I want to speak plainly and say clearly that I am not an academic, nor am I a scholar. I am, however, able to think for myself, search knowledge, learn how to read and absorb information, and ask God in the name of Jesus Christ if it is true and for help in understanding. I’m not going to preach these things to you or footnote things you already know. I will focus this writing from my heart. Thank you for bringing these things forth. God did this through you; I have no doubt about it.
Words such as “antithetical themes” you use for one of Isaiah’s literary patterns have helped me sort through information and separate light or truth from darkness or what is not true. Examples include Isaiah’s seven antithetical themes that divide the Book of Isaiah into themes such as destruction vs deliverance, humiliation vs exaltation, and others. In my non-academic way, I simply call it “compare and contrast.” Isaiah uses this method not only to teach what is assuredly coming upon the inhabitants of this earth but to show how we can observe truth from error.
I love how the end-time servant is the Lord’s “right hand” and the Assyrian archtyrant the left. Opposite in their roles—how they operate and what is truly in their hearts—yet bringing to pass “the works of my hands.” How the roles they act out cause the entire world to line up behind one or the other. How this labor of both “hands” saves or damns humanity based on who they choose to serve. Themselves or Jehovah.
This “compare and contrast” method teaches how to discern light from darkness. If we can muster a semi-open mind and search anything, we can know the truth of the matter by following Isaiah’s patterns. So many refuse to think for themselves or look at things with sincere intent in order to see things as they really are—to see the truth! As a result, many never see it.
I have been able to learn a lot from this simple pattern given by God as demonstrated in the Book of Isaiah and Book of Mormon. If I am searching anything spiritual or anything of this world, the pattern is the same. If we look at both competing voices side by side, as Isaiah teaches, searching by the Spirit and keeping an open mind, the truth comes out and is clearly seen. This pattern has altered me completely. As you have said, and as I have experienced, coming to know these things is akin to being converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ all over again, only much more deeply.
What greater gift could be bestowed than to be able to see and recognize the truth and cast out all false beliefs? I believe that when we search the words of Isaiah, as Jesus commands, he bestows on us many spiritual gifts, including the spirit of prophesy and revelation. This opens the door—and it has in my life in a big way—to receiving knowledge, understanding and even hidden mysteries by the Holy Spirit through direct divine revelation, helping me to know these things of myself.
