Begin with the End in Mind — Revelation 6–14

Come, Follow Me: New Testament 2023 (December 11—17)

My house began on a napkin. In a discussion with my brother on what I wanted and needed in my new house, he took a napkin from the restaurant table and drew a simple design. With this picture in mind, I built my home and it’s perfect. Beginning with the end in mind is a good place to start any goal or task.

In his book, Heart of the Matter, President Nelson emphasizes this principle: “Beginning with the end in mind literally affects everything we do. It helps us set our course, outline the steps to get there, and monitor our progress along the way. Having a vision of where we are headed makes the chances of getting there infinitely more likely” (President Nelson).

If you’re wondering what “the end” could look like if you’re thinking celestial, John describes it as this: 

“…These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 7:14-17).

Can you imagine God approaching you and wiping away all tears from your eyes? You know He knows the source of those tears–the pains, the disappointments, the rejections–and He now welcomes you to His home, a place of perfect peace and love. 

As this world becomes increasingly dark, just as John saw in the book of Revelation, keeping this end in mind will get us through. 

“When we focus on our eventual end goal, that of eternal life with our family in the presence of our Heavenly Parents and the Savior, staying on the covenant path will become easier. What we will achieve, overcome, and become will astonish us” (President Nelson).