Vs. 1 – Remember that only Christ can open the seals by virtue of His atonement.
Notice that the four beasts introduced in 4:6-8 are used as messengers. The 1st beast was lion-like. (See 4:7) D&C 77:6 & 7
Vs. 2 - The horse is used principally as a symbol of war and conquest.
White is the symbol for purity and victory
The probability that Enoch is riding on the white horse is supported by the description of power that was given of him in Moses 7:13-18. The man on the horse may also well represent others in the first thousand years. We learn about Enoch from the JST. The KJV has 119 words about Enoch. The JST 5240!
The bow is a symbol for war. The crown is likely the “Stephanos” the crown of victory
Vs. 3 – The second beast was the one likened unto a calf (ox). See Moses 8:22, 28, 29 & Moses 6:28-29. This is the dispensation of Noah
Vs. 4 - The red horse is a symbol of war and bloodshed
The person riding on the horse is thought by some to be the devil himself. Note the cross reference to D&C 1:35
The sword is probably a symbol for war in this verse.
Vs. 5 – The third beast had a face like a man (4:7)
This dispensation was headed by Abraham
The black horse appears to be a symbol for famine & hunger
The pair of balances would be used to measure out food in times of famine
Vs. 6 – A measure of wheat would be about a quart. It would be an adult’s daily ration
A penny (a Roman silver denarius) would be the wages of a worker for one day.
Barley was the food of the destitute. For a days wages a person would be able to feed himself wheat for a day or a family of three barley.
The preservation of the oil and the wine is an apparent demonstration of the Lord’s mercy in that the plants with deep roots are spared.
The period of time from 2000-1200 BC is called by Historians “Volk(s-er) wanderungenzeit the time of people’s wandering. (Draper, p. 65)
Vs. 7 – The 4th seal was dominated by the great empires; Assyria, Babylon , Persia
Vs. 8 - The “pale horse” would be a sickly green in color (Gk. Chloros) and a reminder of a corpse or death. Note that Death is riding the horse and Hell is behind him
The fraction ¼ is an indication of significant, but limited destruction
Note four ways to die. See Ezek. 14:21 where “pestilence” substitutes for death.
Joseph Smith taught, “John saw beasts that had to do with things on the earth, but not in past ages. The beasts which John saw had to devour the inhabitants of the earth in days to come [quotes Revelation 6:1-4].” (TPJS p. 290) This statement suggests that the activities of the four horses and horsemen, representing the first four thousand years, also typify wars, famines, and tribulations yet to come upon the earth. The number four has symbolic importance in Revelation, where we read about the four living creatures (4:6, 8; 5:6, 8, 14), the four horses and the four horsemen who correspond with the first four seals (announced by the four beasts; 6:1-8), the “four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth” (7:1), and the “four quarters of the earth” (20:8)…. According to Theological Dictionary of the New Testament 8:128, the number four “has its origin in the orientation to four sides which, as before, behind and to right and left, are suggested by a man’s physical constitution. The four corners of heaven or the world embrace the whole of man’s horizon.” (Parry, p. 76)
Vs. 9 – The fifth seal is the dispensation of the Savior. It is characterized by the life of the Savior, the spread of the gospel and by apostasy and martyrdom.
The souls under the altar is an apparent reference likened to the sacrificed animals whose blood was poured out at the foot of the altar by the Priests. (Lev. 4:7) See also the end of D&C 135:7 in reference to Joseph and Hyrum’s blood.
Vs. 11- Priestly clothing was intended to represent the garb of God and of the angels. . . Dressing in special clothing in the temple denotes a change in role, from that of mortal to immortal, from ordinary human to priest or priestess, king or queen. Donning sacred dress has long symbolized personal consecration and preparation for “spiritual duties” (see Ex. 29:1-9; 40:12-15; Lev. 6:11; 16:1-4) The priestly garments were held sacred, for when they wore out they were not to be discarded but had to be burned in the temple during Sukkoth. (Feast of Tabernacles) It has been said that scriptural and liturgical clothing can “protect, conceal, display or represent a person’s current state and can be symbolic of moral and spiritual qualities. This apparently applies to both man and God; because even Deity (see Dan. 7:9; Matt. 28:3; Rev. 19:13) and angels (see Rev. 6:11; 7:9; D&C 29:12; 109:76) are depicted as wearing clothing. (Gaskill, p. 61)
Those wearing the white robes are those who have been cleansed by Christ.
12-15 - SEVEN SIGNS FOR THE SIXTH SEAL
1. Great Earthquake D&C 88:88-90
2. Sun Black as Sackcloth Joel 2:31; Matt. 24:29; D&C 29:14; 34:9; 45:41; 88:87
3. Moon becomes as Blood Joel 2:31; Acts 2:20; D&C 29:14; 34:9; 45:42; 88:87
4. Stars of Heaven Fall Matt. 24:29; JSM 1:33; D&C 29:14; 34:9; 45:42; 88:87
5. Heaven Departed as a Scroll D&C 88:95
6. Every Mountain and Island Moved out of their Places
7. (1. Kings of the Earth) (2. Great Men) (3. Rich Men) (4. Chief Captains) (5. Mighty Men) (6. Bondman) and (7. Every Free Man) hide selves in mountains.
Vs. 15 –
Why do men attempt to hide themselves from God Three times Isaiah states that they will do so because of the “fear of the Lord” (Is. 2:10, 19, 21), which fear is due to their wickedness and its consequences. Similarly, after their transgression, Adam and Eve also “hid themselves” from God (Gen. 3:8-10)
According to D&C 19:15 these signs of the times will cause “weeping and wailing among the hosts of men.” Meanwhile the righteous, or those who worship the Lord in his sacred temples, will receive deliverance. The prophet Joel. Stated, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem
Vs. 17 – “Who shall be able to stand?” is the title of Mike Wilcox’s book. This question is answered in Chapter 7.
"In the 1st thousand yrs, was witnessed the fall of man; the building up of Zion, when Enoch w/ all his people, walked w/ God 365 yrs. on earth & then were taken up into heaven. In the 2nd 1000 yrs., the world was deluged w/ a flood for its wickedness; the tower was build that men might go to heaven; the language was confounded; the earth divided into continents & oceans; the people scattered upon the face of the whole earth; & America was peopled by the Jaredites. In the 3rd 1000 yrs, Pharaoh & his host were swallowed up in the Red Sea, Israel was chosen of the Lord, was overshadowed by his glory in a cloud by day, & a pillar of fire by night; and the building of the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem. In the 4th 1000 yrs. the 10 tribes were led away captive out of the land of Canaan, and taken to a place by the hand of the Lord that has not yet been discovered by the Gentiles; the Jaredites were destroyed because of their wickedness; Lehi was guided by the power of god to this continent. In the 5th 1000 yrs, the Savior of the world was born, crucified, and rose again from the dead; & most of the apostles were slain for preaching the gospel; and Jerusalem was destroyed. In the 6th 1000 yrs. America, the land of liberty, choice above all others, was settled by the Gentiles; the fullness of the gospel came forth in the book of Mormon, the church established, & the gathering of the saints commenced, preparatory to the 2nd coming of their Lord, that in the 7th 1000 yrs, the earth may rest." (Times and Seasons "Great Events" p. 662; In Ogden p. 327)
