EXAMPLES OF HOW THE BOOK OF REVELATION TEACHES US ABOUT THE SECOND COMING by Dr. David J. Ridges, C.E.S. Educator, BYU Education Week Instructor, author of many books, including, The Book of Revelation Made Easier, dealing with symbolism and the Second Coming.  He asks and answers some questions, beginning on page 47, for instance:

1. Who will be able to survive the Second Coming? (Rev 6:17 asks this question)

Answer:  "Those living a terrestrial or celestial lifestyle.  Because of the destruction of the wicked at the Savior's Second Coming only righteous people will live on the earth at the beginning of the Millennium.  They will be those who have lived virtuous and honest lives.  These people will inherit either the terrestrial or celestial kingdom." (Gospel Principles Manual, Pg. 263)

Several scriptures (2nd Nephi 12:10, 19 and 21; D&C 5:19; D&C 76:81-85 and D&C 88:100-101) tell us:  "that those who live the wicked lifestyle of telestials and, of course, sons of perdition, which includes lying, stealing, sexual immorality and murder, will be destroyed by the Savior's glory at the Second Coming and will not be resurrected until after the thousand year Millennium is over."  How would it be to wait around in Hades for one thousand years until we're resurrected?

JST of Rev. 7:4 says:  4. And the number of them who were sealed, were an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (These are not the only ones who were saved; see verse 9 following).

Rev.7:9 says:  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number.

 (In other words, many more than 144,000 are saved; see also D&C 76:67), of all nations and kindred and people and tongues, stood before the throne (of the Father) and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes (symbolic of celestial glory and exaltation) and tree palms (symbolic of joy, triumph, and victory) in their hands.

If you ever run into someone who wonders if it is true that only 144,000 will be saved (which is a misinterpretation of verse 4) have them read verse 9, which provides wonderful evidence that such is not the case.

 Who are the 144,000?

Answer:  Joseph Smith answered this question for us in D&C 77:11.  He said they are high priests, 12,000 out of each of the tribes of Israel, who will bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.

The church of the Firstborn is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and often includes the connotation of being exalted (D&C 76:54-56).  Thus, we see this great group of high priests much involved in the missionary work and gathering of the righteous spoken of in Rev 7:1-3

Dr. Ridges continues: "Joseph Smith tells us that the things prophesied in Revelation, Chapter 8, will take place 'in the beginning of the seventh thousand years,' before the coming of the Lord."  Rev.8:1 says:

1. And when He (that is, Christ), Rev.6:1) had opened the seventh seal (roughly between AD 2,000 and 3,000), there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.  This 'silence' is also mentioned in D&C 88:95.  We have not been told yet what this means.

So far, in the opening of the seals, we have been dealing with the earth's time system.  Some people speculate about this half hour of silence and suggest that it might be about 21 years.

In the Lord's time system one day is 1000 years in our time) and thus we would have 21 years without revelation.

This speculation has no merit, especially in view of Daniel 2:35, 44-45, in which we are assured that this restored Church 'shall stand forever' and thus we will have continuous revelation right up to the Second Coming.

Verse 2 in Chapter 8 of Revelation mentions:

2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets (perhaps symbolic of perfecting or finishing His work.  In biblical number symbolism what does 'seven' represent?

Answer: (Being complete or perfection).

The trumpets given to the seven angels mentioned in verse 2 could be symbolic of preparations to announce specific events and circumstances that will take place in the windup scenes before the Second Coming.  For example, you will see the first of the seven angels sound his trumpet in verse 7 announcing terrible plagues and pestilences, designed, according to D&C 88:88-91 for what purpose?

Answer:  To get people's attention in the last days after they have basically rejected the humble testimony of missionaries. 

There is an interesting possibility in conjunction with biblical numerical symbolism and the number seven.  The number three represents God and the number four represents man.  Therefore, 3 (God) plus 4 (man) equals 7 (perfection) What is another way to say that?

Answer:  In other words, when man works with God, the result is perfection and ultimately, exaltation.