2 Nephi 9:27-54
Chapter 9
The Jews will be gathered in all their lands of promise—The Atonement ransoms man from the Fall—The bodies of the dead will come forth from the grave, and their spirits from hell and from paradise—They will be judged—The Atonement saves from death, hell, the devil, and endless torment—The righteous are to be saved in the kingdom of God—Penalties for sins are set forth—The Holy One of Israel is the keeper of the gate. About 559–545 B.C.
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I don't think Jacob could have been more clear with his message: Follow the Savior and you will live. Don't and you will die. The same message applies to us today.
Jacob warns us of pride, materialism, wrong priorities, arrogance, lying, murdering and sinning in all forms. Then, after his warning he recaps by saying "to be carnally-minded is death and to be spiritually minded is life eternal."
One of the things I talk most about is the power of perspective- and that's what Jacob is referring to here. Where are my priorities? What are the things that I love? What do I value? Can I take the with me?
Do I abhor evil? Do I thirst for righteousness? Do I remember the words of my God?
This is a chapter filled with questions that I ask myself- almost like a personal interview.
I'm not perfect, but I am trying to keep the eternal perspective. It's hard sometimes when the world around me is tangible and enticing. It's easy to see. Things of a spiritual nature aren't as easily accessible to the five senses. But, with my perspective is spiritually minded, the things of this world that are before me take a different light. Some things have more meaning, other things have less. And other things' meaning changes completely.
How grateful I am for the ability to really see the world through His eyes by being spiritually minded. I see people differently, my problems differently. I see myself differently. And I see my Father in Heaven and my Savior differently, too. They are real to me. And nothing in the world can give me that.
What did you think/learn today?
There was a lot in this part of the chapter, I ended up reading it several times and caught several things. Don't waste your probation, you may be learned but not necessarily wise, be careful of what you consider as treasures.....but the mental image that literally jumped off the page this morning on my third read through was this.....
ReplyDeleteThe keeper of the gate is Christ and He employeth no servant there.... I can't even count the number of times I have heard the saying that we will meet Peter at the Pearly Gates. I can't describe the picture in my head, but it would be the opposite of the the picture I have seen where Christ is at the door with no doorknob knocking, and we have to let him in.
So my take... on the earth we have to let Him in. But in Heaven, He has to let us in. Will he know me? Will I be good enough for him to open the gate? The gatekeeper is Christ, can you imagine the heartache if he were to say "I don't know you, go away..."
This chapter is a voice of warning. If you want to be saved - be obedient. And he reminds us how awful it will be for us if we don't. Especially for us, the members of his church, as it says in verse 27 - But wo unto him that has the law given, yea that has all the commandments of God.... and that transgresseth them and that wasteth the day of his probation, FOR AWFUL IS HIS STATE! Reminds me of the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants which talks about where much is given, much is required.
ReplyDeleteI also like part of verse 51 - come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. YUM YUM! I'm all for a feast! :)