Scripture Overhead, Part 5: A New Age

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Wherefore, I must bring forth the fulness of my gospel from the Gentiles unto the house of Israel. 

—D&C 14:10

With some background now in place about the timing and setting of this fourth blood moon, together with its importance as the sign of Jonah, or sign of the dove, we can proceed to discuss the further symbolism and testimony written above.

The Age of Aquarius (Yes, it’s a real thing.)

Let’s start with an understanding of the astrological age. But before you get a horrible ’70’s song stuck in your head, let’s find out what the age of Aquarius really means. As you may know, the earth’s wobbling rotation causes a gradual shift in the heavens from our viewpoint. The heavens rotate through the 12 constellations of the zodiac, with a complete rotation cycle lasting 25,800 years. This means that as the earth gradually shifts, sunrise on the day of the vernal equinox each year will gradually shift from constellation to constellation. This isn't astrology; it's astronomy.

This 25,800-year trip through the 12 signs of the zodiac is called the precession of the equinoxes. If all the constellations were of equal size, then each zodiacal age would last 2,150 years (25,800 ÷ 12 = 2,150.) But of course, the constellations are all sized differently, and boundaries between them are arbitrary and disputed. Therefore, there’s no objective way to determine with certainty the current astrological age. We can approximate, based on our best guesses and observations, but only heaven knows when the age has changed. 

Heaven, therefore, will inform us with signs, which will be noticed by the observant.

The Age of Pisces began around the time of Christ. It was marked by our Lord sending out “fishers of men” to gather as many as possible into the gospel net. He used the Gentiles to accomplish this work, because the House of Israel rejected Him and thereby forfeited the gospel opportunity for a time. 

The Times Of the Gentiles

Through the Gentile efforts, forms of Christianity spread throughout much of the world during the Age of Pisces. Thus, this age in scripture is also called the “Times of the Gentiles” —so called because it is the time period in which the gospel opportunity would primarily exist among the Gentiles, who would be commissioned to take the gospel to the world.

Such was prophesied by our Lord:

Behold, because of their belief in me, saith the Father, and because of the unbelief of you, O house of Israel, in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fulness of these things shall be made known unto them. (3 Nephi 16:7)

Unfortunately, the Lord also prophesied that the Gentiles would reject the fulness of the gospel and it would ultimately be taken from them and given back to the House of Israel:

And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them. (3 Nephi 16:10)

During the Times of the Gentiles, the gospel net did indeed gather many millions, but all have utterly failed to rise up, take hold of the offered covenants, become purified, and establish Zion. Blinded by the precepts of men, proud Gentiles have considered themselves chosen, righteous, and favored of God, even as their opportunity has slipped away and the Lord has rejected them.

And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel; But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men. And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (D&C 45:28-30)

The times of the Gentiles have come to an end. But to make provision for the gospel opportunity to revert back to the House of Israel, the fulness of the gospel is offered to the Gentiles one last time. The time of this final offering at the close of the age is called the “Fulness of the Gentiles.” 

OK, got that? The “Times” of the Gentiles lasted for roughly 2,000 years, ever since the ministry of Christ. The “Times” were marked by the age of Pisces. 

The “Fulness” of the Gentiles is the last voicing of Christ’s word and last opportunity for the Gentiles to rise up, receive God’s covenant, and become redeemed. The Fulness of the Gentiles marks the end of the Gentile opportunity and the reversion back to the House of Israel.

During the fulness of the Gentiles, some few Gentiles will accept the fulness of the gospel and take hold of the final opportunity. These are they who will preach the gospel to the gathered remnants of the House of Israel.

And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed— 

And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. (1 Nephi 15:13-14)

The observant may note that this is the very scripture that has appeared as the subheading of this blog ever since the first post. As a believing Gentile, I have an obligation to preach the doctrine of Christ, and this blog is part of how I hope to fulfill that obligation.

The End of an Age

During the last 2,000 years, the vernal equinox has gradually moved through Pisces and is now entering Aquarius. Though astronomers are divided on the exact year of the shift, there is no question in heaven’s eyes. And though there may be some overlap between ages, the shift inexorably comes.

All this together now brings us back to the Age of Aquarius. The second blood moon of this tetrad was clearly in Pisces. This fourth moon, however, has moved out of Pisces and toward Aquarius. I believe this is God’s testimony to His creation that the age of Pisces has ended and Aquarius is beginning. The Times of the Gentiles have come to an end, and the fulness of the Gentiles is now upon us as the Lord prepares to fulfill His covenant with Israel.

An angel informed Joseph Smith of this plan very early in the restoration:

He also quoted the second chapter of Joel, from the twenty-eighth verse to the last. He also said that this was not yet fulfilled, but was soon to be. And he further stated that the fulness of the Gentiles was soon to come in. (JSH 1:41)

Note that the angel connected the Fulness of the Gentiles with the following words from Joel:

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 

And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. (Joel 2:28-30)

Note the connection with the Lord pouring out His spirit, and the signs in the heavens when the fulness of the Gentiles arrives. I think we can wrap it all up and put a bow on it with the following:

And he answered them, and said, In the generation in which the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled, there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, like the sea and the waves roaring. The earth also shall be troubled, and the waters of the great deep; (Luke 21:25 JST)

Did you catch that? The signs of the Gentile fulness are manifest in the sun, moon and stars. We’re observing those signs right now. How many books, seminars, talk show appearances, youtube videos, and webpages have been produced about these blood moons? How much breathless excitement accompanied their manifestation? How much conjecture was offered about cataclysmic events that would accompany the final blood moon of the tetrad? The Lord designed these signs to be so conspicuous that even those living in darkness would notice. 

And yet, nearly all have failed to learn the interpretation. Most everyone expected monumental events to happen in conjunction with these signs—and monumental events, even cosmic ones have happened—and yet nobody noticed. This generation of sign seekers hoped for the miraculous, yet could not see it through their scales of darkness. How fitting are the Lord’s words again in our time:

And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. (Luke 11:29)

Few recognized the redemption of Israel when it happened, and few recognized the very Son of God when he walked among them. Few realized the gospel was restored in Joseph Smith’s day. So it’s not surprising that few realize they have just witnessed the changing of the age and the end of Gentile dominance. Millions looked into the sky, snapped a picture of the very sign of their doom, and went back to life as usual, giving the sign little more than cursory attention as an astronomical curiosity or a good social media post. Prophecies that have stood for thousands of years are fulfilled, and the world ignores them.

Fulness of What?

The fulness of the Gentiles has a double meaning. Yes, it refers to the last opportunity for the Gentiles to take hold of the fulness of the Gospel, but it also pinpoints the reasons for the coming Gentile destruction:

And now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity. 

For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.

And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done. (Ether 2:9-11)

The fulness of the Gentiles comes when we practice the fulness of iniquity, or to use another scriptural term, are ripened iniquity. “Iniquity” is an interesting term that not only refers to sin, but specifically denotes gross injustice. Iniquity is most often generational, and denotes false religious beliefs, passed on from generation to generation, continually degrading until they have become grossly perverted from truth. Iniquity is false religion. 

Unfortunately, the fulness of iniquity is here. So much so, in fact, that the Lord has ceased working through organized religion.

Last and First

It’s important to note the Father’s symbolism in this Blood Moon. The planet Uranus and the constellation it rules, Aquarius, both symbolize the Father of Heaven and the God of all Creation, pouring out His spirit on all flesh at the time of these signs in the heavens. As Aquarius pours out his jug, our modern interpretation has Him pouring out water, but a more ancient interpretation includes a dual outpouring of water and fire. 

As we discussed in the second blood moon, this work of the final age is the Father’s work. HE is pouring out His spirit. HE is responsible for the gathering of Israel. HE commands all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in His son (3 Nephi 11:32). And HE is pouring out water and fire—both symbols of His work.

The earth was cleansed by a flood of water in Noah’s day. Afterward, Noah’s righteous family restarted humanity on the earth, but iniquity soon prevailed. A man named Abram rejected the false religion taught him by his fathers, and sought the original truths that brought men into the presence of God. As you know, Abram prevailed with God and received a covenant, making him God’s son, and therefore part of God’s family. In conjunction with the covenant, Abram was re-named Abraham.

The opportunity for redemption and salvation continued in Abraham’s bloodlines through Isaac, then Jacob, who was renamed Israel. The “House” or family of Israel, therefore, was the first to be offered the gospel covenant. When the house of Israel had fully rejected the Lord’s offer, it was withdrawn and offered to the Gentiles. Therefore the House of Israel was first, and the Gentiles were last.

But in the latter days, the Gentiles were first, and the House of Israel will be last. This is the meaning of the phrase, “The last shall be first, and the first shall be last.” (Ether 13:12, 1 Nephi 13:42, Matthew 20:16, and many others.) According to Moroni’s title page of the Book of Mormon, restoring the House of Israel to a knowledge of their covenants and opportunities is one of the primary purposes that sacred record was produced. 

—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—

In the previous post of this series, I concluded with the following: 

...we ought to ask ourselves what truth heaven is proclaiming in our day. What does the super blood moon sign proclaim? What could be so important that the sign of the dove has appeared again in the East?

We yet have more to uncover, but at least one meaning is so cosmically important, so cataclysmically vital, that the Lord has written it in the sun, moon, and stars: 

The times of the Gentiles have come to an end. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Pisces ends and Aquarius begins. The Lord has turned the page, set His hand again the second time to recover His people Israel, and the Father's Marvelous work and Wonder are moving forward. 

Prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. God help us to believe and prepare while there's still time.


And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men.

—2 Nephi 25:17

Final Note: I believe we have two more posts to cover the remainder of this blood moon. Coming up next: Water and Fire.