Kolob and Christ

ABRAHAM 3:1-17

Abraham 3:1-17 Through the use of the Urim and Thummim, Abraham learned about the sun, moon, and stars, their rotations, order, and relationship to each other. The order that exists among these heavenly bodies constitutes a remarkable allegory for the order of heaven. Comparing the characteristics of Kolob with spiritual descriptions of Christ and the characteristics of stars with those of spirits shows that Kolob is a type for Christ and the stars of the heavens are types for spirits.

Stars and Spirits

ABRAHAM 3:18-28

The stars or planets in Abraham 3, with their various rotations, provide a natural parallel with the "noble and great ones" described in the latter part of the chapter. We can summarize this likeness as follows concerning the nature and order of the planets:

1. "The stars . . . were very great" (v. 2). There were "many great ones . . . near unto" Kolob (Christ) (v. 2).

2. These stars were the "governing ones" (v. 3).

3. All stars are to sustain or be governed by "the great one" (v. 3). Each ruling star has a "set time" for its revolutions.

[Chart in parallel columns]

Kolob

"The name of the great one is Kolob, because it is near unto [God]" (v. 3).

Is "after the manner or in the likeness of the Lord (v. 4).

Is the "first creation" (v. 2; Facsimile 2, Figure 1).

ls the "nearest unto the throne of God" (v. 2; Fac. 2:1).

Is "first in government" (Facsimile 2, Figure 1) and is "to govern all those which belong to the same order" (v. 3).

Holds "the key of power" (Facsimile 2, Figure 2).

There are "many great ones" near Kolob; these are the governing ones (vv. 2-3).

Is the source of light for others (Facsimile 2, Figure 5).

"Is the greatest of all the Kokaubeam [stars] . . . because it is nearest unto [God]" (v. 16).

Jesus Christ

Is "the Great I Am" (D&C 29:1).

Is in the brightness of God's "glory, and the express image of his person" (Hebrews 1:3).

Said, "I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn" (D&C 93:21).

Is described as being "in the bosom of the Father" (D&C 76:25).

Has promised, "I will be your ruler when I come" (D&C41:4); prophesying of the Lord's coming, Isaiah said, "The government shall be upon his shoulder" (Isaiah 9:6). He is "Lord of lords, and King of kings" (Revelation 17:14).

Holds the keys of all power. All who hold keys in the kingdom of God here on earth received them under his direction (D&C 132:45), and an accounting of how all keys and authority have been used will yet be made to him (Daniel 7:9-14).

Joseph and Hyrum Smith, along with Brigham Young, John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff, are specifically mentioned as being "among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God" (D&C 138:55).

Is the source of "light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed" (D&C 88:13).

Was the greatest of all the premortal spirits. He is described as being "like unto God" (Abraham 3:24).

4. The star with the longer "set time" rules above the star with the lesser "set time" (vv. 4-7).

5. Anytime there is a star with a set time that has another star above it, then there will be another "planet whose reckoning of time shall be longer still" (v. 8). That is, for every star there is a greater star until we come to Kolob (Christ), for Kolob (Christ) "is set nigh unto the throne of God, to govern all those planets which belong to the same order" (v. 9).

6. To Abraham the Lord said: "It is given unto thee to know the set time of all the stars that are set to give light, until thou come near unto the throne of God (v. 10).

Now note what Abraham is taught concerning the premortal spirits:

1. Abraham was shown that among the great hosts of premortal spirits many had—through "exceeding faith and good works" (Alma 13:3)—merited the designation "noble and great" (v. 22).

2. Of these "noble and great" spirits the Lord said, "These I will make my rulers" (v. 23).

3. Those spirits who rebelled at the choice of Christ as their Redeemer were cast out (vv. 27-28).

4. Abraham was also told that whenever there were two spirits, one more intelligent than the other, then "there shall be another more intelligent than they" (v. 19).

5. Though it is not recorded for us, Abraham undoubtedly had revealed to him some knowledge of the destiny and mission of his fellow prophets. Such experiences were common to the ancient seers.