What's in the Bible? Signs of the Second Coming: Apostasy and The Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ

John the Revelator prophesied concerning the apostasy of the ancient church and of its restoration in the latter days. He was not the only biblical prophet to do so. The Bible contains extensive prophecy concerning it, including the words of Jacob, Joseph, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Peter and Paul. I wanted to put special emphasis on the words of John the Revelator here because the Restoration is in fact a sign of the Second Coming - one that has been and is still being fulfilled. 


 Apostasy of the Early Church

John speaks repeatedly about apostasy of the church and that it would be restored in latter days:

"...the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness , where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." (Revelation 12:4-6)

"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." (Revelation 13:4-7)

It is widely believed that the dragon symbolizes Satan. Some speculate that the child is the Savior. But since the woman is widely believed to be the Church, and since Jewish sons had a sacred responsibility to take care of their mothers, it makes more sense for her man-child offspring who "[rules] all nations by [the word of God]" (see 1 Nephi 11:25, Doctrine & Covenants 121:39-44) to be the authority to establish and maintain the Church of Jesus Christ. That the prophet and apostles were removed from the earth so soon after its founding supports and constitutes fulfillment of this prophecy. (see Ephesians 2:13-22) Without her "son", the church could not function. Instead of repenting and pleading with the Lord to resume calling prophets and apostles as needed (see Deuteronomy 34:8-9,  Amos 3:7, Acts 1:23-26, Acts 9:1-30, Hebrews 13:8)  the remnants of the church, together with the Roman government, set up councils to decide doctrine. (see Isaiah 29:9-10, Amos 8:11) The 1,260 days or forty-two months adds up to three and a half years. The number seven represents perfection or completion. Three and a half is half of seven, and represents a time when evil is allowed to work before the Lord responds and restores His people. In other words, John spoke of his own time in which Rome had power over all nations, kindreds, tongues and people and made war with the saints. He prophesied of a time in which Satan would be given power to overcome the saints (to destroy the church) and commit all manner of blasphemy and wickedness.

John tells us he and other prophets from antiquity would be called upon to participate in the latter-day gathering of Israel. He tells us the fullness of the gospel will again be on the earth at the time when the hundred and forty-four are being gathered.

"...the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." (Revelation 10:8-11)

While John experienced the joy of testifying of the gospel, he also saw the bitterness of the suffering of the saints of his time because of their faith. Joseph Smith asked the Lord what the "little book" was, and this is His answer:

"...it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias [a reference to prophecy and revelation in general], who, as it is written, must come and restore all things." (Doctrine and Covenants 77:14) John the Revelator was not the only one to prophesy concerning the apostasy of the Lord's church. (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3 for one of many examples)


The Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in Latter Days

In both Revelation 7 and 14, John connects the hundred and forty-four thousand with a restoration of the gospel in the latter days. The Lord reaffirms this connection in latter-day revelation:

"...the angel ascending from the east is he to whom is given the seal of the living God over the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, he crieth unto the four angels having the everlasting gospel, saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things... [these events] are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand years, or the opening of the sixth seal." (Doctrine and Covenants 77:9-10, compare Revelation 7:2-3)

"For behold, the Lord God hath sent forth the angel crying through the midst of heaven, saying: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight, for the hour of his coming is nigh—When the Lamb shall stand upon Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father’s name written on their foreheads." (Doctrine & Covenants 133:17-18)

In Revelation 14, John sees the hundred and forty-four thousand "harping with their harps" and "singing a new song" that only they could learn. Immediately following that, John 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, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 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." (Revelation 14:6-7)

Contrary to what men have long supposed, it is very evident that one sign of the Second Coming is the return of angels, bringing the fullness of the everlasting gospel afresh. (see Acts 3:19) Compare this with the Lord's words which He spoke in latter days:

"And now, verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth. And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.  And 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..." (Doctrine & Covenants 133:36-39, see also section 27)

President Uchtdorf - Are You Sleeping Through the Restoration?

For a more in-depth discussion of the Apostasy and Restoration see my articles:

General Apostasy & Restoration Foretold (in the Bible)

General Apostasy & Restoration Fulfilled (as recorded in latter-day scripture)

It follows that if, because of iniquity, the devil was allowed to take the priesthood from the earth, as previously discussed, it would have to be restored in order for there to be gathered a great multitude of priesthood holders and leaders in the last days. For more information about the restoration of the priesthood, see my articles:

LDS Lower Light: Offices of the Priesthood (in the Bible) 
LDS Lower Light: Offices of the Priesthood (as restored in latter-day scripture, for comparison


Many prophets foretold the day when Israel would once again be gathered, both literally and spiritually - a day when the gospel as given to Moses and again by Jesus in the flesh would be restored to the earth. (for a few examples, see Isaiah 49:22-23, Romans 11:17-25, 1 Nephi 15:12-18)  

What's in the Bible? The Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand

John the Revelator prophesies concerning the sealing of 144,000 in their foreheads and the restoration of the gospel in the latter days. Let's look at his words from both Revelation chapters 7 and 14.

The Meaning of The Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand

Sealed in Their Foreheads

John tells us:

"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads." (Revelation 14:1, compare Doctrine & Covenants 133:18)

"And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand." (Revelation 7:1-8)

In the scriptures, the word "forehead" is used a handful of times in a way that denotes loyalty or allegiance or what we're trying to become in a moral sense. Here are some examples:

" I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads." (Ezekiel 3:8)

"...thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed." (Jeremiah 3:3)

Leprosy, often used in the Bible as a symbol of great spiritual  uncleanness, was said to start in the forehead:

"Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh; He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head." (Leviticus 13:43-44)

"And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites..." (Alma 3:4) 

Also, anciently, when sending a letter, people affixed their seal in order to identify themselves, or they had a scribe affix their seal in their behalf. In other words, people who have been "sealed in the foreheads" and "have the name of God written in their foreheads" are people who identify as His loyal believers and followers and are authorized to act in His behalf.

In latter-day revelation, the Lord has described the hundred and forty-four thousand this way: 

"For whoso is faithful unto [obtaining the priesthood] of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God. And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood." (Doctrine & Covenants 84:33-39, emphasis added)

In other words, those who receive the ancient priesthoods of Aaron and of Melchizedek are sealed in their foreheads.

 

Hebrew Numerology: Twelve and Thousand

In Hebrew numerology, the number twelve signifies the power and authority of God. A thousand signifies many or a great multitutde. The number one hundred forty and four thousand can be divided by both twelve and one thousand. In other words, in a general sense, this prophecy foretells that in the last days, there will be a great body of priesthood holders on the earth. The multiplying of twelve by twelve signifies the "authority of the authority". In other words, this is a reference to priesthood leadership.

Joseph Smith asked the Lord what the hundred and forty-four thousand meant, and this was His answer:

"...those who are sealed are high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; for they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn." ( Doctrine and Covenants 77:11)

In other words, the "sealing" spoken of in Revelation 7 and 14 is actually an ordination to the priesthood, an advancement to the office of high priest after the order of Melchizedek. In latter-day revelation, we learn that the office of high priest is an office of leadership and administration, an office of presiding when no higher authority is present. (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:9-12) John gives us this description of the hundred and forty-four thousand:

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:4-5)

This  is reminiscent of language used to describe high priests elsewhere in scripture.

Here are some examples:

"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way... Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.. [a reference to Christ as the ultimate High Priest but nonetheless true of all high priests]... strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (see Hebrews 5:1-14)

"I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people... [they are] called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works... having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such... this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts... they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb." (Alma 13:1-11)

It follows that in order for this to occur, the ancient priesthood has to be on the earth. Isaiah prophesied that the "root of Jesse" - a reference to the Savior and also to the priesthood - would be restored in the latter days. This restoration would signal the establishment of the last dispensation, the fulness of the gentiles, the spiritual and literal gathering of Israel:

"And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isaiah 11:10-12, see also D&C 113:5-6)

Malachi prophesied and John the Baptist, Peter, James, John, Elias, and Elijah fulfilled this prophesy in the years 1829-1836:

"Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." 

(Joseph Smith History 1:38, compare Malachi 4:5) 

Both the spiritual gathering of Israel by the Gentiles and the literal gathering of Israel on the shores of the Mediterraean Sea continue to this day. 

For more about the literal and spiritual gathering of Israel, see my articles: 

Signs of the Second Coming: Apostasy and The Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ
General Apostasy and Restoration Foretold 
General Apostasy and Restoration Fulfilled


Harpers Singing A New Song

"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." (Revelation 14:2-5)

This "new song" was given as part of a revelation which Latter-Day Saints call the "Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. (see D&C 84:98-102) 

John seems to indicate that the high priests -  the hundred and forty-four thousand - have experienced a change of heart and striven to maintain it, to keep their garments clean and white, having been made such by the blood of the Lamb.

For a more detailed discussion of the priesthood as described in the Bible and as restored in latter-days, see my articles:

LDS Lower LIght: Priesthood Offices in The Ancient Church (Bible)
LDS Lower Light: Priesthood Offices in The Latter-Day Church (latter-day scripture, for comparison)
 

The Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand and The Opening of the Seventh Seal

John seems to indicate that the Lord will use the hundred and forty-four thousand as a gauge to determine the degree to which the wheat and tares have been separated. (see Matthew 13:24-30, Doctrine & Covenants 86, 101:65-66, Revelation 7:9-17) The destruction to which John refers in various places throughout Revelation chapters 7 and 14 has a severity to it that is reserved for the seventh seal. In other words, when there are no more new converts being ordained to the priesthood and no more advancements to the office of high priest in the Melchizedek priesthood, we can know that the literal and spiritual gathering of latter-day Israel is complete for the purposes of His coming as signified by John's reference to all twelve tribes in Revelation 7. Given this injunction to the angels not to hurt the earth or the sea until the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand in their foreheads is complete, it stands to reason that the restoration, followed by this inevitable hiatus in the accumulation of priesthood authority, will trigger the opening of the seventh seal. (see Revelation 14:8-20)


God Shall Wipe All Tears From Their Eyes

We tend to think of this event as a frightening thing, given the destruction that is prophesied to occur in conjunction with it. One thing that really sticks out is John's warning to those who worship the beast:

"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." (Revelation 14:9-11)

There has been much debate about what "the beast" represents. For what it's worth, I believe the beast to be the combination of all evil-inspired powers in the earth: the media, the political machinery, the government, social pressure to conform to the world's wicked ways. In short, the beast is anyone who serves evil and uses their influence to corrupt society and destroy people's faith, freedoms and prosperity. 

But then, John makes these promises to those whose faith is in the Lord:

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus... Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them..." 

He continues, promising deliverance from wickedness when the earth is reaped. (see Revelation 14:14-20)

But for the saints, the best part is what happens after that:

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:9-17)

 

When I began my study of the book of Revelation, I thought my mind would be filled with worrisome thoughts about what is to come. But just the opposite is true: the longer I study this stuff, the more I feel that although there are plenty of hard times still ahead, the good stuff that comes after it is just around the corner!

 
Also of Interest

New Era May 1973 - Revelation: The Plainest Book Ever Written
New Testament Student Manual: Revelation


LDS Lower Light: The Oath and Covenant of The Priesthood