The Coming Time of Tribulation

I am an advocate for preparing ourselves, spiritually and physically, for the coming uncertainties--including the trials and calamities which are shortly arriving.

While many people seem to believe the years of tribulation would vary between 3.5 to 7 years. The Book of Revelation is not clear whether the events during the seventh seal would occur simultaneously (which is where the 3.5 number comes from), or if each event immediately follows another, or if some events occur concurrently while others follow. The truth is, we don't know. And, for all we know, there could be time between the various events.

Somewhere I came under the impression that the number of years of tribulation prior to the second coming, and the time during which the New Jerusalem will likely be built, would be 14. In other words, my thoughts were there would be either 14 years from the closing of the sixth seal or opening of the seventh seal until the Savior returns.

The best reasoning I could come up with is the generally accepted 7 years of tribulation, then the 7 years of clean-up after the battle of Armageddon. But, as I mentioned there is no definite number of total years. The scriptures only tell us the length of time for certain events, not the total time, nor whether events are concurrent, simultaneous, or if there is time between those events.

While I pray for the return of our Lord, and I'm working to prepare myself and family for that time, my understanding of the scriptures is we are not into the seventh seal yet. Meaning we are not in the time of the beast or antichrist as they don't come into full power until after the opening of the seventh seal. I'm not saying the person who will become the Anti-Christ is not alive, because I think he is.

From Joseph Smith we learn the seven seals are representative of the seven thousand years of the earth's temporal existence, with each seal containing things of its corresponding thousand years (D&C 77). We need to keep in mind that what John describes in each seal are not the only things that happen, nor is it clear in at least the first 5 seals when those events transpire during their corresponding thousand years.

The following happens in the sixth seal:

Revelation chapter 6:

12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Has an earthquake of this magnitude happened? This sixth seal earthquake is a little different that the big one that happens later in the seventh seal where it's described as "a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great." An apparent result seems to be that "every island fled away, and the mountains were not found (Revelation 16:18-20).

Has every mountain and island been moved out of its place from an earthquake? I'm not aware of anything like this happening in the last 1,000 years. However, there is nothing that states the moving of every mountain and island is the result of the great earthquake, but most people assume this to be the case considering the proximity of the verses. But what if each verse is unrelated, or even indirectly related, and refers to several events that happen during that 1,000 year period? A simple explanation for every mountain and island moving out of their places is the constant magnetic pole shift that occurs--which is why magnetic north isn't the same as true north, and magnetic north changes (and is changing more quickly).

Also, the 144,000 are called during the sixth seal (Rev. chapter 7). My guess is there probably won't be an announcement when these high priests are called, so most people probably won't know about it.

Then there's the opening of the seventh seal, the time period that we are close to (and some people think we are already in). Revelation chapter 7 goes into the events that occur after this seal is opened, the first of which is "silence in heaven about the space of half an hour." Is that half hour our time, prophetic time, or the Lord's time? And what is meant by "silence?" Are the heavenly hosts waiting in anticipation for what is happening? Is this referencing a time when there is limited heavenly communication? (I don't think this is the case). Or it in regards to some phenomenon that causes silence in our atmosphere? There is some speculation that this could be referencing a magnetic pole shift.

Since the verse references "heaven" and the "silence" is in heaven, then the time of "about the space of half and hour" is most likely based on heaven's time frame. So, a half-hour in heaven is about 20.8 years (based on 1 of God's days = 1,000 earth years, 1 day having 24 hours in it).

If we could determine either that either the mountains and islands have moved "out of their places," or that "silence in heaven" has started, then we could know what seal we are in. I think we are still in the time period of the sixth seal.

Keeping this in mind, there is a lot that happens before the Ant-Christ is revealed, whomever it may turn out to be. These precursor events could happen quickly, or they may take years. I personally believe the calamities prophesied to come upon America will happen before the opening of the seventh seal. Then, while the rest of the world is suffering the brunt of the tribulations and United States of America no longer exists as we currently know it, the cleansing of America will enable the faithful saints, under the direction of the prophet, to return to Missouri and begin building the New Jerusalem so we can be ready for the Great Day of the Lord.

For those who doubt the fall of America, consider the following questions: Could the New Jerusalem ever be built under the current government? There is no way the corrupt, immoral politicians would ever allow such a city to be built while they are in power. And there is no way an immoral society would allow for such an "offensive," "biased," and "intolerant" city to be constructed. 

The conspirators and those seeking for power and control are too entrenched into the political, economic, and social system of America's society. The only way for the New Jerusalem to be built is for America to be cleansed of its wickedness, which means the America that currently exists must fall.

So, if Zion cannot be established under the current government, and it's unlikely those in government will change (repent) to create an environment conducive to the establishment of Zion, then the government and nation at it currently exists will need to be changed by force. The Lord usually accomplishes this kind of change through wars, destruction, and invasion.