Understanding the 1/2 hour of silence

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

Understanding the half hour of silence.

I am going to try to explain how I interpret the half hour of silence and why. To me it seems to be yelling very loudly what it is. My beliefs are similar to Parly Pratt and Bruce R. Mckonkie.

D&C 88:


For starters, look at where the angels are sounding their trump from and the description of it.

92 And angels shall fly through the midst of heaven, crying with a loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying: Prepare ye, prepare ye, O inhabitants of the earth; for the judgment of our God is come. Behold, and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

This angel began to sound soon after the elders were sent by JS to teach the gospel as stated in D&C.

93 And immediately there shall appear a great sign in heaven, and all people shall see it together.

Everyone just saw a sign. JS says everyone will say it is a comet or planet but it will be the sign of the Son of Man.

94 And another angel shall sound his trump, saying: That great church, the mother of abominations, that made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, that persecuteth the saints of God, that shed their blood—she who sitteth upon many waters, and upon the islands of the sea—behold, she is the tares of the earth; she is bound in bundles; her bands are made strong, no man can loose them; therefore, she is ready to be burned. And he shall sound his trump both long and loud, and all nations shall hear it.

So we just had two trumps sounding from heaven, long and loud with all nations hearing them.
Now we have silence in heaven.

95 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;

This is not the sign, it is the savior unveiling his face. To who? To the saints who are alive and those who are dead.

96 And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him.
97 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—
98 They are Christ’s, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God.

Notice the silence is gone and is marked by the sounding of a trump.
Notice these saints are to descend with him first. Descend where? .

99 And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ’s at his coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh.
100 And again, another trump shall sound, which is the third trump; and then come the spirits of men who are to be judged, and are found under condemnation;
101 And these are the rest of the dead; and they live not again until the thousand years are ended, neither again, until the end of the earth.
102 And another trump shall sound, which is the fourth trump, saying: There are found among those who are to remain until that great and last day, even the end, who shall remain filthy still.
103 And another trump shall sound, which is the fifth trump, which is the fifth angel who committeth the everlasting gospel—flying through the midst of heaven, unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people;
104 And this shall be the sound of his trump, saying to all people, both in heaven and in earth, and that are under the earth—for every ear shall hear it, and every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, while they hear the sound of the trump, saying: Fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is come.
105 And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the sixth angel, saying: She is fallen who made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication; she is fallen, is fallen!
106 And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the seventh angel, saying: It is finished; it is finished! The Lamb of God hath overcome and trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.
107 And then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of his might, and the saints shall be filled with his glory, and receive their inheritance and be made equal with him.
108 And then shall the first angel again sound his trump in the ears of all living, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the mighty works of God in the first thousand years.
109 And then shall the second angel sound his trump, and reveal the secret acts of men, and the thoughts and intents of their hearts, and the mighty works of God in the second thousand years—
110 And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump; and he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be time no longer; and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years.
111 And then he shall be loosed for a little season, that he may gather together his armies.
112 And Michael, the seventh angel, even the archangel, shall gather together his armies, even the hosts of heaven.

So what is the 1/2 hour of silence in the heavens? The opposite of trumps sounding loudly in the heavens.

[friendsofthecaptain of 100]

Thanks NGL, now I'm really confused. Not about the half hour silence but about what you think it is. LOL...

Please, tell me when you think it starts. Then tell me when you think it ends. Then we can come to some kind of understanding.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

Thanks NGL, now I'm really confused. Not about the half hour silence but about what you think it is. LOL...

Please, tell me when you think it starts. Then tell me when you think it ends. Then we can come to some kind of understanding.

I take section 88 of D&C as being chronologically written with one thing happening after another. I believe 88 begins talking about the sixth seal, an interpretation of Rev Chapter 6, adding plainness to it. Then jumps to Rev 8 and adds plainness to it.
So just like the sixth seal
1. Earthquake, sun, moon stars, men hiding (hearts failing them),
2. Sign of the son of man (which I think is Adam coming to AOA)
Then seventh seal
3. 1/2 hour of silence
4. Then trumps sound, first trump bringing:
Christ comes in his glory to NJ and the saints are lifted up
4-7 So trumps 1-4 is a step by step process brought forth by the priesthood after Christ dwells among them in NJ in his temple.
8-10. Saints are protected from the arm of the Lord as he hammers down 5th, 6th and 7th trumps.
Saints accompany Christ from the east, NJ, to the Mount of Olives as he descends upon the mount to gather the last of the house of Israel, the Jews who are worthy.

Lifted up in the cloud remains to be defined. I kind of think it means to be in his presence in the temple in NJ. Calling and election made sure, changed or quickened or resurrected.

[kenhcaptain of 50]

NGl I agree that Adam presides over the first six seals for he is lord of all the earth and all gospel dispensations are under his leadership. Christ at AOA is sustained as President of the Church and the Lord of Lords, Kings of Kings by all of the truly righteous saints gathered at AOA as Elder McConkie states as who will be there. Hopefully that will include us and the rest of those who blog here. That should be soon after NJ is built and the Lost Ten Tribes return ( some of them fill the places in the 144,000 during the sixth seal) probably in nine years or so IMO. 2021 or so. This would leave apporx. 20 years or so for the Savior's return in glory (Half hour of silence in heaven) but he will cut short his work in righteousness. So somewhere around 2036-2040 for the Second Coming to take place. This would also allow the thrity years or so for our youth to become grandparents as per President Packer in the last GC. Thanks again.

[Original_Intentcaptain of 1,000]

NGl I agree that Adam presides over the first six seals for he is lord of all the earth and all gospel dispensations are under his leadership. Christ at AOA is sustained as President of the Church and the Lord of Lords, Kings of Kings by all of the truly righteous saints gathered at AOA as Elder McConkie states as who will be there. Hopefully that will include us and the rest of those who blog here. That should be soon after NJ is built and the Lost Ten Tribes return ( some of them fill the places in the 144,000 during the sixth seal) probably in nine years or so IMO. 2021 or so. This would leave apporx. 20 years or so for the Savior's return in glory (Half hour of silence in heaven) but he will cut short his work in righteousness. So somewhere around 2036-2040 for the Second Coming to take place. This would also allow the thrity years or so for our youth to become grandparents as per President Packer in the last GC. Thanks again.

There doesn't need to be an allowance for the youth to become grandparents, as they can do that during the millenium as well as before. I believe President Packer said "possibly even great grandparents" which would take some doing to fit in 30 years...

[Oldemandaltoncaptain of 1,000]

D&C Section 88

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet at Kirtland, Ohio, 27 December 1832 (see History of the Church, 1:302–12). It was designated by the Prophet as the “‘olive leaf’ … plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us” (History of the Church, 1:316). It appears from the historical records that portions of this revelation were received on 27 and 28 December 1832, and 3 January 1833.

1–5, Faithful Saints receive that Comforter, which is the promise of eternal life; 6–13, All things are controlled and governed by the Light of Christ; 14–16, The Resurrection comes through the Redemption; 17–31, Obedience to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law prepares men for those respective kingdoms and glories; 32–35, Those who will to abide in sin remain filthy still; 36–41, All kingdoms are governed by law; 42–45, God has given a law unto all things; 46–50, Man will comprehend even God; 51–61, The parable of the man sending his servants into the field and visiting them in turn; 62–73, Draw near unto the Lord, and ye will see his face; 74–80, Sanctify yourselves and teach one another the doctrines of the kingdom; 81–85, Every man who has been warned should warn his neighbor; 86–94, Signs, upheavals of the elements, and angels prepare the way for the coming of the Lord; 95–102, Angelic trumps call forth the dead in their order; 103–16, Angelic trumps proclaim the restoration of the gospel, the fall of Babylon, and the battle of the great God; 117–26, Seek learning, establish a house of God (a temple), and clothe yourselves with the bond of charity; 127–41, The order of the School of the Prophets is set forth, including the ordinance of washing of feet.

95 And there shall be [a]silence in [b]heaven for the space of half an hour; and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a [c]scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the [d]face of the Lord shall be unveiled;

A; D&C 38:12.
B; D&C 133:40 (40–46).
C; Rev. 6:14.
D; TG Jesus Christ, Second Coming.

96 And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be [a]caught up to meet him.

A; 1 Thes. 4:16 (16–17); D&C 76:102; 84:100; 101:31.

97 And they who have slept in their graves shall [a]come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the [b]pillar of heaven—

A; 1 Thes. 2:19; D&C 29:13; 45:45 (45–46); 133:56. TG Resurrection.
B; D&C 78:21.

NoGreaterLove if, you check the section’s synopsis and the notes you will see that when the “face of the Lord shall be unveiled” is at His coming in glory when the dead raise up to meet Him and not the preparatory visit to Adam-Ondi-Aman.

[Matthew.Bcaptain of 100]

I have been led to believe the 1/2 hour of silence refers to a time of false calm after the great upheavals and tribulations, when the nations of the earth will complete their march into wickedness and the Saints will be left to mourn for the wicked and perfect themselves in preparation for the coming of the Lord.

‘Opening the Seven Seals: The Visions of John the Revelator’ by Richard D. Draper

SILENCE IN HEAVEN (vv. 1-4)

1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

4. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

The interlude over, John resumes where chapter six left off. But once again, there is no clash of thunder, no outpouring of wrath. The Lamb breaks the seventh seal; the scroll of destiny lies open, but quiet prevails. God's testament, his will for the nations, stands ready to be executed. The day of judgment has come. The world will now receive its inheritance and just reward. Six thousand years of indifference, of carelessness toward God, of transgression, of deliberate corruption of his ways, of willfull rejection and sometimes slaughter of his prophets, of conscious rebellion and evil—all these will now receive their just compensation.

As the seal is broken, "there is silence in heaven for the space of about half an hour" (v. 1, AT). A solemn moment intervenes before judgment commences. Nothing breaks the solitude, but tension builds as seven angels, as captains over a host, receive seven trumpets and prepare to give their commands. The image of the trumpets creates a feeling of foreboding, for soon their blast will shatter the world. But an interval is needed: a period of preparation, of devotion and worship, of readying before heaven executes God's will, a moment of mourning for a world sick unto death.

John sees an angel approach the altar in heaven holding a golden censer, "and there was given to him much incense, consisting of the prayers of all saints" (v. 3, AT). Thus, both heaven and earth, angels and Saints, combine to create a holy crescendo of expectant, if painful, silence. Never has heaven been filled with the sweet smell of earthly prayers as now. The moment of anguished calm is about to end. But the silence will not end until the heavenly priest, the mighty angel, performs at the altar a priesthood act—the judgment of the nations.

The theological importance of the half hour of silence is derived from the Old Testament. In Habakkuk 2:20, the prophet commands, "the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him" (KJV). Then follows a description of the Lord moving in glory and anger against wickedness. The day of judgment has arrived. Zechariah also commands silence as the Lord arouses from his holy dwelling (2:13). Zephaniah does the same thing, "For the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice" (1:7, KJV), and will move against the wicked (see 1:7-18). In each of these three instances, the silence heralds a wrathful theophany and may indicate a period of mourning before calamity. The Doctrine and Covenants supports this view. The Lord states:

But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day. . . . For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven—Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned (38:8, 11-12).

Doctrine and Covenants 88:95 also speaks of a half hour of silence associated with the last days. In this case, it follows the acts of judgment and immediately precedes the coming of the Lord. Though it is out of position with that of Revelation, it carries the same import: it signals a theophany, but this time of total victory.

The period of silence, the Seer states, lasted "about half an hour" (AT). The idea of approximation is clear in the Greek: The word used, hs, means "approximately" or "nearly."Thus, getting an exact fix on the amount of time John had in mind is impossible. The half hour, it has been speculated, may actually approach twenty-one years, based on the Lord's time being 1,000 years to the day (see Abr. 3:4; 2 Pet. 3:8). If such is correct, it will be a period when all will seem to be at rest, a return to the normal after the pounding taken during the sixth seal. The earth will cease to shake, the stars to fall, and the cosmos will return to a definite pattern. However, no matter what the duration, wickedness will not cease. Therefore, the half hour represents a short interval during which angels and Saints prepare in sorrow for the sentence of destruction to be executed upon the world.

One idea stands out: this is the period in which the heavenly and earthly churches of God will be linked as never before, a period in which the Saints will make their final preparation for what is to come. The Doctrine and Covenants states, "The servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters—calling upon the name of the Lord day and night, saying: O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence" (133:38-40). The devastations that follow will be, at least in part, a response to this prayer of God's servants. Thus, the righteous will not be caught off guard. They will follow the Lord's admonition: "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night—therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief" (D&C 106:4-5).

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

D&C Section 88

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet at Kirtland, Ohio, 27 December 1832 (see History of the Church, 1:302–12). It was designated by the Prophet as the “‘olive leaf’ … plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us” (History of the Church, 1:316). It appears from the historical records that portions of this revelation were received on 27 and 28 December 1832, and 3 January 1833.

1–5, Faithful Saints receive that Comforter, which is the promise of eternal life; 6–13, All things are controlled and governed by the Light of Christ; 14–16, The Resurrection comes through the Redemption; 17–31, Obedience to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law prepares men for those respective kingdoms and glories; 32–35, Those who will to abide in sin remain filthy still; 36–41, All kingdoms are governed by law; 42–45, God has given a law unto all things; 46–50, Man will comprehend even God; 51–61, The parable of the man sending his servants into the field and visiting them in turn; 62–73, Draw near unto the Lord, and ye will see his face; 74–80, Sanctify yourselves and teach one another the doctrines of the kingdom; 81–85, Every man who has been warned should warn his neighbor; 86–94, Signs, upheavals of the elements, and angels prepare the way for the coming of the Lord; 95–102, Angelic trumps call forth the dead in their order; 103–16, Angelic trumps proclaim the restoration of the gospel, the fall of Babylon, and the battle of the great God; 117–26, Seek learning, establish a house of God (a temple), and clothe yourselves with the bond of charity; 127–41, The order of the School of the Prophets is set forth, including the ordinance of washing of feet.

95 And there shall be [a]silence in [b]heaven for the space of half an hour; and immediately after shall the curtain of heaven be unfolded, as a [c]scroll is unfolded after it is rolled up, and the [d]face of the Lord shall be unveiled;

A; D&C 38:12.
B; D&C 133:40 (40–46).
C; Rev. 6:14.
D; TG Jesus Christ, Second Coming.

96 And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be [a]caught up to meet him.

A; 1 Thes. 4:16 (16–17); D&C 76:102; 84:100; 101:31.

97 And they who have slept in their graves shall [a]come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the [b]pillar of heaven—

A; 1 Thes. 2:19; D&C 29:13; 45:45 (45–46); 133:56. TG Resurrection.
B; D&C 78:21.

NoGreaterLove if, you check the section’s synopsis and the notes you will see that when the “face of the Lord shall be unveiled” is at His coming in glory when the dead raise up to meet Him and not the preparatory visit to Adam-Ondi-Aman.

The face of the Lord unveiled is something that can happen in the temple. It is not something that the whole world sees. This part is talking about the curtain of Heaven which is a veil. What happens when that curtain is unveiled is the quickening and resurrection of the saints that happens before the arm of the Lord comes down. The arm of the Lord comes down during the 5th trump! WOE, WOE, WOE!
The footnote says second coming. His second coming is not one event. AOA, NJ, Mount, islands, All world, Yes this is one of his appearances that constitute his second coming. He comes to the saints first then later he goes to Armageddon. It is all right there in Sec 88 in chrono order just like it says. AOA is the meeting where prep for the NJ is held, so it happens before it is built according to BRM and Alvin Dyer. This unveiling of Christ is to the saints at NJ after they have been judged at AOA.
Did you study the side by side comparison I did on the trumps? Did you notice the exact wording used in some of the trumps? That is because they are speaking of the same trumps.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

This is the easiest one to look at for similarities, although the others have them too. Take a look. This is the same angel with the same trump speaking of the same time.
Keep in mind that some judgments come after one is resurrected. A judgment does occur during the seventh trump in which the saints who had come down with him to Armageddon receive their inheritance and are crowned. However, they were already lifted up when the first trump sounded, before the arm of the Lord came down.
Seventh Trump
Third woe!

D&C 88:
106 And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the seventh angel, saying: It is finished; it is finished! The Lamb of God hath overcome and trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.
107 And then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of his might, and the saints shall be filled with his glory, and receive their inheritance and be made equal with him.

Rev 10:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Rev 16:
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Rev 11:
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Rev 19:
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

HF is trying to make this as simple as possible. He numbered the trumps and gave them in order. He did it several times in Rev and in D&C. He mentions the trumps in D&C, BoM, Bible. He did not number them in a confusing way to throw us off, he did it so we would not be blinded by the secular religions who would confuse us with their interpretation of them.
It is simple. Just take trump #1 and look at what happens, then 2, then 3 and so on. 1-7 do repeat themselves in D&C 88 and it is made clear so we understand it.
Modern day revelation was given to us in D&C 88 to help clear up the plain and precious truths that were taken away from the bible.

[Carloscaptain of 100]

HF is trying to make this as simple as possible.

I like this simple answer of the Lord in response to a simple question re: Rev 8.

DC77:12

Q. What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation?
A. ...... the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—(in other words)the preparing of the way BEFORE the time of his coming. [DC88 trumps sound AFTER the time of his coming]

This I can understand.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

HF is trying to make this as simple as possible.

I like this simple answer of the Lord in response to a simple question re: Rev 8.

DC77:12

Q. What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation?
A. ...... the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—(in other words)the preparing of the way BEFORE the time of his coming. [DC88 trumps sound AFTER the time of his coming]

This I can understand.

He had already come when JS said this, to a young man in a grove. Then later to the Kirkland temple. He comes suddenly to his temple in NJ, to AOA, to the Mount of Olives, etc.. Yes the trumps sound before he comes to the world, but not before he comes to the saints. If you want to be technical, the first trump does prepare the way for his coming to the saints who are ready to receive him, the second trump prepares the way for his coming to the saints in spirit prison who have repented. The trumps DO sound before the time of his coming. They do prepare the way. Which coming? They each are sounded to prepare the way for Christ. The funny thing is, I know you know that so I am not sure why you are saying what you said. His appearance to AOA to the saints in NJ happens before the second trump sounds. Carlos, for a man who knows symbolism, I am surprised you do not see the correlation between the trumps in 88 and Rev. No offense intended, just surprised. I thought out of all the people on this forum, you would see it.

Let me ask you this. What is the sea and the sand represent in the following passage?
Jeremiah 5:22

22 Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.

Or this one.
Isaiah 51:15

15 But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name.

They are in similitude of this.
Exodus 14:21

21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

The sea denotes a place of destruction. The waves would be those who make up that place. The sand represents the bounds set so the waves can not pass a certain location. The waves are always pushing against the sand trying to go beyond the bounds set by it. The sand is also something that hides an object that is buried in it. So although literally the Lord did set the bounds of the sea by the sand of the shore, he also did something spiritually that represented by this symbolism.
That same thing exists in the trumps in Rev., both a spiritual and literal interpretation, both being the same to the Lord because all things are spiritual unto him.

Now apply the same application to the trumps. There is both a spiritual and literal fulfillment of these things.
And as far as taking things only on symbolism. Search the destructions prophesied before the 1/2 of silence in D&C 88 and see if those exact same things did not happen when he was born and when he was crucified. You will see they did, literally.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

The division of the sea by Moses was a way to allow the ransomed of the Lord to pass over to safety and destroyed the wicked. What division among a sea did Christ do after he was crucified that allowed the ransomed to pass over to safety? What is the sand that stops the waves of that sea from heaving beyond its bounds?

D&C 88:
99 And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ’s at his coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh.

Rev 8:
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

Footnote for Blood:

TG Blood, Symbolism of

see also Jesus Christ, Atonement through.

The sea was cleansed through the atonement. "the redemption of those who are Christ’s at his coming; who have received their part in that prison"

[Gideoncaptain of 100]

Since the last event in the sixth seal is the calling of the 144,000, I wondered if the 21 years of silence might be a period of relative peace to allow them to accomplish their work before the earth is burned at His coming.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

Since the last event in the sixth seal is the calling of the 144,000, I wondered if the 21 years of silence might be a period of relative peace to allow them to accomplish their work before the earth is burned at His coming.

Amen! They will gather to NJ and be awaiting the first trump and Christ coming in the clouds. Then the arm of the Lord will come down upon the wicked. For the wheat will have been gathered to the barn and the field remaineth to be burned.

[sixth sealcaptain of 100]

Since the last event in the sixth seal is the calling of the 144,000, I wondered if the 21 years of silence might be a period of relative peace to allow them to accomplish their work before the earth is burned at His coming.

Amen! They will gather to NJ and be awaiting the first trump and Christ coming in the clouds. Then the arm of the Lord will come down upon the wicked. For the wheat will have been gathered to the barn and the field remaineth to be burned.

NGL,
Help me understand something. I was always under the impression that the 1/2 hour of silence was a calm before (or in the midst of) the storm. Then through reading D&C 88: 95, I realized that immediately after the 1/2 hour was over, the face of the Lord shall be unveiled. So I assumed that this was His coming to the whole world in glory and therefore the 1/2 hour of silence must be filled with the 7 trumps of the book of revelation. So you seem to be saying that D&C 88: 95 is the Lord's coming to the saints at New Jerusalem. If so I can see how the 1/2 hour (21 years) would be a true period of "silence" from judgements and destruction for a while. Is this about right?

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

Since the last event in the sixth seal is the calling of the 144,000, I wondered if the 21 years of silence might be a period of relative peace to allow them to accomplish their work before the earth is burned at His coming.

Amen! They will gather to NJ and be awaiting the first trump and Christ coming in the clouds. Then the arm of the Lord will come down upon the wicked. For the wheat will have been gathered to the barn and the field remaineth to be burned.

NGL,
Help me understand something. I was always under the impression that the 1/2 hour of silence was a calm before (or in the midst of) the storm. Then through reading D&C 88: 95, I realized that immediately after the 1/2 hour was over, the face of the Lord shall be unveiled. So I assumed that this was His coming to the whole world in glory and therefore the 1/2 hour of silence must be filled with the 7 trumps of the book of revelation. So you seem to be saying that D&C 88: 95 is the Lord's coming to the saints at New Jerusalem. If so I can see how the 1/2 hour (21 years) would be a true period of "silence" from judgements and destruction for a while. Is this about right?

I did a side by side comparison of the trumps which occur in D&C 88 and Rev. (seee my thread). It is my testimony that they are one and the same, speaking of the same time periods. Go and read trump #1 in D&C 88. This is after the 1/2 hour of silence and is when Christ comes to the saints in the clouds at NJ. The saints have been gathered from the four corners of the earth and as the gospel has gone forth throughout the world to give all a chance to repent. Now the field is ripe, the tares are bundled, the wheat are gathered into the barn (raised up to Christ) and the field remaineth to be burned. Then go on and read the rest of the trumps in D&C 88. WOE, WOE, WOE begins in the fifth trump.
The Lords coming in glory in the clouds to the saints is the first trump (unveiled, who deals with veils and where are they found?How is the Celestial Kingdom unveiled?). The Lord coming in glory to the wicked is the Seventh Trump! It even matches the feasts. The firstfruits etc., all the signs are there in order.
Remember he came to his own and his own received him not when he was born? He shall come to his own (the bride) and she will receive him this time. Remember the signs seen throughout all the world, even in the Americas? Then his establishment of his church among his own, the Jews? His ministry? Then the signs of his crucifixion felt all over the world, the destruction, his appearance to the Nephites. Reverse it,......... the first shall be last and the last shall be first with the establishment of the Church of the Firstborn and the ministry in the middle (1/2 silence). Then just like he tread the winepress alone on the cros (father why hath thou forsaken me) and bleed from every pore, he will once again tread the winepress of the Almighy God alone and wear red garments (the blood) as he comes down to Old Jerusalem in the seventh trump when the wicked are destroyed. Just like there was a separation in the spirit world that occurred between the righteous and the wicked when he was crucified, there will be a separation of the wicked and righteous when he comes to OJ. Just reverse what happened before and apply your knowledge of things. FORGET what the secular religions have taught about Christ's coming. The great and abominable church took the plain and precious truths out of the bible that would have shown his appearance to the saint in NJ. That is why the Lord restored them in sec 88 with the trumps and with sec 45 showing the conversation with his disciples taking place in the spirit world.
Can you image someone who belonged to the church of England who believed and taught that Chirst was just a god with no parts who took upon him a body just to satisfy us humans, reading Sec 45 of the D&C? D&C (the true bible account) says Christ was in the flesh in the spirit world. Talk about a plain and precious truth to who Christ is!

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

2 Chronicles 29:17
17 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the Lord: so they sanctified the house of the Lord in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.
Leviticus 23:39
39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.
Nehemiah 8:18
18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner

Those who are into the feast, take a look at them. The first trump is a sabbath, where the first fruits are gathered in, the feast happens for seven trumps, than after the seven trumps, another sabbath.
Saints, first fruits gathered to Christ on the first trump, then after the seventh trump, another sabbath.
The first resurrection is not a one day event and it begins with the gathering of the first fruits on the first day which is a sabbath. It ends with another sabbath on the eight day.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

Exodus 34:22
22 ¶And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end.
1 Corinthians 15:23
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Deuteronomy 26:2
2 That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there.
Jacob 4:11
11 Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:98
98 They are Christ’s, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God.

The first trump The first sabbath

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

So which one would you want to be? The firstfruit or the one at his coming? His coming is noted as the seventh trump, his firstfruits are lifted up at the sound of the first trump.

[pjbrowniecaptain of 1,000]

The way to understand the Second Coming is revealed in Matthew 24 when his disciples asked about it. After discussing the events that would occur immediately after his death and resurrection, and the details of the Great Apostasy, he states:

26 For as the light of the morning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, and covereth the whole earth, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.

What this means is that Second Coming is a process. The concerns of Joseph Smith are illustrated over this is Bushman's biography. Preceding the Kirtland era, Joseph Smith's revelations were apocalyptic and millennial. There was a great concern that the Second Coming would be imminent, and that the building of the temple would initiate this wonderful event. Indeed, it did, for Christ came suddenly to His temple. The appearance at Kirtland signaled the first events of the Second Coming, "a light of the morning coming out of the east." This is the first evidence of dawn. Furthermore, after this event, Joseph's mind seemed quieted by the imminence of the Second Coming and he turned his attention towards Zion--the building up of Zion in preparation for the larger work of the restoration, the building of of the Kingdom of God upon earth in preparation for the larger events of His coming.

Christ in essence, comes several times.

1. The Kirtland Temple
2. Appearances to those who are prepared
3. Appearance at Adam Ondi Ahman
4. Appearance at the Zion temple similar to the appearance at the Bountiful temple in the Book of Mormon
5. Appearance to the Jews at the Mount of Olives
6. Coming in Glory to the whole earth

These events compromise the Second Coming, a light that rises our of the east going to the west until it fills the whole earth.

NGL's analysis appears correct to me. Trumps equal judgments--they may equal other things--but they are the arm of the Lord falling upon the nations--not a subtle event. You have a trump sounding loud and long, not subtle and long, followed by a period of quiet, then more judgments. This is the simplest explanation I can see and it's backed up by apostolic opinion on the matter.

NGL, I think what I've discovered here is the timing of the appearances of Christ at 3 and 4. They have always seemed a bit fluid to me, but now it seems to me that the AOA appearance is at the conclusion of the sixth seal, the sign of the Coming of the Son of Man, and the included trump judgment. Then you have the period of silence--the building up of Zion and the missionary work of the 144,000--then the appearances at the NJ temple and the start of the seven judgments accompanied by the first resurrection.

This is OUR Second Coming, is the one in which we have to do. Read the Book of Mormon and it will tell you. The coming to the Jews is for the Jews and the coming in Glory is really for folks like the Chinese. Our Coming is meant to come after a sign in the heavens and a series of calamities.

There is no discrepancy.

[NoGreaterLovecaptain of 1,000]

The way to understand the Second Coming is revealed in Matthew 24 when his disciples asked about it. After discussing the events that would occur immediately after his death and resurrection, and the details of the Great Apostasy, he states:

26 For as the light of the morning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, and covereth the whole earth, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.

What this means is that Second Coming is a process. The concerns of Joseph Smith are illustrated over this is Bushman's biography. Preceding the Kirtland era, Joseph Smith's revelations were apocalyptic and millennial. There was a great concern that the Second Coming would be imminent, and that the building of the temple would initiate this wonderful event. Indeed, it did, for Christ came suddenly to His temple. The appearance at Kirtland signaled the first events of the Second Coming, "a light of the morning coming out of the east." This is the first evidence of dawn. Furthermore, after this event, Joseph's mind seemed quieted by the imminence of the Second Coming and he turned his attention towards Zion--the building up of Zion in preparation for the larger work of the restoration, the building of of the Kingdom of God upon earth in preparation for the larger events of His coming.

Christ in essence, comes several times.

1. The Kirtland Temple
2. Appearances to those who are prepared
3. Appearance at Adam Ondi Ahman
4. Appearance at the Zion temple similar to the appearance at the Bountiful temple in the Book of Mormon
5. Appearance to the Jews at the Mount of Olives
6. Coming in Glory to the whole earth

These events compromise the Second Coming, a light that rises our of the east going to the west until it fills the whole earth.

NGL's analysis appears correct to me. Trumps equal judgments--they may equal other things--but they are the arm of the Lord falling upon the nations--not a subtle event. You have a trump sounding loud and long, not subtle and long, followed by a period of quiet, then more judgments. This is the simplest explanation I can see and it's backed up by apostolic opinion on the matter.

NGL, I think what I've discovered here is the timing of the appearances of Christ at 3 and 4. They have always seemed a bit fluid to me, but now it seems to me that the AOA appearance is at the conclusion of the sixth seal, the sign of the Coming of the Son of Man, and the included trump judgment. Then you have the period of silence--the building up of Zion and the missionary work of the 144,000--then the appearances at the NJ temple and the start of the seven judgments accompanied by the first resurrection.

This is OUR Second Coming, is the one in which we have to do. Read the Book of Mormon and it will tell you. The coming to the Jews is for the Jews and the coming in Glory is really for folks like the Chinese. Our Coming is meant to come after a sign in the heavens and a series of calamities.

There is no discrepancy.

Yes, I think we are in very similar agreement. The second coming is an ongoing process just like the destruction of the wicked is. The world sees it as a very short one time event. It is not so. The world says, he delays his coming to the end of the world. D&C 88 says he comes to the saints in the first trump and to the wicked in the seventh trump with a sabbath on the first trump and a sabbath after the seventh trump on the eighth day. This is the pattern set forth in Revelations. Notice the times when their is a sabbath (worshiping at the throne). That has always baffled me, now I understand. There are two sabbaths, one on the first day and one on the eighth. A description is given of AOA (sixth seal), the saints lifted up (first trump), and those at Christs coming (after seventh trump or eighth day), all in Revelations. The events seem similar, but have their differences.

[jsbcaptain of 10]

I was thinking a bit about how a half hour in heaven is 20 years on earth. If that is the case then an hour there is 40 years or so on earth. Strange to think that if you had an ancestor pass 40 years ago they have only been in heaven an hours time. That would mean as you die you could have relatives following you one after they other on heaven time.
Jesus died a little over 2000 years ago or almost 2 days in heaven. That means our time on earth is virtually nothing compared to eternal time. Does that sound correct?

[Oldemandaltoncaptain of 1,000]

jsb
I was thinking a bit about how a half hour in heaven is 20 years on earth. If that is the case then an hour there is 40 years or so on earth. Strange to think that if you had an ancestor pass 40 years ago they have only been in heaven an hours time. That would mean as you die you could have relatives following you one after they other on heaven time.
Jesus died a little over 2000 years ago or almost 2 days in heaven. That means our time on earth is virtually nothing compared to eternal time. Does that sound correct?

I think the one day in heaven equals a thousand years on earth is the relationship of time between the dwelling place of God, Kolob, and earth. Since the Spirit World is here on the earth I would think that a day here equals a day there. IMO

[ldsfireguycaptain of 100]

Just a half hour of quietude ... a reverential moment, filled with awe. It does not correspond to a lengthy period of time when nothing happens on the earth, when events subside, when revelation or inspiration cease, or diminish.

Simply a mark of the reverence in heaven for the moment.

[durangoutcaptain of 1,000]

HF is trying to make this as simple as possible.

I like this simple answer of the Lord in response to a simple question re: Rev 8.

DC77:12

Q. What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation?
A. ...... the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—(in other words)the preparing of the way BEFORE the time of his coming. [DC88 trumps sound AFTER the time of his coming]

This I can understand.

He had already come when JS said this, to a young man in a grove. Then later to the Kirkland temple. He comes suddenly to his temple in NJ, to AOA, to the Mount of Olives, etc.. Yes the trumps sound before he comes to the world, but not before he comes to the saints. If you want to be technical, the first trump does prepare the way for his coming to the saints who are ready to receive him, the second trump prepares the way for his coming to the saints in spirit prison who have repented. The trumps DO sound before the time of his coming. They do prepare the way. Which coming? They each are sounded to prepare the way for Christ. The funny thing is, I know you know that so I am not sure why you are saying what you said. His appearance to AOA to the saints in NJ happens before the second trump sounds. Carlos, for a man who knows symbolism, I am surprised you do not see the correlation between the trumps in 88 and Rev. No offense intended, just surprised. I thought out of all the people on this forum, you would see it.

Let me ask you this. What is the sea and the sand represent in the following passage?
Jeremiah 5:22

22 Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.

Or this one.
Isaiah 51:15

15 But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name.

They are in similitude of this.
Exodus 14:21

21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

The sea denotes a place of destruction. The waves would be those who make up that place. The sand represents the bounds set so the waves can not pass a certain location. The waves are always pushing against the sand trying to go beyond the bounds set by it. The sand is also something that hides an object that is buried in it. So although literally the Lord did set the bounds of the sea by the sand of the shore, he also did something spiritually that represented by this symbolism.
That same thing exists in the trumps in Rev., both a spiritual and literal interpretation, both being the same to the Lord because all things are spiritual unto him.

Now apply the same application to the trumps. There is both a spiritual and literal fulfillment of these things.
And as far as taking things only on symbolism. Search the destructions prophesied before the 1/2 of silence in D&C 88 and see if those exact same things did not happen when he was born and when he was crucified. You will see they did, literally.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the "sea" represents people. Take a look at the following verses"

Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the ajudgment of the great bwhore that sitteth upon many cwaters:
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Isa 17:12 ¶Woe to athe multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a arolling thing before the whirlwind.

Jer 51: 41 How is aSheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!
42 The sea is come up upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof.

Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
3 And four great abeasts came up from the bsea, diverse one from another.

Psm 65:7 Which astilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

You might want to reasses some of your conclusions.

[LDSguycaptain of 100]

I have been led to believe the 1/2 hour of silence refers to a time of false calm after the great upheavals and tribulations, when the nations of the earth will complete their march into wickedness and the Saints will be left to mourn for the wicked and perfect themselves in preparation for the coming of the Lord.

Sounds like most days for me.

[Matthew.Bcaptain of 100]

I have been led to believe the 1/2 hour of silence refers to a time of false calm after the great upheavals and tribulations, when the nations of the earth will complete their march into wickedness and the Saints will be left to mourn for the wicked and perfect themselves in preparation for the coming of the Lord.

Sounds like most days for me.

Haha... We haven't seen anything yet. Nor have we endured real persecution yet, nor have (m)any of us been sufficiently sanctified yet.

[Captain Gcaptain of 10]

I have read a lot of information on this topic and I will give you my point of view. The half hour of silence is actually a transition period. During this time the kingdoms of this world will be transformed into the kingdom of our Lord. Starting with America, once all kingdoms have come under his rule and the covenants made with mortal man are complete, the Lord will transform the earth and it's inhabitants into a terrestrial condition. Read D&C 77: 12. The 21 year is equal to the half hour of silence and there will be blood shed and famine and death everywhere during this time. But there will be a refuge for the saints that are faithful and strong.

[Captain Gcaptain of 10]

The half hour of silence has not started. There is to many things that have to happen before it starts. There will be war and blood shed and famine through out the land. The First Apperance will be at Adam ondi Ahman and that will be a secret meeting for the priesthood keys to be transfered from Adam to Jesus Christ. Adam will still hold his position over the Human Family here on earth. That will be the opening of the Seventh Seal. Then we will have 7 years from that time for the city of New Jersulam to be built for the gathering of the 10 tribes and also the ones that were hidden from us will come forward with there prophet and scriptures. Then we have 7 years until Armageddon there Jesus will save 1/3 of the Jews and finally 7 more years until the Savior comes in his glory. How I came with the number seven read Ezekiel 39: 1-12. But read espicially verse 9. I have studied the second coming for a long time. Pray and study the scriptures and you will find the answer. The number 7 is used through out the book of John. The number 7 also represents wholeness, completness and perfection.