The sentinel angels are posted at the gates to prevent the unworthy from entering into the presence of the Lord
Posted: April 11th, 2019, 8:18 pm
Here is just a sample of what you will find at this link. Passing by the Angels-Ancient Teachings
LDS Temple Endowment
Parallels to LDS Temples will be shown in Ancient Writings and Historical Christian Art. Many of these writings were not available at the time the Prophet Joseph Smith restored the knowledge of Temple Ordinances back upon the earth in their fullness.
"And those who kept the gate of the (third) heaven demanded the password, and the LORD gave (it) to them in order that he should not be recognized . . . And again I saw when he descended into the second heaven, that there again he gave the password, for those who kept the gates demanded (it), and the LORD gave (it) . . . And again I saw when he descended into the first heaven, that there he gave the password to those who kept the gates . . . And again he descended into the firmament where prince of this world dwells, and he gave the password to those who (were) on the left . . . And I saw when he descended and made himself like the angels of the air . . . he did not give the password." (Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah 10:24-25, 27, 29, 31). (James H. Charlesworth, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, 2:174.)
In some early Jewish stories, the individual ascending to heaven is challenged by one or more angels who threaten to kill him, but is then rescued. Thus, Rabbi Ishmael reported that when he arrived at the heavenly palace, the angels were about to cast him out, but God sent the angel Metraton. "He grasped me with his hand before their eyes and said to me, 'Come in peace into the presence of the exalted King'" (3 Enoch 1:1-5). (Ibid., 1:255-256http://ldstempleendowment.blogspot.com/ ... _2853.html
And a telling quote from Brigham Young.
"Let me give you a definition in brief. Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels "(DBY, 416).
LDS Temple Endowment
Parallels to LDS Temples will be shown in Ancient Writings and Historical Christian Art. Many of these writings were not available at the time the Prophet Joseph Smith restored the knowledge of Temple Ordinances back upon the earth in their fullness.
"And those who kept the gate of the (third) heaven demanded the password, and the LORD gave (it) to them in order that he should not be recognized . . . And again I saw when he descended into the second heaven, that there again he gave the password, for those who kept the gates demanded (it), and the LORD gave (it) . . . And again I saw when he descended into the first heaven, that there he gave the password to those who kept the gates . . . And again he descended into the firmament where prince of this world dwells, and he gave the password to those who (were) on the left . . . And I saw when he descended and made himself like the angels of the air . . . he did not give the password." (Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah 10:24-25, 27, 29, 31). (James H. Charlesworth, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, 2:174.)
In some early Jewish stories, the individual ascending to heaven is challenged by one or more angels who threaten to kill him, but is then rescued. Thus, Rabbi Ishmael reported that when he arrived at the heavenly palace, the angels were about to cast him out, but God sent the angel Metraton. "He grasped me with his hand before their eyes and said to me, 'Come in peace into the presence of the exalted King'" (3 Enoch 1:1-5). (Ibid., 1:255-256http://ldstempleendowment.blogspot.com/ ... _2853.html
And a telling quote from Brigham Young.
"Let me give you a definition in brief. Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels "(DBY, 416).