Opening The Seven Seals

by Richard D. Draper

Do you feel lost when you read the book of Revelation? Do the images and actions seem bewildering and the meaning confusing?

Richard D Draper, assistant professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University, clearly and understandably examine this crucial scripture. Opening the Seven Seals: The Visions of John the Revelator combines the best of LDS and biblical scholarship.

The author writes: “To fill the need of a clear analysis of revelation, I have. . . translated the document paying close attention to variations found in the different preserved manuscripts, including the Joseph Smith Translation; studied the most important Jewish and Christian apocalypses. . . ; consulted the studies of scholars both within and without the church; and. . . pulled together those insights gained from the standard works and the teachings of the modern prophets. Further, I have not ignored the historical setting.”

Dr. Draper discusses the purposes and themes of revelation and examines the book section by section. He also gives keen insight into the apocalyptic visions of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and Lehi. Some questions he addresses are these:

*What is Apocalyptic literature, and why did John choose this form to write in?
*Why did John report the entire history of the earth twice?
*What do the various beasts represent?
*What is the significance of numbers and their use?
*What are the differences and purposes of the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls?
*How does the book testify of Jesus Christ and warn against Satan?
*How are the principles of agency and God's control of history reconciled?
*What does the book say about the last days, the millennium, and final judgment?
*How do the mercy and judgment of the lamb work together?

Opening the Seven Seals will help the reader find fulfillment of this promise: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Rev.1:3)

Genres: Religion, Church, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Lds

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2010

Reviews

[James Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the hardback.

Excellent overall treatment. John's Revelation is an exposé of Hebrew symbolism. The author's pretty good at saying what we can tell for certain, and doesn't get off into wacky stuff.

I especially liked the treatment of the "Mark of the Beast" (χάραγμα θυρίου), pointing out it's an over-arching philosophy, not some specific "scare of the year". Those things may be symptoms of the mark, but are not the mark themselves. Not so titillating, a let-down for conspiracy cranks, but very useful in daily life.

J.S. said that this is the plainest of books written, and one you get into a Hebrew mindset, it's really pretty straightforward. This book helps one understand John's mind and vision.

[Bonnie Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book just shortly after it was published twenty years ago. It was a watershed experience for me, because it gave me a great many tools to understand a work that I really wanted to understand. I spent three months reading the book and the scriptures to which it referred, cross-referencing and marking. It was a foundation for my beginning study of apocalyptic literature - a study that has immeasurably enriched my life.

I have recently picked up the volume again as I prepared to teach Sunday School lessons on the Book of Revelation. While I, naturally, find fewer startling discoveries, there are observations I had forgotten that are intriguing. It also helps me to structure and phrase discussion with those who are not as fascinated by Revelation ... yet. :)

All in all, it is a good, meaty text for a beginner wishing to jump right in, and I'm immensely grateful that it launched this beginner.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had Mr. Draper as a professor in college, and thoroughly enjoyed his classes. Even 10 years later, I have this book on my shelf and have pulled it as a reference from time to time. I've read through it completely twice, both times in conjunction with the book of Revelation so I could recall the notes and background information offered. It's not a cover-to-cover novel type of read, but chock full of excellent insights and information that make an otherwise difficult book of scripture more accessible to a regular person like me.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a welcome companion during my study of the Book of Revelation. I just wanted to record a few quotes that were powerful for me and cover the main themes of the book.

"Revelation testifies that all things move in concert toward a divinely predetermined end. Everything is inevitable; nothing is left to chance. The problem of human agency or free will within the context of God's omniscience never surfaces. But there is a tacit insistence that God's ultimate victory is worked out within the framework of human freedom."

"Nothing, though it may at times seem otherwise, moves independent of His designs - not even the hosts of Satan. Showing that God overmasters all things, John admonishes his reader to faith and patience. In the end, no matter how bad things may appear until then, righteousness will triumph, and the faithful will have their full reward."

"(It is a) false assumption...that God is a magician who, by the wave of some divine wand, can make us into creatures of Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial glory. But God is not a magician, and He cannot make us into anything. He can protect, guide, and empower us. But we are the ones who make us into something, and we do it through the millions of choices, both big and little...that we make during the course of an entire lifetime. Thus, we shape our eternal character, and in the resurrection what we have shaped is what we become."

[Paul Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Draper lays out quite clearly what John is talking about. He explains that John wasn't writing in code to be mysterious or obscure. Rather, John used powerful symbols and images to convey the majesty and awesomeness (and horror and evil) that he saw. Draper draws on modern revelations from prophets and apostles, including the Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, to clarify the images and meanings. And he doesn't hesitate to point out a number of things we just don't understand (yet). He explains the structure that John used in A Revelation of Jesus Christ: not a neat chronological flow, but episodes mingled with interludes, flashbacks, and repetitions.

I recommend this book. Draper writes clearly and with the Spirit. At the end I felt strongly that I want to be a part of God's grand plan of happiness.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really helpful commentary on the book of Revelation. It makes a lot of difficult symbols and things in the book more readily comprehensible and brings the main themes strongly to the forefront and easy to understand. This book was a valuable part of my education in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and I highly recommend it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read about half of the chapters to help me as I taught the book of Revelation to my seminary class. Great insights and explanations in this book! I hope to finish the rest of this book someday.

[John Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Revelations is a tough nut to crack but the author gives as good a go as anyone I've came across. I don't agree with all his interpretations but that didn't diminish my enjoyment.

[Sandie Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book very much it made the book of revelation enjoyable and a little more understandable

[Lynn]

Good non-mysterious explaination of the Book Of Revelation. I took one of the first classes Dr Draper taught at BYU in the 90's - The Pearl of Great Price.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative, but I had a hard time.getting through it.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't study revelations without this book and Alonzo Gaskill "the lost language of symbolism" on hand. Easy to understand, thorough and well written.

[Jeff Crosby]

Thought provoking.

[Judith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found value in Draper's exposition of Hebrew societal conventions and significance in the use of numbers, and what they symbolized. i.e. where the scripture states "ten thousand" it signified "many" and nit an actual 10,000 individuals; it was translated actually from the Greek word "myriad". There are numbers indicating perfection (7), completeness (10), and the number six which signified falling short of perfection, hence the number of the beast as 666, might be looked at as forever imperfect.

Other than this...YAWN...there were entirely too many "one may suppose" and "It seems obvious" scattered throughout this slow-reading, tedious, 248 page text, while he sometimes totally misses a profound point that appears perfectly obvious to me. Totally left-brained.

My advice: GRAB THE NUMBERS AND RUN on to something more engaging!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was wondering about the book of Revelations one summer at BYU and my Father-in-law recommended this book to me. It was wonderful. It goes through every chapter in Revelations and discusses the symbolism and possible meanings with the addition of modern revelation too. I have a copy if anyone would care to borrow it - I believe it is out of print now.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to get excited with a book about Revelations, but I needed a little help with understanding all the symbolism found in this book. This book goes through every chapter and helps bring a confusing book to life. My scriptures are full of notes and hopefully I can remember who is the beast, dragon, woman etc. It was a slow start, but captured my attention along the way.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book inconjunction with a class that I was taking on BYUH campus by the author. The book was full of great details but I must admit that without the class to clarify some of the info much of it may have gone over my head. But have learned a lot from it. And now I am going to go buy some more food storage.

[Brycep · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and insightful treatise on the Book of Revelation. Author is a professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU and also is a expert on Greek linguistics. He also links modern revelation on the subject from the LDS point of view. He identifies the symbols John uses and demystifies the book that defines the end of times.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading this book as you read Revelations. Context in view of history and culture make things more clear. And Richard Draper writes in a format that is easily understood, footnoted, and indexed for future use. A great resource.

[Kristi Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very deep book to read, analyzing the book of Revelation. I read this about a decade ago, and decided to read it again. It is interesting to see what the author sees as symbolic, and what the symbols mean, and what he sees as literal.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible. It does a fantastic job explaining the scholarly mysteries of the Book of Revelation. I have read it in conjunction with "Who Shall Be Able To Stand" by S. Michael Wilcox which does an excellent job explaining the emotional aspects of the Book of Revelation.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book when I was an active Mormon and as an active Mormon I would give it five stars. I have since left the church so I now believe the contents of this book to be utter bullish*t. So I'm gonna average the two and give it 3 stars. 😂

[Brian Tinkler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome look at the book of revelation from the Bible.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "straight" gospel interpretation of the book of Revelation. I liked this because it is not a sensational look at the Apocalypse like so many of the generic Christian tomes. A good study companion.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real help to understanding Revelation. I have read many of Richard Draper's books - I highly recommend them.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book about the last days!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent commentary on the Book of Revelation.

[Ernie Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes an almost exclusively symbolic view of the book of revelations. Can't say I'm on board with that. It's important to separate the literal from the symbolic, however.

[M S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful in helping to understand some of John the revelator's visions

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on the book of Revelation I have read so far.