Day 38 September 16 - Revelation 1-7

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Rev. 6:1-2 The First Seal


The Fall of Adam is estimated to have occurred about 4000 BC. Certainly, we have little information about the history of the earth from 4000 to 3000 BC. The brief description of the first seal doesn’t help.

A book sealed with seven seals must surely have had more information about the first 5-6 seals than are contained in Revelation. Had the beast described everything recorded in the first seal, it would certainly have been several pages, or even volumes, of written text. We are not given more information because John’s mission was to reveal events attendant to the Second Coming—not because the book only contained a one-verse description of a thousand years of human history. In fact, this history will be given in greater detail when the first angel sounds “his trump in the ears of all living, and [reveals] the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of God in the first thousand years.” (D&C 88:108)

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Rev. 6:2 a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown


“During his millennial rule, Adam must have exercised his dominion and authority by means of wise laws and regulations, some being in the form of civil laws, for the guidance of all his children, good and bad; some were probably in the shape of carnal commandments, higher than the civil law in their spirit and aim, calculated for those only who, having embraced the first principles of the gospel, yet were not prepared to receive the highest principles, the celestial laws according to which the people of the city of Enoch lived. But all these laws must have borne a certain amount of similarity to each other, coming as they did from one common source. There were the rights and privileges of all classes of people defined, protected, and Father Adam saw to it that every one of his sons and daughters bowed down to the authority of the law, transgression being visited with swift punishment, as the bow in his hand would indicate.” (Hammurabi's Code of Laws. by A.a. Ramseyer., Improvement Era, 1905, Vol. Viii. January, 1905. No. 3.)

Adam was the greatest priesthood leader of the first Millennium. The white horse represents his righteousness and premiere position as a member of God’s cavalry in the fight against the powers of Satan. He is a type for the Savior who was also seen on a white horse:

And that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war…
…on his head were many crowns…
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean…
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (Rev. 19:11-19)

We remember that it was the archangel Michael who led the armies of God in the war in heaven (Rev. 11:7). The main figures on each side of this conflict remain the same, either before or after the Fall. If Michael led the fight against the dragon in the pre-mortal sphere, he continued this fight in mortality, and will again assume a premiere position when the powers of Satan are destroyed at the end of the world.

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Rev. 6:3-4 The Second Seal


The first seal describes a righteous angel. The second, by contrast, describes an evil rider who takes peace from the earth. To what does this have reference? One of the most obvious examples is the time of the Flood. If 4000 BC is used as the time of the Fall, then the chronology of Genesis 5 and Gen. 9:28-29 places the Flood about the year 2344 BC, near the middle of the second millennium. The second thousand years was a time of great righteousness and great wickedness. Noah and his sons walked with God, but most of humanity had turned to corruption and violence. “The earth was corrupt before God, and it was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth. And God said to Noah: The end of all flesh is come before me, for the earth is filled with violence.” (Moses 8:28-29)

Why had the earth become such a violent place? In part, it was because the rider of the blood red horse described in Revelation was given power “to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another.” Again, the identity of the rider is not clear. We will find out who he is, when the second angel sounds his trump and reveals “the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts, and the mighty works of God in the second thousand years.” (D&C 88:109) For now, what is clear is that he was a soldier in Satan’s army whose mission it was to encourage violence and murder among the children of men. His mission was so successful that all but eight souls were worthy of death by the Flood.

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Rev. 6:5-6 The Third Seal


The rider carrying a pair of balances would seem to be out of place in the battle between the forces of good and evil. At first glance, we may not know which side of the conflict he belongs. But this angel represents the judgment of God upon the inhabitants of the earth. His power comes not from Satan. His marching orders are of the Lord.

“The time represented by the third seal was an era of great famine. John sees a black horse, black being the color of extreme hunger and famine (Lam. 4:8-9). In the hand of the rider he sees a pair of balances, which are used to measure the food during the famine, a practice known from earlier times (Lev. 26:26). For instance, on one occasion the Lord prophesied through Ezekiel that he would cause a famine by ‘break[ing] the staff of bread in Jerusalem’; the Jerusalemites, he explained, would ‘eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure’ (Ezek. 4:16).

During this thousand-year time span, Abraham records, ‘a famine prevailed throughout all the land of Chaldea, and my father was sorely tormented because of the famine. . . . Now the Lord God caused the famine to wax sore in the land of Ur, insomuch that Haran, my brother, died’ (Abr. 1:30; Abr. 2:1 ). As Abraham and Sarai traveled through the land, he stopped and ‘built an altar in the land of Jershon, and made an offering unto the Lord, and prayed that the famine might be turned away from my father's house, that they might not perish. . . . And I, Abraham, concluded to go down into Egypt, to sojourn there, for the famine became very grievous’ (Abr. 2:17, 21)Abr. 2:21

We recall that Joseph, the great-grandson of Abraham, interpreted Pharaoh's dream of a famine that would last seven years and would ‘consume the land’ (Gen. 41:30). The famine existed in Egypt as well as other lands. Gen. 41 relates: ‘And the famine was over all the face of the face of the earth . . . and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands’ (Gen. 41:56-57). Jacob, Joseph's father, also experienced the famine while dwelling in Canaan, and he sent ten of his sons to Egypt to buy corn (Gen. 42:1-5).” (Donald W. Parry and Jay A. Parry, Understanding the Book of Revelation [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], 81.)

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Rev. 6:7-8 The Fourth Seal


The fourth horse has two riders. Death and Hell, the twin enemies, are represented by these soldiers of Satan. When hell is understood to mean spiritual death, we see that these riders carried both physical death and spiritual death. The second is worse than the first. We are reminded of the warning of the Master, “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28) These riders are to be feared.

“Surely no period before this saw more vicious generals and armies. It was the time when some of the world's greatest empires rose and fell: Babylon, Assyria, Persia, and Macedonia among them. As armies marched, men died in droves, and Hell gaped open wide its jaws to receive them.

“Caught up in all this strife were the people of Jehovah. Palestine was often a hotly contested area. Pulled by the forces of the day, its political leaders tried to play power politics to their shame and destruction. The great prophets, Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, and later Jeremiah and Lehi, tried to warn them of their folly. They would not heed. Too caught up in idolatry to repent, too licentious to reform, too hard-hearted to feel, they warred among themselves and weakened their nation. As a consequence, they left Jehovah and life eternal. Hell was truly their reward.” (Richard D. Draper, Opening the Seven Seals: The Visions of John the Revelator [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1991], 67.)

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Rev. 6:9-12 The Fifth Seal


The fifth millennium began approximately at the time of the Savior’s birth, probably a bit before. Certainly, his life and mission occurred during the fifth seal of time. However, the focus is not on the Master, but on his followers. No more riders on horseback, he now sees “the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.” John’s friend Peter and his brother James must have flooded into his mind. Stephen, Paul, and all the other apostles who had suffered violent deaths must have come into view. John, alive and alone, must have felt strong emotions as the events of his day were represented in heaven. We imagine his soul yearning to join the heavenly chorus, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”

George Q. Cannon

It seems as though the adversary has been determined that if he could not stop the progress of this work in any other way he would drown it in blood. (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 25: 279.)

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Rev. 6:12-17 The Sixth Seal


We finally get to the meat of John’s foreordained mission—to reveal the events of the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. Finally, we get to those events which Nephi saw but was forbidden to write:

I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb…
And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon that great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth…
And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe.
And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea and also many things which have been…
But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the lamb of God that he should write them. (1 Ne. 14:14-25)

As of this writing, in the beginning of the 21st century, the events of the sixth seal have not all been fulfilled. John’s prophecies deal with events in the very last of the sixth seal, but they have not all occurred. These apocalyptic events will be as dramatic as John’s text implies. We should not imagine otherwise. Clear back in 1833, the saints realized these events had not yet occurred, “who… will say, that [these events have already] been?—Events of this magnitude would have been noticed and recorded by previous historians, and we should now read them with wonder and amazement. And that they are [yet] to transpire, the veracity of the sacred scripture stands pledged for the truth of their performance. (Signs in the Heavens., Evening and Morning Star, vol. 2 (June 1833-September 1834), Vol. Ii. December, 1833. No. 15. 116.)

Bruce R. McConkie

We are now living in the Saturday night of time; the millennial morning will soon dawn. This is the end of the sixth seal, and the seventh seal will soon be opened. Our modern revelation tells us plainly that Christ will come sometime after the opening of seventh seal; it will be during the seventh thousand years and after the events listed in the eighth chapter of John's writings. (The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 381.)

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Rev. 7:1 four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds


The earth doesn’t have corners, nor can mortals grab hold of the wind. This language is expressive and symbolic of the mission of these angels to gather the elect from the ends of the earth. The winds of destruction must be held at bay until this can be accomplished. “Such winds brought drought, heat, insect plagues, and desolation. The mention of sun and withering heat in verse sixteen suggests that John had in mind the sirocco, a scorching wind that burnt up vegetation and left the land dust dry. Biblical people viewed such winds as displays of divine wrath, “great heat” being from a scorching wind). In this light, the angels play the role of divine executioners with power to destroy the whole earth… These angels have, as it were, two faces. They are not only destroying angels, but saving angels as well. What makes the difference is how men respond to the message they dispense.” (Richard D. Draper, Opening the Seven Seals: The Visions of John the Revelator [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1991], 77.)

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matt. 24: 31)

Yea, verily I say unto you again, the time has come when the voice of the Lord is unto you: Go ye out of Babylon; gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (D&C 133:7)

Q. What are we to understand by the four angels, spoken of in the 7th chapter and 1st verse of Revelation?
A. 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 to the regions of darkness. (D&C 77:1)

Section 133 of the Doctrine and Covenants teaches the same principles as contained in Revelation 7 but with language which is easier to understand. Consider the D&C version of this same doctrine.

…Go ye out of Babylon; gather ye out from among the nations, from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Send forth the elders of my church unto the nations which are afar off; unto the islands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands; call upon all nations, first upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews.
And behold, and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people may be enlarged, and that her stakes may be strengthened, and that Zion may go forth unto the regions round about.
Yea, let the cry go forth among all people… Hearken and hear, O ye inhabitants of the earth. Listen, ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the Lord; for he calleth upon all men, and he commandeth all men everywhere to repent.
For behold, the Lord God hath sent forth the angel crying through the midst of heaven, saying: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight, for the hour of his coming is nigh—
When the Lamb shall stand upon Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father's name written on their foreheads.
Wherefore, prepare ye for the coming of the Bridegroom; go ye, go ye out to meet him. (D&C 133:7-19)

Wilford Woodruff

I think, many times, that we, as Elders of Israel and as Latter-day Saints, come far short of realizing our position before the Lord. The work required at our hands is great and mighty; it is the work of Almighty God. We are held responsible for presenting the Gospel of Christ to all the nations of the earth, to warn the Gentiles, to prepare for the return of the lost ten tribes of Israel, and for carrying the Gospel to the whole tribes of Israel. We are held responsible for all this, and for building Temples to the Most High, wherein we can enter and attend to ordinances for the salvation of our dead. (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 18: 114 - 115.)

[Hemidakota]

In answering the 'Four Angels', I would refer to this link: The Angels, Revealed

These are living mortal men who are or will pass on soon to return back to the GOD whom granted this opportunity to come forth in these last days to experience life as mortals. All four will be sought out personally by the Savior Himself and over course of there lives, receive the eternal covenants, sealed up as a member of the Church of the First-Born, and be instructed by the same whom visited Joseph Smith. Even Joseph Smith, a dispensational prophet, will from time-to-time, come forth to teach instruct them.

Each of them will have the authority to seal up life, to curse those by the hand of GOD, to remove life, to cast down to hell, and have the honor of GOD, which even Lucifer sought for. Having the honor GOD gives them the power to control the elements of the earth and anything in GOD’s realm of influence in dealing with the intelligences. Each of them will receive a book like John, which will be there calling. I do believe even John will attend to them when necessary in aiding their salvation.

I love Richard's [Draper] book but will disagree on whom he listed as the four by names. The only correct name given in his book which is correct is the head of these four - namely Elias or John the Beloved. These men are not known to the world, wish not to be known, and serve GOD directly from the Spirit world before the Plan of Salvation was announced [see Book of Abraham chapter 3] until now. They are only here to gain salvation, experience life, and return back to the FATHER in serving HIS will.

Christ Himself talked about them when He gave the Parable of the ‘Tare and the Wheat’. Joseph Smith has seen them and may have converse with them directly from his writings [two sections in the D&C]. A few notable last day prophets have been witnessed of them as seen in several talks.

[KeithLBrown]

The Sealing of the 144,000

D&C 77:11
11 Q. 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?
A. 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.


Scripture Reference: Revelation 7:4-8

4 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.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Rueben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

LyndonW. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants

The sealing of the 144000 was the number of priests who should be anointed to administer in the daily sacrifice &c. During Prest. Joseph's remarks he said their was a nice distinction between the vision which John saw as spoken of in Revelations & the vision which Daniel saw, the former relating only to things as they actually existed in heaven-the latter being a figure representing things on the earth. God never made use of the figure of a beast to represent the kingdom of heaven-when they were made use of it was to represent an apostate church.

The 144,000 Sealed in the Apocalypse Are Converts to Christ From the Gentile World

These, then, who are sealed on their foreheads from every tribe of the children of Israel, are a hundred and forty-four thousand in number; and these hundred and forty-four thousand are afterwards said in John to have the name of the Lamb and of His Father written on their foreheads, and to be virgins, not having defiled themselves with women. What else could the seal be which is on their foreheads but the name of the Lamb and the name of His Father? In both passages their foreheads are said to have the seal; In one the seal is spoken of, in the other it appears to contain the letters forming the name of the Lamb, and the name of His Father. Now these taken from the tribes are, as we showed before, the same persons as the virgins. But the number of believers is small who belong to Israel according to the flesh; one might venture to assert that they would not nearly make up the number of a hundred and forty-four thousand. It is clear, therefore, that the hundred and forty-four thousand who have not defiled themselves with women must be made up of those who have come to the divine word out of the Gentile world. In this way the truth of the statement may be upheld that the first fruits of each tribe are its virgins. For the passage goes on: "These were brought from among men to be a first fruits to God and to the Lamb; and in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without blemish." The statement about the hundred and forty-four thousand no doubt admits of mystical interpretation; But it is unnecessary at this point, and would divert us from our purpose, to compare with it those passages of the prophets in which the same lesson is taught regarding those who are called from among the Gentiles.