_Chap_. 14. the Lamb standing on Mount Zion; the Gospel preached; the
fall of Babylon.
_Chap_. 15. the seven angels with the seven last plagues; the seven
vials full of wrath.
_Chap_. 16. the angels pour out their vials full of wrath; the coming
of Christ.
_Chap_. 17. great Babylon represented by a woman.
_Chap_. 18. the fall of Babylon; the gathering of the Saints.
_Chap_. 19. the blood of the Saints avenged; the marriage of the Lamb;
the fowls called to the great slaughter.
_Chap_. 20. Satan bound for a thousand years; he is let loose again;
Gog and Magog; the last resurrection.
_Chap_. 21. a new heaven and a new earth; the heavenly Jerusalem.
_Chap_. 22. the river and tree of life.
Book of Mormon.
1 _Nephi_ 1. 6 there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before
Lehi.
8 Lehi was overcome by the Spirit and carried away in a vision, in
which he saw many things.
3. 2, 3 Lehi commanded, in a dream, to send his sons to Jerusalem for
the record of the Jews.
_Chap_. 8. Lehi's vision of the tree with the white fruit, the river
and the rod of iron, and of a great and spacious building.
_Chap_. 11. Nephi's vision of the Son of Man, his ministry, sufferings
and death.
_Chap_. 12. Nephi's vision of his own seed, the seed of his brethren,
and of the promised land.
_Chap_. 13. Nephi's vision of the Gentile nations across the "many
waters," of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, and of
many other great events that were to take place in the future.
18. 2 Nephi built the ship after the manner the Lord had shown him.
2 _Nephi_ 1. 4 Lehi had a vision in which he knew that Jerusalem was
destroyed.
_Mos_. 27. 11-13 an angel of God descended in a cloud and appeared to
Alma.
SIGNS AND TOKENS.
Signs may or may not be miraculous manifestations. They may indicate
something that has taken place, and also be a token of a continuance of
some certain blessing. For instance, the Lord covenanted with Noah, and
with every living creature, that he would not again destroy all flesh
from the earth with a flood.
As a token of this covenant the Lord said to Noah, "I do set my bow in
the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the
earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth,
that the bow shall be seen in the cloud." The Lord further assured
Noah, "And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that
I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living
creature of all flesh that is upon the earth;" _Gen_. 9. 9-17.
They may also indicate that certain things shall take place
periodically, as "God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the
heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and
for seasons, and for days, and for years;" 1. 14.
The prophets have foretold signs that should precede great events that
were to take place on the earth. Speaking of the birth of our Savior,
the prophet Isaiah says, "The Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son;" 7. 14.
The Lamanite prophet, Samuel, foretold to the Nephites in the city
of Zarahemla, that for two days and one night preceding the birth of
Christ there should be no darkness, and that a new star should arise,
such an one as the Nephites had never before beheld; _Hel_. 14. 3, 5.
These signs appeared as Samuel predicted; 3 _Nephi_ 1. 13-21.
He also predicted terrible judgments that should destroy the wicked
among the Nephites and Lamanites when the Savior should die.
Simultaneously with that event there should be thunderings, lightnings,
tempests and earthquakes. These should continue for many hours, and
darkness should cover the land for three days; _Hel_. 14. 21-27.
_Chapters_ 8, 9, and 10, of 3 _Nephi_, give us a very vivid description
of these judgments that were predicted by Samuel.
In the sacred writings, many signs are predicted that should precede
the coming of the Son of Man, in the latter days. The Jewish apostles
of our Savior manifested great interest in this matter. On a certain
occasion when Jesus sat upon the Mount of Olives, they asked concerning
the destruction of Jerusalem; after which they especially inquired,
"What is the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?" _P. of G.
P., page_ 38.
Jesus first answered them concerning the destruction of the Temple
and the Jews. He told his disciples that they should be afflicted and
killed, and be hated of all nations for his name's sake. "Then shall
many be offended, and shall betray one another; and many false prophets
shall arise, and shall deceive many; and because iniquity shall abound,
the love of many shall wax cold; but he that remaineth steadfast and is
not overcome, the same shall be saved."
"When you, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken
of by Daniel the prophet, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem
(_Dan_. 12. 11), then you shall stand in the holy place." In this
paragraph, continuing on to _page_ 39, Christ says, "In those days,
shall be great tribulation on the Jews, and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, such as was not before sent upon Israel of God, since the
beginning of their kingdom until this time; no, nor ever shall be sent
again upon Israel."
After these judgments should come upon Jerusalem and the Jews, then
false Christs and prophets should arise, and shew great signs and
wonders, insomuch that they would deceive the Elect according to the
covenant, if it were possible.
Then he assures his disciples that they shall hear of wars and rumors
of wars, but he assures them that will not be the end. For afterwards
there will be those who will predict the coming of the Son of Man. He
tells his disciples that they need not be deceived with regard to this
great event, "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." That is, the indications of his
coming will be so unmistakable that they need not be deceived.
One very significant sign of his coming, he stated would be, that his
Elect should be gathered from the four quarters of the earth. Through
the instrumentality of Joseph Smith and the Holy Priesthood, this
great work is now going on: "And they," that is those who are being
gathered, "shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars, * * for nation
shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall be
famine, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places; and again,
(for the second time) because iniquity shall abound, the love of many
shall wax cold." Again Jesus gave the assurance that he who was not
overcome should be saved: "And again"--that is when the Elect are being
gathered and judgments were being poured out upon the nations for the
second time--"This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come,"
or the destruction of the wicked; "and again"--that is for the second
time--"shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the
prophet, be fulfilled. And immediately after the tribulation of those
days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall
be shaken; verily, I say unto you, this generation, in which these
things shall be shewn forth, shall not pass away until all I have told
you shall be fulfilled. * * * After the tribulation of those days,
and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken; then shall appear the
sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the
earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of
heaven, with power and great glory;" _P. of G. P., pages_ 38-40.
This translation of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, commencing
with the last verse of the twenty-third chapter, by Joseph Smith,
the Seer, is both very interesting and instructive to the student of
theology. It contains much more than can be made to appear in a short
sketch like this.
Every dispensation of the Priesthood has been characterized by
miracles, by signs, and wonders, and none more than this, the
dispensation of the fulness of times. It was to be opened up by
an angel who should fly through the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting Gospel to preach to the nations of the earth; _Rev_. 14. 6.
An angel, named Moroni, has come and brought forth to the world the
Book of Mormon, which contains the fulness of the everlasting Gospel;
_P. of G. P., pages_ 49-53. It is the same Gospel that was preached
by Jesus and his apostles. Thus, the saying of the Savior to his
disciples upon the Mount of Olives is being fulfilled: "This Gospel of
the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come;" _Matt_. 24. 14. Israel is being
gathered from the four quarters of the earth in fulfilment of numerous
predictions of the ancient prophets.
Jesus, also, told his disciples that they should hear of wars and
rumors of wars. "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in divers places;" _verses_ 6, 7. The world is witness
that these sayings are being fulfilled.
These are only a few of the many signs and tokens that the coming
of the Son of Man in power and great glory is near at hand. Signs
and tokens will increase as manifestations that God is at work among
the nations. Only those who have faith in God will comprehend their
meaning. He has promised his saints that it should be given them to
understand the signs of the times; _Doc & Cov_. 68. 11.
The wicked are ever seeking after signs, but they have no faith in the
Giver, and therefore their motives are evil. Jesus said, "An evil and
adulterous generation seeketh after a sign;" _Matt_. 12. 39. We are
promised that signs shall follow the believer; _Mark_ 16. 17-20. This
promise is not limited to any specified time or place; but extends to
all believers. They are nowhere promised to the unbeliever except for a
testimony against them; for the Lord has said, "He that seeketh signs,
shall see signs, but not unto salvation;" _Doc. & Cov_., 63. 7.
Signs are a gift of God, and, to be beneficial to those who receive
them, they must come by faith; "Signs come by faith, not by the will of
men, nor as they please, but by the will of God;" _verse_ 10. Hence,
they are a blessing to the believer, but not to those who would treat
with contempt a manifestation of the power and goodness of God.
Bible.
_Exo_. 4. 17 thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou
shalt do signs.
12. 13 and the blood shall be for a token upon the houses.
_Deut_. 13. 1, 2 if a prophet or a dreamer of dreams give thee a sign
or a wonder.
28. 46 they shall be upon thee and thy seed forever for a sign and for
a wonder.
_Dan_. 4. 3 how great are his signs, and how mighty his wonders.
6. 27 he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and on earth.
_Matt_. 12. 38 Master, we would see a sign from thee.
16. 1 desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 3.
_Mark_ 8. 11, 12 seeking of him a sign from heaven.
13. 4 what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
22.
_Luke_ 2. 34 for a sign that shall be spoken against.
21. 11 fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 25.
_John_ 2. 18 what sign shewest thou unto us?
4. 48 except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe.
6. 30 what sign shewest thou that we may see and believe thee?
_Acts_ 2. 19 I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the
earth beneath. 43.
4. 30 that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Jesus. 5. 12.
_Chap_. 14. 3.
_Rom_. 4. 11 received the sign of circumcision, a seal of righteousness.
1 _Cor_. 1. 22 for the Jews require a sign.
2 _Thess_. 2. 9 with all powers, and signs, and lying wonders.
_Rev_. 15. 1 I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous.
Book of Mormon.
1 _Nephi_ 19. 10 Zenos spake of three days' darkness, a sign of the
death of Christ.
11 after Messiah shall come there shall be signs given to all Israel.
_Jacob_ 7. 3, 14 Sherem said, shew a sign by this power of the Holy
Ghost.
_Mos_. 3. 15 many signs, wonders, types and shadows shewed he unto them.
_Alma_ 32. 17 many who say, shew us a sign from heaven and we shall
believe.
37. 27 all these signs and wonders ye shall retain from this people.
_Hel_. 16. 13 in the nineteenth year of the judges were great signs and
wonders.
3 _Nephi_ 2. 1 the people began to forget the signs and wonders they
had seen.
8 the Nephites began to reckon time from the appearing of the sign.
11. 2 the people conversed about Jesus Christ and the sign of his death.
21. 2 this is the thing I will give to you for a sign.
7 be a sign to them that the work of the Father hath commenced.
_Ether_ 4. 18 and signs shall follow those that believe.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 39. 23 and they shall be looking forth for the signs of my
coming.
45. 16 as ye have asked of me concerning the signs of my coming. 39, 40.
46. 9 not for a sign that he may consume it on his lusts.
58. 64 the Gospel must be preached to every creature, with signs
following.
63. 9 faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.
10, 12.
68. 10 he that believeth shall be blest with signs following.
11 to you it shall be given to know the signs of the times.
84. 65 these signs shall follow those that believe.
88. 93 immediately there shall appear a great sign in heaven, and all
people shall see it together.
124. 98 these signs shall follow him.
ANGELS.
Angels have acted an important part in every dispensation of the
Priesthood. An angel first preached the Gospel of faith on the Son
of God to Adam; _P. of G. P., page_ 9. An angel of the Lord called
to Abraham; _Gen_. 22. 11. An angel first attracted the attention
of Moses to the burning bush; _Ex_. 3. 2. Their ministrations are
often mentioned in the Old Testament history of ancient Israel. They
were a prominent feature in the opening history of the New Testament
dispensation. An angel appeared to Zacharias, the father of John the
Baptist, and foretold his birth; _Luke_ 1. 11, 12.
The angel Gabriel appeared to the virgin Mary and foretold the birth of
the Savior; _verse_ 31. An angel appeared to the shepherds, bringing
the joyful news of a Savior's birth; 2. 10, 11. One warned Joseph to
flee into Egypt to save the life of the child Jesus, and to return
again after the death of Herod; _Matt_. 2. 13-15. According to the
writings of the apostles they continued their ministrations, at least
until John wrote his Revelation, for he was commanded to write to the
angel of each of the seven churches of Asia; _Chapters_ 2. 3.
According to prophecy, angels were to act an important part in the
dispensation of the fulness of times. The dispensation was to be opened
by one, for John the Revelator says, "And I saw another angel fly in
the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them
that dwell on the earth;" _Rev_. 14. 6.
There is abundant evidence that an angel, calling himself Moroni,
came to Joseph Smith, Jun., and taught him the principle and power of
revelation from God, made known to him the real condition of the world,
and when he had properly instructed him, delivered to him the record
from which the Book of Mormon was translated by the power of God,
containing the fulness of the everlasting Gospel; _P. of G. P., pages_
49-54.
The angel, John the Baptist, ordained Joseph Smith and O. Cowdery to
the Priesthood of Aaron, "Which holds the keys of _the ministering of
angels_, and of the Gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion
for the remission of sins;" _Doc. & Cov_., 13. From this second angel
they received authority to preach the Gospel, revealed by the first
angel, and to minister in its ordinances among all nations, thus
fulfilling the prophetic vision of St. John.
Angels are to accompany Jesus Christ when he shall come in the glory of
his Father; _Matt_. 16. 27. They are to gather the elect from the four
quarters of the earth; 24. 31. The inspired writings, and especially
the Revelation of St. John, assures us that they will act an important
part in the great work of the latter days. There can be no truly Gospel
church in which their ministrations are not recognized.
ANGEL OF THE LORD.
Bible.
_Gen_. 16. 7 an angel of the Lord found Hagar by a fountain.
28. 12 angels of God ascended and descended.
_Exo_. 14. 19 the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel,
removed and went behind them.
_Judges_ 2. 4 when the angel of the Lord spake these words to the
children of Israel.
6. 11 there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak.
12 an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon.
13. 3 an angel of the Lord appeared to the mother of Samson.
2 _Kings_ 19. 35 the angel of the Lord smote and killed 185,000 of the
Assyrians.
1 _Chron_. 22. 12 the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the
coasts of Israel.
30 David was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the Lord.
_Psalm_ 34. 7 the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that
fear him.
_Matt_. 28. 2 the angel of the Lord rolled back the stone from the door.
_Luke_ 2. 8, 9 the angel of the Lord came upon the shepherds.
_Acts_ 5. 19 the angel of the Lord, by night, opened the prison doors.
8. 26 the angel of the Lord spake unto Phillip.
12. 23 the angel of the Lord smote Herod.
27. 23 there stood by me, this night, the angel of God.
Book of Mormon.
1 _Nephi_ 3. 29 as they smote us with a rod, an angel of the Lord stood
before them.
_Mos_. 27. 11-18 the angel of the Lord appeared to Alma and the sons of
Mosiah.
_Alma_ 9. 25 that ye may not be destroyed, the Lord hath sent his angel.
10. 7-11 an angel of the Lord appeared to me and said, Amulek!
24. 14 in his mercy he visits us by his angels.
_Hel_. 5. 11 he hath sent his angels to declare the conditions of
repentance.
14. 26 angel said to me, there should be thunderings and lightnings for
many hours. 28.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 63. 54 in that day will I send mine angels to pluck out the
wicked.
103. 19, 20 I say not to you as I said to your fathers, mine angel
shall go before you.
MINISTERING ANGELS.
Book of Mormon.
_Jacob_ 7. 17 the power of the Holy Ghost and the ministering of angels.
_Moroni_ 7. 25 by ministering of angels, men began to exercise faith in
Christ. 29, 30.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 7. 6, 7 I will make him as a flaming fire and a ministering
angel.
43. 25 called on you by my servants, and the ministering of angels.
67. 13 not able to abide the presence of God, neither the ministering
of angels.
76. 88 the telestial receive it of the ministering of angels.
132. 16 but are appointed angels in heaven, which are ministering
servants. 17-20.
136. 37 whom I did call upon by mine angels, my ministering servants.
Miscellaneous passages.
_Gen_. 19. 1 there came two angels to Sodom at even.
48. 16 the angel which redeemed me from all evil bless the lads.
_Exo_. 23. 20 I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way.
_Num_. 20. 16 sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt.
2 _Sam_. 24. 16 when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to
destroy it.
1 _Kings_ 19. 5 an angel touched Elijah and said, arise and eat.
2 _Chron_. 32. 21 Lord sent an angel which cut off all the mighty men.
_Psalm_ 8. 5 man made a little lower than the angels. _Heb_. 2. 7, 9.
68. 17 the chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of
angels.
78. 25 man did eat angels' food.
_Dan_. 9. 21 Gabriel touched Daniel about the time of the evening
oblation. 10. 4-14, 20, 21.
_Matt_. 4. 11 angels came and ministered to Christ.
13. 39 the harvest is the end of the world: the reapers are the angels.
49.
18. 10 their angels do always behold the face of my Father.
24. 36 of that day knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven.
25. 31 Son of Man shall come, and all the holy angels with him.
26. 53 he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels.
_Mark_ 8. 38 when he cometh in the glory of the Father, with the holy
angels. _Luke_ 9. 26.
12. 25 nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels.
_Luke_ 1. 19 the angel said to Zacharias, I am Gabriel, that stand in
the presence of God.
26 the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee.
16. 22 was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom.
22. 43 there appeared an angel to Jesus, strengthening him.
_Acts_ 7. 53 who received the law by dispensation of angels.
10. 22 was warned from God, by an holy angel, to send for thee.
_Rom_. 8. 38 I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels.
1 _Cor_. 6. 3 know ye not that we shall judge angels?
_Gal_. 1. 8 though we or an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel.
2 _Thess_. 1. 7 Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his
mighty angels.
1 _Tim_. 5. 21 I charge thee before God and the elect angels.
_Heb_. 1. 4 being made so much better than the angels. 7.
2. 5 for unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to
come? 16.
12. 22 the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.
13. 2 not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares.
_Rev_. 5. 2 saw a strong angel proclaiming, who is worthy to open the
book. 11. _Chap_. 7. 1. _Chap_. 8. 3. _Chap_. 10. 1, 5-10. _Chap_. 11.
15. _Chap_. 12. 7.
14. 6 I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth. 8, 10,
15. _Chap_. 15. 6, 7. _Chap_. 17. 1. _Chap_. 18. 1. 21. _Chap_. 19. 17.
21. 12 had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels. 17.
Book of Mormon.
1 _Nephi_ 13. 40 the angel said, these last records shall establish the
truth of the first.
19. 8 he cometh according to the words of the angel, six hundred years
from the time my father left Jerusalem. 10.
2 _Nephi_ 6. 9 scourge and crucify him, according to the words of the
angel. 11.
10. 3 the last night the angel said he should be called Christ. 25. 19.
32. 2, 3 angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost.
_Alma_ 9. 21 having been visited by the Spirit of God, having conversed
with angels. 12. 29.
13. 22 the Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it to all
nations. 24-26.
29. 1 Oh, that 1 were an angel, that I might cry repentance to every
people.
32. 23 now he imparteth his words, by angels, unto men, women and
children.
_Hel_. 16. 14 angels appeared to wise men and declared unto them glad
tidings of great joy.
3 _Nephi_ 7. 18 so great was the faith of Nephi, that angels ministered
unto him daily.
17. 24 they saw angels descending out of heaven and encircling the
little ones.
Doctrine and Covenants.
_Sec_. 38. 12 the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the
earth.
88. 92 and angels shall fly through the midst of heaven sounding the
trump of God. 96-107.
112 Michael, the seventh angel, shall gather together his armies.
128. 20 Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the
prophets.
129. 1 angels are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and
bones. 5.
130. 4-7 no angels minister to this earth but those that belong to it.
Pearl of Great Price.
_Page_ 9. after many days an angel of the Lord appeared to Adam.
12. the Gospel was preached from the beginning, being declared by
angels.
27. the angel of the Lord's presence stood by Abraham.
29. thou didst send thine angel to deliver me from the gods of Elkanah.
38. who cometh in the clouds of heaven, and the holy angels with him.
40. he shall send his angels before him with the sound of a trumpet.
FALLEN ANGELS.
Bible.
_Psalm_ 78. 49 he cast upon them the fierceness of his wrath,
indignation and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
_Matt_. 25. 41 depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,
prepared for the devil and his angels.
2 _Cor_. 11. 14 for Satan, himself, is transformed into an angel of
light.
2 _Peter_ 2. 4 if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them
down to hell.
_Jude_ 6. angels which kept not their first estate he hath reserved in
everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day.
_Rev_. 9. 11 a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit.
12. 9 the great dragon was cast out, and his angels with him.
Book of Mormon.
2 _Nephi_ 2. 17 must needs suppose that an angel of God fell from
heaven.
9. 8 our spirits must be subject to that angel who fell. 16.
_Jacob_ 3. 11 that they may not become angels to the devil.
_Mos_. 26. 27 shall depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil
and his angels.
_Alma_ 30. 53 hath deceived me, for he appeared in the form of an angel.