Believers in the scriptures understand that the world will be destroyed and cleansed of the wicked before Jehovah’s coming to reign on the earth. But do they know what precipitates such destruction? Patterns from the past tell us what to look for that will signal the commencement of God’s endtime judgments. Paul draws on the prophecies of Isaiah when he says that those events won’t happen until “there comes a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the Son of Perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Isaiah uses models or types from ancient Near Eastern history and mythology to describe this endtime Antichrist as the “king of Babylon” (Isaiah 14:3–21).
Isaiah also makes clear that it is the “falling away” of God’s people that precipitates the world’s destruction by the king of Assyria/Babylon. (Assyrian conquerors of Babylon in Isaiah’s day called themselves “King of Babylon.”) Former destructions of the ancient world—first by Assyria and then by Babylon—occurred only when God’s people of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel had apostatized. Those who profess to be God’s people today, therefore, fall into this pattern before God’s endtime judgments commence. If it were not so, the archtyrant could have no power. He is merely God’s instrument for destroying the wicked from the earth.
I believe that it would be a mistake to assume that those who are leaving the LDS Church are the apostate category. I know many of those who have departed from the organization because of sincere study of the scriptures and found many major discrepancies that have been taught in manuals etc. Yet, they remain faithful to the gospel found in the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon.
I find that most Church members view Christ thru the lens of the LDS Church rather than viewing the Church through the lens of Christ. Example: When a person is baptized, we rejoice because they have “joined the Church”, rather than celebrating that they have come to Christ thru baptism. How often do we hear: “Are they members of of the Chruch?” rather than “Are they true followers of Christ and have accepted Him and live his gospel.” Even when testimonies are offered from the pulpit, the Church and leaders are often mentioned before Christ. “I know the Chruch is true” What does that mean? I also believe the constant “Prophet” adoration is a form of Idolatry.
Ten years ago I was struggling. I read the Book of Mormon as if it were the first time, without LDS bias. I cannot convey what was revealed to me. I found I was getting “milk toast” from our manuals and Salt Lake. Then I went to a Book of Mormon Conference and heard Gileadi for the first time, it was like a light turned on, and immediately went to Isaiah Explained.com and found the information resonated with what I had been learning on my own. Isaiah 28 hit me with the full impact with what I had already surmised.
I’m still a member of the Organization and attend meetings. It’s hard to sit in class and hear the nonsense. I have learned the hard way not to comment in class using scripture as a correction for what is in the manual. Mentioning the coming of the Servant as foretold in Isaiah has put me on the “Nut Case” list. So now I keep very quiet and I’m careful with whom I share information with.
I’m grateful for Gileadi’s work and have read most of his books and have attended his seminars. When I sense an individual is confused and is truly searching, I recommend Gileadi’s works. Those I have shared his work with have been so grateful. There are many who are quietly searching for truth. I look forward to the day the Servant is revealed and the final work begins. I would love to still be here.
Thank you so much Avraham, your works are truly a blessing in my life as well as the lives of many others.
Previous to this time, I have never associated Paul’s comments with the latter-day church. Just wow.