Avatar4321 Posted December 13, 2015 Posted December 13, 2015 "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of greattribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he thatsitteth on the throne shall dwell among them." (Rev 7:13-15) I read this while in Sunday school this afternoon and it occurred to me this passage is a powerful testament to the restoration. Where outside the Church can saints serve Him in the Temple day and night? And this is John seeing in his vision. Did John have his vision before or after the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed? I was thinking afterwards, which makes this mission truly remarkable. 2
hagoth7 Posted December 14, 2015 Posted December 14, 2015 My question would be, is Revelation 7 referring to an earthly temple? For example: 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/11.19?lang=eng#18 Another thought: 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 22 ...And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/rev/21.22?lang=eng#21 2
Maidservant Posted December 14, 2015 Posted December 14, 2015 Not the book of Revelation, but also a cool one: D & C 101:22-23 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places; And prepare for the revelation which is to come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me together. 1
hagoth7 Posted December 14, 2015 Posted December 14, 2015 (edited) 2 hours ago, volgadon said: Hagoth is entirely correct here. We all knew it had to happen eventually. ;0) Edited December 14, 2015 by hagoth7 1
Avatar4321 Posted December 14, 2015 Author Posted December 14, 2015 why would they be working in a temple in heaven? Temple work is over at the end of the millennium.
Gillebre Posted December 14, 2015 Posted December 14, 2015 Temples are connections to the eternities, and are places of learning, right? What if a Temple serves a similar, albeit slightly adjusted, function in Heaven? A yet more sacred place where celestial beings go to contemplate and receive greater light about their eternity to come. Just a thought. 3
The Nehor Posted December 15, 2015 Posted December 15, 2015 On 12/14/2015 at 10:46 PM, Calm said: Why is there a temple at all in heaven? There isn't. Hagoth's quote of Revelation sums it up. There is no need for one there. A temple is a shadow or reflection of heaven. When the real thing comes the shadow or reflection are no longer needed.
Avatar4321 Posted December 15, 2015 Author Posted December 15, 2015 In addition, if the ones in white are those living on earth who are faithful, then how could they be serving day and night in a temple in heaven
hagoth7 Posted December 15, 2015 Posted December 15, 2015 (edited) 3 hours ago, The Nehor said: 3 hours ago, The Nehor said: There isn't.Hagoth's quote of Revelation sums it up. ... You've misunderstood me. You also interpret those citations quite differently from me. I suggest considering Exodus 24-25 and Hebrews 8. Edited December 15, 2015 by hagoth7
The Nehor Posted December 15, 2015 Posted December 15, 2015 2 hours ago, hagoth7 said: You've misunderstood me. You also interpret those citations quite differently from me. I suggest considering Exodus 24-25 and Hebrews 8. I said I agreed that the scripture was appropriate. I have no idea if I would agree with your interpretation of it. I was just too lazy to copy and paste it again.
consiglieri Posted December 15, 2015 Posted December 15, 2015 On 12/14/2015 at 8:35 PM, Avatar4321 said: why would they be working in a temple in heaven? Temple work is over at the end of the millennium. This may be in instance of trying too much to force a modern Mormon conception on first century Christian thought. The author of Revelation, as well as Hebrews, appear to envision a heavenly temple where God is seated on his throne in the holy of holies and where he is attended day and night by heavenly ministrants. Hence those "arrayed in white."
Zakuska Posted December 16, 2015 Posted December 16, 2015 16 hours ago, Avatar4321 said: In addition, if the ones in white are those living on earth who are faithful, then how could they be serving day and night in a temple in heaven Temple work is over for "this creation". There are worlds without end though.
consiglieri Posted December 16, 2015 Posted December 16, 2015 25 minutes ago, Zakuska said: Temple work is over for "this creation". There are worlds without end though. And we may be suffering from an overly-Mormonized view of what constitutes temple work . . . 1
Maidservant Posted December 16, 2015 Posted December 16, 2015 It depends on what you mean by 'heaven'. I do conceive of a temple(s) that exist in the society and location(s) in/from which we came from and in which our Father in heaven continues to live. My conception is that we enter that temple in order to come here to earth life. Earth life is the ordinance of that temple (as I imagine), or, indeed, the holy of holies. Gospel according to Maidservant.
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