The Last Days Unsealed [Paperback]

Ph.D Robert Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1999

A Provocative Examination of Imminent Last Days Events. The many Mormon latter-day myths about the last days have lulled people into a false security. They think that because the LDS Church has a living prophet, they will be warned when the tribulation is about to come. But the Lord has already told us all he intends-and this is made clear in Isaiah. People are waiting for certain preliminary signs to occur before they really start to prepare for the coming destruction, but by then it will be too late. What this book explains, with supporting scriptures, will be new to most of you. Prophesied "last days events" are reported that you may have never heard before-and they are presented in chronological order with a supporting chart. By knowing these things and making the necessary changes and preparations, we can survive the coming judgments. Robert Smith completed his Ph.D. in Historical Linguistics at the University of Utah, following studies at the University of Texas. He has done post-doctoral studies in Hebrew and Biblical Hebrew at the University of Utah and at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He has taught at colleges in Utah and California. He is revising his first book, currently out-of-print, Scriptures of the Last Days, and expects to publish an enlarged edition in late 1999. For the past several years, he has been involved in research in Central and South American native languages--Quechua, Aymara, Proto Cholan and Nauatl. This research is to identify the language families from which they came and to confirm their relation to Asian Semitic languages. The author is also doing new translations and commentaries on the Old Testament prophetic books. Volume I of a three-volume translation and commentary of the twelve prophets is nearing completion.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Recently there has been increased interest in the scriptures and prophecies relating to the events immediately preceding the second coming of the Lord in glory. Most feel that we are, indeed, in the final few years or even months in which the prophesied signs and wonders will begin to unfold. This feeling evokes the desire to know more about the things that are soon to happen and these events are the subject of many conversations among church members. As a result of this interest, many books have appeared dealing with last days events.

The question that must immediately come to the reader's mind is, "Why another book on the last days?" I hope the answer to this question will become apparent as you read on. I did not wish to jump on the bandwagon with yet another compilation of some of the last-days scriptures, which most of the books on this subject turn out to be. Nor do I merely wish to rephrase the opinions and ideas that have been floating around the LDS Church for a century or more. After reading all of them as they appear in bookstores, I am a little frustrated that none has very much to offer.

Most of the authors, to be sure, have done their homework as far as researching all of the statements by so-and-so in 1879 and by various general authorities over the years who were expressing their opinions. The major verses from D&C are dutifully listed and they include a compendium of quotes from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. There is a little speculation by each about what this prophecy or that prediction may mean, and for the most part, there is nothing new or exciting. What they all, without exception, have in common, is a lack of reference to and understanding of the scriptures that really detail the five major events of the last three-and-one-half years of the sixth seal and the first three-and-one-half years of the seventh seal, or in other words, the last seven years before the Savior returns in glory.

These major events are not only revealed in various scriptures, but the times and order of their occurrence are also given in careful and literal detail. The problem has been the difficulty in understanding these important scriptures, especially Isaiah, the most difficult of all the books to understand, followed by Revelation and then the last half of the Book of Daniel. Nor are we the only ones who have had difficulty with these books.

About the Author

Robert Smith completed his Ph.D. in Historical Languages at the University of Utah, following studies at the University of Texas. He has done post-doctoral studies in Hebrew and Biblical Hebrew at the University of Utah and at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He has taught in Utah and California.

The author is revising his first book, currently out-of-print, Scriptures of the Last Days, and expects to publish an enlarged version in late 1999.

For the past several years, he has been involved in research in Central and South America native languages, Quechua, Aymara, Cholan and Nauatl. This research is to identify the language families from which they came and to confirm their relation to Asian Semitic languages. The author is also doing new translations and commentaries on the Old Testament prophetic books. Volume 1 of a three-volume translation and commentary of the twelve prophets is nearing completion.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Agreka Books (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888106816
• ISBN-13: 978-1888106817
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,488,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars If serious about the Last Days, just get Gileadi's material, June 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Days Unsealed (Paperback)

Robert Smith, a student of Avraham Gileadi's works, makes some bold, but unconvincing attempts to look into Gileadi's study of Isaiah. Where Gileadi opens some wonderful vistas of Isaiah from a macro-level, Smith tries to build upon Gileadi's work from a micro-level. However, the reader will find that Smith really stretches in many of his conclusions.

Instead of leaving the reader some suggestions on what things could mean, Smith forces his beliefs down your throat and leaves no room for another point of view.

Smith believes that the Davidic Servant is John the Beloved based on D&C77:9&14. However, Smith fails to give commentary on scriptures that oppose that view like D&C 27:6-7 and JST John 1:21-28. He also stretches when he says that food storage is the "oil" that the five wise virgins must have to be "raptured away" onto the exodus by Angels.

Unlike Gileadi that will give the reader parallels and types to demonstrate what Isaiah and other prophets are telling us, Smith attempts to make huge jumps across the Grand Canynon based on one scripture here or there which he is unable to clear with so little material.

For the serious student of latter-day prophecy, I would suggest that one not waste their money on Smith's works and just study Gileadi's research.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nazi Writer, January 17, 2000

By 

C. B. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Days Unsealed (Paperback)

This guy contradicts the very principals he's preaching, Pride and Judging others. He spends most of his talents spewing anger and pointing fingers. Christ would have made his points without anger and living examples. If I gave Mr. Smith the benefit of the doubt and listened to his subtle implications, (that he is the only mortal who can translate scripture), I would have to throw away almost everything my church leaders have taught. My final thought is why does Mr. Smith translate scripture metaphorically then change to more literal translations when it's convenient to his "story" line?

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking and controversial, November 21, 2001

By 

Mark E. Baxter "Inquirer" (Layton, UT United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Days Unsealed (Paperback)

No question, the author is opinionated and states his beliefs without any mention of other possibilities or intrepretations. I, unlike the other reviewers, find this attitude refreshing. I like an author that says what he means and means what he says. It gives you something to sink your teeth in and this book led to a much greater depth of study and understanding than I would have without reading it. Of course it's offensive and controversial, but I've no doubt that Christ's coming and judgements will also be offensive and controversial.

I'm not at all saying that I agree with everything the author says,however. But I found when looking in other Isaiah commentaries, and that's what this book really is, time and time again I found more main-stream Mormon authors at least stating that these interpretations are plausible. I recommend you try it if you wish to follow the Savior's admonition to search the words of Isaiah.