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Seven
Trumpets
by John
P. Pratt
Research
indicates that this is the year for the millennial Feast of Trumpets
on the Enoch Calendar. What is the significance of that feast, and
who are the angels who sound the seven trumpets?

The Angel Moroni atop the Salt Lake Temple
©2002 IRI
The previous
two articles in this series discussed a proposed model for the calendar
described in the Book of Enoch[1]
and noted that several key dates during the restoration of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fell on symbolic holy days
on that calendar.[2]
Those synchronisms provide support for the Book of Enoch's claim
that the angel Uriel revealed that calendar to Enoch, and that the
Lord is actually still using it. It was also noted that this year
is indicated on that calendar as the year of the millennial Feast
of Trumpets. Because this is the month of that feast, let us first
review its symbolism, and then see what can be deduced about the
seven angels who are symbolized sounding the trump.
The
Feast of Trumpets
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The
Blast of the Trump
There were seven
principal holy days specified in the law of Moses. Six were feast
days and one was a fast day. The festival season is understood to
begin in the spring and end in the fall. Three holy days were observed
in the spring, being the first and last days of Passover and the feast
of Firstfruits (Pentecost). The last four holy days of the festival
year all occur in the fall, during the seventh month Tishri (Hebrew).
They are the Feast of Trumpets on the first day of the month, followed
by the fast Day of Atonement on the tenth, and finally the first and
last days of the Feast of Tabernacles on the 15th and 22nd. Clearly,
the lion's share of the feasts occur at the end.
The calendrical
significance of the Feast of Trumpets is somewhat confusing because
in a way it symbolizes both the first and the last. For many purposes
the year begins in the spring and my writings refer to New Year's
Day as 1 Nisan (Hebrew) or 1 Spring (Enoch). But for reckoning the
7-year sabbatical cycle the year begins in the fall on 1 Tishri
(Hebrew) or 1 Autumn (Enoch). Modern Hebrews use 1 Tishri as the
official New Year's Day for the civil year, calling it Rosh Hashanah,
"head of the year." Months are reckoned from the spring which leads
to the counterintuitive result that the modern Hebrew New Year begins
on the first day of the seventh month (1 Tishri). Thus, the Feast
of Trumpets is also celebrated as a New Year's Day.
What is
a Trump?
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The
Shofar:
Ram's Horn Trumpet
What is the instrument designated for celebrating the Feast of Trumpets?
There are several instruments called trumps, trumpets, or cornets
in scripture. One was made from a ram's horn and is called in Hebrew
a "shofar." There were also the silver trumpets used for certain rites
in the law of Moses. Unfortunately there is little uniformity of translating
the words for these two instruments, but when both words appear in
the same verse, shofar is translated "cornet" (1 Chron 15:28, 2 Chron
15:14, Psalms 98:6, Hosea 5:8). It is the silver trumpets which were
blown on the first day of each month, including the seventh (Numbers
10:2, 10), but traditionally the shofar is used at the Feast of Trumpets
because the instrument for that feast is not specified, and most people
don't have silver trumpets to use in a family celebration. Moreover,
it was the shofar which was used by the seven priests at Jericho (Joshua
6:6) and they seem closely related to the ceremony for the Feast of
Trumpets.
Is there any
difference between a trump and a trumpet? Modern dictionaries say
that "trump" is merely a poetic form for "trumpet." But the Lord
is very consistent throughout the D&C to use the word "trump"
when referring to what the angels sound, so perhaps that means that
"trump" refers to the long straight instrument shown atop our temples,
as opposed to the trumpet, which is the familiar smaller instrument
with the tube coiled for compactness.
The Trump: A
Voice of Warning
The
kind of trumpet used seems less important to the Feast of Trumpets
than the type of blasts which are sounded. What is the prescribed
manner to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets? The Bible says precious
little about what to do on that day:
In
the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have
a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
Ye
shall do no servile work therein, but ye shall offer an offering
made by fire unto the Lord. (Lev. 23:24-25)
That is about all
we are told, except that certain sacrifices are specified (Num. 29:1-5).
Thus, this verse has led to two different names for the feast: the
Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Remembrance.
So how do the
Hebrews celebrate the day? Basically in two ways. First, as New
Year's Day, as discussed above. Secondly, because the scripture
says to remember the blowing of trumpets, they review the many times
in the Old Testament that trumpets are blown. Let us do likewise
to understand the symbolism of the trump.
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The
Trump Heralds Judgment Day
The silver trumpets
were used to
- call to assemble,
- sound the
alarm,
- attack in
battle,
- announce
new months,
- herald feast
days,
- perform other
ordinances, and
- rejoice in
gladness (Num. 10:2-10).
Some of these different
calls have different names in Hebrew. The word "teruah" refers to
the sound of warning and it is the word used to describe what should
be sounded at the Feast of Trumpets. It is a day of warning.
In fact, the "ruah" part of the word means to "mar" or "break" and
refers figuratively to a sound which is sharp and loud, enough to
be almost damaging to the ear.[3]
An excellent translation is to give a "blast" on the trump, which
suggests an intensity capable of shaking the earth.
The Jewish tradition
is that God judges everyone annually at the Feast of Trumpets. Each
person then has ten days to repent of any wrongdoing, for the judgment
won't be sealed until the Day of Atonement on 10 Tishri. This is
in keeping with the trump being both a warning sound, as well as
heralding the Day of Judgment. This interpretation of the trumpet
associated with Judgment Day is also found in the Book of Mormon:
.
. . all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump
shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and
all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this
eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death. (Mormon
9:13).
Searching the
internet for "shofar" yields many sites which explain that the announcement
of Judgment Day is the usual interpretation of the trumpets sounded
on Rosh Hashanah. One excellent summarizing title is "The Shofar:
A Wake Up Call." It is a time for all of us to awaken to the seriousness
of our current situation and to return to God, as individuals and
nations. Other soundings of the trump which are often commemorated
at the feast are the trump heard at Mt. Sinai, the day on which
Adam and Eve were judged, and the creation of the world.
A similar title
was chosen to summarize the idea by the apostle Parley P. Pratt.
He entitled his pamphlet A Voice of Warning (quoting D&C
1:4), which showed on the cover an angel giving a blast on the trump
along with the scripture:
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Parley
P. Pratt's book shows the trump warning of Judgment Day
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. (Rev. 14:6-7)
Note that the
angel has the gospel to preach, even as the angel Moroni atop temples
is sometimes depicted holding the plates, but what he is heralding
with the trump is that "the hour of his judgment is come." The purpose
of spreading the restored gospel is not just to fill in some details
of which have been lost, but to warn of imminent judgments and to
call upon all to fear and worship God. Note the Lord's consistent
usage of this symbolism of the trump:
To
lift up your voice as with the sound of a trump, both long and loud,
and cry repentance unto a crooked and perverse generation, preparing
the way of the Lord for his second coming. (D&C 34:6)
.
. .the trump of God shall sound both long and loud, and shall say
to the sleeping nations: Ye saints arise and live; ye sinners stay
and sleep until I shall call again. . .
For
in mine own due time will I come upon the earth in judgment, and
my people shall be redeemed and shall reign with me on earth.
For
the great Millennium, of which I have spoken by the mouth of my
servants, shall come. (D&C 43:18, 29-30)
And
in all his journeyings let him lift up his voice as with the sound
of a trump, and warn the inhabitants of the earth to flee the wrath
to come. (D&C 124:106)
This Year's
Feast
Thus,
the Feast of Trumpets is associated with the sounding of the trump
to warn the world of the coming judgments of God. As pointed out in
the last article, this year appears to be an important celebration
of the Feast of Trumpets on the Enoch calendar because the feast day
Sun 22 Sep 2002 is the day 1 Autumn in the year 1 AUTUMN, which only
occurs once every 364 years. Moreover, because the symbolism is to
herald the coming judgments before the Millennium, this year appears
to be the most important one in history on the Enoch Calendar. Accordingly,
I will be holding a Feast of Trumpets to celebrate on Fri 20 Sep 2002
in Orem, Utah. Those interested in attending, or in acquiring a bound
volume of my calendar articles being prepared for the occasion, are
invited to inquire for more information at feasts@johnpratt.com. For those wishing
to have a family celebration, a link is provided to a suggested program
which combines both the traditional Hebrew as well as my own latter-day
enhancements.[4]
In both the
Book of Revelation and Doctrine and Covenants, we are told that
each of the seven angels has a trump, and each will announce different
aspects of what is coming. Anciently the Feast of Trumpets included
seven priests who each sounded the trumpet, which seems clearly
symbolic of these angels. Let us now focus on who those seven angels
are, and what is the message and the responsibility of each.
The
Seven Angels
Who are the Seven Angels?
The
Lord has given us many clues to identify just who the seven holy
angels are, and at least some information about their duties. The
biggest clues are in D&C 88:92-112 where we are told just what
each of the seven angels says at the sound of his trump. That section
is a summary of much of the Book of Revelation (Rev. 8-20), but
it focuses on the triumphs of the saints, rather than the woes and
judgments which will befall the wicked. Nevertheless, it makes it
clear that the reason that the Lord revealed these details about
coming judgments is that "it becometh every man who hath been warned
to warn his neighbor" (D&C 88:81).
The first four
angels to sound the trump each herald the resurrection of one of
the four spiritual divisions of mankind. The first trump is for
those who inherit the celestial kingdom, the second for terrestrial,
the third for telestial and the fourth for the sons of perdition
(D&C 88:94-102). The fifth angel to sound is he who is sent
with the gospel to everyone (in all four groups), for "every knee
shall bow" (D&C 88:103-104). The last two angels announce the
final triumphs over evil, and while we are given few clues to their
identity from their sayings, we are just told outright that the
seventh angel is Michael, who is Adam (D&C 88:105-112).
So who are the
first six angels? Each of the first four angels is apparently assigned
to the group who comes forth at the sound of his trump. That is,
each may well be the presiding elder over the celestial, terrestrial,
telestial, and sons of perdition, respectively. Another clue is
that each angel is assigned to a 1,000-year period of the earth's
history, with the first angel presiding over the first 1,000 years,
and so on until the seventh (Adam) presides over the Millennium
(D&C 88: 108-112). We are also given the pattern of the seven
presidents of the seven quorums of seventy, where it is the seventh
president who presides over the other six (D&C 107:94), even
as Michael (Adam) presides over the seven angels. Let us now attempt
to identify each angel.
First Angel:
Uriel
Who
worked in mortality with those preparing to inherit the Celestial
Kingdom, which is for those who are valiant in the testimony of Jesus
Christ and who overcome all things? To whom did Jesus Christ commit
the "keys of the kingdom of heaven?" (Mat. 16:19). To whom did the
Lord refer as still possessing the keys of the kingdom of heaven even
after he had visited the Prophet Joseph Smith and, with his counselors,
ordained him to be an apostle? (D&C 27:12-13; 128:20) It is Peter.
Peter is the
clear choice to be the angel who presides over those preparing for
the celestial kingdom. Of course, each President of the Church holds
the keys of the kingdom on earth with the authority to preside and
to seal in heaven, but Peter could still preside over all celestial
kingdom candidates, whether on earth or in the spirt world.
If Peter is
the first angel, who presided over the first 1,000 years of history,
then it would explain some apocryphal scriptures which state that
Peter visited Adam to give him instructions.[5]
In light of this identification, that would make sense on two counts:
first, Peter would have been presiding over that millennium and
secondly, he would be the file leader for Adam, who was certainly
a celestial kingdom candidate.
Which name of
the seven angels would correspond to Peter? In the chapter where
Enoch lists their names, Uriel comes first (Enoch 20:2). If Uriel is
Peter, then Uriel would have presided over the first thousand years,
because they preside in the same order in which they sound the trump.
In fact, it was Uriel who revealed the constellations (Enoch 32-35) and Enoch
calendar (Enoch 71-78) to that prophet,
who lived during the first thousand years. Why Uriel? Perhaps because
it was Uriel who presided over that period.
Another clue
that Uriel does indeed correspond to Peter comes from the name itself.
"Uriel" means "Light of God." Ur is the singular form of Urim, as
in "Urim and Thummim," the interpreters, which mean "lights and
truths." Which of the leaders of dispensations was associated with
seer stones?
The Prophet
Joseph Smith is one possibility, but he has already been identified
as the angel Phanuel.[6]
The other excellent candidate is Peter. The Savior gave him the
name Peter, which means a "stone," as well as Cephas, which not
only means "stone" but also a "seer," and hence a "seer stone" (Mat.
16:18, JST John 1:42). In fact, "petr" means "to see" in Egyptian,
and "petra" means "to reveal."[7]
The Savior went on to say that this stone was the rock (the rock
of revelation, TPJS p. 273) upon which he would build his Church.
Thus, it is
proposed that the first angel, who sounds the trump for those resurrecting
with the glory of the celestial kingdom, is Uriel, who is Peter.
Second Angel:
Raguel
Who
was a great leader of a dispensation who has worked with the honorable
people of the earth, even though they did not receive the testimony
of Jesus in the flesh? Who made great efforts to prepare his people
to see God personally as he did? Who is it that is the best qualified
to sound the second trump to announce the afternoon of the first resurrection
at the beginning of the Millennium for those who will inherit the
terrestrial kingdom of glory?[8]
Is there anyone
better qualified than Moses to fill this position? The Lord explained
that Moses was in a class above most prophets because he talked
face to face with Jehovah (Num. 12:6-8). All seven of the holy angels
appear to be in this class of speaking directly with God.
Abraham is another
consideration for this position (Abr. 3:11), but he doesn't fit
as well for several reasons. First, he lived partly during the second
thousand years, so it may not have been possible for him also to
preside over it, which requires knowledge of everything going on
in the spirit world and in the hearts of men (D.C. 88:108-109).
Secondly, Abraham's calling was to be a father of many nations.
His role was more like that of Adam and Noah who had children who
would include some in all four spiritual categories. He did not
work solely with one group.
Interestingly,
both Abraham and Moses relate to the names of one of the seven angels,
Raguel (Enoch 20:4). The name Raguel
means "Friend of God," and both Moses and Abraham were called a
"friend of God" because they spoke directly with him (2 Chron 20:7,
James 2:23, Ex. 33:11).
Moses worked
diligently with ancient Israel even though they were not yet ready
for all the Lord wanted to give them. When they worshipped the golden
calf and the Lord told Moses that he was considering destroying
them entirely and starting over to make him a great nation, Moses
pled with the Lord for his people (Ex. 32:10-14). The Lord agreed
to give them another chance and gave Moses a law for them, designed
to prepare them for the Messiah (Ex. 34:1-2 JST). It is now over
three thousand years later and they still look to Moses as their
leader.
Thus, it is
proposed that Moses is Raguel, and that Raguel is the second angel
who sounds the trump for the resurrection of those inheriting the
terrestial kingdom. If Moses is the second angel, then he presided
over the second thousand years, during which Noah lived.
The Third Angel:
Sariel
Very
little is said in the Book of Enoch about the holy angel Sariel.[9]
His duties in the spirit world are listed explicitly that he "presides
over the spirits of the children of men that transgress" (Enoch 20:6). Thus the duties
of Sariel match perfectly those of the third angel, who sounds the
trump to begin the second resurrection of those who have sinned, but
who are finally redeemed at the end of the last Millennium. Who is
Sariel? Who is someone who could have presided over the wicked in
the spirit prison, trying to get them to repent and accept the gospel,
and perhaps still qualify for the first resurrection?
This one is
harder so let's attack it from a new perspective. The first person
that the Lord sends into an area is often a great leader. Adam was
the first to come to earth, and he presided on earth in mortality
for nearly 1,000 years, and he is one of the seven angels, Michael.
Noah was the first to the Eastern Hemisphere and was much like a
second Adam, being the father of all people who now live on the
earth, and is the angel Gabriel. Enoch was the first man to "heaven"
when he and his city were translated (Moses 7:21-23), and he has
been identified as the angel Raphael. Now we are looking for someone
to preside in the spirit world. So the question arises, who was
the first person to arrive in the spirit world?
It was Abel,
whose role in mortality was to be "the first martyr" (D&C 138:40).
Could Abel qualify to be one of the seven chief angels and to head
a dispensation and preside over a millennium? The answer seems to
be definitely in the affirmative. The Prophet Joseph Smith stated
that Abel did, in fact, head a dispensation, that he had talked
personally with God (which seems to be a qualification), that he
had appeared to Paul (Heb. 11:4, TPJS, pp. 59, 169).
Enoch saw Abel
in the spirit world in vision and was told that Abel will not rest
until all those who are evil have entered the spirit world (Enoch
22:7). Thus, although
for a period Abel must have presided over both the righteous and
the evil in the spirit world, his long term assignment seems to
be to work with those who are evil. Combining all of these clues
suggests that Abel is Sariel, the third angel, who sounds the third
trump for those who resurrect to a telestial glory. Being the third
angel would also mean that Abel presided over the third millennium,
during which Moses and Elijah lived, from about 2000 to 1000 B.C.
Moreover, the name Sariel, which means "Prince of God," fits Abel
well, for he was the son of Adam, who was also known as the Prince
(D&C 107:54).
Fourth Angel:
Raphael
One
of the duties of the fourth angel is to work with those on the way
to becoming sons of perdition. Is there anyone mentioned in scripture
who pled for potential sons of perdition in the way that Moses pled
for his people? Yes, there is one such story.
The Book of
Enoch records that there were some angels who had been assigned
to watch the proceedings on earth, but who lusted after the mortal
women, lay with them, and were cast out of heaven to become fallen
angels. Enoch knew these fallen angels and when he told them of
their fate of being consigned to torment until the end of the earth,
they pleaded with him to petition the Lord on their behalf. Enoch
pleaded their case fervently, but the Lord denied them mercy, stating
that they had fallen too far and had known better (Enoch 13:1-14:7).
So who were
these angels? Why would angels ask Enoch for help? And why would
he know them well enough to plead for them? To me, the most likely
answer is that they were inhabitants of the City of Enoch, who had
been translated, and hence Enoch was their presiding elder. They
were called "angels" because they were already in "heaven," even
though they had not yet undergone the change equivalent to death
which would terminate their probation. They could certainly qualify
to become sons of perdition because they had been so high and had
fallen so low. Thus, it is proposed that Enoch is the fourth angel
who presides over the sons of perdition, hopefully preparing some
of them to resurrect in some kingdom of glory. They were told they
would be suffering until the second resurrection at the end of the
Millennium, but perhaps they could still qualify for the morning
of that resurrection, and hence achieve the telestial kingdom. Thus,
it appears that it is Enoch who will sound the fourth trump for
the group he will have worked with for six thousand years.
The Prophet
Joseph Smith explicitly stated that Enoch is the head of a dispensation
(TPJS, p. 170), and now it appears that it was the fourth thousand
years over which he presided. It was already proposed in an earlier
article that the holy angel Raphael must be Enoch, based on arguments
from the four cornerstone constellations and his name, Raphael,
meaning "Healer of God." [10]
Another indication that this identification is correct is that we
have also been told that Raphael heads up a dispensation and visited
Joseph Smith (D&C 128:21).
Note how well
it works for Enoch to have the double role both of presiding over
heaven (City of Enoch), and at the same time, also presiding over
potential sons of perdition. What at first sounds incongruous makes
perfect sense after some thought, because it can be the same
individuals who are involved. In other words, to qualify to
be a son of perdition, one must know the gospel to be true with
a perfect knowledge and still refuse it.
The Fifth
Angel: Phanuel
The
Lord tells us much more about the fifth angel, without actually
naming him. After the first four sound their trumps for the four
resurrections, the fifth angel sounds, announcing that every knee
shall bow and every tongue shall give glory to him who sitteth upon
the throne. That clearly shows that this angel is working with everyone,
including members of all the first four groups. We are given the
clue that this is the angel who spreads the gospel to all nations,
kindreds, tongues, and people (D&C 88:103). Which of the seven
has done more to spread the gospel to the world than any of the
others? The Book of Enoch states that Phanuel is the angel with
the special assignment of the hope of all who would inherit eternal
life (Enoch 40:9). It seems clearly
to refer to the Prophet Joseph Smith who has "done more, save Jesus
only, for the salvation of men in the world, than any other man"
(D&C 135:3). Thus it is proposed the Prophet Joseph Smith, Phanuel,
is the fifth angel who presided over the fifth millennium during
which both Jesus Christ and Peter lived.[11]
Of course, Joseph
Smith is not the only angel who flys through the midst of heaven
proclaiming the gospel. In 1831 the Lord declared that he had already
sent an "angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting
gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man"
(D&C 133:36). That angel most likely refers to the Moroni, who
is depicted on temples with the trump. But as the scripture stated,
he committed the gospel to Joseph Smith, along with the keys of
the record of the stick of Ephraim (D&C 27:5). It is proposed
that after Joseph Smith received all the keys of dispensing the
gospel (D&C 110:12), that he himself would later preside in
this role of Phanuel, to spread the gospel to every nation, kindred,
tongue and people.
Note that this
assignment clearly reflects duties in a different dimension from
the first four. Each of them dealt with a specific group of people,
whereas this one is for all mankind, but for only one aspect of
all mankind: their salvation in at least some degree of glory.
The Sixth
Angel: Gabriel
Because
we already know that Michael presides over the seventh thousand
years, there is only one angel left to preside over the sixth. It
is Gabriel, who is Noah (TPJS p. 157). Again, this seems to be a
perfect fit for two reasons. First, it means that Noah presided
over the restoration of the Gospel. That fits with the statement
that Gabriel held the keys of the "restoration of all things" (D&C
27:6-7). In other words, Noah presided over the entire restoration
because it was his dispensation. Thus it is proposed that the sixth
angel is Gabriel, who is Noah.
The Seventh
Angel: Michael
There
is no question as to the identify of the seventh angel, the archangel,
who presides over the Millennium. It is Michael, who was known during
mortality as Adam (D&C 88:110-112). He was the first to preside
on earth, and he is the last to preside over an entire dispensation,
which also includes the unseen areas of the pre-existence, spirit
world, and heaven (translated and resurrected beings). As the archangel,
he presides over the quorum of the seven holy angels.
These then are
the proposed identities of the seven holy angels who serve God and
preside over the various parts of mankind. A witness to the correctness
of this identification is that the last four angels correspond to
the four "cornerstone" angels in order of increasing priesthood
authority: Enoch, Joseph Smith, Noah, and Adam.[12]
Thus, it appears
that the identity and some of the duties of all seven of the holy
angels can be deduced from the clues that the Lord has given us,
as well as who presides over which dispensation. Truly we can be
richly rewarded for searching the scriptures, especially the modern
revelations which provide the keys to understanding.
Now let us turn
our attention to the seven rewards, which are a second witness to
the correctness of this interpretation.
The Seven Rewards
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Seven
Churchs in Asia Minor
Another witness
to the identify of each of the seven chief angels comes from the great
Revelation received by John. First, John was told that there are seven
angels, each associated with a different church (Rev. 1:20). Then
seven of the early congregations in Asia Minor were mentioned, along
with the reward that could be received if each could overcome the
sins listed. After most of them, he states "he that hath an ear, let
him hear," implying that there is hidden symbolism. Let us now see
how one hidden message is that each of the rewards can be correlated
to one of the seven angels as a second witness of what their duties
are and who they are. If this hypothesis is correct, then all seven
of the rewards should clearly correlate to one of the seven angels.
If even one fails, then the pattern would be broken and the witness
would fail. Moreover, if the seven rewards are arranged in a clear
order, then the witness becomes extremely compelling, for there is
very little chance that the rewards would correspond at all to the
seven angels, much less in order.
Tree of Life:
Peter (1)
The
first church, at Ephesus, is promised, "To him that overcometh will
I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise
of God" (Rev. 2:7). Partaking of the fruit of the tree of life is
always associated with the celestial kingdom and eternal life, as
in Lehi's dream (1 Nephi 8:11; Alma 32:41-42). Thus, it is proposed
that this reward is an allusion to the angel who presides over the
congregation of celestial kingdom candidates. We have identified Uriel,
the first angel, as the one assigned to that position. So far the
order is perfect, because the first reward clearly corresponds to
the first angel, Uriel (Peter).Conquer
Second Death: Abel (3)
The second church,
at Smyrna, is promised that "he that overcometh shall not be hurt
of the second death" (Rev. 2:11). In modern revelation we are told
that the only ones over whom the second death will have power are
the sons of perdition (D&C 76:37). That seems like an unusual
promise to give, that they will not become sons of perdition. This
is a big clue that we do not have here merely a list of seven restatements
of receiving the celestial kingdom, but that more is hidden in these
sayings. The hope of not becoming a son of perdition, that is, of
receiving the telestial kingdom, would refer to the congregation
we have identified as being led by the third holy angel, Sariel
(Abel). Now the order is not as obvious, because the second reward
corresponds to the third angel, so let us postpone searching for
an ordered pattern until all the rewards are matched to angels.
White stone:
Joseph Smith (5)
The
third church, at Pergamos, is told that "To him that overcometh
will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white
stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth
saving he that receiveth it" (Rev. 2:17). The white stone is associated
with being a seer (seer stone) and Joseph Smith was the one of the
seven most identified as a seer (2 Nephi 3:6). The seer and stone
could also be associated with Peter and the celestial kingdom (D&C
130:11), but Peter fits the first reward best. Thus, this saying
seems like an excellent way to identify the fifth angel, Phanuel
(Joseph Smith).
Commands
Nations: Adam (7)
The
fourth church, at Thyatira, is promised that, "he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over
the nations" (Rev. 2:26). That is almost exactly what is said of
Michael in the Book of Enoch:
"Michael,
one of the holy angels, who presiding over human virtue, commands
the nations." (Enoch 20:5).
The Book of Enoch
was accepted as scripture at the time Revelation was given (Jude 1:14)
so this saying would easily identify Michael to those familiar with
it. Thus, this saying identifies the seventh angel, Michael (Adam).
Clothed in
White: Moses (2)
The
fifth church, at Sardis, is told that "he that overcometh, the same
shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot out his name
from the book of life" (Rev. 3:5). Being dressed in white implies
the first resurrection (of the righteous), whereas having ones name
in the book of life only guarantees that one is not a son of perdition
(Rev. 20:15). Thus, together they indicate the terrestrial kingdom,
which we have deduced is led by the second angel, Raguel (Moses).
New Jerusalem:
Enoch (4)
The
sixth church, at Philadelphia, is told, "Him that overcometh will
I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more
out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name
of the city of my God, which is the New Jerusalem, which cometh
down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new
name" (Rev. 3:12). The city that comes down from heaven is the City
of Enoch, so Enoch is the natural correlation here (Moses 7:62-64).
Notice that for this saying, it was convenient that Enoch has another
role besides being the group leader for the sons of perdition, because
it would have been hard to associate any reward at all with them.
Thus, this reward is associated with the fourth angel, Raphael (Enoch).
Enthroned:
Noah (6)
The
seventh church, at Laodicea, is promised, "To him that overcometh
will I grant to sit with me in my throne" (Rev. 3:21). This saying
is less obvious, but the Book of Enoch associates Gabriel with the
cherubim (Enoch 20:7) and John saw
that the four cherubim surround the throne of God (Rev. 4:6-9, compare
Ezek. 10:14-20; 2 Kings 19:15; Psalms 80:1, 99:1; Isa. 37:16). Thus
the last reward can be identified with the sixth angel, Gabriel
(Noah).
The Pattern
Witness
 |
The
pattern of the 7 rewards:
1-3-5-7-2-4-6
Thus, all seven
of the angels can be directly associated with one of the seven rewards
promised the seven churches. Moreover, when we look at the order in
which the angels were listed, we see that it is not random, but in
the pattern of skipping every other one from the order in which they
sound their trumps. That is, they are in the order: 1, 3, 5, 7, 2,
4, 6 (see illustration). That is an order which puts Michael at the
center, which is one of the three places of prominence, of first,
middle or last.
The fact that
all seven of the rewards fit so well both with identifying one of
the seven angels as well as just happening to come out in a clear
order, is a strong witness that this is a correct interpretation.
The Lord has promised always to give us a pattern by which we may
know the truth, so that we will not be deceived (D&C 52:14),
and the pattern of these seven rewards seems compelling.
Table 1 summarizes
what has been deduced about the seven dispensations, angel names,
their identities, as well as the associated rewards.
| 1,000
yrs |
Name |
Meaning |
Mortal |
Trump |
Reward |
| First |
Uriel |
Light of
God |
Peter |
Celestial |
Tree of
life |
| Second |
Raguel |
Friend
of God |
Moses |
Terrestial |
Clothed
in White |
| Third |
Sariel |
Prince
of God |
Abel |
Telestial |
Conquer
Second Death |
| Fourth |
Raphael |
Healer
of God |
Enoch |
Perdition |
New Jerusalem |
| Fifth |
Phanuel |
Face of
God |
Joseph
Smith |
Gospel |
White Stone |
| Sixth |
Gabriel |
Man of
God |
Noah |
Restoration |
Sit on
Throne |
| Seventh |
Michael |
Like Unto
God |
Adam |
Triumph |
Rule Nations |
Table
1. The Seven Angels and Their Trumps
In summary,
the symbolism of the Feast of Trumpets and of the seven angels who
sound their trumps at that time is rich indeed. The significance
of the feast is principally to herald the coming judgments, and
to call upon all to repent and be reconciled to God. Truly the Lord
has given us much to ponder in the scriptures and in the many patterns
provided. If we can "overcome," we have been promised the wonderful
rewards described, including eternal life with our Father in Heaven.
Notes
- Pratt,
J.P. "Celestial
Witnesses of the Meridian of Time," Meridian
Magazine (10 Jul 2002).
- Pratt,
J.P. "Enoch
Calendar: Another Witness of the Restoration," Meridian
Magazine (5 Aug 2002).
- Strong,
James, A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Hebrew Bible
(McLean, Virginia: MacDonald), p. 107, 126. Taken from the definition
of word 8,643 (teruah), derived from word 7,321 (ruah).
- Pratt,
J.P. "Suggested
Feast of Trumpets Program", which includes both a conservative
version, and also a more speculative version which includes the
proposed identifications in this article.
- Nibley,
Hugh, Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, vol. 1, p. 154-5.
- Pratt,
J.P. "The
Lion and Unicorn Testify of Christ, Part II: The Four Royal Stars,"
Meridian
Magazine (5 Dec 2001), section 2.4.
- Budge,
E.A. Wallis, An Egyptian Hieroglyphic Dictionary, Vol.
1, p. 253-4: petra to show, reveal; petriu those
who see; petr to see, to look; Petr a region of
heaven, Petra a sky-god. The definition of "seer" is "one
who sees" (see-r), and hence essentially identical to "petriu".
Research could be done to see if there is any tie of the sky-god
Petra to the angel Uriel/Peter.
- The
righteous resurrect in the first resurrection at the beginning
of the Millennium (D&C 88:97-99), and the wicked resurrect
at the end of the Millennium in the second resurrection (D&C
88:101). Throughout history, most prophets have associated the
first resurrection only with the most righteous who would inherit
eternal life in the celestial kingdom (Rev. 20:4-6, Mosiah 15:22,
18:9), and indeed that is true (D&C 76:64). But in these latter-days
it has been revealed that those who died without law will also
take part in the first resurrection (D&C 45:54), which refers
to many in the terrestrial kingdom (D&C 76:72). The terminology
has therefore been introduced to clarify the scriptures that the
celestial resurrection occurs in the "morning" of the first resurrection,
and the terrestial in the "afternoon" thereof. Similarly the second
or last resurrection at the end of the Millennium has also been
so subdivided, with the morning referring to the telestial kingdom
and the afternoon the sons of perdition. (See McConkie, Bruce
R., Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, vol. 1, p. 196-7.)
Even though we are explicitly told that the telestial kingdom
is for those who are "thrust down to hell" (D&C 76:84, 106)
and that they suffer the second death (D&C 63:17, Rev. 20:6),
they only suffer through the end of the Millennium. In the end
Christ will redeem all but the sons of perdition who are the only
ones on whom the second death has lasting power (D&C 76:38),
who do not have their names written in the book of life (Rev.
20:15) and whom the Savior is ashamed to own (D&C 29:27-28).
- The
name is given as Sarakiel in the Ethiopic versions, but Sariel
in the Greek. Sariel is a Hebrew word meaning "Prince of God",
so that form is adopted here. See Charles, R.H., The Apocrypha
and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament, Vol. II, p. 201,
fn 6.
- Pratt,
J.P. "The
Lion and Unicorn Testify of Christ, Part II: The Four Royal Stars,"
Meridian
Magazine (5 Dec 2001), section 2.2.
- Note
that in the chapter where all seven holy angels are listed in
the Book of Enoch, Phanuel is either omitted (some versions list
only six) or replaced by Ramiel or Remiel. That name, however,
is most likely a corruption of Phanuel because other writings
show its migration from Phanuel to Phamuel (3 Baruch 2:5), to
Ramiel to Remiel to Jeremiel (IV Ezra 4:36). See Charles, R.H.,
The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament,
Vol. II, p. 534, fn 5, which traces the entire transformation.
- Pratt,
J.P. "The
Lion and Unicorn Testify of Christ, Part II: The Four Royal Stars,"
Meridian
Magazine (5 Dec 2001), section 2.
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