Counting the Omer

I dont know but President Hinkley got me thinking about a 7-year pattern after declaring the opening of the 7th seal on April 6, 2000 General Conference. President Hinkley referenced Joseph in Egypt and the 7 years of famine in 1998 and again 7 years later in 2005.

The Tribulation may have a connection with Feast of Shavuot/Pentecost or Weeks or 7's. Tribulation could be 7x7 or 49 (50) years. 7 Trumpets sound after the opening of the 7th seal. Pentecost is named for the 50 days (omer) following Passover (Pesach). Are we currently counting the omer?

Trumpet 1, 2001, 9/11

Trumpet 2, 2007, Housing Crisis

Trumpet 3, 2014-15, Russia in Crimea, Same-gender marriage legalized 

Trumpet 4, 2020, COVID

Trumpet 5, 2027-8, (Locusts, Woe 1)

Trumpet 6, 2035, (Armageddon, Woe 2)

Trumpet 7, 2042, (7 Vials Wrath, Woe 3)

There is likely a connection between the completion of the Lord's House in 2027 before the Wedding Feast. (Andrea W). In ancient hebrew wedding tradition, the bridegroom spends a year away from his betrothed building her a home. The day of the wedding is not appointed until the Father of the groom accepts the home as completed. The House of the Lord is the Salt Lake Temple which will be rededicated in 2027 after an extensive seismic upgrade.

Beware extreme beliefs with regard to the Last Days such as mistakenly subscribing to the Scofield Bible idea of the 7-year tribulation and pre-trib rapture or the extreme attitude that "if it gets bad I'd rather just die".  Both lead people to not be prepared.  Yes, there will be a rapture. but it will be pre-wrath, not pre-trib. The 7 vials of wrath are poured out as part of the 7th Trumpet.  Believers will need to be watching and be prepared for 1-6. 

Remember the Bible teaches that in this life we will have tribulation (John 16:33)  but are not appointed unto wrath (1 Thes 5:9). Also, we are promised that if we are prepared, we don't need to fear (D&C 38:30),  The Last Days will be great for some and terrible for others.  But if we are prepared, are watching and have plenty of oil for our lamps we can look forward to the Second Coming of Christ with optimistic and hopeful anticipation. 

Again, President Hinkley suggested a pattern of 7 in 1998 and again in 2005.  The 7-year tribulation tradition comes from the Scofield Bible. But maybe the 7 trumpets occur over a 49(50) year time frame (Shabua/Omer) and not all in 7 years.  2001 (9/11), 2007 (housing), 2014 (Same-sex, Crimea), 2020 (Covid), 2028 (Woe1), 2035 (Woe2), 2042 (Wrath). 

The reason for President Nelson's emphasis on being prepared for the Second Coming and the correlation with the finishing of the Temple is although we may be midway into the Tribulation, the 1st Woe (Trumpet 5) may be upon us.  Life may be altered in a similar way to COVID but for a longer period. The Brethren have said that COVID was just a trial run. 

Maybe the 2 Menorah/candlesticks representing the 2 witnesses who prophecy could mean 14/15 annointed Apostles and not just 2. The Church has been unable to preach in Jerusalem which may have been overcome by BYU Jerusalem Center and the Internet or it can be literally 2 persons.