Suggested Lesson Development

Attention Activity

As appropriate, use the following activity or one of your own to begin the lesson.

Display a recent newspaper, and point out two or three distressing articles, such as accounts of crimes or natural disasters.

Have a class member read 2 Timothy 3:1.

Point out that we are living in the last days, in the times the Apostle Paul described as “perilous.” Explain that one of the challenges of living in the last days is learning to conquer fear and despair so we can overcome trials and temptations. This lesson will discuss how we can find hope and courage through an understanding of the events to come in the last days.

Scripture Discussion and Application

Discuss how the following scripture passages can help us have hope as we face the difficulties of the last days. Help class members understand that the righteous do not need to fear the Second Coming.

1. Satan fights against the righteous.

Discuss Revelation 5:1–5; 6. Invite class members to read selected verses aloud. Explain that the first three chapters of the book of Revelation pertain to John’s time (see lesson 45). The rest of the book deals with events that were future to John, from the Apostasy that occurred after the death of the Apostles to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the final judgment.

Explain that chapters 5 and 6 of Revelation use the symbol of a book “sealed with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1). Each seal represents a thousand-year period of the earth’s temporal existence (D&C 77:6–7; see the third additional teaching idea for more information on the seven seals). In chapter 6, the Lamb (Jesus Christ) opens the first six seals, showing John some of the events associated with each time period.

2. Satan will be bound, and Christ will reign in triumph during the Millennium.

Read and discuss Revelation 19:1–9 and Revelation 20:1–11.

3. After the last judgment, the righteous will dwell with God.

Read and discuss selected verses from Revelation 20:12–22:21.

Conclusion

Point out that the New Testament ends with a message of great hope. Prophets like John the Revelator have seen the things that are to come and have told us of the blessings we will receive if we remain righteous and endure to the end. Testify that the righteous will triumph at the end of the world. Encourage class members to take courage and hope from this knowledge as they stand against wickedness and seek to overcome the obstacles of this life.