Revelation 6:14: And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together.

At the end of the sixth seal,¹ the heaven will literally² depart as a scroll.³ The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies the meaning of this literal event by changing the words in this verse to say that "the heavens opened as a scroll is opened when it is rolled together."⁴ This sounds like the scroll opens when rolled up, which is contrary to our common understanding. However, this makes perfect sense if the scroll is the object that blocks our view of heaven. In that case, the heavens are opened to view from behind the scroll as the scroll is rolled up. This inspired revision clarifies that the departed heavens will literally open to show great signs and wonders in the heavens.⁵ These same heavens will literally depart in the sense of their physical removal⁶ only when there is a new heaven and new terrestrial earth at the Second Coming,⁷ and again when there is a new heaven and new celestial earth after the millennium at the end of the earth.⁸

The signs in heaven at the end of the sixth seal will be truly remarkable.⁹ However, they will be less dramatic versions of similar signs and wonders during the seventh seal.¹⁰ The signs of the seventh seal will begin after the half hour of silence mentioned in Revelation 8:1.¹¹ Some people say the period of silence in Revelation 8:1 corresponds to the half hour of silence mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:95.¹² However, after the silence in Revelation 8:1, there will be a whole series of signs in heaven and plagues on the earth until "the face of the Lord shall be unveiled" as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:95. In other words, the half hour of silence will occur twice‒the first time in Revelation 8:1 at the start of the seventh seal and again at the time of the Second Coming in Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:95.¹³

Some scholars interpret the departing heaven in Revelation 6:14 as a symbol of the removal of pagan and idol worship from the earth.¹⁴ The destruction at the end of the sixth seal will not bring an end to idol worship or wickedness.¹⁵ The destruction is designed, however, to encourage people to repent rather than to destroy the unrepentant.¹⁶