Where do we suppose believers will learn what is next in line for them and this nation? As they don’t hear this from the pulpit, there must be another way the Lord has provided for his end-time people. We know he gives no commandment unless he prepares a way to keep it—and that “he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.” (2 Nephi 31:3)
And if the Lord made it a commandment to “search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah” (3 Nephi 23:1); and if “in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass” (2 Nephi 25:7), then no wonder Isaiah’s words have been unsealed in our day, enabling believers to meet that challenge!
If not, what shall be “when the harvest is over and the produce fails to arrive” (Isaiah 32:10)? When “Jehovah comes out of his dwelling place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquities” (Isaiah 26:21)? When “terrors and pitfalls and traps await you” (Isaiah 24:17)? When “the traitors have been treacherous and the turncoats have deceitfully betrayed!” (Isaiah 24:16)?
Isaiah’s list is long. Would believers know beforehand on which principles the Lord divides the sheep from the goats, the wise from the foolish virgins, or the wheat from the tares? Do they know on which points of doctrine he has prepared “a way of escape” for his elect from “sudden destruction”? Do they assume they are his elect without knowing his definition of the term?
But, as Paul says, “We are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” (Hebrews 6:9) For Isaiah further declares, “In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book and the eyes of the blind see out of gross darkness.” (Isaiah 29:18); and, “Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” (Isaiah 35:5)
Shall we be among these: “O people of Zion, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, you will have no cause to weep. He will graciously respond at the cry of your voice; he will answer you as soon as he hears it. Though my Lord give you the bread of adversity and water of affliction, yet shall your Teacher remain hidden no longer, but your eyes shall see the Master.” (Isaiah 30:19–20)
Evidently, those addressed in this scripture have put themselves out there. It is because they are getting flack for being valiant that the Lord compensates them with his presence, that experience being a consequence of their serving him. It is to those who “worship by sacrifice and offerings, and make vows to Jehovah and fulfill them” that he makes himself known (Isaiah 19:21).
