Second attempt with Revelation Chapter 7

[Hemidakota]

On going thoughts to this caper of those who are the Elect of GOD and their role in the last days.

"Who shall be able to stand?"is the question posed at the end of Revelation Chapter 6. We do know when the Lord sends his great judgments upon the earth; we can find the answer in Revelation 7. 'How’, ‘Who', and ‘When’ are the usual thoughts when questioning these two chapters.

‘How’? Chapter 7 is mainly about judgment being poured out upon the earth. It also reveals those who possess the seal of the living God. This godly sealing does secures and protects those who choose righteousness in life and protected against the great destructions, which will be poured out upon the earth's populace. Let’s not forget, this will include desolations that accompany the blowing of the Seven Trumpets and pouring out of the seven vials or bowls that is revealed within both Revelation Chapter 8 and 9, and again in Chapter 16.

Who? The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the sealing mentioned here "signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure." The actual number, which John witness of those sealed is 144,000 high priests.

When? We do know these events portrayed in Chapter 7 will occur during our dispensation of time. When studying the events surrounding the opening of the sixth seal, which is found in Revelation Chapter 6, verse12, and in Doctrine and Covenants Section 77, the Prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation:

"Q. What time are the things spoken of in this chapter [Rev. 7] to be accomplished?
A. They are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand years, or the opening of the sixth seal" (v. 10).

Scripture Reference:

Rev. 7:1-8
1 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.

2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and [I heard him cry] with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

4 And . . . the number of them [who] 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 Reuben 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.

To be continued...

[Hemidakota]

To begin our quest in further understanding what was seen by John, we need to take each verse and compare John's Jewish authorship with our current theological authorities of today, in making assumptions.

7:1 - after these things.

We need to go back to Chapter 6 and remember after the events recorded.

I saw four angels. We can easily answer this one by quoting D&C 77:8

In his vision, John sees "four destroying angels holding power over the four quarters of the earth," who are "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 77:8).

Angels mentioned are those who in Joseph Smith time of 1831,when he received D&C 32. It reads;

"waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned" (D&C 38:12).

Later, Joseph Fielding Smith response to these four angels

"seem to fit the description of the angels spoken of in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matt. 13:24-43; and D&C 86:1-7) who plead with the Lord that they might go forth to reap down the field. They were told to let the wheat and the tares grow together to the time of the end of the harvest, which is the end of the world (Matt. 13:38-39). . . . These are now at work in the earth on their sacred mission."

According to President Wilford Woodruff, he confirmed that the four angels are now at work:

"Those angels have left the portals of heaven, and they stand over this people and this nation now, and are hovering over the earth waiting to pour out the judgments. And from this very day they shall be poured out."

standing on the four corners of the earth. John vision seems to indicate that the four angels have power and authority over the entire earth. When we look at the word "standing", it shows ascendancy or control over. The word "four corners of the earth", means entire earth.

holding the four winds of the earth. Where did these winds originate? What is the meaning if I am looking through John's eyes? We can say, the four winds must of originate from God,. The purpose of the winds is to scatter and destroy people of the nations. (See Jer. 49:35-36; Zech. 2:6; Dan. 7:2; 11:4).
Yet, there is another meaning behind this phrase, in Matthew 24:31 and D&C 133:7, the four winds is used with gathering peoples from every corner of the earth. Just a thought to remember. Looking at the previous mentioning angels, the following next two verses, the four winds are interrupted with damaging the earth [life], the seas [water], and trees [nature]. We see that God places His authority in these four angels to hold back the four winds, which may interrupted as a metaphor of type of destruction. God is holding back this type of destruction until His choosen servants are protected and sealed against this coming event as described in Ezekiel 9:4-6. Is also referenced in the book of Revelation, revealing that angels are given control over the elements [See Revelation 14:18, 16:5] "which had power over fire" and "the angel of the waters.", and wind should not blow on the earth/sea/tree.

To be continued...

[crytsprospect]

You give me lots to study thanks so much----- I love your insight

[Hemidakota]

7:2 another angel ascending from the east. We can first account for this meaning by quoting out of Doctrine and Covenants 77:9 and 14:

"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 ever-lasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things. . . .was a mission . . . for him to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who . . . must come and restore all things." [D&C 77:9, 14]

Referring to the book that John was given, it is symbol of his mission or task that will be required for him to perform. What was this mission? To gather all the tribes of Israel as stated to Joseph Smith.

It is pure logical reasoning to assume that after a close examination of both passages, it is John who is the angel that been commissioned and indeed the ‘Elias’ that must come and restore all things. Putting this logical reasoning that into prospective, if we look back in Revelation 7:2, it is the same John who is the angel ascending from the east. We need to remember; even the very Christ will come from the east, as those that will be accompanying Him.

seal of the living God. What is this seal? Looking at John understanding of the gospel and the Abrahamic covenant, we can easily assume it means one's calling and election sure as Joseph Smith stated;

"Four destroying angels holding power over the four quarters of the earth until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure. When a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father and mother." [Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 321.]

Another quote regarding this sealing principle from Joseph Smith;

"A measure of this sealing is to confirm upon their head in common with Elijah the doctrine of election or the covenant with Abraham—which when a father and mother of a family have entered into, their children who have not transgressed are secured by the seal wherewith the parents have been sealed. And this is the oath of God unto our father Abraham, and this doctrine shall stand forever." [Ehat and Cook, Words of Joseph Smith, 241.]

Older testament prophet, Ezekiel, also foresee this sealing on the foreheads of the righteous and the annihilation of the wicked:

"And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the man that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark." [Ezek. 9:4-6]

When we investigate previous marks from God in protecting His called servants, this unique seal of the righteous can be accounted in Exodus Chapter 12 verse 13, known as the “Mark of blood at Passover”. The Hebrews who possessed the mark of lamb's blood were spared [See Isaiah 44:5 & Gal 6:17]. If I looked at this from our own observation, it was the Hebrews who desired to make Christ's atonement effective in their lives.

You will notice, the destroying angels passed by those who had the mark and was spared. So, was it a physical marking of the forehead? No but more of a spiritual marking that any angel will see and observe God’s sealing by not harming that person or persons.

In the days to come, for them that possessed this seal on their foreheads, will not be destroyed by the "four winds of the earth" [See Rev 7:1-3]. To further clarify, Joseph Smith explained:

"Then, having this promise [of one's calling and election made sure] sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation." [Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 298]

Now what becomes of those who have not the true seal and seek to counterfeit this sealing? We are told by John, Satan or Lucifer, would duplicate anything that is truth and sacred. He will bring this same act of marking the forehead or the right hand of his followers [See Rev 13:16; 14:9]. Why the right-hand? It goes back dealing a sacred oath swearing that is had in the wall of the temple – we do use the right hand. Lucifer followers, in the end will not be protected from the "four winds," mentioned by John and will be destroyed by God ministering angels [See Rev 13:16, Rev 16:2, & Rev 19:20].

[I heard him cry] with a loud voice to the four angels. God is now given instruction to the four angels. It gives credence that this authoritarian makes it known in clear booming communication that cannot or not be misinterpreted. This method type is found throughout the standard works on various means how the Godhead communicates to the servants, leaving no room for error.

to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. These four angels have authority over the elements and life of this world. Earth is the land and the sea is the waters.

[Hemidakota]

7:3 Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees. See previous comments made on verse 7:1.

sealed the servants of our God. See comments made in verse 7:2.

This verse just re-illustrates on what was said previously.

[Hemidakota]

7:4. were sealed…an hundred and forty and four thousand. John receive from the ministering angel, the number of them who are sealed will be 144,000. Who are these sealed individuals? According to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he received this revelation from the Savior written in D&C 77:11;

"…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.”

Another comment by Prophet Joseph Smith;

"I attended prayer-meeting with the quorum in the assembly room, and made some remarks respecting the hundred and forty-four thousand mentioned by John the Revelator, showing that the selection of persons to form that number had already commenced." [History of the Church, 6:196]

Among the church theologians, they believed there will be additional called members of the Church of the First Born. I can agree since the prophet again mentioned this;

"There will be 144,000 saviors on Mount Zion, and with them an innumerable host that no man can number. Oh! I beseech you to go forward, go forward and make your calling and your election sure." [Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 366]

tribes of the children of Israel. After being told on the amount and now knowing the priesthood office by which these men will be officiating by, John is told that twelve thousand individuals from each of the tribes of Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Nepthalim, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zabulon, Joseph, and Benjamin will be sealed. The amount is again 144,000 people.

Did you catch who listed as dominate lead tribe? It was Judah, who heads the list instead of Reuben. Perhaps, it is due to Christ does belongs to the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14), and because Reuben lost the birthright.

The tribe of Joseph is mentioned, as is that of his son Manasseh. But Joseph's other son, Ephraim, is not mentioned, nor is Dan. John provides no clue why the names on the list differ from those of the original twelve tribes.

[THIRDpersonviewer]

Do you have any more to add?

Also here is a devotional of Elder McConkie's

Making our calling and Election Sure

Sorry, just download it onto itunes or something and you can listen to it. Turn it up really loud and have the bass really loud. Adds to the effect.

[Hemidakota]

I have the article on my thumbdrive. Thanks for added input.

[Hemidakota]

Here is Richard Draper viewpoint [partial snippets], which adds further clarity. I highly recommend his book, "Opening of the Seven Seals".

THE FOUR ANGELS (v. 1)

1. 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.

John has prepared his reader for the crashing of God's judgment upon the world as the Lamb breaks the last seal. The Seer concluded chapter six with "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, [hiding] themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains," crying in terror against the face of God and the Lamb, "for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:15, 17, KJV).
But that wrath does not explode from chapter seven. Just at the moment of greatest crisis, an interruption occurs; the vision changes, and an interlude begins, bringing a moment of quiet and explanation to the reader.

Such a break in flow characterizes the Seer's pattern. At each turning point, as events are about to get ugly, he pauses to give encouragement and hope through explanation. Chapters four and five do this for the six seals, chapter ten for the third woe, chapter fourteen for the seven vials, and chapter 20:1-6 for the battle of Gog and Magog. This is exactly the case here. 1Chapter seven answers the question posed in 6:17: "Who shall be able to stand?" (KJV).

As the new vision opens, John sees four angels standing on the four corners of the earth. The repetition of the number four suggests geographical fullness—all the world will be involved in the events of chapter seven.

These angels hold in check the wind so that it "should not blow on the earth" (v. 1, KJV). The Greek word anemos, translated "wind," indicates a storm wind, sometimes almost hurricane-like. 2 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. 3 Bibical people viewed such winds as displays of divine wrath (cf. Hosea 3:5; Rev. 16:9, "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.

Modern revelation confirms this view and adds depth. God commissioned these four angels and gave them "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 77:8). 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.

The angels have long since left their home in heaven and are now on the earth. President Wilford Woodruff stated that these angels have been loosed and are at work here. However, their job is not just to destroy but to commit the gospel as well. 4 Their main period of operation is the sixth seal, or the period just preceding the Millennium. Thus, angelic administration is combining with mortal efforts to assure the world-wide preaching of the gospel during that time (see D&C 77:10). 5 Only after they fulfill that commission will they unleash the winds of destruction. 6

The signs associated with the sixth seal—the earthquake, the plagues on the sun and moon, the stars falling—play a major role in the objectives of the sixth seal. Their function is not primarily destruction. They represent additional effort on the part of God to bring all men to him. The four angels symbolize the spiritual forces that oversee and assist in fulfilling this objective. But one must keep in mind that the same power that can save the nations also can destroy them. That power is Jesus Christ. During the sixth seal, the fullness of his gospel will be restored to the earth and both natural and supernatural forces will combine to see that it spreads to all lands and cultures. Those who respond with fullness of heart will enter into the rest of the Lord and find peace and safety. Those who reject it will find vexation and misery.

The world has already rejected the gospel many times, but during the sixth seal it will be in a position where one more rejection will assure its doom. This is because the gospel, preached with tremendous power, will not be easily ignored. Those who reject it will not do so out of ignorance.

Therefore, the sixth seal will heighten the ideological conflict between the forces of good and evil. The conflict will not be resolved during the sixth seal, but the battle lines will be clearly drawn.

The Book of Mormon provides insight on how this will be done. In a vision Nephi saw the beginning of a conflict and its advance not long before the second coming of the Lord. He states:

I looked and beheld many nations and kingdoms. And the angel said unto me: What beholdest thou? And I said: I behold many nations and kingdoms. And he said unto me: These are the nations and kingdoms of the Gentiles.

And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles the formation of a great church. And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity. And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church; and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it.

And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots. And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires of this great and abominable church. And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints of God, and bring them down into captivity (1 Ne. 13:1-9).

These verses define the antagonist to righteousness along with its objective and battle plan. The great and abominable church craves the material, lusts after the sensual, and fuels itself on the praises of the world. Because it stands opposite God's kingdom, it grows only as it shuts out the light of the gospel and the refining power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, for self-preservation, it must destroy the Saints of God.

In cosmic terms, the battle lines will fall between the church of the devil and the church of God. The mortal perspective may not perceive and report it that way, but from a spiritual standpoint the issue is clear. Returning to Nephi's vision, an angel said to him:

Look, and behold that great and abominable church, which is the mother of abominations, whose founder is the devil. And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth. And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters; and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.

And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw.

And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory (1 Ne. 14:9-14).

The armor of the Saints—righteousness and tremendous power from God—will protect them from the world-embracing colossus while the destroying angels prepare to move against it. As noted above, the primary preparation will be the preaching of the gospel. Pure testimony will flow through the nations during the sixth seal. Many will respond. Those who do not, who willfully rebel against the light and who seek to destroy God's work, will face the wrath of the seventh seal.

[Hemidakota]

Part -2

THE ANGEL OF THE EAST (vv. 2-3)

2. 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,
3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

In concert with the four angels, John sees another angel ascending from the east. The imagery used in these verses reminds one of the rising sun, which recalls the glory of God, spreading light and life. The idea is reminiscent of Ezekiel 43:4, where the glory of Jehovah comes out of the east. This angel "is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; . . . and, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things" (D&C 77:9). Speaking of this Elias, Elder Bruce R. McConkie has said,
Correcting the Bible by the spirit of revelation, the Prophet restored a statement of John the Baptist which says that Christ is the Elias who was to restore all things. (Inspired Version, John 1:21-28.) By revelation we are also informed that the Elias who was to restore all things is the angel Gabriel who was known in mortality as Noah. (D. & C. 27:6-7; Luke 1:5-25; Teachings, p. 157.) From the same authentic source we also learn that the promised Elias is John the Revelator. (D. & C. 77:9, 14.) Thus there are three different revelations which name Elias as being three different persons. What are we to conclude?

By finding answer to the question, by whom has the restoration been effected, we shall find who Elias is and find there is no problem in harmonizing these apparently contradictory revelations. Who has restored all things? Was it one man? Certainly not. Many angelic ministrants have been sent from the courts of glory to confer keys and powers, to commit their dispensations and glories again to men on earth. At least the following have come: Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James and John, Moses, Elijah, Elias, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael. (D. & C. 13; 110; 128:19-21.) Since it is apparent that no one messenger has carried the whole burden of the restoration, but rather that each has come with a specific endowment from on high, it becomes clear that Elias is a composite personage. The expression must be understood to be a name and a title for those whose mission it was to commit keys and powers to men in this final dispensation. 7

The angel that John saw, symbolic of all these Eliases, carries the seal of the living God. He has to place this upon the servants of God before the end of the sixth seal, before the time when the destroying angels vent their fury. The seal, as mentioned in chapter five, is both a guard against defilement and pollution and a means of security. Both ideas apply here: the seal identifies the Saints as God's own, and, as its major purpose, it insures their protection against the coming judgments. The imagery parallels that in Ezekiel 9:4 where a mark on the forehead protects the righteous from the destruction about to fall on Jerusalem. 8

Joseph Smith taught that the four angels assisted in "sealing the blessing upon their [the Saints'] heads, meaning the everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election sure." 9 Peter expounded the doctrine of calling and election (see 1 Pet. 1:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:1-19), and Paul referred to it on a number of occasions (see Eph. 1:11-14; 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:21-22). The basic idea is that through faith, repentance, and baptism, a person can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. As he responds to its teachings, he becomes purer and develops the attributes of godliness, culminating in Christ-like love. Certain benefits flow out of this. As Nephi said, "Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life" (2 Ne. 31:20).

A person has made his calling and election sure when the promised blessings are sealed to him. Peter admonished the Saints of his day to "give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (2 Pet. 1:10). The "these things" he referred to include growing in virtue, testimony, patience, brotherly love, and the pure love of Christ. Those who do these things are assured that they shall have eternal life from which they will never fall. Revelation suggests that this power will function widely before the end of the sixth seal.

There is another step one can achieve in mortality, but Peter does not focus on this. He does allude to it when he states, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (2 Pet. 1:19). The Doctrine and Covenants states that the term "the more sure word of prophecy means a man's knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood" (131:5). Thus, a person can receive a revelation that he has attained unto eternal life while in mortality. 10 The symbol of the seal as used by John does not necessarily include the more sure word of prophecy. It does include having the Holy Ghost ratify the covenants that one has entered into and the person maintaining a state of justification through faithfulness.

THE 144,000 (vv. 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 Reuben 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.

The number of those sealed, states the Seer, is 144,000. The number need not be taken literally. The Doctrine and Covenants states "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" (77:11). Note that this scripture does not specify a number. Instead it notes that the group is composed of high priests who have a special calling "to administer the everlasting gospel" and "to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn."

Joseph Smith associated them with the temple. 11 The symbolic meaning of the number supports this association. Twelve represents the priesthood. Biblical people squared a number to amplify its symbolic meaning. Thus, 144 suggests a fullness of priesthood authority. But John is not satisfied with that. He gives the image a superlative quality by multiplying 1,000, representing completeness. In this way he shows the strength and breadth of the priesthood in the latter days, in this dispensation that is, indeed, the dispensation of the fullness of times. During this period that complete priesthood authority will operate. It is little wonder that as the world spurns this authority, it will be condemned.

The attachment to the temple fits perfectly since only there can one receive the fullness of the priesthood (D&C 124:25-30). Elder McConkie states that the 144,000 are kings and priests "converted, baptized, endowed, married for eternity, and finally sealed up unto eternal life." 12 Their mission is not merely to bring people into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It goes beyond that. Their special assignment centers in getting people sealed into the church of the Firstborn through the administration of the fullness of the endowment (on the church of the Firstborn, see D&C 76:50-70; 93:21-23).

John indicates that the 144,000 will be those sealed from all the tribes of Israel. Curiously, he leaves out Dan, adds Levi, and has Joseph taking the place of Ephraim to get twelve tribes. The Seer gives no hint why he left out Dan. Some early Christians believed that John dropped the tribal name because of a tradition that the Antichrist would arise from there. 13 The disfavor into which Dan fell goes all the way back to 1 Chronicles 7, which also omits Dan from the list of tribes. 14 It may be that Dan's association with idolatry marked the tribe for omission since Jeroboam set up his idols in that tribal territory (see Judg. 18:30; 1 Kgs. 12:29). Since John was writing in part against the influences of idolatry invading the church, he may have omitted Dan as a warning. 15

Footnotes
1. John is not the only apocalyptist to use interludes. Such are found in the Old Testament just before the deluge (see Gen. 6-7) and in apocalyptic literature before the building of the ark (1 Enoch 66:1-2, 67) and before the destruction of the temple (2 Bar. 6:4-7:1).
2. See Matthew 14:30, 32; Mark 6:51; John 6:18; Acts 27:14.Anemos stands in contrast to pne, "wind" or "breeze," in Acts27:40 and pno, "wind," in Acts 2:2.
3. Ford, Revelation, 121. The Greek equivalent was thekauma, or "hot wind." 1 Enoch 76 speaks of noxious winds that brought drought, heat, destruction, and cold, as well as locusts and other pests. In this chapter Enoch was shown the secrets of the winds, how they both bless and curse.
4. Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1953), 1:300-301.
5. McConkie, Commentary, 3:490.
6. If the number four is to be taken literally, these angels could symbolize John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John, who restored the priesthood keys to the dispensation of the fullness of times (see D&C 27:12-14).
7. McConkie, Commentary, 3:491-92. See also Smith,Doctrines of Salvation, 1:170-174.
8. Branding slaves and soldiers, especially those in the emperor's service, was a common practice in certain parts of the Roman empire. Guild members also bore tatoos as a means of identification. Among those religions that came out of the east, it was not uncommon for devotees of a certain god to wear his mark upon their heads as a sign of their consecration to that God (see Ford, Revelation, 116-17for discussion).
9. Smith, Teachings, 321.
10. For an excellent discussion of this doctrine, see McConkie, Commentary, 3: 323-350.
11. Smith, History, 6:365; Ehat, Words, 368.
12. McConkie, Commentary, 3:491.
13. Iren. Haer. 5.30.2. The argument is based on theinterpretation of Genesis 49:17 and Jeremiah 8:16 and expressed in the Testament of Dan 6:1.
14. The Testament of Dan 5:6 states that the prince of the tribe of Dan is Satan. However, not too much should be made from this since omitting tribal names from various lists was not uncommon: for example, Simeon in Deuteronomy 33, Judah in Judges 5, and Gad and Asher in 1 Chronicles 27.
15. Ford, Revelation, 118.