A. It is the earth, in its sanctified, immortal, and eternal state. [ The clarity and translucency of glass is used symbolically to represent a sanctified state. Compare Ezek. 1:22. So here we have Joseph Smith reading in the Book of Revelation 4:6 and he reads about God on his throne surrounded by four beats and they are above a sea of glass - so Joseph asks what the heck does this all mean? ]
A. They are figurative expressions, used by the Revelator, John, in describing heaven, the paradise of God, the happiness of man, and of beasts, and of creeping things, and of the fowls of the air; that which is spiritual being in the likeness of that which is temporal; [ Every spirit, either man or beast, has a particular level of intelligence that allows it to fulfill the full measure of its creation. The Lord created physical bodies for those intelligences to inhabit that will enable them to fulfill their full potential. Joseph reasoned: We say that God himself is a self-existent being. Who told you so? It is correct enough; but how did it get into your heads? Who told you that man did not exist in like manner upon the same principles? Man does exist upon the same principles. God made a tabernacle and put a spirit into it, and it became a living soul. [Refers to the old Bible.] How does it read in the Hebrew? It does not say in the Hebrew that God created the spirit of man. It says “God made man out of the earth and put into him Adam’s spirit, and so became a living body.” (TPJS p 352-353). ] and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual; the spirit of man in the likeness of his person, as also the spirit of the beast, and every other creature which God has created.
A. They are limited to four individual beasts, which were shown to John, to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation, in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity. [ Compare the four angels described in Ezek. 1, 10. There are some minor differences between the two accounts. The verses present the four beasts, one of which was man, as exalted beings. From this it is safe to assume that animals as well as humans are resurrected and exalted. ]
A. Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge, [ So in a way the glory of God is intelligence(light and knowledge). These beasts spoken of here are full of eyes - in the front and in the back. So if they are covered with eyes in the front and back we have a symbolism of the ability to see everything that has happened and everything that will happen - or in a way the ability to see things as they were as they are and as they will become. ] that is, they are full of knowledge; and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act, etc. [ Eyes symbolically represent the ability to see and perceive heavenly wisdom, while wings symbolically represent the ability to act in a manner that is supernatural, when compared to human acts. Compare Ezek. 1:11 and 1:18. ]
A. We are to understand that these elders whom John saw, were elders who had been faithful in the work of the ministry and were dead; who belonged to the seven churches, and were then in the paradise of God. [ Or the Church Of The Firstborn - those who have been redeemed of the Lord. "The Church of the Firstborn is Christ's heavenly church, and its members are exalted beings who gain an inheritance in the highest heaven of the celestial world and for whom the family continues in eternity. In the scriptures Jesus Christ is called the Firstborn. He was the first spirit child born of God the Father in the premortal existence and was in the beginning with God (John 1:1-5, 14). Christ also became the Firstborn from the dead, the first person resurrected, "that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18; Acts 26:23; 1 Cor. 15:23; Rev. 1:5). Even as the first principles and ordinances, including baptism in water and the reception of the Holy Ghost, constitute the gate into the earthly Church of Jesus Christ, so higher ordinances of the priesthood constitute the gate into the Church of the Firstborn. To secure the blessings that pertain to the Church of the Firstborn, one must obey the gospel from the heart, receive all of the ordinances that pertain to the house of the Lord, and be sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise in the Celestial Kingdom of God (D&C 76:67, 71, 94;77:11;78:21;88:1-5; TPJS, p. 237). Revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith supplement those of the New Testament to indicate that the Church of the Firstborn consists of those who have the inheritance of the Firstborn and become joint-heirs with Christ in receiving all that the Father has (Rom. 8:14-17; D&C 84:33-38; see Heirs: Heirs of God). The Lord said, "If you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; …I…am the Firstborn; …And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the Church of the Firstborn" (D&C 93:20-22). The Church of the Firstborn is the divine patriarchal order in its eternal form. Building the priesthood family order on this earth by receiving sealings in the temple is a preparation and foundation for this blessing in eternity (see Gospel of Abraham). When persons have proved themselves faithful in all things required by the Lord, it is their privilege to receive covenants and obligations that will enable them to be heirs of God as members of the Church of the Firstborn. They are "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise" and are those "into whose hands the Father has given all things" (D&C 76:51-55). They will be priests and priestesses, kings and queens, receiving the Father's glory, having the fulness of knowledge, wisdom, power, and dominion (D&C 76:56-62; cf. 107:19). At the second coming of Jesus Christ, the "general assembly of the Church of the Firstborn" will descend with him (Heb. 12:22-23; JST Gen. 9:23; D&C 76:54, 63). Bibliography Smith, Joseph Fielding. DS, Vol. 2, pp. 8-9, 41-49. Salt Lake City, 1973." ]
A. We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence. [ Indicating that God has a plan for the earth which is deliberate and laid out, and will make sure that it comes to pass. Also note the 7000 years are applied to the earth's "temporal existence" or the post-Fall. While no mention is made of how long the earth existed prior to the Fall, only that the temporal existence is to be 7000 years. 4,000(Adam, Enoch...) 3,000 (Noah, Jaradites...) 2,000 (Abraham, Moses, Samuel...) 1,000 (David, Elijah, Isaiah, Lehi, Daniel) 0 (Christ, Apostles, Moroni...) 1,000 (Reformers, Joseph Smith ...) 2,000 (Modern day prophets GBH, TSM, MRN)]
A. We are to understand that the first seal contains the things of the first thousand years, and the second also of the second thousand years, and so on until the seventh. [ Each seal is for 1000 of the 7000 years, for a total of 7 seals. This goes against the common, not universal, Christian reading that the 7 seals deal with the 7 years of tribulation preceding the Second Advent. ]
A. We are to understand that they are four angels sent forth from God, to whom is given power over the four parts of the earth, to save life and to destroy; these are they who have the everlasting gospel to commit to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; having power to shut up the heavens, to seal up unto life, or to cast down to the regions of darkness. [ Four angels are to go to the four corners of the earth to provide the means for the sifting of the righteous from the wicked on the Day of the Lord. These four may be the same as those referred to as the destroying angels, D&C 61, D&C 89:2. There may be more than exactly four, as "four" could be figurative based upon the four corners of the earth. Assuming the Ezekiel's and John's beasts are one and the same, and following Ezekiel's description of the four cherubim (four creatures like a man but with 4 different faces), these four might be the same as the four referred to in v. 2-3. These angels are under the direction of God to the point that nothing happens that they do not control, nothing is destroyed without their permission, no wind, pestilence, or death transpire in order to make sure that the righteous are preserved, these are those who hold the ability to bring forth Gods power on the earth. Now we are also taught that "there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it" (D&C 130:5) ]
A. We are to understand that 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. [ See also Isa. 44:5, Zech. 14:5, Rev. 14:1, D&C 133:18 ] And, if you will receive it, this is Elias [ Apparently this somewhat mysterious character referred to in D&C 27:6, D&C 110:12. This Elias is none other the John The Beloved - the revelator. It is John who is getting his commission as a translated being. Joseph will further bring clarity to Rev 7:3 in D&C 77:14 when the question about the little book is brought forward, and what is this little book? And the answer is we are to understand that it was a mission and an ordinance for him to gather the tribes of Israel - it is his stewardship, his divine commission from God. "Behold, this is Elias," remember right before we were told Elias was a name for that ascending angel from the east who as it is written, "must come and restore all things." We don't really understand all of John the Revelator's role, what he's doing, but there's a moment here that says he's going to be in charge of making sure people are safe, the righteous are safe during this calamities that's going to happen, or to stop destruction before it happens. So he will sit on the waters and protect the Americas from allowing those who are not to come to America to not be able to come when the time is right. Taking care of those doing the work that the Father needs done during this time. ] which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things. [ A fifth angel bearing the keys to the gathering of natural Israel makes sure they are gathered and sealed before the great destruction of the Day of the Lord. One of the major themes of the book of Isaiah is the connection of the gathering of Israel and the Day of the Lord. The redemption of Old Jerusalem and the Day of the Lord are equated. ]
A. They are to be accomplished in the sixth thousand years, or the opening of the sixth seal. [ The dispensing of the gospel to the four corners of the earth and the gathering of Israel are to take place in the 6th 1000 years. ]
A. We are to understand that 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. [ These 144,000 are natural Israel gathered out and sealed up to the Lord. Given its connection to the statements in v. 8-10, one would assume this event is pre-Day of the Lord and is in reference to mortals. “Before the Lord shall come . . . there is to be a great work among the nations. . . . The ten tribes will have to come forth and come to this land, to be crowned with glory in the midst of Zion by the hands of the servants of God, even the Children of Ephraim; and twelve thousand High Priests will be elected from each of these ten tribes, as well as from the scattered tribes, and sealed in their foreheads, and will be ordained and receive power to gather out of all nations, kindreds, tongues and people as many as will come unto the general assemblage of the Church of the first-born.” (Orson Pratt, in Journal of Discourses, 16:325.) See Rev 14:3 Will they all be men (High Priests Only)? Will they be husbands and wives on special missions? Will they come home at night? Will they go back and forth between heaven and earth? ] The city of Enoch took the entire family in the translation. So how might that apply here? More clues are found in Rev 12. At this time (13 August 1843) Joseph Smith was not willing to discuss the temple ordinances of conferral of the fulness of the priesthood, of marriage for time and eternity, or of sealing children to parents; nevertheless, he indicated that the conferral of the fulness of the priesthood was a "sealing … on top of the head", of which the phrase "sealed in their foreheads" was symbolic. Furthermore, Joseph Smith here taught that it was through the ordinance of conferral of the fulness of the priesthood that men could be qualified to be a part of the special missionary force of the last days which would number 144,000 high priests (D&C 77:8-11, 14). When Cornelius P. Lott and his wife received these ordinances on 4 February 1844, the Prophet indicated that "the selection of the persons to form that number had already commenced." He had already conferred these blessings on at least 17 men (History of the Church, 6:196 and Wilford Woodruff Diary, under date given). (13 August 1843 (1) (Sunday Morning). Temple Stand; The Words Of The Prophet Joseph Smith)]
A. We are to understand that as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it, and also formed man out of the dust of the earth, [ This verse states that man was created on the 7th day, not the 6th day, as is the common Judeo-Christian reading on Gen. 1-2. This follows the PoGP accounts of the creation which state the first 6 days were for the physical creation and preparation of the earth, but no living things were created until the 7th day. See comments on Gen. 1 for a lengthy discussion of the Creation accounts. ] even so, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth, [ So if according to the church's website the 7th seal began somewhere around 2000 AD, and it says that Christ will come in the beginning of that seal, well then we are getting close, RIGHT? ] , and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his power, [ Which is what? See Doctrine and Covenants 76:31–38, 43–44 ] when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things; and 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—the preparing of the way before the time of his coming. [ So at this time the beginning of the 7th seal which as we know according to the church website Overview of the book of Revelations is around 2000 AD. things will need to be completed on the earth to make the final preparations for his coming. This event is found in Rev 7:9-10 Does it begin the a time when the earth will be purged of iniquity and cleansed for the Millennium, or the 1000 years of peace? The purging of wickedness from the earth on the Day of the Lord is a common theme in the OT Prophets, cp. Joel 1-3. ]
A. They are to be accomplished after the opening of the seventh seal, before the coming of Christ. [ The events surrounding the terrible armies described in Rev. 9 occur after the opening of the 7th seal, but before the Day of the Lord. ]
A. We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, [ So the Book that John eats is his mission. You are what you eat so to speak. This is to be his mission; so we can conclude that he is a latter-day Elias. John the Revelator/beloved was a disciple first of John the Baptist, he was mentored by John the Baptist the forerunner to Christ. ] for him [ Are John the Revelator and the Angel Ascending from the East the Same Person? Verse 9 indicates that the angel from the east is Elias; in verse 14 it is seen that John the Revelator is Elias; and in other scriptural passages Elias is referred to in connection with the restoration of all things. John the revelator restored the Priesthood and Isaiah mentions that he will have a place in restoring/gathering Israel see Isa 11:10-12. After he aids in the restoration of the Lost ten tribes, as the Elias, John will serve as the latter-day forerunner of Jesus Christ. As such he will help prepare the world for the Saviors second coming.Anything not yet restored at that time John will restore. See this verse. In the following passages several individuals are identified by the name Elias: Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 17:11–14; Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:21–28; Doctrine and Covenants 77:9, 14 (see also D&C 27:6–7; Luke 1:5–25; Smith, Teachings, p. 157). Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained that several individuals have been called Elias: “By finding answer to the question, by whom had the restoration been effected, we shall find who Elias is and find there is no problem in harmonizing these apparently contradictory revelations. Who has restored all things? Was it one man? Certainly not. Many angelic ministrants have been sent from the courts of glory to confer keys and powers, to commit their dispensations and glories again to men of earth. At least the following have come: Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James and John, Moses, Elijah, Elias, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael. (D. & C. 13; 110; 128:19–21.) Since it is apparent that no one messenger has carried the whole burden of the restoration, but rather that each has come with a specific endowment from on high, it becomes clear that Elias is a composite personage. The expression must be understood to be a name and a title for those whose mission it was to commit keys and powers to men in this final dispensation.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:492.) In his mission to help gather the tribes of Israel, John the Revelator functioned under the title “Elias.” He came with Peter and James as one of the angels of the Restoration, so he must be included as part of the composite personage symbolized by the “angel ascending from the east” (D&C 77:9). ] to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who, as it is written, must come and restore all things. [ Because of the wording it is difficult to determine if John is being identified as the same "Elias" as in v. 9, or if the in the judgement the angel who gave John the book to eat is Elias and therefore John is "Elias" in the same sense John Baptist is "Elias" in that they are forerunners. We know John Beloved took part in the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, so he obviously has acted in some capacity in the spirit of Elias. However, the original Elias is the one holding the full set of keys to the Abrahamic Priesthood, one would therefore presume the full set of keys pertaining to the dispensation of Abraham(So if he is to restore the keys of the dispensation of Abraham then he most likely would have needed to be a part of that dispensation D&C 110:12), which started the lineage-based covenant of Israel (the subject of v. 9). For this reason, it is safe to assume v. 9 is referring to the original Elias(could be Joseph of Egypt - the son of Jacob and Rachel(his sons were Ephraim and Manasseh, he would have been one of the last ones from the dispensation of Abraham), some say Jacob(or Israel the father of the nations)), I of yet am still not convinced who it is and this verse is saying the angel who gave John the mission was the original Elias and his eating the book meant his, John’s, becoming part of the spirit and mission of Elias to restore Israel. ]
15 Q. What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation?
A. They are two prophets [ Who Are the Two Witnesses Referred to by John? Elder Parley P. Pratt wrote: “John, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation, gives us many more particulars concerning [the great war in Israel after the Jews are gathered there]. He informs us that after the city and temple are rebuilt by the Jews, the Gentiles will tread it under foot forty and two months, during which time there will be two prophets continually prophesying and working mighty miracles. And it seems that the Gentile army shall be hindered from utterly destroying and overthrowing the city, while these two prophets continue. But, after a struggle of three years and a half, they will at length succeed in destroying these two prophets and then overrunning much of the city; they will send gifts to each other because of the death of the two prophets, and in the meantime will not allow their dead bodies to be put in graves, but suffer them to lie in the streets of Jerusalem three days and a half, during which time the armies of the Gentiles, consisting of many kindreds, tongues and nations, passing through the city, plundering the Jews, will see their dead bodies lying in the street. But after three days and a half, on a sudden, the spirit of life from God will enter them; they will arise and stand upon their feet, and great fear will fall upon them that see them. And then they shall hear a voice from heaven saying, ‘Come up hither,’ and they will ascend up to heaven in a cloud, with enemies beholding them.” (Voice of Warning, p. 33.) Elder Bruce R. McConkie identified the two prophets as “followers of that humble man Joseph Smith, through whom the Lord of Heaven restored the fulness of his everlasting gospel in this final dispensation of grace. No doubt they will be members of the Council of the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:509.) The two witnesses are raised up “to the Jewish nation” and are not necessarily from the Jewish nation (see D&C 77:15–16; italics added.) ] that are to be raised up to [ Suggesting that they are not Jewish, but rather raised up for the Jewish nation. ] the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, [ What restoration are we talking about here? It is not the restoration of the gospel which happened in 1830. It refers to the restoration of the ten tribes as is outlined in the 10th article of faith. So this is when these prophets return to Jerusalem, so are these prophet s from the restored ten tribes? See also D&C 133:26 These events will transpire prior to the Savior's coming to the Mount of Olives to deliver the Jews from destruction (see Zech 14:4-7; D&C 45:47-53 D&C 77:15) "Appear to be some of the last to occur before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. What will these two prophets be able to do with the power that is given to them? Based on these abilities, what authority do you think these prophets will hold? (They will hold off their enemies, seal the heavens so that rain does not fall, and smite the earth with plagues. They will hold the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood.)" https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/new-testament-teacher-manual/the-revelation-of-st-john-the-divine/lesson-54-revelation-4-11?lang=eng "Since the number 2 symbolizes witnesses and three and one-half the momentary triumph of evil, neither number need be taken literally. There may be more than two witnesses, and the period of their death may be more or less than three and one-half days. God’s point is that there will be a point when evil seems to have won, but that dream will be shattered the moment these prophets arise." https://rsc.byu.edu/shedding-light-new-testament/understanding-images-symbols-book-revelation. ] and to prophesy to [ Again to me this suggests that they are not Jewish as they are raised up to and not "in" the Jewish nation. Isaiah called these prophets “two sons” and said they were the only hope of deliverance for Israel because they would be “full of the fury of the Lord” (JST, Isaiah 5119–20; see also JST, Isaiah 5117–18). ] the Jews after they are gathered [ The likeliest candidates in my opinion are John the Revelator and the Three Nephites. They are prophets and apostles in their own right, but they do not have the responsibility for the administration of the Gospel, nor for the administration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They do retain their keys of authority to act as a prophet or an apostle. ] and have built the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers. [ These two witnesses, or two prophets, are intimately involved in the events immediately preceding the Day of the Lord. The identity of these two is a point of speculation. Cross reference with Zech. 4:12-14 suggests the two are the so-called latter-day David and Temple High Priest (cp. Zech 3:8-9). This has become a point of contention as these two prophets are performing miracles that apparently require some kind of Priesthood authority. LDS commentators are understandably loathe to attribute Priesthood authority outside of the LDS Church, so much so that B.R. McConkie insists in his Doctrinal New Testament Commentary the two must be apostles, probably of the Quorum of the 12. However, D&C 68:16-21 indicates that those firstborn sons of Aaron posses "keys" (D&C 68:17) by birthright even to this day. What exactly these keys entitle them to outside of the confines of the LDS Church is unclear as D&C 68 does not comment on it. If these keys entitle them to ministering of angels, then the angels could be the ones performing the various miraculous acts at their behest, cf. the shutting up of the heavens referenced in both Rev. 11:6 and v. 8 of this section. "Since the number 2 symbolizes witnesses and three and one-half the momentary triumph of evil, neither number need be taken literally. There may be more than two witnesses, and the period of their death may be more or less than three and one-half days. God’s point is that there will be a point when evil seems to have won, but that dream will be shattered the moment these prophets arise." https://rsc.byu.edu/shedding-light-new-testament/understanding-images-symbols-book-revelation Where does it say that they will be named David? The Two Witnesses vs The End Times Servant David. There a reference that either of the two witnesses will be named David nor that the Servant David will be one of the two witnesses. I believe these are 3 individuals: 1 named David and then the 2 witnesses whose names are unknown.***
The Two Witnesses:
John the Revelator gave the most detailed picture of these two participants. They are called the “two witnesses,” the “two olive trees” and the “two candlesticks” (Revelation 113–4). Latter-day revelation teaches that they are “two prophets … raised up to the Jewish nation” who will “prophesy to [them] after they are gathered and have built … Jerusalem” (D&C 7715).
(Notice how it states “to” and not “in.” This would tell me that they wonʼt necessarily be from the Jewish nation.)
Orson Pratt has said the following concerning the role of these prophets: “We might bring up, also, the declaration of John in relation to the two witnesses who are to prophecy about that period. They are to prophecy three and a half years, and their field of labor will be Jerusalem, after it shall have been rebuilt by the Jews. By means of their prophecies and the power of God attending them, the nations who are gathered together against Jerusalem will be kept at bay, these Prophets will hold them in check by their faith and power. By and by these nations overcome the two witnesses and, having finished their mission, they are slain, and their bodies will lie three days and a half in the streets of the city. Then a great earthquake will take place, and these two witnesses will be caught up to heaven.” (JD, vol. 16, p. 329. Italics added.)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:
“These two shall be followers of that humble man, Joseph Smith, through whom the Lord of Heaven restored the fulness of his everlasting gospel in this final dispensation of grace. No doubt they will be members of the Council of the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church. Their prophetic ministry to rebellious Jewry shall be the same in length as was our Lordʼs personal ministry among their rebellious forebears.
“The two olive trees, and the two candlesticks [are] symbols of the two witnesses; meaning, perhaps, that as olive trees, they shall provide oil for the lamps of those who go forth to meet the Bridegroom; … and that as lamp stands they shall reflect to men that light which comes from Him who is the Light of the World.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3509–10.)
These prophets will have power to pronounce great judgments upon the earth (see Revelation 115–6).
“They shall have power like Elijah who called down fire from heaven to consume his enemies, and who sealed the heavens that it rained not in all Israel for the space of three and a half years (1 Kings 17and 18; 2 Kings 1), and like Moses by whose word blood and plagues lay heavily upon the Egyptians. (Ex. 7, 8, 9, and 10.)” (McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3510.)
Their miraculous power seems to be the force preventing Gog and his army from succeeding in annihilating Israel.
Elder Parley P. Pratt wrote: “John, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation, gives us many more particulars concerning this same event. He informs us that after the city and temple are rebuilt by the Jews, the Gentiles will tread it under foot forty and two months, during which time there will be two prophets continually prophesying and working mighty miracles. And it seems that the Gentile army shall be hindered from utterly destroying and overthrowing the city, while these two prophets continue.” (A Voice of Warning, p. 33.)
Isaiah called these prophets “two sons” and said they were the only hope of deliverance for Israel because they would be “full of the fury of the Lord” (JST, Isaiah 5119–20; see also JST, Isaiah 5117–18).
D&C 77:
15 Q. What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation?
A. They are two prophets that are to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers.
2 Nephi 8:
18 And none to guide her among all the sons she hath brought forth; neither that taketh her by the hand, of all the sons she hath brought up.
19 These two sons are come unto thee, who shall be sorry for thee—thy desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword—and by whom shall I comfort thee?
20 Thy sons have fainted, save these two; they lie at the head of all the streets; as a wild bull in a net, they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.
Isaiah 51:
19 These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.
Zechariah 4:
11 Then answered I, and said unto him, what are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
12 And I answered again, and said unto him, what be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
13 And he answered me and said, knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
14 Then said he, these are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Revelation 11:
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
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Servant David:
A new leader named David (a descendant of the ancient King David) is to become a great leader in Israel.
Ezekiel prophesies this, and there are additional references in Jeremiah, Isaiah, Hosea, and Zechariah.
The Prophet Joseph Smith, only three months before his martyrdom, said: “… the throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and will be given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.” (DHC, vol. 6, p. 253.)
The great hero of ancient Israel was David, the king of Israel; a new leader with this name will yet come forth.
On October 24, 1841, Apostle Orson Hyde stood on the Mount of Olives to dedicate the Holy Land to the Lord. The dedicatory prayer that he prayed he said he “received by divine revelation”. In this dedicatory prayer Apostle Hyde states “Let [the kings and the powers of the earth] know that it is Thy good pleasure to restore the kingdom unto Israel — raise up Jerusalem as its capital, and constitute her people a distinct nation and government, with David Thy servant, even a descendant from the loins of ancient David to be their king.”
Duane Crowther in his book, “Prophecy, Key to the Future,” gives his opinion that King David will appear immediately before the Battle of Armageddon. He refers us to the following scriptures citing that this David will be responsible for building the temple in Palestine in the last days (Zechariah 6:11-13, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Hosea 3:4-5.
so, according to these sources, the Servant David is yet to appear.
In this article written by John Taylor (the third LDS prophet) in the Times and Seasons on February 15th, 1842, and edited by Joseph Smith himself, they talk in detail about this future king named David. They are specifically clear that this prophecy is not speaking of Jesus Christ Himself, nor of any one of the dispensation heads (Patriarchs) raised from the dead.
This king will be a mortal man. I only quote a portion of the article here: “Ezekiel after giving a description of the resurrection of the House of Israel, and the coming forth of the stick of Joseph (The Book of Mormon,) and its being united with the stick of Judah (The Holy Bible;) and also the restoration of the House of Israel, that are in a state of mortality, back upon their own lands, says: “Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will save them out of all their dwelling places wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them: and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein our fathers have dwelt, and they shall dwell therein, even they and their children, and their childrenʼs children, forever; and my servant David shall be their prince forever.
Moreover, I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people, and the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.” (Ezekiel 37:23–28).
The above quotation has a particular allusion to that portion of the righteous that will remain in the flesh, and dwell on the earth, and eat the fruit of it. But the difference that will be, Satan will be cast out of the earth, and he will have no power to tempt or deceive them: they will all be righteous, and not defile themselves any more. The Lord will set his sanctuary in the midst of them, and they shall multiply and be increased in number, which they will continue to do, during the Millennium. The fact that they will multiply and increase, shows that they will be in a state of mortality.
The immortal saints will be made kings and priests, and they shall reign with Christ; but is is not said that the mortal ones shall be made kings and priests, to hold authority with Christ like the immortal ones, while in a state of mortality; only they shall have a king, priests, and all other necessary officers, to administer all ordinances, and perform all necessary ceremonies. We mean a king that shall be chosen or proceed out of their midst. Isaiah speaking of this day says, the Lord will restore their judges as at first, and their counselors as at the beginning. This will be the time that God will restore their kingdom unto them which the apostles alluded to when they inquired of Jesus, if he would then restore the kingdom to Israel. (Acts: 1-6)
According to the prophets the name of this king shall be David; not the patriarch David who was the son of Jesse; but a literal descendant of his. some suppose that the Psalmist David will be raised from his tomb, and again reign over Israel; but we consider this one of the most unreasonable ideas that could be advanced. He no doubt will be in the Lordʼs own due time raised from the dead, but not to act the part of a prince in the midst of Israel who remain in the flesh. Neither will any of the patriarchs act the part of an earthly king; although they will reign with Christ. Indeed, we have no reason to believe that Christ himself will act the part of an earthly king, or priest, to any great extent.
It is inconsistent for us to suppose that the immortal saints, who are glorified, will be perpetually confined in the midst of the mortal ones. Because it is said, they shall reign on the earth, is no reason why we should say they shall be constantly among the mortal saints. The idea is that the earth will be under the control of Christ and the glorified saints, and Christ will virtually reign over the whole earth, and this David will be subject to him. The redeemed saints will reign on earth, and perhaps have in many respects, authority over the mortal ones. We do not wish to be understood, that there will be a total or entire separation between the mortal, and immortal; but the object of the foregoing remarks is to show the distinction of privilege.”
“And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.” (Ezekiel 34:23-24)
These verses do not describe a prophet, but a shepherding prince. The royalty theme is enhanced even further 3 chapters later (37:24-25)
“And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their childrenʼs children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince forever.”
Even Jeremiah (30:9) gets in on this action. It is clear that Joseph Smith took this literally, that there would be a king actually named David in the last days (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith 339),
“The throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him [the original David] and will be given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.”
so, the next time you hear it whispered around that there will be a prophet (not a king) named David, ask for a source, and then share your own.]
[ Historical Material Pertaining to Doctrine & Covenants 77 Excerpts from History of the Church About the first of March, in connection with the translation of the Scriptures, I received the following explanation of the Revelation of St. John: [text of D&C 77 quoted] (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 1, page 253) While at dinner, I remarked to my family and friends present, that when the earth was sanctified and became like a sea of glass, it would be one great urim and thummim, and the Saints could look in it and see as they are seen. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 5, page 279) I suppose John saw beings there of a thousand forms, that had been saved from ten thousand times ten thousand earths like this, -- strange beasts of which we have no conception: all might be seen in heaven. The grand secret was to show John what there was in heaven. John learned that God glorified Himself by saving all that His hands had made, whether beasts, fowls, fishes or men; and He will glorify Himself with them. Says one, 'I cannot believe in the salvation of beasts.' Any man who would tell you that this could not be, would tell you that the revelations are not true. John heard the words of the beasts giving glory to God, and understood them. God who made the beasts could understand every language spoken by them. The four beasts were four of the most noble animals that had filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds, because they were perfect; they were like angels in their sphere. We are not told where they came from, and I do not know; but they were seen and heard by John praising and glorifying God. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 5, pages 343-44) It is not only necessary that you should be baptized for your dead, but you will have to go through all the ordinances for them, the same as you have gone through to save yourselves. There will be 144,000 saviors on Mount Zion, and with them an innumerable host that no man can number. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 6, page 365)]