Sins Proclamed From the Housetops

[Guest FixingTheWrongs]

I'm not sure the scripture, I think it is in Revelations, about how in the last days people's sins will be proclaimed from the housetops or rooftops.

I believe this IS happening right now. With advent of the internet, omnipresent video cameras and wireless online devices it seems people cannot even sneeze in public without it being recorded, even private homes are immune in some cases.

My work is a good example, if a couple of youngsters get in a fight, within minutes there could be 5 to 10 videos made by cell phones of other youngsters posted on youtube. Think of all the celebrity scandals you've heard of or how fast some atrocity be it local or global reaches our ears. Wireless and satellite internet and cell phone service could almost be taken literaly as the "from the housetops" part.

I really think the people of ancient times who wrote it could not express it any other way that what they did. Think about it, an invisiable, intangiable means of communicating information fast. Even 30 years ago it would be hard to imagine living with on a daily basis and discribe.

An views on your part?

Edited September 5, 2011 by FixingTheWrongs

[LittleWyvern]

I always took this figuratively; for example, I took it to mean that during the final judgement there will be no secrets, like there are in this life. We will, eventually, have to account for all the bad (and good!) we do. Your reading though is very interesting and something I haven't thought of before. I think I like it. :)

[Justice]

Yes, there's also the scripture that states that the whole world will see Him come again. We know the world is round and that He can only come to one side of it. I'm wondering how much technology played in that prophecy also.

Or, of course, it could simply mean all will know relatively soon at His coming.

It's hard to say, but I'm not ruling anything out until we know.

[lizzy16]

I took this that everyone in the entire world would know every detail of every wrong thing I did.

I always pictured this HUGE TV screen where every stupid thing I did would be shown to the world.

Although, I really think it'll be more of a "everyone knows what everyone wrong did." But, no one will be judgy because everyones stupid things will be known..is this incorrect in thinking?

We talked about this in seminary and one of the YM got a bit freaked out until the teacher told him it was only sins we hadn't repented of. The look on his face was one i'll always remember :)

[Avrham]

I believe that that showing of ones sins will be a way for one too accept the sins that where hidden or unrepntent I always thought that with sins being revealed meant that everyone is a sinner so therefore we cannot judge each other only Heavenly Father is the final Judge :)my 2cents

[ConvinceTheWorld]

That scripture simply means nobody will be able to cover their sins. Everything people have done in secret that they would like to hide due to shame will be revealed. You can't hide yourself from your self.

[Seminarysnoozer]

What, in the next life, is the value of everyone learning who did what in this life? I can see the value of sins not being kept in secret from the judge but I am not sure of the value of hearing every horrible sin ever committed in this world. I thought we weren't supposed to watch violence or sex on TV, etc., I think that same standard would be kept in the next life. ... I hope.

[pam]

Can you quote a specific verse about sins being shouted from the rooftops? I don't remember this point. I do remember something about the gospel being proclaimed from the rooftops. Which with modern technology and satellite dishes and such would make plenty of sense today.

Edited September 6, 2011 by pam

[LittleWyvern]

There's a couple scriptures in the Book of Mormon:

11 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth.

8 And now behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before mine eyes; but I, knowing that these things must surely be made known, and that all things which are hid must be revealed upon the house-tops—

Then, after reading these, keep in mind Matthew 10:26-33:

26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

There's also the more classic Luke 12:1-3:

1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

So, the analogy can go both ways.

Edited September 6, 2011 by LittleWyvern

[pam]

Originally Posted by 2 Nephi 27:11

11 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth.

I don't take this as sins being revealed upon the house tops. It talks about the words of the book which were sealed. I still think this is more about the truth of the gospel being shouted from the roof tops.

[Guest FixingTheWrongs]

That may very well be the case. I think I might of been mistaken in my reading. Still I thought I read somewhere that people's sins will be made know to everyone in the last days. In anycase thanks for the opinions everyone.

[Seminarysnoozer]

Proverbs 28:13

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Those who go through the repentance process - their sins will be remembered no more... those who do not go through the repentance process... perhaps for them:

(New Testament | Luke 12:2 - 3)

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

point being - it is much better to just voluntarily go through the repentance process now of your own free will and choice - and have your sins be washed away with the atonement, then to not repent - in which case they are not washed away, and will be visible for all to see.

What is the value for having sins "visible for all to see"? What value would I have to see the sin of some person living in ancient America 200 B.C.? I don't know if I would want to see all the horrible things done in this world that people didn't repent of, for the same reasons I hate to watch the evening news nowadays.

It seems like that is an unnecessary thing.

[LittleWyvern]

I don't take this as sins being revealed upon the house tops. It talks about the words of the book which were sealed. I still think this is more about the truth of the gospel being shouted from the roof tops.

Ah, I incorrectly identified the book as the book of life as written in Revelation. Thanks for correcting my mistake :)

If only I had read a few verses back...

5 For behold, the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep. For behold, ye have closed your a\eyes, and ye have rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the seers hath he covered because of your iniquity.

6 And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered.

7 And behold the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.

8 Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book shall be kept from them.

Edited September 7, 2011 by LittleWyvern