As we observe freedoms in our nation being systematically eliminated on a daily basis and political leverage flagrantly overriding law and order—while few in leadership positions evidence willingness to dissent—I am reminded of what brought God’s people together when facing tyranny in scriptural times. Wasn’t it that they “remembered the captivity of their fathers” and […]
People commonly think of all messianic prophecies as referring to one Messiah. Christians identify that person exclusively with Jesus, while Jews identify him just as exclusively with an endtime David. Neither group appears to allow room for the other’s point of view. While there may indeed be only one Messiah, we nevertheless find that all
The Twofold Nature of Messianic Prophecies Read More »
The Lord’s promise to Joseph in Egypt that he would raise up a “choice seer” out of his lineage (2 Nephi 3:6–7, 11, 14) was supremely fulfilled in the Prophet Joseph Smith. The “work” he would perform, which would be “of great worth” to Joseph’s descendants, consisted in part of bringing forth the Book of
One Like unto Moses Read More »
Jesus’ atonement for this world’s transgressions occurred as a direct fulfillment of God’s covenants with his people Israel. Although foreordained from before the foundation of the earth, how it was executed was within God’s covenant relationship with his people Israel. Beginning with the Abrahamic Covenant made with Israel’s ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, then the
The Atonement—Outgrowth of God’s Covenants Read More »
Prophecies by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and others about a messianic figure who assists in restoring the house of Israel in preparation for Jehovah’s coming to reign on the earth agree with Jewish expectations of a “Messiah” or “anointed one” (masiah). A biblical precedent or type of this figure is King David: “Then Samuel took
The Jewish Messiah, the Christian Messiah Read More »
The importance of understanding Isaiah’s message increases daily as world events line up like the planets for the fulfillment of his prophecy. Under the codename “Egypt”—the great superpower of Isaiah’s day—America is predicted to suffer spiritual decline, political ineptitude, economic collapse, internal anarchy, and invasion by a ruthless military world power from the North—an endtime
The Struggle within America—Isaiah Saw It Read More »
In the pattern of patriarchs and prophets of old—with whom God walked and talked—only persons who qualify on account of their exceeding righteousness “dwell in the presence of Jehovah” (Isaiah 23:18). For those who prove loyal to him through the vicissitudes that overtake the world in its most evil hour, his glorious coming will prove
The Righteous Dwell in Jehovah’s Presence Read More »
An entire separation of the righteous and the wicked occurs at the end of the world. While a glorious new age dawns for those of God’s people who repent, doomsday in all its horrors overtakes those who don’t. After sending prophets to warn humanity one last time, God brings on his judgment: “Come near, you
Separation of the Righteous and the Wicked Read More »
The book Visions of Glory by John Pontius, based on the near death experiences of “Spencer,” has been the cause of much division and condemnation from people who find it incredulous or who feel threatened by its graphic depictions of the earth’s endtime phase we have now entered. Because of that, soon after its publication,
Those with Visions Read More »
Though each of our journeys through life is different—which I appreciate more and more—the principles on which our lives operate are the same: practical, universal, and eternal. Because they cut through differences in personalities, principles unite us when we live by them but divide us when we don’t. Those who live by them may thus
As “God will do nothing unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7), he gives ample warning before cleansing the earth of wickedness—in the endtime as anciently. In Isaiah’s day, for example, God commands Isaiah to go naked and barefoot for three years as a portent of Assyria’s invasion of Egypt
Three Years’ Warning Followed by Judgment Read More »
When I reached a point where it no longer seemed enough to search the scriptures, pray morning and night, and meditate sporadically, I set aside a time before retiring at night to meditate on the things of God. Aren’t the scriptures full of examples of such meditation? “My soul yearns for you in the night;
