God’s performing his great and marvelous work “among the children of men” (2 Nephi 25:17; emphasis added)—among humanity at large—characterizes the great and marvelous work as a worldwide event from the outset. As an inherent part of that work, God’s “setting his hand the second time” to restore his people of the house of Israel …
In this modern age, when materialism, idolatry, perversions, and telestial trivia seduce the masses, one can foresee how the endtime Gentiles’ all-is-well attitude of self-sufficiency, indifference, conceit, and hypocrisy might in the end evolve into priestcraft and the murderous persecution of souls who hold fast to the truth (3 Nephi 16:10). Like the Zoramites, who …
Consistent with the “other books” that are to come forth that will fulfill his prediction, therefore (1 Nephi 13:39), Jesus goes on to say that “in the latter day shall the truth come unto Gentiles, that the fulness of these things shall be made known unto them” (3 Nephi 16:7; emphasis added). That “truth” and …
Paradoxically, on the other hand, as noted, because additional scriptures come forth only when the Gentiles “believe” the Book of Mormon—including its interpretation of the words of Isaiah (3 Nephi 26:7–11)—some must believe and understand them in order for that to occur. If not, if belief doesn’t involve acting upon it, how can it be …
Those who attain this second level of blessedness are freed from iniquity as well as sin. While we often lump “sins and iniquities” together as though they are the same thing, there exists a significant difference between the two. Persons on the Zion/Jerusalem level, for example, receive God’s forgiveness of their sins but must still …
According to Isaiah, God raises up his servant when the world is spiraling in a spiritual downturn—when God’s people are buying wholesale into the ideology of Babylon. Isaiah’s ministry was a type of that scenario. So was the time before the Flood, when wickedness and violence prevailed throughout the earth. At that time God destroyed …
Three Years of Warning before Three Years of Judgment Read More »
“In that day the Lord will thresh out [his harvest] from the torrent of the River to the streams of Egypt. But you shall be gleaned one by one, O children of Israel. In that day a loud trumpet shall sound, and they who were lost in the land of Assyria and they who were …
It was in the context of his people’s lost and fallen state that the redemptive role of Israel’s God as their Savior and King awakened in their consciousness. When they prospered in the Promised Land, his people gave little thought to the need of a Savior. Many even forgot their heavenly King. Only after they …
Jesus refers to his servant again when giving Lehi’s descendants “a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion” (3 Nephi 21:1; cf. vv 8–11). …
Isaiah’s Seven-Part Structure defines Babylon as a composite entity made up of individual entities of various kinds (Isaiah 13–23; 47). These consist of the nations of the world, aggressive world powers (like Assyria and its alliance), tyrants and oppressors, rulers and men of power, enemies and adversaries, proud kindred peoples, and the wicked of God’s …
In Isaiah’s Seven-Part Structure, ascent to a higher level is preceded by a temporary descent. That descent consists of the test or tests of loyalty that God orchestrates for each individual. It involves a period of suffering and humiliation that serves as a personal trial of one’s faith; however, this is but the prelude to …
Linked ideas throughout the Book of Isaiah demonstrate how God’s people respond to his end-time servant’s message. Those who acknowledge the servant do as he does. As the servant keeps the terms of God’s covenant, so do they. When they live God’s law for its own sake, not for the sake of reward, God blesses …
