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.
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.
"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.
