Saints watching things crumble around them, but surely we all have times in our lives where we have similar feelings even if they are about different situations. What promises did He make to them when they felt like everything was getting lost? What helped them realize that there was still an all-powerful Creator who cared and was actively engaged in what was occurring?

I know thee

The Savior specifically addresses the leaders of the seven churches (wards?) in Asia Minor throughout chapter two and three. Here is one specific address. 

Revelation 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 

The Lord clearly states His notice of them. He even goes on to give specific advice and warnings, both personal and pertaining to their leadership positions. 

The fact that the Lord directly addressed these leaders on specific issues is a big deal. Though some of His words hold intense warnings and chastisement, the fact that He is addressing them at all means He still cares about what’s occurring on an individual level. Even if there has to be an apostasy, the Lord has not abandoned His children. The prophets may be gone, but the heavens are never completely shut to those seeking the Lord. They have not been deserted. Prayers can still be answered; salvation is available to all regardless of what time period and circumstances they are born into. Perhaps these people have been baptized but what of their children and continuing posterity? To know that the Lord has not abandoned them means that there is hope for them as well as those who come after them.

There is something powerful about awareness, even on a mortal level. When Conner and I are both at our wits end, unable to support each other in the ways we want to because we both have our heads under water, for some reason I still find vast comfort when he lets me know that he sees me. When he says things like, “I know things are not ideal, but I see what you’re sacrificing for our family,” I find strength. Perhaps it’s because if Conner notices it, then it must not be completely going to waste, right? It must be having some kind of effect and is therefore worth it.

Now combine that feeling with the awareness that an Omnipotent God is aware of where you’re at. Perhaps you’ve been struggling, but that struggle feels different when you know that God loves you and is capable of relieving you of your burden. If He’s choosing to keep the burden there, then it must be for a good reason. It also means that even if you stumble, you’re not going to get crushed.

There must have been some intense relief to hear directly from the Savior through an apostle at such a difficult time. Perhaps we are not hearing directly from the Savior through an apostle, but I know that we can hear directly from the Savior through the Holy Ghost, and He’s the third member of the Godhead so that’s gotta count for something.

Comfort for the future

Dire circumstances feel much better when we know that they will end and be followed with beautiful things. On that note, there are three verses I want to share.

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

“I’m going to show you what’s in the future.” For a group of Saints who were looking at a very uncertain future, this must have brought some relief.

I will not write this one directly, but in Revelation 4:2-6, we get a glimpse into heaven and a glorified earth. For a group of Saints who were facing some very real, mortal danger, the idea of that kind of life, comfort, and future might have made the present bearable.

Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

People are praising the Savior for making them kings and priests to reign on earth. For a group of Saints who were living under emperors who demanded to be worshiped, it must have been quite a comfort to believe that one day, they would be the ones ruling and reigning and being free in their beliefs. 

Perhaps you are not being personally oppressed in your beliefs. Perhaps you do not find yourself under the power of unenlightened mortals. However, the message here is still very clear for anyone struggling. The Lord has an unspeakable future for you. I would imagine that John had a difficult time describing just what he saw when he looked into heaven.

Joseph Smith taught, “Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.”

If there is a particular struggle you’re going through, I want you to imagine the “end” of your story. What does that triumph look like for you? Is it a glorious reunion with a loved one? Is it freedom from pain? Is it freedom from insecurity? Whatever may be troubling you now, write down the end of your story. Just as you read (or watch) about all of your favorite characters going through their trials of fire and ending up in a better place because of it, create your own perfect “ending.” It may not be completely accurate. In fact, it is very unlikely that it will be totally accurate. But it doesn’t matter! What really matters is that you can visualize a Lord who can give you the happy ending you desire. What He gives you will likely far surpass anything you can imagine so take heart in that as well. 

These converts were given a glimpse into the relief they would one day find, and I would imagine that it changed them. If you can catch a glimpse (even one that you create yourself based on promises made by the Savior), it will change how you survive and endure until that happy ending.

I testify of a Savior who is aware of you and is still gloriously at the helm of this whole plan. I testify that He has a vested interest in your specific future, and that He paid a huge price to ensure you have access to it. If you cannot yet see it, I also testify that you can reach out to Him for a glimpse of it.