1. Introduction

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There will be no general warning to the membership [of the Church] that things will be shortly falling apart. We have been commanded to follow the signs of the times and that is all the warning we need or will be given, but the membership is asleep. Like the ten virgins, we have been commanded to watch and prepare. But like the people in the days of Noah, many members have become lulled into a sense of security. This “lack of warning” is designed to weed out the tares, the “all is well in Zion” crowd… When the cry sounds, there is no time for preparation. 

(President Spencer W Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle)

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This document represents personal best estimates or, in some cases, guestimates, of what lies in the future. While not pretending to be a prophet, one cannot have a testimony of Jesus Christ without having some of the spirit of prophecy (Rev 19:10). Having done diligent research on the clues and cues contained in Holy writ on this and related subjects, an important factor in writing this article was reliance on prayer. In spite of the fact that no man is to know the day nor the hour, there are certain anchor points detailed in the scriptures, which give us some definitive framework with which to work. There is also the fact that LDS scriptures provide an advantage over all the sectarians who have written and posted end-time presentations and speculative scenarios.

 

These same latter-day scriptures could also assist some LDS persons who have posted their conjectures online. many of which are incorrect and even absurd. Many of the interpretations of scriptures and events in this document will be found to be unique to the author. The reader is also cautioned that, during its composition, this work acquired greater scope of detail than originally intended. There are so many good scriptures on the related subjects! A set of summary bullet points and a simple timeline chart are provided at the end of this document.

 

These timeline details should only be considered as pertinent rather than definitive. The times of events herein are not to be taken as fact, unless personally substantiated with the reader by the Lord. Also, they should not be used to put off any personal plans or changes unless the Spirit of the Lord directs. The time to prepare for the future is NOW. Our personal timelines are unique to ourselves. Personal revelation is the key to navigating life's path, and repentance is the key to personal revelation. In other words, don't try to figure out what to do. Its ok to research things but find out from the Lord what to do. Personal ego-mind is not the best way to navigate what time and events remain in this dispensation.

 

2. Key Time Frame Element

 

A key time frame element is the period of time between the beginning of the millennium [opening of the 7th Seal, Rev 8:1] and the return of the Savior.

 

The key essentials necessary to frame a reasonable inference of latter-day end-time events requires some estimation of the timing of the opening of the 7th Seal mentioned in the Book of Revelation 8:1 which reads: “And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.”

 

According to the above, the space of time referred to as an approximate half-hour period of silence in heaven begins at the opening of the 7th Seal. And from the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants we know the following:

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And there shall be silence in heaven for the space of half an hour; and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the face of the Lord shall be unveiled; And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him. And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven (D&C 88:95-97, emphasis ours).

 

Taken together these scriptures seem to dictate that essentially all the 7th Seal events prior to or even including the Savior's return in glory are encompassed, or nearly so, within the approximate half hour of silence in heaven. 

 

Among most LDS gospel writers, including the late Elder Bruce R McConkie, there is general consensus that the half hour may be calculated according to one 24-hour day being as 1,000 years with the Lord (PofGP, Abr 4:3). We agree with this idea. This provides a figure of 20.83 years. However, by use of the term “about” we may only take this as an approximation. Nevertheless, we know from the above scriptures cited that everything in the 7th Seal, which includes the return of the Savior, essentially happens within this “half hour of silence” time frame.

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Correspondingly, we know the 7th Seal starts the approximately 21-year period of silence in heaven. As previously mentioned, according to the D&C passage quoted above, appearance of the Lord in glory comes immediately after the conclusion of this period. Therefore, it can be assumed that this approximate or “about” one half hour in heaven essentially encompasses everything that has to happen between the opening of the 7th Seal and the Savior’s return. Also, from the angelic "silence" attributed to this 7th seal opening, one gets the impression the angels in heaven are figuratively holding their breath in anticipation of what is about to occur. Once this 7th Seal opening takes place there is much less conjecture about what and when things are going to happen. At this juncture we and the angels are or will be on the fast-track to the end of earth’s history as a telestial sphere.

 

We know from the D&C that the events detailed in the book of Revelation chapter 9 are also to occur after the opening of the 7th Seal and before the return of the Savior:

 

Q: When are the things to be accomplished, which are written in the 9th chapter of Revelation?

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A: They are to be accomplished after the opening of the seventh seal, before the coming of Christ (D&C 77:13, emphasis ours).

 

Consequently, chapters 8 (7th Seal opening) and 9 of the Revelation of St. John contain the events which occur after the opening of the 7th Seal, including those associated with a sequence of the sounding of six angelic trumpets in heaven. Punctuating the silence the trumpets signal a series of woes, destructions and calamities upon the earth. These woes culminate in a description of a massive army comprising elements from many nations in the battle of Armageddon compassing Jerusalem. As all of this goes on during the half hour of silence, we may conclude that the silence likely pertains to an angelic concern, pain and reticence to speak during this intense cosmic crucible.

 

Today (2023/24), we are still under the 6th Seal awaiting the 144 thousand Saviors on Mount Zion to be sealed up unto eternal life with power over the physical elements and a charge to bring the gospel to all the nations of the world with great power.

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3. 6th Seal Events

 

The other major consideration in determining any timeline of events has to do with what, if anything, remains in terms of both time and events to be accomplished under the present 6th Seal period. Though many people think we are already in the millennial 7th Seal period of time, there are some very significant events described by John under the 6th Seal that do not yet appear to have occurred. They are as follows:

 

And I beheld when he [the Lamb, Christ] 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. 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? (Rev 6:12-17)

 

The first event important enough for description detailed under the 6th Seal is a great earthquake. We must assume that this is an earthquake of unusual magnitude if it is related to such dramatic effects as those described above. Since we understand that each of the seven seals represents a thousand-year period in the earth’s mortal history (ref D&C 77:6-7), the 6th Seal would pertain to the sixth thousand-year period. This is the 6th millennia that precedes the 7th, the one we are still in. It seems obvious that the opening of the 7th Seal did not correspond with the year 2000 and that we do not know the actual year the 7th thousand years of temporal existence begins. Therefore, this current period must expire before the opening of the 7th Seal. If we were now past the 7th Seal opening, all the things described in the above scripture, if correct, would had to have happened already, including the ordination of the 144,000 which also occurs under the 6th Seal (Rev 7:2-4).

 

So, one question is: Has there been an earthquake of this description starting since around the year 1000 AD (the approximate beginning of the 6th Seal) so that we could check that off as having been accomplished?

 

A Wikipedia search of an extensive list of major earthquakes turns up several with large but mainly local death tolls, the largest ones having been in Azerbaijan, Iran and China. There has also been an increase in frequency of earthquakes in recent times that exceed 8.0 on the Richter Scale. However, there is nothing in recorded history that approaches the description of the extensive effects possibly associated with the earthquake referred to in the prophecy of John quoted above—which appears to be a significant and appropriate physical and geological call to repentance for the world just prior to the opening of the 7th Seal and its ominous portents.

 

There are other earthquakes also prophesied under the 7th Seal, but my personal feeling is that this earthquake is yet to happen and will be centered in or around the Holy Land and will have some serious geological effects. One of these may be to create an appropriate space on which to build the Jerusalem temple. We will discuss future temple sites in more detail later.

 

In this same chapter of Revelation there follows additional detail of 6th Seal events which are still indicated to occur between now (2023/24) and the opening of the 7th Seal and, therefore, the beginning of the half-hour of silence in heaven:

 

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 not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads (Rev 7:1-3).

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Who is this angel "ascending from the east"? 

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Q: What are we to understand by the angel ascending from the east, Revelation 7th chapter and 2nd verse?

 

A: 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, 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 (D&C 77:9, emphasis ours).

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Since Elias is an office [e.g. forerunner, preparer of the way] as well as the name of an ancient prophet there has been speculation as to this particular Elias. Is it the Elias, the prophet responsible for proclaiming the gospel of Abraham (D&C 27:7, 110:12); is it Elijah with his sealing powers [sometimes referred to as Elias, the Greek form of Elijah, in the New Testament]; is it John the Baptist [the forerunner of Christ in the Meridian of time], or is it someone else? In this case the answer is only a few verses later in D&C 77,

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Q: What are we to understand by the little book which was eaten by John, as mentioned in the 10th chapter of Revelation?

 

A: 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 (D&C 77:14, emphasis ours).

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In this case it is John the Revelator who is seeing an aspect of his own future end-time mission in vision. John is the angel ascending from the east. In this regard Joseph Smith stated that John, the apostle whom Jesus loved, was already ministering to the lost and scattered tribes of Israel (History of the Church, 1:176). John and the other four angels mentioned in Revelation 7:1 above are combing the four quarters of the earth locating and preparing lineal descendants of the 12 tribes of Israel to be part of the great future missionary force to the world and to lead the righteous also to the Church of the Firstborn.

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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 (Rev 7:4).

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We also have a modern scriptural reference substantiating the assignment by the Lord of the calling and ordaining of the 144,000 out of the various tribes of Israel under the 6th Seal:

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Q: What time are the things spoken of in this 7th chapter [of Revelation] to be accomplished?

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A: They are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand years, or the opening of the sixth seal.

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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? 

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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 (D&C 77:10-11, emphasis ours).

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Notice several things of potential significance. These are high priests who are ordained unto the holy order of God. We know from the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith translation of the Bible that this holy order includes a generous application of priesthood intercession and a preaching requirement to focus on 1) crying repentance, and 2) calling and election or entering into the rest of the Lord (see also GT 4: Oath and Covenant).

 

Besides a warning voice to the world, the 144 thousand are to bring people to the Church of the Firstborn. Notice also that they are ordained to their ministering offices by the angels of heaven and empowered in this manner to administer the everlasting gospel. These missionaries have power over the elements. Among them there could be some translated beings but these are mainly men who have qualified for the sealing power while yet in mortality. This ordination arrangement with angels, in this case at least, appears to portend a new wrinkle in our modern church authority and structure.

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​The 144 thousand are a special class of souls chosen and reserved in the pre-mortal councils in heaven upon whom are laid a great responsibility in the end time scenario. Bringing souls to the Church of the Firstborn on both sides of the veil, they constitute a catalyst for everything that follows in the Lord’s timeline. As divinely designated spirits they have already been laboring on their assignments from beyond the veil with mortals since creation in preparation for their coming mortal assignments. The same is also true of many of us. Many of us as premortal spirits participated in the creation, nor did we sit idle within these millennia waiting the assignment to our bodies. 

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So, unless this angelic ordination of representatives of each of the 12 tribes has been going on very quietly behind the scenes (which could be the subtle manner in which this program is carried out), it would seem that this is likely another item of some substance that has not yet occurred at the time this is written. Our feeling is that it can't be far off.

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Considering that the 6th Seal is likely near its expiration, this sealing program, ought shortly to come to pass, Also, it seems to be operating under the auspices of heavenly administration and may even be occurring during a time of laxity or distraction in the Latter-day Saint kingdom on the earth. By the time the 144 thousand go forth it will probably be too dangerous to send young elders and sisters throughout the world. (Note: at this time [2023/24] we have the greatest number of missionaries there have ever had in the LDS mission field].

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However, according to John the Revelator, there is yet more significant detail to transpire during the remaining period of the 6th Seal. The sun darkened, the moon turning to blood, and stars falling from heaven are yet another physical call to repentance. How do we understand this prophecy? Is its meaning literal or figurative, or both? There is also the question as to whether these are universal phenomena, local or pertaining to more Biblical geography? If the sun figuratively represents the Lord, its darkening can represent the withdrawal of His Spirit and the moon turning to blood a symbol of the Atonement. Such a physical effect on both the sun and the moon can be accomplished by warfare, earthquake or can be the result of volcanic eruption having its effect upon the earth’s atmosphere. Or it could be the result of war and even invasion. All of the above are possible.

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One other point:

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With respect to 6th Seal timeline events the calling and ordination of the 144 thousand may require some other serious 

prerequisite developments. According to Isaiah [Isa 13:1-2] there is a relationship between the destruction of Babylon and the travail of the married wife [the LDS Church, versus Israel, the "forsaken... wife of youth" Isa 54:6]. The travail of the married wife is necessary to give birth to the priesthood man, that is the category of men able to receive and exercise the fulness of the Melchizedek priesthood, including the sealing powers.

 

Taking these facts into consideration there appears to be a strong possibility the American version of the Assyrian invasion happens already or still within the sixth Seal. If the travail of the American Zion is a necessary prerequisite to the priesthood man [the man holding the fulness of the priesthood, including the sealing powers], then it must also be the prerequisite to the calling and ordination of the 144 thousand Saviors on Mount Zion. These men with the seal of God in their foreheads are the epitome of what we are referring to as the priesthood man.

 

Consequently, slated for destruction by the Antichrist, is the current iteration of Babylon [globalist elites] under which we [the LDS] are presently held captive and marginalized. Its removal, therefore, is imperative. The angel that explains Lehi's vision of the tree of Life to Nephi also shows him many other things pertaining to the future. One of those details pertinent to the present subject is the following:

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And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel (1 Ne14:17, emphasis ours).

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Notice the timing and sequence of events in the above reference. It is not until after the wrath of God is poured out upon Babylon [the globalist elites that now run the world] that the work of the Father [Lord of the vineyard] and His Servant [Christ] can commence in fulfilling their covenants to the latter-day House and tribes of Israel. See also GT 22: Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees.

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The description of the 6th Seal events in the Book of Revelation make more sense if seen as an American foreshadowing of the end-time for Jerusalem and the Holy Land. And the destruction of Babylon being a two-phase operation that happens first in America [the promised land of the New Jerusalem] and later in the rest of the world. In this case the scourging and refinement of America and the LDS membership [and leadership] is a precursor to the calling and ordination of the 144 thousand and may be considered as the transition event or events that usher in the 7th Seal.

 

This combination of events [earthquake and/or invasion, etc. and ordination of 144 thousand] would likely mark the end of the 6th Seal and beginning of the 7th Seal and possibly accounting for the drastic geographical and physical phenomenon previously referenced under the 6th Seal. See also GT 26: Isaiah 13 Commentary.

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4. Opening of the 7th Seal, then what?

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While watching world events through the lens of the Spirit of the Lord we will see clues to the transition from the 6th to the 7th Seal time period. Creating a confrontation with Russia by virtue of the Ukranian proxy war with them may be a cue to what lies yet ahead under what remains of the 6th Seal. If the calling and ordination of the 144 thousand high priests with the seal of God in their foreheads requires the refiners fire of invasion with all of its challenging ramifications, such a combination of calamity and birth pains may signal for the transition of the 6th into the 7th Seal.

 

We may only have several years, a decade at most [from 2023/24] until the opening of the 7th Seal or the beginning of the seventh thousand-year period [though it could be longer]. Consequently, the prophesied earthquake designated under the 6th Seal, if correct, could also be a sign or signal that the 7th Seal opening is approaching or even immanent. Additionally, whether as a result of this earthquake or others that are prophesied under the 7th Seal time period (Rev 8:5, 11:13,19, 16:18), among the resultant geological changes local to Israel and Jerusalem may be ground cleared for the building of what is considered by the Jews as the "third temple." 

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Among the Jewish people as well as almost everyone with an opinion on the subject, it is supposed that the Jewish temple must be a model of either Solomon’s temple or what was known as Herod’s Temple (in the days of Jesus)—to be built on Mount Moriah where the Muslim structures, known as the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa, now stand. There is an ongoing problem with Mount Moriah [considered the Temple Mount] as the Jewish temple site, as the Arabs believe this is where Mohammed ascended to heaven and considered one of the most sacred of Muslim worship sites.

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The reasons for this Jewish temple location belief stem from traditions contradicted by the historian Flavious Josephus and other historical accounts. The ancient temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel, later known as Herod’s temple in the days of Jesus’s ministry, apparently encompassed the Gihon Spring in the City of David. According to eyewitness historical sources the Jewish temple was just below what is now would incorrectly be called the Temple Mount. The Roman General Titus and his army, having paid a severe price to conquer Jerusalem, left not one stone to mark the temple’s location as prophesied by the Savior (Matt 24:2). Adding to Jewish confusion on this subject is the fact that the design of Ezekiel’s prophesied millennial temple (Ezekial chapters 40-44) is a departure from previous designs and is to be built some distance north of Jerusalem. This position of confusion regarding the original location as well as the corresponding future location of the yet to be built third temple will necessarily clarify as future events unfold and as the Lord’s will is revealed to the appropriate parties.

 

The stars falling from heaven can also be both literal and figurative. Meteorite showers certainly give the appearance of falling stars and the prophesied perturbations of the earth exceeding its normal axial behavior could also give the appearance of stars falling, as our normal night sky is shifted to some degree (see Isa 24:20). As far as a figurative interpretation of falling stars is concerned, this almost always refers to apostasy of the Lord's people. Taken this way it would appear that there might be a falling away from the Church under this latter stage of the 6th Seal—more or less the present and near-term future.

 

The description of the falling stars as “untimely figs” also supports the interpretation of apostasy. The phrase untimely figs refer to fruit that does not ripen during its normal season. Remaining on the tree until removed by strong autumn and winter winds, this fruit did not qualify for the Lord’s harvest and will fall when the storms come. The storms are coming.

 

However, as this particular apostasy appears to be under the 6th Seal, which period is now most likely in its final stages. A near term departure from the LDS Church could be associated with members being disaffected, for example, by learning the truth about the mRNA so-called vaccines which members were urged to take. This is, unfortunately, only one aspect of our leadership being blindsided by a Gadianton style takeover of our nation despite warnings in the Book of Mormon and from earlier prophets of this dispensation. There is also the fact that a large percentage of members at this time are unknowingly and complacently apostate. For instance, rather than more appropriate forms of compassion we are courting tolerance for progressive ideology and its immoral absurdities unchallenged by often weak and compromised leadership awash in pseudo-gospel marketing and vain popularity contests. People are leaving the Church because they are not fed and not challenged. While we possess the fulness of the gospel, it is not being taught. Instead of being spiritually inoculated against the sophistries of the day by "pure doctrine" we are being entertained while being literally inoculated with gene and neuron altering drugs that have pernicious biological, emotional and spiritual effects possibly for generations. See also PT2: Safe and Effective?

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The 6th Seal apostacy, possibly exacerbated by the stresses and challenges of war and breakdown of civil society also sets the stage for further apostasy under the 7th Seal.

 

5. 7th Seal Apostasy

 

On my mission many years ago, we used this scripture to prove the original apostacy of the church founded by Christ and his apostles to prospective converts. However, the Apostle Paul more specifically makes clear that there will be a serious end-time falling away associated with the appearance of the Antichrist or Son of Perdition.

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Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thess 2:3, 9-12).

 

This falling away described by Paul pertains essentially to events closer to the end-time period described mainly within the 7th Seal—the effects of the spirit of antichrist and apostasy beginning in his day but more particularly the latter-days (the day of the Antichrist)—in other words departure of Latter-day Saint Church members and even Church leaders as the going gets rough. Notice that it is God who sends members who apostatize “strong delusion.” The tares must be separated from the wheat so that they can be tied in bundles and burned (Matt 13:30, 41-42, D&C 86:7). This delusion (e.g. philosophies of men mingled with scripture) among the Saints is already rampant and growing at the present time [2023/24].

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The Apocryphal work known as the Ascension of Isaiah has particular reference to this period of time in which the social and cultural gospel often eclipses and supersedes the genuine gospel of sacrifice and service in the similitude of the Only Begotten.

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And afterwards [referring to this, the last dispensation], on the eve of His [the Savior's] approach, His disciples will forsake the teachings of the Twelve Apostles, and their faith, and their love and their purity [refers to the teachings of the original Apostles and the righteous Apostles of this dispensation]. And there will be much contention on the eve of His advent and His approach. And in those days many will love office, though devoid of wisdom. And there will be many lawless elders, and shepherds dealing wrongly by their own sheep, and they will ravage [take advantage of] them owing to their [the member sheep] not having holy shepherds. And many will change the honour of the garments of the saints for the garments of the covetous, and there will be much respect of persons in those days and lovers of the honour of this world. And there will be much slander and vainglory at the approach of the Lord, and the Holy Spirit will withdraw from many. And there will not be in those days many prophets, nor those who speak trustworthy words, save one here and there in divers places, On account of the spirit of error and fornication and of vainglory, and of covetousness, which shall be in those, who will be called servants of that One [LDS members and leaders] and in those who will receive that One [those who aspire to be worthy of the lord's return]. And there will be great hatred in the shepherds and elders towards each other. For there will be great jealousy in the last days; for everyone will say what is pleasing in his own eyes. And they will make of none effect the prophecy of the prophets which were before me, and these my visions also will they make of none effect, in order to speak after the impulse of their own hearts (Ascension of Isaiah, 3:21-31). 

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The situations described above relate to the present time, as well as advancing in degree into the 7th Seal time period as the approach of the Savior of the world draws nearer. It is also interesting to note, in this context, that though we often hear quotes from Isaiah in talks and the fact that the Savior himself specifically instructs us in the Book of Mormon about the importance of studying the words of Isaiah. Despite 21 chapters quoted in the Book of Mormon, Isaiah is little understood by LDS members. The Lord's warnings and instructions to us through Isaiah are only dimly perceived if understood at all. In other words, they are "of none effect." *

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What does the Lord have to say regarding this period of time [end of the 6th Seal and beginning of the 7th Seal] through John the Revelator?

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Revelation chapter 8, verses 14 through 16 above can be a bit confusing in the sense that they refer to rather miraculous effects that one might normally ascribe to the end time and more particularly to the 7th Seal. However, if we assume the accuracy of the scripture, it is apparent that whether because of war, invasion, earthquake or other physical phenomena associated with manifestations of the Lord’s cleansing power, there is a striking effect upon people of the earth prior to the opening of the 7th Seal and the technical beginning of the millennium. If we are, at this time, not yet under the 7th Seal we can expect that some tumultuous events are looming. Upheavals in nature and society can also be viewed as a call to repentance to the peoples of the world in preparation for the worldwide ministry of the 144 thousand Saviors on Mount Zion. The physical conditions and convulsions here described may also be an LDS and American foreshadow to the period just before the final appearance of the Savior in Jerusalem.

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Correspondingly, there are details in Revelation chapter 8, such as the heavens being “rolled together as a scroll” (Rev 6:14) that more aptly apply to the very last stages of the 7th Seal end time events. This raises the question as to whether timing of other details in this chapter may also carry over into the 7th Seal time frame such as through multiple fulfillment.

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As we now proceed into the 7th Seal portion of the timeline, according to the scriptures pertaining to this period, it is obvious that the Lord’s 6th Seal call to repentance has upon the larger world only a short-term effect. Elsewhere Babylon is doing business as usual.

 

Nevertheless, at this point we have the missionary work conducted by the 144 thousand High Priests into all the world. There will be much new conversion to replace the effects of various phases of destruction and apostasy. Though the significance of this conversion is that it is focused on gathering the remnants of Israel and bringing disciples into the Father’s Church of the Firstborn against the backdrop of a troubled and chaotic world. This process of missionary work, conversion, sanctification and acquisition of the sealing powers may be very subtle with respect to the world and even to the LDS Church membership.

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According to the passage referenced, the 144 thousand are not just bringing converts into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but they are bringing them through the LDS Church ordinances and then via sanctification into the Church of the Firstborn. There is a distinction between the two (e.g. the Kingdom of God on the earth and the Church of the Firstborn, which is the Heavenly Church). Only the solidly sanctified are members of Church of the Firstborn (D&C 76:53-60).

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Please note here some details the Lord has given us about the 144 thousand High Priests:

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And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God (Rev 14:1-5, emphasis ours).

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With respect to these men, who have the seal of God in their foreheads and possess the fulness of the priesthood (including sealing powers) being virgins, we may understand this to be symbolic in a significant way. In order to be a High Priest after the Holy Order and to hold the fulness of the priesthood, one must be married in the New and Everlasting Covenant. The significance of the virgin label is explained in the associated scriptural observation that they are “not defiled with women.” It is by virtue of this non-defilement that these men are able to "follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth". Not only do they not get distracted from their mission by things pertaining to women, but more importantly is the fact that their wives are living the Divine Order in their marriage.

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For a man to become a Savior on Mount Zion in the full sense, he must come to the point that he can “follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth.” This requires a marriage in which the wife allows her husband the freedom to seek the Lord and receive revelation for his life and his family. As a recipient of continuous revelation, the husband then is on the path of acquiring the fulness of the priesthood. The doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon his soul “as the dews from Heaven” (D&C 121:45-46). See GT17: Saviors on Mount Zion.

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The tendency, or even necessity, of the man to please his wife first and then the Lord is why the apostle Paul advises widowers to remain unmarried (1 Cor 7:8). Unless the wife facilitates the freedom of the husband to please the Lord first and foremost, the man is "defiled of woman.” Conversely, the man will not progress sufficiently unless he and his wife are equally yoked in the Lord and serving each other lovingly and respectfully. 

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The wife is actually the key to the production or realization of a Savior on Mount Zion. For this to happen she must also follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth in her own right. She must also serve the Lord and be receiving her own revelation in serving the Lord, her husband and family. It is the worldly considerations on both partners that interfere with the Savior on Mount Zion process. Too often, in order to climb socially in the LDS Church it is more important to many wives for their husbands to excel in Babylon than to seek and follow the will of the Lord.

 

It is unfortunate that we are no longer taught the true Order—which is one of the mysteries of godliness and salvation. For any home in which the wife consistently takes the lead or usurps power will never enjoy the blessings and benefits of sanctification and exaltation. Without the inspired support of the wife and the observance of the divine order on the part of both in the home [husband as head and patriarch, wife as first counselor and Holy Ghost as 2nd counselor] it is almost impossible for the man to obtain the fulness of the priesthood. (see GT11: What Satan Taught Eve in the Garden).

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The man’s sacred obligations are also dictated by the Divine Order (see D&C 121;37-42, also GT 4: Oath and Covenant).

 

That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man (D&C 121:36-37, emphasis ours).

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The man also holds the keys of sanctification of the wife by forsaking any form of unrighteous dominion and facilitating her freedom to willingly choose righteous support and develop the inspiration and revelation that will constitute her essential input as first counselor in the home and family presidency. Both the husband and the wife are to forsake unrighteous dominion in order for the 2nd counselor, the Holy Ghost, to inspire and direct them both. In this Order neither will exercise undue or inappropriate control or influence over the other.

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Created in the image of our Heavenly Parents the nature of both the woman and the man are distinctly different and for good reason. The divine nature of each is complimentary to the other and necessary for the ultimate divine union required of the Celestial Kingdom and of gods. "Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord" (1 Cor 11:11). In Heavenly Father's plan neither gender is inferior or dispensable.

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* The only LDS person or scholar we know of currently attempting to teach a thorough understanding of Isaiah is that of Dr. Avraham Gileadi (also referenced in the text earlier above). His background in actual Hebrew scripture instruction is helpful but also serves as a platform for erroneous doctrines and misleading conclusions. For more details relative to this concern see the summary notes at the beginning of the GT 22: Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees - Commentary on this website and also the initial notes in the Ede Family Archive pertaining to the Book of Mormon Isaiah Podcasts that address Dr Gileadi's doctrinal concepts with our corresponding analysis and commentary in more detail.