2 Nephi 20
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Again, I turn to the Institute manual for further insight:
2 Nephi 20. God’s Judgment on Assyria
• Although the Assyrians were allowed to prevail
against Israel and Judah, they also faced the judgments
of God for their unrighteousness. Chapter 20 of
2 Nephi contains a prophecy concerning the destiny of
Assyria, the fulfillment of which has been historically
confirmed. Isaiah mentioned some of the successful
military campaigns of Assyria (see v. 9) and prophesied
of the eventual intrusion and success against Judah,
even listing the names of many of the cities of Judah
that would fall to Assyria (see vv. 28–32). Nevertheless,
the Assyrians eventually failed and the destruction of
both Israel and Assyria is described as complete (see
vv. 15–19). The destruction of Israel and Assyria is also
a type of the destruction of the wicked in any age,
including the latter days.
2 Nephi 20:16–19. The Wicked to Be Destroyed
in One Day
• Isaiah used the fall of Assyria as a type and shadow
of the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie instructed readers of this
passage how to arrange and understand the writings
in the context of the Second Coming: “It is Isaiah,
speaking of the Second Coming, who says: ‘And the
light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One
for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns
and his briers in one day.’ So it is said of the day of
burning when the vineyard is cleansed. ‘And [the fire]
shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful
field, both soul and body,’ the account continues.
‘And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few,
that a child may write them.’ The wickedness of men
is so widespread, and their evils are so great, that
few—comparatively—shall abide the day. ‘And it shall
come to pass in that day’—the day of burning, the day
when every corruptible thing is consumed, the day
when few men are left—‘that the remnant of Israel,
and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no
more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall
stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob,
unto the mighty God.’ (Isa. 10:17–21.) They shall be
gathered after the coming of the Lord."
---
Makes our day sound so scary, probably because it really is. But, I take heart in the words of President Hinckley, that we really do live in exciting times. We get to take part in the fulfillment of prophecy. That's exciting! And we get to prepare the earth for the coming of Jesus Christ. Again- exciting!
Sometimes I can get bogged down by the depressing and corrupt nature of the world, but then I remind myself of all the goodness and great miracles that surround me.
Again, I turn to the Institute manual for further insight:
2 Nephi 20. God’s Judgment on Assyria
• Although the Assyrians were allowed to prevail
against Israel and Judah, they also faced the judgments
of God for their unrighteousness. Chapter 20 of
2 Nephi contains a prophecy concerning the destiny of
Assyria, the fulfillment of which has been historically
confirmed. Isaiah mentioned some of the successful
military campaigns of Assyria (see v. 9) and prophesied
of the eventual intrusion and success against Judah,
even listing the names of many of the cities of Judah
that would fall to Assyria (see vv. 28–32). Nevertheless,
the Assyrians eventually failed and the destruction of
both Israel and Assyria is described as complete (see
vv. 15–19). The destruction of Israel and Assyria is also
a type of the destruction of the wicked in any age,
including the latter days.
2 Nephi 20:16–19. The Wicked to Be Destroyed
in One Day
• Isaiah used the fall of Assyria as a type and shadow
of the destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie instructed readers of this
passage how to arrange and understand the writings
in the context of the Second Coming: “It is Isaiah,
speaking of the Second Coming, who says: ‘And the
light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One
for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns
and his briers in one day.’ So it is said of the day of
burning when the vineyard is cleansed. ‘And [the fire]
shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful
field, both soul and body,’ the account continues.
‘And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few,
that a child may write them.’ The wickedness of men
is so widespread, and their evils are so great, that
few—comparatively—shall abide the day. ‘And it shall
come to pass in that day’—the day of burning, the day
when every corruptible thing is consumed, the day
when few men are left—‘that the remnant of Israel,
and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no
more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall
stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob,
unto the mighty God.’ (Isa. 10:17–21.) They shall be
gathered after the coming of the Lord."
---
Makes our day sound so scary, probably because it really is. But, I take heart in the words of President Hinckley, that we really do live in exciting times. We get to take part in the fulfillment of prophecy. That's exciting! And we get to prepare the earth for the coming of Jesus Christ. Again- exciting!
Sometimes I can get bogged down by the depressing and corrupt nature of the world, but then I remind myself of all the goodness and great miracles that surround me.
There was a whole lot of death and destruction in this chapter. We are told not to seek after signs, but if we watch, they are all around us. The signs are very clear that we are in the middle of great wickedness and righteousness at the same time. All this in preparation for the Savior to come back to reign. I know I am far from perfect, but I want to be good enough to be on the right side of that flame which is going to take out so many people!
ReplyDeleteWOW...We are to know and watch for the signs and there are many right here and right now. I am so excited to see the "ramping-up" the is happening. More missionaries, easier family history and temple work, easier to communicate with family. But also I am saddened by the wickeness that abounds. I am challenged by these times and I am on the Lord's Side. Love the hymn, "Who's on the Lord's Side" #260. Just thinking the song brings me great strength.
ReplyDeleteI guess that is what we need to do; strengthen ourselves, fortify our family's and prepare for tomorrow with love in our hearts...and excitement!