We are living in the the last days - the time of the 6th seal. Now we move into the signs of things that are to come before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. These are the signs most people think of when the think about the Book of Revelation, and they fear. To me, the message of the 6th seal is in verse 15. The people John is describing are those who trust in the arm of flesh and in earthly power: dishonest and power hungry political leaders, those who use wealth and power unrighteously. These are not just the run-of-the-mill people: they are the oppressors; those who love things and use people. Those who love God and people and use things in righteousness and with thanksgiving have no need to fear. They will have no desire to hide from God and to wish for the rocks to fall down and cover them from His sight.
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
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? (Revelation 6: 12-17, KJV)
Here are some of the signs from other scriptures:
- Wars and rumors of wars (Mark 13: 7; Matthew 24:6; 1st Nephi 12; D & C 45: 26)
- Earthquakes in diverse places (Matthew 24:11; Luke 24: 7; Revelation 16: 18; Mormon 8:30; D & C 88: 89)
- Sun darkened and moon as blood (Joel 2:31; Acts 2:20; D & C 34, 45, 29, 88)
- Stars fall (Matthew 24: 29; Mark 13; 25; D & C 34, 45, 29)
- Earth rolled as a scroll (Isaiah 34: 4; 3 Nephi 26: 3; D & C 88: 95)
- Men wanting rocks to fall and hide them (Alma 12: 4)
I'm not sure why my brain is following this line of thinking this morning other than this: God is consistent. He says what He means and He means what He says. Listed above are scripture references from the Old Testament (1st 3 seals); the New Testament (4th seal); the Book of Mormon (1st 4 seals); and modern-day revelation, the Doctrine and Covenants (6th seal).
If the Book of Revelation is, among other things, a book of warning, then what is the message I should be getting? The Savior Himself gave us a clue in His Olivet Sermon:
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (Matthew 24: 15)
I believe that holy places are good Christian homes and temples. The psalmist gives me further insight into standing in holy places:
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24: 3-4)
How do I have clean hands and a pure heart? By being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, [and] doing good to all men. (Articles of Faith 1:13)
Or as the Savior Himself taught me: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22: 37 -39)
It is amazing where a mind can take you when you study the scriptures rather than just reading them. This is where my mind went. Where will yours go? 'Nuff said.
Text copyright Gebara Education February 2012
Picture of moon and sun from www.atheword.com
Picture of the stars falling from www.revelationclass.com
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