Eternal Felicity

Doctrine and Covenants 77 is unique in that it is a series of questions and answers related to the book of Revelation in the New Testament. Each verse contains one question and answer, and they cover various passages from multiple chapters in the book by John. Though there is not the normal continuity from one verse to the next that is typical of other revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants, I do see a theme in the answers which is instructive even if we do not study the original New Testament passages: the eternal happiness of man. We read that the four beasts of Revelation are described this way: “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; and that which is temporal in the likeness of that which is spiritual” (v2). The beasts are meant to point us to heaven and paradise and the happiness of man. That is of course the ultimate end of the Father’s plan for us. The next verse also states, “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” (v3). Though referring to multiple types of living creatures, surely this phrase also described what God wants for each of His children: “the enjoyment of their eternal felicity.” He desires not fleeting pleasure in life but eternal happiness in the eternities. God does not want to punish us forever but desires our eternal felicity if we will follow Him. That happiness is described in part by another verse: “Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge, that is, they are full of knowledge; and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act, etc” (v4). Light, knowledge, and power are a part of the eternal happiness that we seek. John saw in vision those who had obtained this: “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” (v5). These faithful elders who had died were then in the paradise of God, surely enjoying their eternal felicity because of their faithfulness.   

            Other passages from Doctrine and Covenants 77 highlight the gathering that the Lord is doing in order to bring this eternal happiness to all of God’s children. When asked about the four angels, He said, “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” (v8). The everlasting gospel will be sent to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people in order to help them obtain this happiness. Another angel’s role was described this way: “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. And, if you will receive it, this is Elias which was to come to gather together the tribes of Israel and restore all things” (v9). This gathering occurs as the everlasting gospel goes forth and is received by the house of Israel. The role of the 144,000 is to help with this gathering: “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” (v11). They are to bring as many as will come to the kingdom God. The mission of Elias, in particular, is to help gather these tribes: “We are to understand that it was a mission, and an ordinance, for him to gather the tribes of Israel; behold, this is Elias, who, as it is written, must come and restore all things” (v14). This scriptural commentary on the Book of Revelation affirms bringing all the children of the earth to a knowledge of the gospel is a critical work of the last days for the house of Israel. And that gathering will help bring the eternal felicity of all the world who will come unto Him.