My Thoughts and Analysis of the Seven Seals in Revelations
First of all, The book with the seven seals “contains the revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God; the hidden things of [H]is economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence.” (
Doctrine and Covenants 77:6). From this we can see that it contains only the things that need to happen and are according to God's will and purpose, but is also only of the earth's temporal existence. Meaning, not of things before the fall of Adam, and of things up until the millennial return of Jesus Christ and the purification of the earth back into its paradisaical or Terrestrial glory.
It is also important to note that no angels in heaven were worth and able to open and read this sealed book, only Jesus Christ was worthy and able.
“5: And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
When it comes to seals, classically, they are melted wax used to close or “seal” a letter or scroll closed. Usually imprinted with a stamp or “seal” often from a ring like a king would have, but also could be small pedestal stamp. This was done as proof that the letter or message had not been changed from what was originally written by the writer or author. This bears the question, who sealed the book? Who was the writer? It was in God's right hand, (
Revelations 5:1) “1: And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.” So God, who knows everything and all time is continually before His face (
Doctrine and covenants 38:2) could have written this sealed book. Yet I wonder, why are there seven seals? If it had one author, why couldn't the whole book be sealed with one?
Each seal contains the things of a thousand years of time on this earth.
“7: What are we to understand by the seven seals with which it was sealed?...
We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh.”
Wherefore, I wonder if each seal is made by the prophet or steward of the earth during the dispensations contained within their respective thousand years. As though they are declaring both the results of their stewardship and acknowledging God's hand in the work that transpired. This also has some validity with the comparison to temple sealings, done by God's priesthood authority, but performed by mortals here on earth. Which makes me wonder further, if the sealing power is not just for families, children to parents and spouses one to another, but also for entire dispensations. That the earth itself is sealed with stages of times upon itself, and possibly, to the people who will dwell thereon, for all eternity. We know that it will be celestialized and made like a sea of glass (
Doctrine and Covenants 77:1) and those of the Celestial Kingdom will inherit it and dwell thereon (
Doctrine and Covenants 88:25-26) so this idea verifies and strengthens that truth.
We also see that though the earth may be more than seven thousand years old, it has only been mortal or Telestial for just over six thousand years. It also means, that we can break down each seal as a thousand years starting from the fall of Adam and Eve.
Then there are the beasts that announce each seal
“...were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him: and they were full of eyes within...”
As for these beasts, this much we can say, “They are limited to four individual beasts, which were shown to John, to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation, in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity.” (Doctrine and Covenants 77:3) and “Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge, that is, they are full of knowledge; and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act, etc.” (Doctrine and Covenants 77:4) This is also the only scripture we have showing that animals, too, are saved in the kingdom of God.
“And I saw when the Lamb [Christ] opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and See. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.”
As with the serpent speaking in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1, 4-5), and Balaam and the ass (Numbers 22:28), we see that beasts before the fall could speak, and God has opened the mouth of beasts to speak, wherefore beasts in heaven can speak as well. Though, this beast is not mentioned as to which it is, it is reasonable with the other seals, that this beast is the first, the lion, king of the jungle. Kinda poetic that the king of beasts announces and draws attention to the crown being given to the man sitting upon the white horse. As though acknowledging the lordship of the man over the beasts.
White is the symbol or color of purity and cleanliness, even holiness. Though Adam fell, and the earth was cursed because of it, he lived his life honorably, paying his devotions and sacrifices to the Lord as taught in the Holy Temple (Moses 5:6-7). He is Michael, the archangel, Ancient of Days, and has been redeemed from the fall, having been washed clean in the blood of the Lamb (Adam, the Archangel by Mark E. Peterson, October General Conference 1980).
As for the horse, it reminds me of the wings of the angels and beasts in the book of Revelations, which represent “power, to move, to act, etc.” (Doctrine and Covenants 77:4). Wings imply flight, up in the sky, in the firmament, but legs or hooves represents land, or earthly movement, power and ability to act.
Though we often think of conquering as war, with one group of people going to battle against another group of people, to conquer them, and have power and dominion over them, with the context of being the time of Adam and Eve, it makes more sense with God's promise and blessing, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) This conqueror may represent Adam, who lived for nearly all of that first thousand years (Genesis 5:5), subduing the earth, taming the animals, hunting them with bow and arrow, and exercising dominion upon the land. He was a prince or king upon the land.
“And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”
The second beast being a calf, it seems as though there is symbolism of cattle being important during this thousand year period. It is also in stark contrast to the lion from the first seal, as though the world was wild, so now it is tame and domesticated. Wherefore people fight to dominate each other instead of just the land and beasts.
Red is the color of blood, anger, hatred, and war. Again we see the symbolism of a horse, moving forth across the land or the earth.
Power was given unto this red rider, but what is power? Power from who? Could it be that God permitted or commanded that peace be taken? This sealed book is the record of God's mysteries and miracles after all. Nevertheless, power is often referred to as authority, or dominion. Often we think of priesthood power, or the power to act in God's name. Therefore, by some authority and power, peace was taken from the earth.
Maybe knowing what the power is doing helps. The power is to take “peace” from the earth. Again, quite often, we think of peace as calm, serine, quiet, lack of war, or even heavenly. And we know that peace comes from God, Christ and His Holy Spirit, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” (John 14:27). However, this peace is not lack of war and strife, for that is the peace the world gives. The peace God gives is an inward peace despite conflict and calamity around us. I think it is both forms of peace that were taken from the earth. For, if inward peace is taken away, outward peace is soon to depart as well.
What results from this peace being taken away: murder, death, war, as the people of the earth kill one another.
A great sword was given unto him. Swords are used for war, up close, in the battlefield. However, God is also considered to have a sword, a sword of judgment and justice (Isaiah 34:5). Even the word of God is considered to be a two-edged sword (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12).
Lastly, lets compare what is occurring during this thousand years. Judging by the genealogy laid out in Genesis 5, from the time of Adam's fall to the birth of Noah was 1056 years. Noah was 500 years old when he begat Shem, Ham, and Japeth (Genesis 5:32). Therefore, it is reasonable that the defining mark of this thousand year period is the setting up and the aftermath of the great flood that washed over the earth. During this time God declared, “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.” (Genesis 6:3) and His Spirit of peace was taken away because of the wickedness of the world (Genesis 6:5). Thus we can know that God withdrew His Spirit during this time because of the evil works, murder and iniquity of the people. Lastly, God did give His word, or the sword of His Spirit, to the rider, or to the prophet Noah, who cried repentance, but was not heard. Because the people hearkened not unto the word, they were cut asunder by each other, and by the flood of waters that swallowed the land, people and beasts alike.
After the flood, the descendants of Noah, a few generations later, built up a great structure the Tower of Babel, because of the pride of their hearts, they thought that they could build a tower up to heaven. For which, an angel of the Lord smote them, confounding their language into countless different tongues. Now, no time is set for it, other than it was after the flood and before the birth of Abraham. Also, judging by the time and genealogy set in Genesis 11, Peleg, and the dividing of the continents from the Pangaea or super continent during his lifetime, also lived during the latter end of this thousand years. It could be before or after this world changing event that the story of the Tower of Babel took place. I know not whether is more likely, that the languages and people were scattered already on the continents or if they were scattered and migrated to the continents. In either case, the different languages and peoples spread over the land, continuing the marching horse.
“And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and See. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”
The third beast had the face of a man. What that means for sure, I cannot say, for it is a beast, but also a man. A monkey comes to mind when I try to picture it, like a chimpanzee, as much human as a beast's face is usually observed. As though there is a symbolic balance between the beast and man, good and evil, the saint and sinner. Though, the thoughts of idolatry also speak to me from this description. For, when the chief priests and scribes came tempting Christ asking, “Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?” (Luke 20:22) Jesus confounded them with the image and superscription on a penny, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.” It is the essence of idolatry, to craft an image or have something that you set equal to or higher than God, just as Caesar thought of himself and had the face of a man on a coin.
Black is the color of darkness, blindness, curses and night. Therefore, curses, blights, plagues, and pestilences would ride upon this horse over the earth.
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| Lady Justice |
It is interesting that a pair of balances were given to this black rider. Such a device is usually used by merchants to measure food for purchase, in bartering and trade. Lady Justice, which takes reference from the goddesses Themis and Dike from Greek mythology, but more prominently Lustitia from Roman mythology, is blind and holds balances in one hand, and a sword in the other. Signifying not only how justice is blind, and weighs justice verses mercy, but also has the power to strike and execute judgment and justice. In Egyptian mythology, Anubis the god of the underworld, weighs the human heart on a balance against a feather to see if they are good-hearted enough to make it into the afterlife or be swallowed and destroyed by chaos. Wherefore, I think it is rather fitting how much Egypt plays in the course of this thousand years and with God's chosen people.
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Fig.
1. The
weighing of the heart depicted in the Egyptian Book of the Dead,
overseen by the jackal-headed Anubis, the god of embalming. Courtesy
of the British Museum, via Wikimedia Commons
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Based upon the genealogy in Genesis 11, Abraham was born around 1946 years after Adam fell. In the beginning of this third seal, Abram or Abraham was driven, by the Lord, from his home, where he was tested and tried with sacrifices of all kinds. He was nearly sacrificed by his father Terah (Abraham 1:12, Facsimile 1) by the hand of an Egyptian priest to the idols. Then, later, was called upon to sacrifice his son Isaac to the One True God (Genesis 22:1-13). In these things, Abraham's heart was tried and tested, weighed on the scales, and having been found worthy, was blessed to be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4). It was also during this time that Lot, Abraham's nephew, and his daughters were spared from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:23-30).
There were various phases of famines and plagues, but the next most noticeable was after Joseph, descendant of Abraham and of the tribe of Israel, was sold into Egypt, there to face many trials of his own. Thanks to Joseph's efforts, interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh and laying up great stores of grain the size of food-storage which had never before been attempted (Genesis 41), the Israelites were spared from death, but were also brought into Egypt where generations later they would become slaves.
About halfway through this thousand years came Moses (Exodus 12:40) who brought forth plagues upon Egypt by God's power and authority (Genesis 7:14-11:10) and lead the Israelites through the wilderness, where they were tried and tested repeatedly with plagues of serpents, where we get the rod of Asclepius (held by the Greek god Asclepius) and caduceus or bronze serpent to which we can look for as a type of Christ being lifted up on the cross, plagues of quail, along with blessing of mana or bread from heaven, and water. I have often thought that the only difference between a blessing and cursing is point of view. Blessed with a cursing, or cursed with a blessing. Alas, often times, the Israelites looked upon their liberation from Egypt and all blessings that came upon them as cursings, getting tired of the mana, asking for meat and then complaining about too much quail, and not bothering to look upon the brazen serpent and be saved from the venom of the serpents.
Because of their hearts, being weighed down by their unthankfulness, they turned again to idolatry, even after the reign of kings with King David, who fought Goliath and King Saul as tests he passed before failing with the trial of Bathsheba, and finally culminating with his son Solomon. Interestingly, King Solomon was also known for his wisdom and justice, balancing his decrees and judgments righteously until he fell into idolatry.
As for the significance of “a measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny” I have researched and found that a “measure” or Greek choinix was approximately one quart, and a “penny” or Greek denarius, was one day's wage for a worker. Basically meaning that though there was a great famine, the people would have enough to survive day by day.
Lastly, as far as what makes sense to me, the symbols of oil and wine are both medicinal and spiritual. Christ turned water to wine at a wedding as his first miracle (John 2:6-10), and gave wine in the last supper, a sacrament to remember His sacrifice (Matthew 26:27-29) and is considered to have trodden the wine press alone (Isaiah 63:3). For the oil, the place of Christ's suffering was the Garden of Gethsemane which mean “oilpress”. Oil and wine would also be poured into wounds for healing as the good Samaritan did for the man who fell among thieves (Luke 10:34), the alcohol in the wine acting like a disinfectant and the oil acting like a barrier from dirt and germs.
In healing blessings, Melchizedek Priesthood holders also anoint the head of the sick or infirm individual with consecrated or holy olive oil before laying their hand on their head and performing the blessing (Missionary Handbook Appendix B: Administering to the sick). This is quite similar to the woman who anointed Christ's head with oil in preparation for His death and burial (Matthew 26:7-12). My personal theory on this is that, though spiritually representing the grace of Christ's atonement, there is nothing done that is only temporal or spiritual but both in one (Doctrine and Covenants 29:31-32). As such, I think that the conductivity of oil and heat, the same reason why we use it for frying, acts to help make a conduit for energy and prayer and the powers of heaven. Same reasoning, at least for my speculation, for steeples on chapels and, ironically, the tall point on a witch's hat. Nevertheless, it does not diminish the reasoning that though the earth would face many famines and plagues and destruction during this time, the grace of God would still be with them in the law of sacrifice and the law of Moses.
“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”
The fourth beast was like a flying eagle. Fascinating that eagles and other birds of prey both hunt, but are also scavenger or carrion birds. “For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gather together.” (Matthew 24:28) Truly, a terrifying omen of death upon the land. But of what kind of death?
The rider's name is death, like an angel of death, angel meaning a messenger of God. He rides upon a pale horse, such a sickening term. What once was full of life has now withered and grown peaked and pale. Like it is frightened, without hope and faith. For faith is the opposite of fear, both living in the future, one bright, the other bleak. Though clearly there would be much physical death within a thousand years, it also points to a more devastating second death, or spiritual death. A state of being so far away from God that it is called Hell. Hell is traditionally the term used for the miserable existence of the wicked after they depart from this life, we also get a taste of it while here in mortality, just like we can have a taste of heaven or paradise.
It is also worth noting that both Death and Hell are capitalized in the King James Version as names, and power was given to “them”. Again, signifying both death of the body, and then death of the spirit on a mass scale, riding over the earth. We often call this state of the world an apostasy. Nevertheless, power was only given to them over a fourth part of the earth. Physically, death by the sword being war, death by hunger is starvation, death by death is old age, and death by beasts is being mauled and eaten. However, spiritually, death by the sword could be death by the word of God by delivering justice to those who did not hearken to it, death by hunger is the lack of the word of God or scripture for we are commanded to feast upon the word of God (2 Nephi 32:3), death by death is willfully rebelling against God, and death by beasts could be either giving into the appetites of the natural man or giving into the enticings of the adversary and his followers and mortal idolaters.
During this thousand years, we see the despair come upon Israel as they are conquered and scattered among many nations. The Jews, though fallen often into idolatry still seek the law, but grow numb to the spirit behind it. They grow more constrained to the letter of the law, so much so, that they do not recognize the law being fulfilled when Christ comes again.
Before I continue, I would like to note, this is both the last of the classical “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” but also the last we hear of the four beasts. I surmise that is because with the birth of Christ and the commencement of the fifth seal, the earth is now filled and the horsemen no longer need to ride to spread it. As for the four beasts, it seems as though, since they were also in the act of praising God (Revelations 4:8), and that those four seals had passed by the time of John's writing, that they also represent the spirits of the departed during those four thousand years.
No longer staying as short and sweet as with the four horsemen, likely due to us and the early church having the Old Testament scripture of the Law and the Prophets, John the Revelator begins to expound on these last three seals so that the people could see and look for the scriptures being fulfilled. Therefore, I will attempt to take it a cluster of verses at a time.
“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”
Firstly, an altar is where sacrifices would be performed. Under the Mosaic law, animals would be slain, bled, and burned on these altars. The Mosaic Law being fulfilled by the atonement and sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the garden and on the cross, in these latter days, we offer up our hearts, our minds, and our lives to the Lord by entering covenants and performing ordinances. Thus these souls were sacrificed, or rather, they sacrificed their lives for the church and for God, but their bodies still remain in the earth, or under the altar. It is claimed by some that the persecution of Christians after Christ's death and ascension into heaven have been over exaggerated. However, like with those who deny other massacres and battles, it comes to a point where we cannot know, but need to trust in what knowledge and records we have and move on from there. That being said, it is most apparent that John is prophesying such persecution of the saints for their testimonies of Christ and their abiding by the word of God.
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| Angel Moroni visiting Joseph Smith Jr |
White robes were given unto them, again white being clean and holy. Their sins being washed in the blood of the Lamb, making them spotless before God. Whether in the body or in the spirit, I know not, for the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith Jr with a white robe much like this, “He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom.” (Joseph Smith History 1:31) However, Moroni was a resurrected being, as he held the golden plates (Book of Mormon: Testimony of the Three Witnesses), which a spirit could not have done (Doctrine and Covenants 129).
Yet, it intrigues me, because one of the biggest arguments against a physical resurrection is that we still have countless bodies of the righteous dead yet in graves over the past couple thousand years. Since Christ is indeed risen from the dead and become the first fruits or first resurrected of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20-22) and many saints who had died rose with him and appeared to many in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:53), then why are people not being resurrected right now? I think this passage of scripture, this seal, explains why, “they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” In other words, in the sixth and seventh seal, there will be more martyrs for Christ, more righteous dead. So they are to wait until they can all rise up at once, during the second coming of the Savior (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we often view half, if not most of this first thousand years AD as a Great Apostasy. For, after the Apostles had been slain, Christ's church had become corrupted and polluted from the right way. With the meddling of human hands in God's word, like with the Nicene Council, and with evidence from the protestant faiths, like with Martin Luther's 99 theses. Each one trying to repair and reform to get back to Christ's original church, when what they needed was a restoration. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that John chose to focus more on the suffering saints, his people, more than the looming shadow of the Dark Ages. Maybe it is because he knew that he was destined to live among them and not taste of death until Christ comes again (Doctrine andCovenants 7:2-3).
“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”
We do not have many records of earthquakes during this time period as testing for seismic phenomena was not used. However, by knowing earth's orbit around the sun, and earth's rotation, NASA has been able to determine that there were two solar eclipses in the year 1000. One on April 7th lasting 3 minutes, and one on September 30th lasting only 47 seconds. The April eclipse I find interesting as many great events the ancient and latter-day church history happen in this time of year. Passover feast, birth of Christ, His atonement, death and resurrection, April 6th 1830 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, and April 3rd 1836 Elijah the prophet returned and gave priesthood keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Also, the path of the eclipse runs from China through the middle east, and then through central Africa.
Also, there were two lunar eclipses very close to this day, one on March 22 and another on April 21 year 1000 AD.
Though this is fascinating, I personally have found that smoke turns a moon red quite vibrantly. So it is more likely that there was a volcano or great fires at this time. Alas, as far as can be determined by core samples, the closest notable volcanic eruption after year 1000 was the Samalas eruption in 1257. However, it was powerful enough that many scientist think that it was responsible for a nearly thousand year Little Ice Age that we may still be in the process of warming back up from.
This Little Ice Age includes the Middle Ages 1100-1450 AD flowing into other developing ages like the Age of Enlightenment 17th - 19th century and the 2nd great awakening in the 1800s along with the Industrial Revolution 1760-1840.
It is nearly impossible to determine whether or not “stars fell from heaven” like meteor storms or comets. However, what if “heaven departed as a scroll that is rolled together” is like a book of enlightenment and knowledge that is finally given unto man. Joseph Smith translated that verse to read “And the heavens opened as a scroll is opened when it is rolled together; and every mountain, and island, was moved out of its place.” Making it sound more like the scroll of knowledge being read, as opposed to it departing. Thus it could be a prophecy about the Age of Enlightenment with its seeking to know God better, and the Industrial Revolution with its learning about science and the world around us. Even computers and the World Wide Web were establish near the end of this seal, not to mention the US moonlanding in 1969.
Technological advancements with ships and map making, using stars to guide their way allowed for many great migrations, like Columbus sailing to the “New World” and islands being populated or stripped of resources. Trade boomed, mountains were mined. Though it is grave to mention, the slave industry also served to make it so that the peoples of the islands and mountains were “moved out of their places”. Nevertheless, the earthquakes and volcano could have also caused a literal change to geography, due to the lack of records during the early part of this seal, it makes it difficult to determine for sure.
“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
Near the end of this seal, there were many great wars the filled the world. World War 1 from 1914-1918 where the Allied powers and Central Powers fought, and World War 2 from 1939-1945 where the Allies and Axis fought. This was the time that the art of war mingled with machines of the industrial revolution, building tanks, bombs, and guns. To defend from this, trenches and bunkers were heavily implemented for protection from air raids and cannon fire.
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| Cheyenne Mountain |
However, this was never more evident than with the Cold War from 1945-1990 where threat of nuclear war drove not only the “kings... great men... rich men... chief captains... mighty men” to hide inside the earth using bunkers, but also “every bondman, and every free man”. This was again echoed in the last few years before the turn of the century with Y2k or “Year 2000” where people of the world thought that all computers would crash, nukes would go off, bombs would drop, all because of a computer programming shortcut of using “99” as apposed to “1999”. Indeed, there were massive amounts of fear and expectations leading up to the end of the 2nd millennium.
“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt no the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”
Lets start on solid scriptural ground.
(Doctrineand Covenants 77:8) “What are we to understand by the four angels... We are to understand that they are four angels sent forth from God, to whom is given power over the four parts of the earth, to save life and to destroy; these are they who have the everlasting gospel to commit to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; having power to shut up the heavens, to seal up unto life, or to cast down into the regions of darkness.”
(Doctrineand Covenants 77:9) “What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east... We are to understand that the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel... And, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things.”
As I said earlier, during this seal, Elijah the prophet appeared and gave unto Joseph and Oliver priesthood keys on April 3, 1836. This was four years after the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 77 about March of 1832. How fair of a warning “if you will receive it” that was given to Joseph for when Elijah came Malachi prophesied, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6) Yet, when he came Elijah himself added, “Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.” (Doctrine and Covenants 110:16)
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| Moses, Elias and Elijah appearing to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery |
If we know that Elijah was received and therefore the curse of destruction did not sweep over the earth, then who might be the other angels with the everlasting gospel be? Moses and Elias also appeared with Elijah in the Kirtland, Ohio Temple. We also know through modern revelation that the angel Moroni is the angel spoken of in Revelations 14:6 “And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people,” This places him as an angel who had the everlasting gospel to give to the earth, and it is possible that he, too was one of the four angels, as earlier verses (Revelations 14:1,3) make reference to the hundred and forty-four thousand elders who have the seal of God placed on their foreheads. However, we cannot say or do not know if Moroni was one of those angels or “another angel”.
Lets also look at why Moroni came paving the way for eventually John the Baptist, Peter James and John, Moses, Elias, and Elijah before ultimately Christ should come. Moroni was sent in response to a humble Joseph Smith's prayer. At 14 years of age, Joseph Smith, amid the turmoil of opinions that came with the Second Great Awakening, wanted to know which church was correct. So he prayed and received a vision of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ spoke unto Joseph and told him that none of the churches were correct. In essence, the church Jesus established had become corrupted so that it was no longer found. Nevertheless, it was soon time for the church to be restored upon the earth.
This was Moroni's task, to lead and guide Joseph with multiple visitations, to give him golden plates which, when translated, would become the Book of Mormon and fruit, or proof that Joseph Smith was indeed called as a prophet of God. A passage of scripture that is a second witness of Jesus Christ to go hand-in-hand with the Holy Bible. A symbol that God still cares about His children despite the darkness of the Dark Ages, and that Christ will come again.
Later, John the Baptist appeared and restored the priesthood authority for baptism to be performed in God's name, and then Peter, James and John, three of Christ's own apostles, restored the higher priesthood which has the authority to act in God's name with healing blessings and other ordinances.
Yet, it was when Moses, Elias, and Elijah came that the keys of authority were restored, building upon the priesthood Joseph and Oliver had already received, giving them authority to seal husband and wives, parents and children, one to another. It makes sense that the prophet who held this authority would also be the one who would seal the priesthood of God on the “foreheads” of the 144,000 elders who will be leaders in Christ's kingdom during the Millennium.
The Lord elaborated on these 144,000 to his prophet in Doctrine and Covenants 77 verse 11 “ What are we to understand by sealing the one hundred and forty-four thousand, out of all the tribes of Israel – twelve thousand out of every tribe?... We are to understand that those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.”
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| Jewish Phylactery |
As for the nature of this forehead sealing and who has or will be sealed in this manner is unknown.
We know that 12,000 will come from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. We can also liken the mark on the forehead with the phylactery or tefillin that ancient Hebrews would wear. It is a small box that would strap to the forehead of the individual. Inside of it would be a scroll with scripture written thereon in remembrance of the law of Moses. “And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth...” (Exodus 13:9)
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| Lich's Phylactery |
Lastly, I find it interesting that the word phylactery has since been used in the world of Dungeons and Dragons as a gem that a lich (an undead necromancer) would use to keep from dying. It would sacrifice spirits into it and consume them as fuel to keep itself alive, more or less. Nevertheless, the phylactery was the location of the lich's spirit, so much like how the brain is the place where our spirit connects with our body and is symbolized by the third eye in the middle of the forehead. Almost as though these elders are sealed by the priesthood power in their mind and soul.
“And this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”
From this we can dispel any notion that only 144,000 people would be saved, as the great multitude saved is so immense that it cannot be numbered. It is also important to note that they are described as coming from all nations, kindred, people, and tongues signifying how all those scattered during the previous seals are being gathered again as the gospel spreads to all the world.
They also carry palms in their hands, like with Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem where palm leaves were cast onto the ground as straw (Matthew 21:8) now celebrated as Palm Sunday, signifying how Christ is about to come into his kingdom. The use of palm leaves was also notable in the hot desert climate as a means of cooling like a fan, usually in serving royalty.
“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, 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 [H]is temple: and [H]e 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.”
They wore white robes, like how the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, showing how these people have been redeemed of God and washed clean, as with the martyred saints during the 5th seal. It makes sense that they would have similar honor considering these are those who go through great tribulations, which can easily be compared to the hardships that the latter-day saints went through, being persecuted and driven from their homes by mobs, having to travel west across a barren, harsh country.
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| Martin and Willie Handcart Company |
We also see a glimpse into what life is like on the other side of the veil. There is still much work for the people of God to do, whether it is missionary work, or serving in the temple, or even keeping accurate records of what happens here on the earth. President Nelson shared an experience his Grandfather A. C. Nelson had with a visitation from A. C. 's deceased father, “I was in bed when Father entered the room. He came and sat on the side of the bed. He said, 'Well, my son, as I had a few spare minutes I received permission to come and see you for a few minutes. I am feeling well, my son, and have had very much to do since I died.' 'What have you been doing since you died, Father?' 'I've been traveling together with Apostle Erastus Snow ever since I died. That is, since three days after I died. I received my commission to preach the gospel. You cannot imagine, my son, how many spirits there are in the spirit world that have not yet received the gospel. But many are receiving it, and a great work is being accomplished. Many are anxiously looking forth to their friends who are still living to administer for them in the temples. I've been very busy preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.'” (The Gateway We Call Death by Russel M. Nelson). Indeed we can say that the, “same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:2).
“What time are the things spoken of in this chapter [Revelations 7] to be accomplished?... They are to accomplished in the sixth thousand years, or the opening of the sixth seal.” (Doctrine and Covenants 77:10). Which is roughly from year 1000 to year 1999.
“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.”
Many people were expecting the rapture, when the saints of God are taken up to heaven as the world is burned, to occur with the new millennium. However, clearly, that did not happen. Wondering why, I examined the opening of this seal closely, and it states “There was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” That might have been a literal half an hour, though I do not know for certain. However, what if it is half an hour according to God's time, not ours? “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8). If a thousand years on earth is one day for the Lord, then half an hour for the Lord is about 20.8 years. This would make the offerings of incense and sounding of the trumps, not the rapture, to begin occurring around the year 2021, or if you wanted to get more specific, approximately September of 2020, though the phrasing is “about” so there is some leeway before and after.
Nevertheless, looking at the world in this state, I can see how so many prophecies are being fulfilled. As part of the chapter summary for Doctrine and Covenants Section 45 it abbreviates verses 24-38 “Christ revealed signs of His coming as given on the Mount of Olives” These scriptures talking about how Israel will be scattered and gathered again, with missionary work, then starting in verse 26 it reads, “And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound. And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel; But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men.”
Doesn't this sound like the times in which we live? Wars and rumors of wars? Everything from the struggles in the middle east, to the riots that are going on today? How about “men's hearts shall fail them”? As of 2017 the leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease with over 600,000 deaths that year alone (CDC.GOV). How about metaphorically? Courage giving way to fear and anxiety that is plaguing the nation and world.
Then there is the part of love waxing cold and iniquity abounding. I have found this to be true from so many points of view. First, because people are choosing to do iniquity, they lose love, for how can love flourish in someone's life where they are promiscuous with sex, or unfaithful to their spouse or partner? On the other hand, because so many people have succumbed to this wickedness, it makes it more difficult for righteous people to find each other, and cultivate love one with another.
Next, with the great event of the restoration of the gospel, the amazing light that has shaped and opened my mind to the glory of God and His Christ more than any other, how many people have not seen that light? Have not received it? And sit in darkness because they are blinded by the precepts of the world?
Alas, it does not end here, “And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another.” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:30-33). How real this seems at the time of this writing, for right now the world is amid the Corona Virus Pandemic coupled with earthquakes that occurred around the time of the April 2020 General Conference in: Utah, Idaho, Texas, and California [though California is not much of a surprise] (earthquakes.usgs.gov) and with the riots in major cities throughout the US and Europe.
It is of my opinion, that this prophecy from the Mount of Olives that Christ gave to His apostles was in specific reference to this time, this half an hour period after the opening of the 7th seal, though it need not be limited to that by any means. Nevertheless, God also gives us council, “Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:35). Indeed, after this space of time Revelations says that God has the incense or prayers of His saints rising up before Him, how much does this sound like the two world wide fasts that President Nelson, the current prophet of Christ's Church on the earth today, has encouraged for relief from the suffering of the world?
“What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation?... We are to understand that as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of the earth, even so, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth, and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his power, when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years – the preparing of the way before the time of his coming.”
It seems as though we are right on schedule thus far, so what about the seven trumpets that begin sounding in this chapter?
“The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
The hail and fire from this trump reminds me of the 7th plague of Egypt (Exodus 9:22-25). How fitting is it that the seventh plague is also the first of the seven trumps of the seventh seal? Now, maybe the fire that comes down from heaven is lightning, which causes wild fires, or it may be literal fire, I cannot say. Despite the major fires we have had the past couple years in both the Amazon (2018-2019) and in Australia (January 2020), I am expecting that the coming fires in 2021 to be worse than even they have been.
“And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.”
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| Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Burn from the Smithsonian 2010 |
The great mountain makes me think of a meteor or comet that will hit the earth and land in the ocean. Such an event could cause many aquatic disasters, including the red tide effect where a large up-welling of nutrients from the sea floor can trigger red algae to bloom and release toxic red dinoflagellates that kills off sea life. Other possibilities that flow through my mind is the “mountain” aspect, and most mountains in the sea are caused by underwater volcanoes that form islands and erupt in flame. Thinking about the “ships” that are destroyed, I think of an oil spill from a single or multiple tankers. The oil kills creatures in and around the sea as well as, if ignited, could cause huge amounts of flame, like a “mountain burning with fire”. Lastly, the word used here is “sea”. Meaning it could be the ocean, or possibly a large lake or sea, depending on how John intended it.
“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.”
Again, a star falls from heaven, like a meteor, not as bright as a “mountain burning with fire” but like a lamp in the night. Its fall and striking the earth seems to pollute the fresh water to the point that it becomes toxic and kills those who consume it. Maybe this is a literal meteor, or possibly, a man-made meteor, or should I say a rocket, a missile, or even a falling satellite.
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| Wormwood Herb |
As for the name “wormwood”, wormwood is type of herb known for its distinctive scent as well as its main compound called thujone, which has minor calming effect, but in large doses can cause seizures and even death. It is also worth noting that wormwood is used in a liqueur called absinthe which causes hallucinations.
“And the forth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!”
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| Father's Day, June 21st, 2020 Solar Eclipse |
Like the other darkening of celestial bodies, this sounds like partial eclipses of the sun and moon instead of full eclipses. Considering the destruction from the previous three trumpets of fire and possibly meteors, there could be large clouds of dust or smoke that could darken the sky, blocking out much of the sunlight, moonlight, and star visibility. Though, it is also important to note that Sunday June 21st, which is also Father's Day, had an annular solar eclipse over the old world (nasa.gov) which means that it was not a full eclipse, but left a ring of sunlight around the shadow of the moon.
Also, the warning of three “woe”'s is a notion that even as bad as thing are or have gotten, they are about to get much, much worse.
“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpion of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Green tongue hath his name Apollyon. One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.”
So much to unpack from this single sounding of a trump, so I will begin with the description of the locusts. By trying to place myself into the mind of someone from the ancient church but who has been given a glimpse of the wonders we have today, I think about how such a person would describe what they see. How would you describe a car? Maybe as a cart or chariot pulled without a horse? With this mindset, a horse could describe something move or charging, especially if it is prepared for battle. What about the crowns? What horse like transportation do we have that has something that could be considered a crown? Maybe the hood ornaments of vehicles? Or how about the propeller of a plane or helicopter? Either way, their “faces” are the faces of the people driving or with the symbolism of locusts, flying the vehicle as seen through the windshield. “hair as the hair of women”, makes me think of the repelling lines that soldiers use while vacating a helicopter, extending long and down like a woman's hair in those days. As for the teeth like lions, I think of the sharp pain of machine gun fire. The metallic appearance being described as “breastplates of iron”, and the loud sound of the helicopter flying as “sound of chariots of many horses running to battle”. Lastly, like a scorpion, it has stings in their tails, possibly either the bullets of the machine guns or possibly rockets that fire.
Now, these “stings” are not meant to kill, but to poison and make people miserable for 5 months. This is described as the venom of a scorpion. It could have easily been described as the venom of a snake, though snakes tend to be more deadly for humans than scorpions. This description could also be because of the symptoms of scorpion stings: difficulty breathing, muscle twitching or thrashing, unusual eye movement, drooling, sweating, nausea and vomiting, hypertension (high blood pressure), tachycardia (accelerated heart rate), and restlessness and excitability. (mayoclinic.org). Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to hurt the environment or at least the plant life, but it may affect animals and most certainly people. Yet, it is not supposed to hurt the righteous people, but how and why? Maybe it will be because the righteous who are affected will be healed by priesthood power? Or maybe the righteous will be warned by the Prophet of the Lord on how to act, where to go or precautions to take? So many ways in which the prophecy could be fulfilled.
With the current events taking place, like the “Black Lives Matter” riots and their call to defund the police, to make them less lethal in their execution of the law, I could see government funding going toward some “non-lethal” chemical deterrent to stop the quite un-civil war taking place. The description of the bottomless pit opening and releasing smoke and these locust helicopters, makes it sound like the opening of a missile silo or underground military base. Meaning that this could be a secret military force, foreign or domestic. Yet their leader or “king”, the “him” who was given the key to this bottomless pit, who is called Abaddon, which means Destroyer or Exterminator.
Exterminator brings up a whole new insight, that maybe this “venom” is meant to be an insecticide that the helicopters or planes disperse to protect the remaining trees, crops and grass that has not yet been burned, yet it poisons the food supply, and the people who eat the crops and animals, which could make it so that the righteous, who are marked with the seal of God in their foreheads, might be warned not to partake of the affected goods.
“And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepare for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouths, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”
Now, this makes it sound like these are angels bound in a river, however, the Joseph Smith Translation adjusts it to read “in the bottomless pit”. Often the bottomless pit is used as a description of hell, which could make this, and the previous trump, the release of evil acts upon the earth. However, if the bottomless pit here is only in reference to the same military, then it could be an air raid followed by the land forces by the same military power.
Following the same logic that leads me to think that the locusts are descriptions of helicopters, I try to discern what these 200,000,000 horsemen are descriptions of. “out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone” makes me think of a flamethrower or cannon, like what could be mounted on a tank, and they have “tails” like “serpents” which springs to mind the idea of the cannon's barrel or machine gun barrels on tanks. It is also important to note, that though the locusts were not to hurt people, these horsemen or tanks have the direct purpose of killing the people. This makes it worth noting as to which countries even have the capability of producing such a vast army. According to census.gov there are only 8 countries that even come close: China and India with over 1.3 billion people, the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Brazil, though many of these populations are incredibly close to 200 million, which includes women and children. Nevertheless, there is also the possibility of a coalition of countries pooling and combining their forces.
Alas, after all of this, everything that the world has gone through up to this point, all of the death and destruction, the wicked still do not repent, proving that they have indeed hardened their hearts against God. “When are the things to be accomplished, which are written in the 9th chapter of Revelation?... They are to be accomplished after the opening of the seventh seal, before the coming of Christ.” (Doctrine and Covenants 77:13). With the wickedness still pervasive on the earth, it is still not yet time for Christ to return, yet it is closing in, closer and closer, as we watch the signs and prepare for the next and last woe.
“And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:... And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.”
The majority of this chapter is in reference to a mission that is given specifically to John the Revelator that will take place in the last days, represented as a “little book” the angel opens and gives to John to “eat” which tastes “sweet as honey” but becomes “bitter” in his stomach. An incredibly sweet, yet bitter charge he is given, keeping the voices of the seven thunders sacred in his heart, as well as lingering on the earth, doing what good he can, while seeing so many people turn from the truth. It is possible that he was even given the charge of restoring the Melchizedek Priesthood with Peter and James to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery during the Latter-day Restoration of Christ's church upon the earth while entranced in this vision. What further part his presence may play in these last days, I know not, but this much I can say, “We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who, as it is written, must come and restore all things.” (Doctrine and Covenants 77:14).
Alas, it is interesting to note that this angel does not wear a halo, but a rainbow, possibly with symbolism and significance that this is Noah with who God covenanted to never flood the earth again and set the sign or reminder of that covenant with the rainbow in the sky. It would be quite fitting if this angel was indeed Noah, having lived through the wickedness of his days, and seeing the wickedness of these days, with the earth being so close to being purged and swept clean once more.
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouths, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over water to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascened up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth par of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometheth quickly.”
This is all basically straight forward, that before the seventh trumpet sounds, there will be two prophets who will minister in the city where “our lord was crucified” which is Jerusalem. They will perform miracles and testify of the truth, and will ultimately be martyred for their beliefs. Nevertheless, in the similitude of Christ's resurrection, they will be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven plain to see in presence of their enemies. Though, there is more insight into the circumstances of these verses.
“What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation?... They are two prophets that are to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers.” (Doctrine and Covenants 77:15). Other Latter-day revelation elaborates further, “Elder Bruce R. McConkie identified the two prophets as 'followers of that humble man Joseph Smith, through whom the Lord of Heaven restored the fulness of his everlasting gospel in this final dispensation of grace. No doubt they will be members of the council of the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church'... The two witnesses are raised up 'to' the Jewish nation' and are not necessarily from the Jewish nation” (Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual).
Elder Parley P. Pratt also wrote on the subject, “John, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation, gives us many more particulars concerning [the great war in Israel after the Jews are gathered there]. He informs us that after the city and temple are rebuilt by the Jews, the Gentiles will tread it under foot forty and two months, during which time there will be two prophets continually prophesying and working mighty miracles. And it seems that the gentile army shall be hindered from utterly destroying and overthrowing the city, while these two prophets continue. But, after a struggle of three years and a half, they will at length succeed in destroying these two prophets and then overrruning much of the city; they will send gifts to each other because of the death of the two prophets, and in the meantime will not allow their dead bodies to be put in graves, but suffer them to lie in the streets of Jerusalem three days and a half, during which time the armies of the Gentiles, consisting of many kindreds, tongues and nations, passing through the city, plundering the Jews, will see their dead bodies lying in the street. But after three days and a half, on a sudden, the spirit of life from God will enter them; they will arise and stand upon their feed, and great fear will fall upon them that see them. And then they shall hear a voice from heaven saying, 'Come up hither,' and they will ascend up to heaven in a cloud, with enemies behold them.” (Voice of Warning, p. 33).
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee Thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”
This is where I end this account of the seven seals, for this appears to be the celebration and judging of the dead that occurs with the rapture and Christ descending from heaven. How the seven vials of plagues fit into the seven seals, I do not know. Alas, the next few chapters in Revelation seem to be John's recap of the world's history, emphasizing the spiritual war between the righteous and Satan with his fallen angels, along with the state of the earth and happenings during the millennial reign of Christ upon the earth before Lucifer is loosed again and the final battle of Armageddon occurs.
In summary, with modern and ancient revelation working together to clarify and testify one of another, we can see the goodness of our God and His mighty works and miracles that have, are, and will take place upon this earth. Be not afraid, only believe! Praise be to God and the Lamb! Amen
