Do
you really want to know where we are in the timeline? If you do, you
can find the answers in Revelations 6-8. Pull out your scriptures and
follow along. FIRST- Rev 6 is talking about the first 6 Seals, each of
which last about 1000 years. Many are hung up waiting for a major
earthquake that was to take place at the opening of the 6th Seal. Well,
the opening of the 6th Seal took place over 1000 years ago. We just
left the 6th Seal - so that earthquake happened centuries ago. (if you
want verification of chpt 6, you can go to the LDS Institute Manual "The
Teachings of Jesus and His Disciples" New Testament - it is also on the
lds.org website)
Rev 7 explains the end of the 6th Seal and the opening of the 7th. This is a synopsis of the story in Chapter 7 - The destroying angels are ready to begin the destructions of the Tribulations, but Elias stops them and tells them to wait until the Saints are Sealed. It goes on to talk about the 12,000 from each tribe that are fore-ordained to be special missionaries to take us through the second coming and the events (WHICH ARE MANY-but which also come QUICKLY) that will transpire between now and then. If you follow those foot notes, you will find in D&C that those 12,000 are High Priests.
Then you get to the pivotal event that will start the countdown clock running.... Rev 7:9-12 describes an event that takes place in a temple (you can also reference Joel 1:14-15 - same event with less details). This is describing a Temple Dedication. It even talks about the 'palms in their hands - (white hankies), and the Hosannah Shout "Salvation to our God". In verse 12 you see reference to the Dedicatory Prayer. With 15 million members, it would be pretty hard to fit ALL members into a Temple Dedication - until the church held the Palmyra Temple Dedication on April 6, 2000, which was the first televised temple dedication where all worthy members 12 and over from all nations, kindreds, people and tongues could attend. In vs.13-17 there is a question/answer session. I purpose that in vs 14 where it says 'they came out of great tribulation', it means we are preparing to enter great tribulations.
Bottom line is this, and it has been confirmed by others who've heard Seventy's proclaim that the Palmyra Temple Dedication was the event that opened the Seventh Seal. Also interesting to note is that on the Hebrew's Sacred Calendar (they have two calendars), in the year 2000, their New Year was on April 6th. It was also the Savior's 2000th birthday and the 170th organization & location of the Restoration of the Church. Also, there was a convergence of three planets in the sky that had also been in the same place on the day the Savior was born forming a tight triangle in the sky (Mars,Saturn & Jupiter). But, I digress - the main point of this is to show from scripture, that the Seventh Seal was opened on April 6, 2000. Also interesting to note that an unprecedented 34 Temples were dedicated in 2000. A testament to what Elias was inferring - that we need many more saints (alive & dead) to receive their ordinances before the great and terrible day of the Lord commences.
Here's where the timeline comes into play. In Rev 8:1 it states that when the 7th Seal was opened, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. From this we see that we have a small window of time before the MAJOR TRIBULATIONS which are described in Rev 8 & 9 begin to be poured out. When you do the math (as many have) 30 minutes comes out to 20.83 years. Also note that it says 'ABOUT' a half an hour. This month puts us at minute 22.5. Next April we will be at minute 25. There are many things lining up, and many think that some things will begin happening this September and that by next spring, we will be lined up for the Tribulations to begin.... I hope we will be prepared temporarily and spiritually
Rev 7 explains the end of the 6th Seal and the opening of the 7th. This is a synopsis of the story in Chapter 7 - The destroying angels are ready to begin the destructions of the Tribulations, but Elias stops them and tells them to wait until the Saints are Sealed. It goes on to talk about the 12,000 from each tribe that are fore-ordained to be special missionaries to take us through the second coming and the events (WHICH ARE MANY-but which also come QUICKLY) that will transpire between now and then. If you follow those foot notes, you will find in D&C that those 12,000 are High Priests.
Then you get to the pivotal event that will start the countdown clock running.... Rev 7:9-12 describes an event that takes place in a temple (you can also reference Joel 1:14-15 - same event with less details). This is describing a Temple Dedication. It even talks about the 'palms in their hands - (white hankies), and the Hosannah Shout "Salvation to our God". In verse 12 you see reference to the Dedicatory Prayer. With 15 million members, it would be pretty hard to fit ALL members into a Temple Dedication - until the church held the Palmyra Temple Dedication on April 6, 2000, which was the first televised temple dedication where all worthy members 12 and over from all nations, kindreds, people and tongues could attend. In vs.13-17 there is a question/answer session. I purpose that in vs 14 where it says 'they came out of great tribulation', it means we are preparing to enter great tribulations.
Bottom line is this, and it has been confirmed by others who've heard Seventy's proclaim that the Palmyra Temple Dedication was the event that opened the Seventh Seal. Also interesting to note is that on the Hebrew's Sacred Calendar (they have two calendars), in the year 2000, their New Year was on April 6th. It was also the Savior's 2000th birthday and the 170th organization & location of the Restoration of the Church. Also, there was a convergence of three planets in the sky that had also been in the same place on the day the Savior was born forming a tight triangle in the sky (Mars,Saturn & Jupiter). But, I digress - the main point of this is to show from scripture, that the Seventh Seal was opened on April 6, 2000. Also interesting to note that an unprecedented 34 Temples were dedicated in 2000. A testament to what Elias was inferring - that we need many more saints (alive & dead) to receive their ordinances before the great and terrible day of the Lord commences.
Here's where the timeline comes into play. In Rev 8:1 it states that when the 7th Seal was opened, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. From this we see that we have a small window of time before the MAJOR TRIBULATIONS which are described in Rev 8 & 9 begin to be poured out. When you do the math (as many have) 30 minutes comes out to 20.83 years. Also note that it says 'ABOUT' a half an hour. This month puts us at minute 22.5. Next April we will be at minute 25. There are many things lining up, and many think that some things will begin happening this September and that by next spring, we will be lined up for the Tribulations to begin.... I hope we will be prepared temporarily and spiritually
- What 70 said those comments about the seventh seal and the Palmyra temple dedication? Is it found in print anywhere?
- No - it was said at a Zone Conference which my husband attended shortly after the dedication. I have posted about this before and several others have come forth to say that they also heard it from GA's at various Stake Conferences. Also, Palmyra Temple workers have come forward to confirm it. Read and pray about it. It is right there in black & white. I don't think it is something our Prophets would announce from General Conference or put into print. It is already in print and we are told to look for the signs (which are often seen in retrospect) It is pretty clear in Rev 7 - it is a story unfolding. I also love the scriptures in Rev 8:3-4 as it talks about the prayers of the saints ..... those are OUR prayers - right now. Pretty exciting stuff.
- J______, I pretty much agree with your rundown. I believe as well that some of the sequence of events at the beginning of Rev. 8 are not holding until the silence period is done. I have a personal witness that the angel in v. 3-5 has the censer, has filled it with the fire of the altar, and is at that very point, standing ready to cast it into the earth.
What are your personal thoughts about this? I read this yesterday on that same fb page discussion group you are referring to. I will have to investigate it further. I had never heard of it before until I read it there.
ReplyDeleteWhat facebook group is this?
ReplyDeleteIf you believe that the Palmyra Temple dedication marked the opening of the 7th seal because of what's written in Revelation 7:9 - I am asking you to reconsider that chapter in this light:
ReplyDeleteI have been praying for understanding on a particular subject for 11 months now, and was given the knowledge I craved this week. It has to do with Revelations chapter 7, which talks about the 6th seal and the mission of the 144,000.
The obvious chronological order of chapter 7 is this: it begins with an explanation of the 144,000 being sealed in their forehead, followed by some kind of experience in the temple, and then an explanation of who these people are.
The spirit shared with me that the correct interpretation of this chapter is that that the 144,000 are sealed in their foreheads, claiming them as God's own (c&e), and then later they're to be endowed in a temple setting with greater powers from on high - the git of translation - to endure the trials of a fiery end of the world, and gather up the righteous out of that fire. This gift is given AFTER they've come come out of great tribulation.
It really doesn't have anything to do with the the Palmyra temple dedication.
Like Lori said today (9/11/15) on the FB post by Erica - they are two different events in the same chapter.... the sealing of the 144,000 will be 12,000 from each tribe (according to lds.org) says this: Lesson 54: Revelation 4–11 New Testament Teacher Manual “Continuing his vision of the opening of the sixth seal, John saw 144,000 servants of God who had the seal of God in their foreheads. ... ...provided in the Doctrine and Covenants clarifies that the 144,000 people will be Church leaders with important responsibilities. Joseph Smith said this of the 144,000: Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord revealed that the 144,000 “are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel..... Some have surmised that these will be special missionaries called to do the gathering during the Tribulations - since "High Priests" are mentioned, some surmise this may be couple missionaries. So, it would be a righteous desire to be counted among the 12,000 from our tribe. (also, many in authority have said this number is an estimate - could be more or less)
DeleteThat said - the beginning of Revelations 7 talks about Elias holding back the destroying angels until more saints can be sealed (receive their Temple covenants). Then it talks about the 144,000 - 12,000 from the Tribe of Ephraim/Manassah, which will receive a special calling. Some have said that these 144,000 were foreordained in heaven and known before they will be called to that position on earth.
(part 2)Then it talks about an event just before the opening of the Seventh Seal - so this is another event within the same chapter - So, BOTH things are happening. There has never been a time in history where ALL of the saints could be gathered together at the same time during a temple dedication until the Palmyra dedication because it was televised (and it was the only one). If you read these verses from the Kirtland Temple Dedication in D&C 109, there is NO DOUBT that Revelations 7 is a temple dedication.... the verses are almost identically entwined..... D&C109 76 That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings.
Delete77 O Lord God Almighty, hear us in these our petitions, and answer us from heaven, thy holy habitation, where thou sittest enthroned, with glory, honor, power, majesty, might, dominion, truth, justice, judgment, mercy, and an infinity of fulness, from everlasting to everlasting.
78 O hear, O hear, O hear us, O Lord! And answer these petitions, and accept the dedication of this house unto thee, the work of our hands, which we have built unto thy name;
79 And also this church, to put upon it thy name. And help us by the power of thy Spirit, that we may mingle our voices with those bright, shining seraphs around thy throne, with acclamations of praise, singing Hosanna to God and the Lamb!
80 And let these, thine anointed ones, be clothed with salvation, and thy saints shout aloud for joy. Amen, and Amen.
COMPARE to Revelations 7: 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (obviously a prayer beginning and ending in "Amen")
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 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.
It Joel it says "ALL" ; 14 ¶Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord,
and in Rev 7 it said there were gathered so many that "no man could number them"
The only time this happened was the dedication of the Palmyra Temple.
So, I surmise that we are both right.....
No. The Palmyra dedication was not what is portrayed in Rev. 7. The Palmyra dedication was a significant event because of its location and an advancement in technology; it was not a fulfillment of Rev.7. Stick with the text of the scriptures and not a flexible interpretation of a Sunday school manual. Rev 7 takes place before the Throne of God, not on earth. The participants are listed and explained in the context of the scripture.
ReplyDeleteMister Unknown, What is your scripture reference to prove your understanding? Everyone before you showed scriptures references, but not you. You showed your opinion. You still living in the '90s right(6th seal)? You either too afraid that the time is running out, or you completely missed your seminary and institute lessons.
Deletehttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1983/10/book-of-revelation-overview?lang=eng