I would like to give some thoughts about the sixth seal and where we are at in the history of the world concerning the seals. I would submit to you that many things in the Book of Revelations and in the Bible are very symbolic. Subtle yet profound occurrences have happened. No one seems to see them, yet the prophecies in the Bible are fulfulled. Just as when the Jews were seeking a political king to lead them from their enemies, but instead got the son of a carpenter, the events of the sixth seal may have already occurred, yet no one noticed them.
As for some background for those who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is a general belief that the 7 seals spoken of in the Book of Revelations refer to the 7,000 year span that man will dwell on the earth beginning with the times of Adam. Each seal represents a roughly 1,000 year time span.
If the sixth seal began approximately about 1000 AD, then just think about what the earth was like then and what it is like today, and it all falls into perspective. 1000 years ago, the world was run by monarchs. Most all people throughout the world were either royalty, slaves, freemen, or bondsmen. Very few had an education. No one but a few read from the scriptures. The European world was in the dark ages. The Americas had Incan’s, Mayans, and Azteks as conquerors. Rome controlled most of the free world. The Muslum world was also strong.
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake;
Was there a physical earthquake? Or were there great movements in the earth.
What movements took place?
1. The Bible was translated into modern language and made available to all.
2. Religious freedoms were granted.
3. Tolerances of differences became accepted as the norm rather than persecuted to death.
4. Kingdoms were toppled or at least stripped from power and freedoms were set up on all lands.
5. People throughout the world are educated.
and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood
Gunpowder became available as a tool of destruction during wars. Terrible smoke became prevalent during the fighting of these wars of the past 300 years. During the civil war and all wars ever since, all fighting was changed due to the improvements of weapons making strategies more important. During the fighting, the sun is darkened. As the nights come, the smoke would clears; yet the moon is turned to blood, just as it does when we have forest fires and the smoke is in the air.
In the later 1800, many nations went through an industrial revolution. With no environmental regulations, great pollutions were in the air blackening the sun and changing the color of the moon. The newly industrialized countries such as China and India experience this today.
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.
In the early 1900’s electricity was used to power the cities and towns of the world. Today, many people have never seen the milky way. Comparing the skies during the times of Christ and today, it is as though the sky threw down the stars. They seem to be no longer there unless you are on the tops of the mountains or in the deserts far away from civilization.
And the heavens departed as a scroll when it is rolled together.
D&C 88 states that at the coming of Christ it will be a scroll opened up and let loose. All things of God will be made known to us. So the gospel will be as a scroll is rolled up. To those listening and watching, it is available, but is to preparing for the final coming of the savior, waiting to be released open.
and every mountain and island were moved out of their places
While they may not have physically moved much, we put up a web page in the US with a streaming video from the prophet and it can be viewed instantly around the world. Calling international is simple. Products we purchase in the stores are no longer made from factories down the street. Flying anywhere around the world can be done in 24 hours either direction. As far as I am concerned, China, Russia, India, and England are real close in ways unimaginable even 150 years ago. The landscape of the world has certainly moved drastically.
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:
Today, there are no kings, bondsmen or freemen. We have only men and women and children. Some are great and rich, others are not. During the past 200 years or so, we have experienced great wars – the civil war, WWI, WWII. The kings hid themselves to not be put to death during revolutions from people seeking freedom. People fled all over the world hiding themselves from the man-made disasters of war and fleeing religious, political, and racial exterminations. The last to hide themselves in the dens of the mountains were the fugitives of Osama Bin Laden speaking about the wrath of God kindled against the United States and Isreal.
Yes brothers and sisters, I believe the 6th seal has passed us. It is time to look at the seventh seal and the 30 minutes of silence. For we may be in the early portion of that time period. You think things are bad now? They are going to get worse.
Stand ye in holy places – the temple, the stakes of Zion, and homes purified with the teachings of Christ. Teach the word of God to everyone you know. Prepare now for the second coming. It may or may not happen during your life time, but the time is not far distant.