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