Isaiah on Destruction of the Wicked -- 2 Nephi 23

What Happens

"The destruction of Babylon is a type of the destruction at the Second Coming—It will be a day of wrath and vengeance—Babylon (the world) will fall forever—Compare Isaiah 13."
2 Nephi 23 Chapter Heading

Commentary

In our last episode, we were reading some Isaiah that Nephi wanted to share with us, including messages about the Millennium. This chapter covers the destruction of Babylon, and uses it as an illustration of what will happen before the Second Coming.

The chapter starts out with God calling his people.  Verse three is interesting, saying "mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my highness," which seems to indicate the same thing that is mentioned elsewhere, that "in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments" (D&C 59:21).

Verses 4-8 talk about gathering and noise and people coming from far away, and the knowledge of the destruction preceding it... people being afraid.  To me, that seems like another last chance to realize you are on the wrong side and to change.  Not saying it would be an easy thing to do at that point, but at that point if you realized this isn't who you wanted to be, it would be a good time to desert and not to try standing against God.  (I mean, of course, better to realize sooner too.)

Although verse 9 talks about cruelty, anger, and destruction, I am reminded of the constant longsuffering of God, and all that he puts up from us, helping and encouraging us to change. It reminds me of Jacob 5 and the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees, God burning the bad fruit only as the good grows and needs the room... giving us all time and space to change and repent. This destruction is something that is necessary, but done only when the fruit is fully ripe.

Verse 10 makes it clear that this isn't a normal war. This is basically a heavenly judgement, and will be accompanied by darkness from stars, sun, and moon.

Verse 11 seems like the reason behind all of it... because something has to stop the evil and the terrible, and finally this is the time ordained for that to be done.

I like verse 12 because it is also a reason.  "I will make a man more precious than fine gold."  And maybe that is exactly what is missing in this world: our value amongst one another, and restoring that value will help everything come back into balance.

Verse 13 talking about shaking the heavens and "the earth shall remove out of her place" is another indication that all of this isn't just about the city Babylon, but is also a prophecy about the world in general before the Second Coming.

14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up; and they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own aland.

Verses 15-18 tell us that "every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall."  And while some of the images are horrifying, the main message is that this time, God's mercy for their families won't stop it, no amount of "silver and gold" will stop it, and just as those who chose evil haven't spared God's precious children or valued life, at this time he will not spare theirs.  Choosing evil is a death sentence.

Verses 19-21 seem to be saying that we can't trust in earthly beauty or might, because that is no defense against the evil behind it.  God will utterly wipe out every false thing that we trust in... only by trusting in *him* can we be saved.

Verse 22 reminds us that though the wicked must perish, God will still be merciful to his people, which reminds me of Ezekiel 37:11-14 -- this life isn't the only time that we have to hope, because all of us will be raised by God and restored to life.

Tune in next time as we continue reading the Isaiah chapters that Nephi picked out for us.

Isaiah on Praise in the Millennial Day -- 2 Nephi 22

What Happens

"In the millennial day all men will praise the Lord—He will dwell among them—Compare Isaiah 12."
2 Nephi 22 Chapter Heading

Commentary

In our last episode, we were reading some Isaiah that Nephi wanted to share with us, including messages about gathering and uniting the people of the Lord.

This chapter talks about the Millennium, which seems like kind of a promise from God that everything that we do and have gone through will be worth it.  We don't get the same level of detail that we do in other scriptures about this period, and although those details are amazingly cool (no sickness, no death, no sorrow, etc.), I think the focus here is also really cool, because it is part of a needed break between some of the other less-happy prophecies of the last days, but also because it is a blessing of hope, and a reminder that the bad parts are always temporary. It is good to skip ahead a little and see that we will all be praising God, and that the good parts will last, and that they will triumph.

In verse two I like how it points out that we will trust and not be afraid.  Fear is such a constant for us in this life it seems.  Even if we aren't in an emergency, there are those background worries that can fill our lives with anxiety.  The idea that we will be saying we are not afraid is an amazing promise.

The Millennium seems to be all about joy, as verse three mentions, and I love the image of drawing water out of the wells of salvation.  What could taste better? :)

The last three verses all seem to convey the idea that we are going to be so happy and love God so much that we just can't contain it.  In verse four we are telling others to praise him, in five we want everyone to sing to him, and in six we are crying out and shouting his praise.  Those are things that we only do on rare, and supremely happy, occasions in our current lives... just imagine how happy we will be, if we are feeling that kind of impulse all the time. :)

Tune in next time as we continue reading the Isaiah chapters that Nephi picked out for us.

Isaiah on Gathering and Uniting the Lord's People -- 2 Nephi 21

What Happens

"The stem of Jesse (Christ) will judge in righteousness—The knowledge of God will cover the earth in the Millennium—The Lord will raise an ensign and gather Israel—Compare Isaiah 11."
2 Nephi 21 Chapter Heading

Commentary

In our last episode, we were reading some Isaiah that Nephi wanted to share with us, including warnings about corruption and war, and a reminder to stay upon the Lord.

This chapter begins with a prophecy of Christ, and there is a lot of great stuff here.  Right off, we learn a lot about the spirit of the Lord, that it is also the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, etc.  Which we kind of already knew, but I like when it breaks it down like that, so we can remember why we need the spirit in our lives so much.

I really like the statements in verse three about not judging by sight or hearing.  That is so opposite from what we learn in the world, and important to remember.  God can see so much further than we can, and he can hear the yearnings of the soul.  Our mortal senses are inadequate measures with which to judge, and we need to trust God in that regard, like Christ did, as he is the one referred to here.

There is an interesting balance in verse 4 between helping the poor and the meek, and smiting and slaying the wicked.  To me it seems like one necessitates the other.  That, however unfortunate, the poor and the meek will never be treated justly until the wicked are slain.  That's actually a sad condemnation of us as humans... that we can't actually find a way to treat each other decently and stop the corruption.  But thankfully, God will, "even if it so be as by fire" (1 Nephi 22:17).

Verse 5 talks about being clothed with righteousness and faithfulness.  I kind of like that idea, of having those things wrapped around you all the time... that that is what you choose to wear every morning, your favorite outfit, and choosing that clean and bright clothing over that dirty souvenir T-shirt from the bad choices in your life. :)

The ideas in verses 6-9, talking about even wild animals being at peace with each other and "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" is crazy cool.  The knowledge of the Lord doesn't just affect us in our brains, but in our whole beings.  It isn't just an intellectual knowing, but on a whole other level, where the wild animals and the winds and the waves and the whole earth and universe respond to it.  We think so shallowly about God sometimes, only about what *we* think about him, and how he affects our personal lives, but this is bigger than that, and it always has been.  A good thing to think on.

Another thing I like in verse nine is that phrase "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."  I love that idea... of the knowledge of God flooding our lives and filling every crevice and hiding place... that there will be no place to go that will be away from him, but that every word and conversation and taste and breath will be of him... I really love that idea of breathing in the spirit instead of air. :)  I am sure that it would be better for us... and fill us too, with love and indescribable happiness.

Verses 10-12 talk about Christ recovering the Lord's people from wherever they are throughout the world.  I love verse 12 and "the outcasts of Israel."  The whole idea of gathering what was scattered, from wherever they are in the earth, and restoring his people reminds us that he is going to forgive and renew his covenant with all of us, and how merciful and gracious he is to give us that chance to repent and change.

Verse 13 seems to be saying that all of the Lord's people will be united in that day, not fighting or envying each other, and that their adversaries will be cut off... basically, as usual, the Lord uniting us and fighting our battles. :)  Honestly, this whole chapter is interesting and good, but this might be my favorite part, and I look forward to the day when we aren't fighting about religion, but instead fighting for God.

The last couple of verses reminds us of some miracles that have gone before, talking about smiting the Egyptian sea and making "men go over dry shod" and comparing saving the remnant of his people to bringing the Israelites out of Egypt. I just hope that in the last days when these miracles are repeated, we are less hard-hearted than our predecessors, and less quick to complain. :)

Tune in next time as we continue reading the Isaiah chapters that Nephi picked out for us.

Isaiah on Corruption, War, and Staying Upon the Lord -- 2 Nephi 20

What Happens

"The destruction of Assyria is a type of the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming—Few people will be left after the Lord comes again—The remnant of Jacob will return in that day—Compare Isaiah 10."
2 Nephi 20 Chapter Heading

Commentary

In our last episode, we were reading some Isaiah that Nephi wanted to share with us, including prophecy of the coming of Christ and subsequent wickedness. In this chapter, we continue reading Isaiah.


The chapter starts out warning of sin, specifically unrighteous decrees, which seems to point to corruption in government.  God lets us know that he doesn't want his needy, poor, widowed, or fatherless people to be targeted or to suffer because of the "grievousness" that is written.

God next asks, perhaps as a consequence of the corruption, what we will do without him.  When desolation comes, we will have no place to flee, and we will fall.  In verse 5 God talks of the "Assyrian" as the "rod of mine anger," perhaps referring to a specific event in the Old Testament, but also symbolically (since this is a prophecy for the last days as well) that he will use another nation to strike at the corruption that is harming his people with the aforementioned "grievousness."  He will send this group against "a hypocritical nation" (likely the same one(s) harboring corrupt governments) and have them take the spoil and "tread them down like the mire of the streets" (verse 6).  Doesn't sound very pleasant.


We then switch in verse 7 to the inner thoughts and motivations of the king of Assyria (or other symbolic nation) who is comparing his people to the Lord's people who are being punished for corruption and disobedience.  He thinks about how his people and his cities are just as good as they are, and can't he destroy Jerusalem just as easily as he just destroyed Samaria?

God, who used the Assyrian as a rod to punish his people, then tells us that when he is done with his work, he will punish the King of Assyria for pride, specifically mentioning in verse 13 "For he saith: By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I have done these things" to which the Lord says in verse 15 "Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith?" ... Basically saying, hey... I used you as a tool to accomplish something, and now you are taking this way too far.  And to show that the Assyrian doesn't have power to go beyond God's boundaries, the Lord "shall burn and shall devour his thorns and his briers in one day" (verse 17), and "the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them" (verse 19).

In verse 20 things start turning positive.  We are told that "the remnant of Israel" (presumably the people who are left after the big war with the Assyrian) "shall no more again stay upon him that smote them, but shall stay upon the Lord" which is a really cool idea.  This might sound weird, but what it reminds me of is overcoming an abusive past, where you can finally change the way you look at the world from fear and avoiding conflict to seeing that there is more out there, and being free to pursue life without that constant fear.

... Of course the idea here is complicated by the fact that the Lord used the Assyrian to smite in the first place, and the the people strayed from God in the first place as well, so definitely not a perfect analogy... but maybe it works if you look at it with another analogy that the Lord uses for his people sometimes: a married couple.  In that case, God's people would be the wife who left him for the Assyrian, and God allows her to stay long enough to understand what a bad choice she made, and that things are now way worse than they ever were for her before.  Then, when she wants to leave and go home to her husband, the Assyrian stops her and beats her.  So, God confronts him.  The Assyrian waves his big gun and God turns him to dust with a thought, and then welcomes his wife back.  Or, in other words, "the remnant shall return . . . unto the mighty God" (verse 21).

At this point we pull back, reminded of our perspective of people reading about this before it happens, and God tells us that these things will happen, and that it is determined (verse 23).  It is part of what we are going to see at the Second Coming.  However, he also tells us "O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian; he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. / For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease" (verses 24-25).  In other words, yes, this is going to happen, and it might get as bad as when you were slaves in Egypt, but please don't be afraid.  It will be scary, but it will not last.  I will come and save you.


I love the imagery in verse 27 of removing burdens.  God won't only lift our burdens and take off the yoke, but he will destroy the yoke. 

Verses 28-32 seem to go back to the Assyrian getting closer and closer to his goal: "he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem."  But then the Lord stops him, hewing down the high and the haughty (verse 33).


Lopping the bough in verse 33 also reminds me of the parable of the olive trees in Jacob 5, and the idea that God will improve his vineyard by removing the evil as the good grows.  And the terror part reminds me that "the righteous need not fear" in 1 Nephi 22:17.  I think the rest seems to all be about pride, literally as in the haughty, and also figuratively as in trees, which are also sometimes symbolic of idol worship.  Basically, all of this destruction at the end seems to be symbolic of  the destruction of the wicked, but God still promises to save the righteous.  We just need to choose which group we want to be in. :)

Tune in next time as we continue reading the Isaiah chapters that Nephi picked out for us.

Isaiah on Christ's Appearance in a Wicked World -- 2 Nephi 19

What Happens

"Isaiah speaks messianically—The people in darkness will see a great light—Unto us a child is born—He will be the Prince of Peace and will reign on David’s throne—Compare Isaiah 9."
2 Nephi 19 Chapter Heading

Commentary

In our last episode, we were reading some Isaiah that Nephi wanted to share with us, largely about the different ways we see the world, and what sharing God's perspective can do for us.  In this chapter, we continue reading Isaiah.


The beginning of this chapter leads into predictions of the appearance of Christ, both during his first ministry and his second coming (Isaiah seems to do that a lot, with layered meanings).  I like the image of walking in darkness and then seeing "a great light" which seems to be not only to people that are alive, but also to the dead, which is talking about the resurrections that are associated with Christ's coming (again, both times).

Verses 3-4 talks about multiplying nations and increasing joy, because Christ has freed us from sin and death and the oppression of Satan.  I think verse 5 is referring to the destructions that are usually associated with the coming of Christ as well, for instance as in 3 Nephi, but also in prophecies about the Second Coming. 

Verse 6 mentions a child, which is a reference to Christ's mortal ministry, but even in this set of verses, it talks about things that Christ is in general and will be, but not necessarily who he was, at least from an earthly perspective, before he was crucified, which is why I think there is some confusion about his prophecies.  He is the government spiritually always, but was never in the government during his mortal ministry.  He will be the government on earth during the millennium, after his Second Coming, which is when judgement and justice that last forever will be established.


Around verse 8 this chapter takes a downward turn.  It's not really clear exactly why, but as far as the previous verses talk about Christ's coming, the following verse might be about Christ's death, in terms of his appearance in Jerusalem, and / or his rejection in so many places and lives since.  Christ came and changed everything, but of course not everyone accepted that, or accepts it now, and considering the reality of God, *especially* while he was on earth and the reality was there in front of people, that's almost like saying that the sun doesn't shine just because you won't open your eyes to look at it.  ... I think we should probably also be concerned about a similar condemnation.  We tell ourselves sometimes that we don't know for sure when God is talking to us, but on some level we know a lot more than I think we admit.  We have to let go of our doubt and have faith in order to move forward in understanding the spirit and the witness of Christ, which we can all have.

Verses 12 and 13 can sound almost cruel if you are thinking about a normal everyday situation, as though God expects people to turn to him because he is smiting them.  However, in the context of sin and the pride cycle, it makes a lot of sense.  We often start doing bad things when things are going well, because we are filled with pride, thinking that we made everything good happen, and that we are better than other people and nothing can tear us down.  And then, when we get wicked like that, things start falling apart... we aren't protected by God anymore, and so our enemies start winning, and God's hand is often outstretched because we need that reminder to switch back into humility mode.  Thus, instead of cruelty, these verses are actually just God trying to reclaim and save us... as always, and I think the rest of the chapter reflects this same cycle.  We are righteous when we are close to Christ, and then we drift away, which leads to destruction, and to return to goodness we always need Christ again, either through another visitation (on a global scale), or hopefully, on an individual scale, through prayer and repentance.

I don't really know who is being referred to here if the ancient and the false prophet are specific people, but the idea of "the leaders of this people cause them to err" is definitely something that we can relate to in the modern world, and something that we need to ward against in our lives, to make sure that we are following God first and being super careful about who else we are listening to.

Verse 17 is pretty extreme because God advocates throughout the scriptures for the fatherless and for widows.  He has a huge soft spot for both of those groups.  In this case though, it says that he won't have mercy on them, because even they are evildoers: "every one of them" meaning I think that this group of people is so far gone that even those two groups are corrupted.


Verses 18-19 paint a further picture of how bad things are--wickedness compared to a forest fire, completely out of control with the people as the fuel.  "No man shall spare his brother" is probably figurative and literal.  None of them will refrain from passing on the evil even to their own families, and they are so evil that they likely won't physically spare their lives either.


Verse 20 seems to me to be the obvious and constant consequences of sin.  We always think that sin is going to fill us or satisfy us, and instead, no matter how hard we try to fill ourselves with sin we are left empty.  In essence, we are trying to survive by eating the acid of sin, and not only creating a deeper and deeper void in ourselves spiritually, but often eating ourselves alive physically as well with stress and emotional pain, etc. 

The last verse returns us to some of God's favorite people, but instead of being widows and fatherless this time, it is tribes of Israel, which he also has a huge soft spot for.  These too are just fighting each other though, and so God's arm remains outstretched.  He can use it to destroy or to save, but it isn't really looking good for repentance at the point that the chapter ends.

Tune in next time as we continue reading the Isaiah chapters that Nephi picked out for us.