We solemnly testify that His
life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor
concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son
in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
|
|
# of
Chapters
|
%
about Miracles
|
%
Unique
|
# of
Verses
|
Synoptic?
|
Intent
|
Probable
Date of Composition
|
|
Matthew
|
28
|
12
|
42
|
1068
|
Yes
|
Show Jews -Jesus as fulfillment of OT prophecy
|
30-40 Aramaic; 60-65 Greek
|
|
Mark
|
16
|
25
|
7
|
661
|
Yes
|
Written to Romans
|
64
|
|
Luke
|
24
|
13
|
59
|
1149
|
Yes
|
To Greeks-Those of culture/refinement
|
63-70
|
|
John
|
21
|
9
|
92
|
849
|
No
|
To Church members
|
96-100
|
MARK- (John Mark/ Yohanan Markus) Home
- Jerusalem Came from wealthy family. Mother widow
Home the site of the Last Supper and other early Christian
gatherings.
Well educated (Spoke and wrote Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic) Most
boys learned to read, few to write. Memorizing was an important skill.
Missionary companion
to Peter, Barnabas (Mark’s uncle) and Paul
Mark’s
gospel appears to be told from Peter’s point of view. Mark served as Peter’s
companion, translator and scribe. Peter refers to Mark as “his son”
With Paul on
1st missionary journey-Left Jerusalem with Barnabas to join Paul-returned
early-Not invited on next missionary journey. Acts 15:37-39; II Timothy 4:11
Gospel
written in Rome while Mark was with Peter. Originally written in Greek-Written
to Gentiles in Rome to convince them that Jesus is the Christ- Not in
dependable chronological order
Tradition
says that after the death of Peter and Paul, Mark went to Egypt & Became 1st
bishop of Church in Alexandria. Martyred by mobs in Alexandria by being tied to
a chariot and dragged - 74 AD
“Mark, who became Peter’s interpreter, wrote accurately, though
not in order, all that he remembered of the things said and done by the Lord.
For he had neither heard the Lord nor been one of his followers but afterward,
as I said, he had followed Peter, who used to compose his discourses with a
view to the needs (of his hearers) but not as if he were composing a systematic
account of the Lord’s sayings. So Mark did nothing blameworthy in thus writing
some things just as he remembered them; for he was careful of this one thing,
to omit none of the things he had heard and to state no untruth therein.”
(Eusebius, HE III:xxxix)
Since Mark’s
stated purpose was to testify of “Jesus Christ, the Son of
God” (Mark 1:1) it is fitting that Mark’s opening chapter records the voice of
God the Father affirming that Jesus Christ is His Son.
Compare Mark 1:4 with Mark
1:14–15- sometimes when repentance is taught, people emphasize turning
away from sin without emphasizing turning to the Lord. (ETB-5 &Vaughn Featherstone story)
1:14-15-
Jesus began to teach shortly after John the Baptist was imprisoned.
1:22- Jesus
didn't quote the rabbi's of old. He had authority of himself.
1:24-
"When a devil manages to enter the body of a mortal person, such person loses
his free agency and his acts then become and are those of the devil by whom he
is possessed. Thus when the devil speaks, it is by the mouth a the person whose
tabernacle he has stolen. (BRM-DNTC - 1:168)
“We need not
become paralyzed with fear of Satan’s power. He can have no power over us
unless we permit it. He is really a coward, and if we stand firm, he will
retreat. The Apostle James counseled: ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’ (James 4:7). He cannot know our thoughts unless we speak them. And Nephi
states that ‘he hath no power over the hearts’ of people who are righteous (1 Nephi 22:26)” (JEFaust “The Great Imitator,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 35).
1:40-42
“came … to him” “beseeching him” “kneeling down to him” “saying unto him, …
make me clean”
2 Miracles!
Interesting comparison between the healing of the leper and obtaining
forgiveness, while the leper was healed “immediately” (Mark 1:42), repenting and obtaining forgiveness of sins usually requires
more time. However, turning to the Lord in faith does begin to make an
immediate difference "Yea, I would that ye would come forth
and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day
of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts,
immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. (Alma
34:31)
2:4- The man
w/ Palsy needed help to get to the Savior. So do we all. (Lift where you
Stand-Uchtdorf)
2:13-14-
Levi is Matthew.
2:15-17-
Eating with Publicans- It is hard to do missionary work in Relief Society and
Priesthood meeting. Sometimes we've got to get out of Church.
4:26-29- The
choice of whether a person will ponder and accept the truths of the gospel
belongs, is a matter of personal agency, with those we teach. If a person’s
testimony is to grow until it bears mature fruit, or conversion, God must be
the primary force behind our harvest. (Elder Wilfred R. Lopez, “The Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly,” Ensign, Feb. 2003, 58).
4:35-41-
Jesus calms the storm.-Ralph Cottrell
After Jesus cast out the devils, they asked Him to
be allowed to enter a herd of swine. Elder Bruce R.
McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles identified
several truths that we learn from this miracle: “This particular instance of
ejecting spirit beings from a stolen tenement is set forth in detail by the
gospel writers to show: “(1) That evil spirits, actual beings from
Lucifer’s realm, gain literal entrance into mortal bodies; “(2) That they
then have such power over those bodies as to control the physical acts
performed … ; “(3) That persons possessed by evil spirits are
subjected to the severest mental and physical sufferings and to the basest sort
of degradation—all symbolical of the eternal torment to be imposed upon those
who fall under Satan’s control in the world to come; “(4) That devils
remember Jesus from pre-existence … ; “(5) That the desire to
gain bodies is so great among Lucifer’s minions as to cause them, not only to
steal the mortal tabernacles of men, but to enter the bodies of animals;
“(6) That the devils know their eventual destiny is to be cast out into an
eternal hell from whence there is no return; “(7) That rebellious and
worldly people are not converted to the truth by observing miracles; and
“(8) That those cleansed from evil spirits can then be used on the Lord’s
errand to testify of his grace and goodness so that receptive persons may be
led to believe in him” (BRM DNTC 1:311) See also Alonzo Gaskill" The Lost
Language of Symbolism" p. 262-267
Vs. 20- The Decapolis Gk: deka, ten; polis, city- 10 cities in Jordan, Palestine and Syria. Grouped together because of their language, culture, location,
and political status. Centers of Greek and Roman culture in a region that was
otherwise Semitic.
Vs. 21-24; 35-43- Raising the dead. (Ella Jensen; Improvement Era,
Sept. & Oct. 1929) “Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays
his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands on the family, it lives. … Jesus took the
little girl by the hand and raised her from the dead. In like manner, he will
lift and raise every man to a new and better life who will permit the Savior to
take him by the hand” (HWHunter,“Reading the Scriptures,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 65).
Vs. 25-34- Touching the hem of His garment. “One of the sweetest
and most remarkable moments in all of the New Testament.” (JRHolland“ Ensign Jan. 2003, 34).
Mark 6
Vs. 1-5 - Not honored in his home town. (We won't give up our
hating- (NT For Today 99-100)
6:14-29- Death of John the Baptist
Vs. 30-44 - Feeds the 5,000 with a boy's 5 loaves & 2 fish. 1. The multitude had nothing to eat. 2. The disciples
proposed sending the people away to buy food. 3. The Savior told the disciples
to give the people food, which was a commandment beyond their present ability.
4. The Savior asked what the disciples could
provide. 5.The disciples said they had five loaves and two fishes. 6. The
Savior asked the disciples to give Him what they had. 7. The Savior multiplied
what the disciples brought, meeting and surpassing what was needed. “Don’t
worry about Christ running out of ability to help you. His grace is sufficient.
That is the spiritual, eternal lesson of the feeding of the 5,000” (JRH-Trusting Jesus-73).
Mark 7
Vs. 1-23-Elder
Dallin H. Oaks declared that as members of the Church, we must be willing to
give up “all of our practices—personal, family, ethnic, and national—that are
contrary to the commandments of God”: “The teachings of Jesus also challenged
the traditions of different groups. … ‘Hypocrites’ is what He called those
whose adherence to their traditions kept them from keeping the commandments of
God [see Mark 7:6; Matthew 15:7]. …“The traditions or culture or way of life of a people
inevitably include some practices that must be changed by those who wish to
qualify for God’s choicest blessings. “Chastity is an example. … Always the
prophets of God have condemned whoredoms. Yet these eternal commands have
frequently been ignored, opposed, or mocked by powerful traditions in many
lands. … Sexual relations out of wedlock are tolerated or advocated by many. So
is the rapidly expanding culture of pornography. All who have belonged to these cultures of sin must repent and
change if they are to become the people of God, for He has warned that ‘no
unclean thing can enter into his kingdom’ (3 Nephi 27:19). … “Another example is honesty. Some
cultures allow lying, stealing, and other dishonest practices. But dishonesty
in any form—whether to appease, to save face, or to get gain—is in direct
conflict with gospel commandments and culture. God is a God of truth, and God
does not change. We are the ones who must change” (“Repentance and Change,” Ensign or Liahona,
Nov. 2003, 38).
HEALING -"Latter-day
Saints believe in applying the best available scientific knowledge and
techniques. We use nutrition, exercise, and other practices to preserve health,
and we enlist the help of healing practitioners, such as physicians and surgeons,
to restore health…. There are five parts to the use of priesthood authority to
bless the sick: (1) the anointing, (2) the sealing of the anointing, (3) faith,
(4) the words of the blessing, and (5) the will of the Lord….In a notable talk
on administering to the sick, President Spencer W. Kimball said: “The need of
faith is often underestimated. The ill one and the family often seem to depend
wholly on the power of the priesthood and the gift of healing that they hope
the administering brethren may have, whereas the greater responsibility is with
him who is blessed. … The major element is the faith of the individual when
that person is conscious and accountable….Another part of a priesthood blessing
is the words of blessing spoken by the elder after he seals the anointing.
These words can be very important, but their content is not essential and they
are not recorded on the records of the Church. In some priesthood
blessings—like a patriarchal blessing—the words spoken are the essence of the
blessing. But in a healing blessing it is the other parts of the blessing—the
anointing, the sealing, faith, and the will of the Lord—that are the essential
elements….As we exercise the undoubted power of the priesthood of God and as we
treasure His promise that He will hear and answer the prayer of faith, we must
always remember that faith and the healing power of the priesthood cannot
produce a result contrary to the will of Him whose priesthood it is.” (D&C 42:48)… Although we know of many cases where persons blessed by
priesthood authority have been healed, we rarely refer to these healings in
public meetings because modern revelation cautions us not to “boast [ourselves]
of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are
given unto you for your profit and for salvation” (D&C 84:73)." (DHOaks, CR, Apr. 2010)
Isaiah
48 (1 Nephi 20)
Nephi begins his quotations from
Isaiah, not from the beginning of the words of Isaiah, but from near the end,
because the message of hope and redemption in Christ in Isaiah 48 and 49 fit
the message he was continuing in I Nephi 19. (See chapter heading for I Nephi
19 & also vs. 19-24). He uses Isaiah to substantiate what he has been
teaching, 1) Believe in Christ (Nephi’s ads Isaiah's testimony to his) 2)
Israel has been, is being and will be scattered & we are part of that
scattering. 3) Knowing we are to be scattered, God provides hope for our
gathering.
20:1 – To covenant
people who are not true to the covenant. "or out of the waters of
baptism" is not in the Old Testament.
20:2 – They liked the
status of being a chosen people, but they fail to see the obligations side of
being a covenant people. “But they do not” in front of “stay” in Book of
Mormon.
20:3 – The Lord sites
his past performance in predicting the future.
20:4 – It has not been
hard to make predictions concerning Israel because they are obstinate, slow to
turn from the direction they had in mind and hard headed. Sinew is a tendon
that which binds the bones together. It is the source of strength.
20:5 – Israel has been
shown the prophecies way in advance by God so they can’t give credit to false
gods they are prone to worship.
20:6 – Fess up, I have
been right in my predictions of your wickedness. The Lord has and does know and
reveal the future.
20:7 – I have been
telling you and you have not been listening, but I have spoken anyway so that
you would know that I knew.
20:8 – Israel has been
a sinful nation since Sinai (the womb)
The preceding verses were a
reminder to Israel of her traditional wicked ways. It applied very well to
Laman and Lemuel and to many of us today.
20:9-11 – The Lord has not
given up on Israel. He will use their afflictions to refine them. His love for
them guarantees their standing. He is so patient! (Verse 10 is my “green
verse.”)
20:10 - In the process
of refining metals, intense heat is used to burn off the grosser elements and
impurities. Israel’s initial furnace was their servitude in Egypt. All saints
need this refining process. Christ is the refiner (Mal. 3:2-3; Zech. 13:9).
Chosen- for eternal life.
20:11
–
The Lord knows us. We will receive the promised blessings. They will not be
given to someone else.
20:12-13 – Israel’s call
goes from before the earth was formed (first) and will go on for the duration
of the earth’s existence (last). Jesus is also the First and the Last. He
always has and always will be there for us.
20:14-21 – “Isaiah next
turns to God’s panoramic and prophetic perspective of Israel’s destiny. He
reveals, through prophecies that carry double meanings, the many
redemptive events that will occur in Israel’s future, as well as the several
redeemers who will be raised up to help bring about God’s desires and purposes
for his chosen people.” (Skinner, p. 102 of Isaiah
in the Book of Mormon)
20:14 – the Lord hath
loved him = Sperry and Skinner say it was Cyrus. Nyman says the House
of Israel. Victor Ludlow says it is Christ. I think it is Cyrus as a type of
Christ.
20:15 – Christ shall
make Cyrus’ way prosperous. Also refers to the messenger declaring these things. The message seems to
be that God has a plan and he will prosper all those He needs to see that the
plan is carried out. (See 1 Nephi 9:6)
20:16-17 – God sent this
composite deliverer. Christ is the master teacher. See Is. 2:3
20:18 – Israel has not
taken the easy way. The peace spoken of would be as an ever-flowing river. Our
righteousness should be as constant as the waves in the ocean.
20:19 – Things could have
been better. God blesses us through our posterity both in this life and also
with eternal offspring.
20:20 –
Israel’s deliverance from Babylon. Also the deliverance of anyone from the
Babylon’s of our own life.
20:21 – God helped in
Moses’ time and he will help again-spiritually and physically
20:22 – The blessings
mentioned in this chapter are conditional upon our righteousness. This chapter
should have had great relevance to Laman & Lemuel and to us.
Isaiah
49 - 1 Nephi 21
As
we go to chapter 21 Isaiah moves to the latter days. President Wilford Woodruff
says this: “The revelations that are in the Bible, the predictions of the
patriarchs and prophets who saw by vision and revelation the last dispensation
and fullness of times plainly tell us what is to come to pass. The 49th chapter
of Isaiah is having fulfillment.” (Parry p. 424)
Compare
verse one of Isaiah with verse one of 1 Nephi 21. Both announce the scattering.
The Nephite text identifies religious leaders as a cause of the
scattering. Ch. 49, starting in the 2nd half of verse 1,
identifies a servant of the Lord who is to deliver the latter-day scattered
Israel. Many refer to him as the “suffering servant.” This servant is described
throughout the writings of Isaiah (e.g. 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-11; 52:13-15;
53:1-12) The Jews say that it is a depiction of their nation as a whole, others
say it refers to Isaiah himself, others to Cyrus (Is. 43:28; 44:1). Let’s look
at how Isaiah describes him.
I NEPHI 21:1-9
1. He has been called from
the womb. Foreordained. (vs. 1; 2 Nephi 3:7-9, 14-15).
2. His mouth was like a
sharp sword. He speaks with authority (vs. 2; D&C 18:35-36, 21:5).
3. He was hidden in the
shadow of the Lord’s hand. Calling and election (vs. 2; LDCBM p. 66-67).
4. He was made a polished
shaft. Refined (vs. 2; TPJS p. 304).
5. He was hidden in the
quiver of the Lord. (vs. 2; D&C 86:9).
6. He would say that he
had labored in vain. (vs. 4; D&C 121:2).
7. He would speak in the
name of the Lord. (vs. 5; D&C 52:1).
8. He would know that he
was foreordained. (vs. 5; D&C 127:2, TPJS p. 365).
9. His life’s work would
be to gather Israel, even when Israel did not want to be gathered. (vs. 5;
Mormon 8:16).
10. He would be the Lord’s
servant to gather Israel. (vs. 6; D&C 110:11,16)
11. He would be a light
unto the Gentiles. (vs. 6; D&C 86:11).
12. He would be hated, but
also have the gospel be taught to government leaders. (vs. 7; JSH 1:33; D&C
1:23).
13. He will be given to
Israel for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to
inherit the desolate heritages. (vs. 8; D&C 1:17-22; 93:51)
14. He will set free the
prisoners and shepherd the chosen people. (vs. 9).
Vs. 2 – Hid me “The
Prophet Joseph Smith gave an interpretation to this phrase. Placing his hands
upon one of the faithful members of the Church, he said: ‘Your life is hid with
Christ in God, and so are many others. Nothing but the unpardonable sin can
prevent you from inheriting eternal life for you are sealed up by the power of
the priesthood unto eternal life, having taken the step necessary for that
purpose.” (Brewster, D&C Encyclopedia. p. 241-42). Shadow of his
hand=a place of ultimate safety. Polished shaft- See TPJS p.
304
Vs. 6 – a light thing-
gathering Israel is easier than gathering Gentiles. See TPJS p. 149-150
Vs. 7 – See JSH 1:33
Vs. 6-9 – “Christ brought freedom to
mortal beings imprisoned by ignorance, sin apostasy, and death. He also brought
deliverance to those on the other side of the veil who had not heard the gospel
but would receive it in their spirit prison. Peter taught this clearly, (1
Peter 3:18-19; 4:6) and the whole of D&C 138 is devoted to this glorious
doctrine. In teaching this to his
people, Nephi might have included the only other major messianic passage from
Isaiah that is not recorded in the Book of Mormon. Isaiah 61:1-3. On both sides
of the veil the captives rejoice and praise their God as Christ throws wide the
prison doors.” (Holland)
Vs. 10-13 - The Mountains of the Lord-
the Lord proclaims that he will use the servant mentioned before and will
shield and protect and uses the symbolic terms of not hungering or thirsting,
mountains, highways for the gathering
Vs. 14 - A discouraged
prophet asks if Israel has been forsaken
Vs. 16 - graven upon the
palms of my hands. An allusion to the
ancient practice of tattooing the palm with the symbol of the temple or some
other sacred emblem.
Vs. 17 – This verse refers
to modern Israel having success against ancient enemies both physically and
spiritually.
Vs. 18 -an allusion of a
bride, refers to those who join Zion
Vs. 19-21 - the gathering
places will not seem large enough
Vs. 22-23 - Explained in I
Nephi 22
They shall not be ashamed
that wait for me-“The word wait in Hebrew means hope for or
anticipate…Thus, one who waits upon the Lord places his trust in Him and lives
in accordance with His will as he anticipates His coming. (Brewster, Isaiah
Plain and Simple, p. 203-204)
The kings and queens may
be referring to endowed Latter-day Saints.
Vs. 25 - See JST
Vs. 24-26 - God will
preserve Israel. Drunken with their own
blood- see Moroni 9:5-10.
Vs. 25 - My favorite verse
in this chapter because it promises that He "will save my children."
Make sure you read 1 Nephi
22!
Isaiah 50 (2 NEPHI
7)
Vs.
1 – Bill of Divorcement- see Dt. 24:1-2; Jer. 3:8; D&C 133:63-64.
Rhetorical questioning
Vs.
2 – a reference to the Savior’s first coming.
The Lord’s hand is neither
lengthened nor shortened.
Vs.
2-3 – See D&C 133:71 and D&C 1:14
Vs.
4-9 – “These verses are known among biblical scholars as a ‘servant song.’ This
is a major poetic passage wherein a servant of the Lord is described, although
not specifically identified. There are differences of opinion among
commentaries regarding the identity of this Servant. While there may be dual
meaning to these verses,…the song in Isaiah 50 refers primarily to the Messiah.
He will be treated despicably, but the power of God will be manifest in Him.
Those who oppose Him will be destroyed.” (Brewster, p. 209)
Vs.
4 – The tongue of the learned- a reference to the 12 year old Christ,
the 14 year old Joseph and 18 year old missionaries.
When ye are weary he waketh
morning by morning. He gets up even when you are tired. With His
inspiration we can be as wise as the learned.
Vs.
8 – When the Lord is near, I have nothing to fear.
Vs.
9 – There is permanence in following the Lord.
Vs.
10 – This verse is a question. The answer is nobody.
Vs.
11 – This is a verse of warning to those who see themselves as the light rather
than following the Light of the World.
Isaiah 51 (2ND NEPHI 8)
Title
Page in BOM - The purpose of the Book is to remind Israel of the Covenants made
with their fathers.
Notice
the calls to hearken or look or awake or shake yourself (1,2,4,6,7,9,17, 24,25)
Also
the numerous references to salvation i.e. deliverance from the enemy and
righteousness i.e. choosing a godly life (1, 5, 6, 7)
Look
for four major sections in this chapter:
1.
(1-8)
A reminder to Israel of her heritage and the Lord’s work
2.
(9-16)
A promise that the righteous will enjoy the blessings of Zion.
3.
(17-23)
A warning and a promise to the Jews in the last days
4.
(24-25)
A brief vision of Zion and Jerusalem restored to their full priesthood power.
At the end of these quotations, Jacob
builds upon the words of Isaiah with his wonderful sermon on the Atonement (ch.
9) Toward the end of his sermon Jacob uses Isaiah 55:1-2 (2 Nephi 9:50-51) as
his invitation for all to partake of the blessings of the salvation.
Vs.
1 – Jesus is called the “Rock” at least 34 times in scripture. Consider your
origins as children of Christ as well as children of Abraham. Remember who you
are and whose you are.
Vs.
2 – Just like Abraham and Sarah received blessings-which seemed to be beyond
hope, so will we. For Abraham’s call and covenant see Genesis 12:1-5 and
17:1-22.
Vs.
3 –The millennial restoration. How does the Lord take a person who would be
represented by a wilderness and make him a garden? Hymn # 37-“The Wintry Day
Descending to Its Close”
Vs.
4 – The Book of Mormon serves as a judgment in our day. 2 Nephi 25:22 &
D&C 20:13-15.
The law mentioned in this verse
may also refer to the law that will go forth from Jerusalem during the
Millennium.
Vs.
5 – The arm of the Lord is often used as a symbol of his power. His arm of mercy
and of justice is the same arm. Notice the use of righteousness and salvation
in this chapter 8X’s
Isles is generally a reference to
scattered Israel.
Vs.
6 – notes changes in the earth when the Savior comes and reminds us to notice
the signs when they come.
Vs.
7 – See D&C 3:7. See verse 12 (“Which
Way Do You Face?" L. Robbins
CR-Oct. 2014)
Vs.
8 – The earth and things on it are temporary, but righteousness is forever. See
vs. 6
Vs. 9-11 - ISRAEL
APPEALS TO THE LORD TO BLESS AS HE HAS PROMISED
Vs.
9– Rahab
is an ancient Near Eastern name for a monster of chaos closely related to
Leviathan (Is. 27:1). In the Old Testament the power of God is explained in the
imagery of Jehovah conquering Rahab, or chaos, through creation (Job 26:12).
The imagery of God’s power in conquering chaos through creation is also applied
in the Old Testament to the Lord’s mastery over the sea and to the destruction
of Rahab as a personification of the host of Pharaoh in the Exodus story (Ps.
89:9-10; Is. 51:9). Thus Rahab is a poetic synonym for Egypt. (Ps. 87:4). In a
more general way, Rahab may be interpreted as a representation of Satan. In any
case the point of the imagery is that the Lord has power over all of the
elements and all of his enemies. (Largey, p. 355).
Vs.
10 – A little reminder that God made the sea and controls it. (As with the Red
Sea)
Vs.
11 – See D&C 45:71; 66:11; 101:18. Holiness upon their heads appears to be
a reference to those who have had hands laid upon their heads and received the
blessings of the priesthood and the temple.
Vs. 12-16 - GOD SPEAKS OF HIS POWER TO DELIVER
Vs.
13 - Where is the fury of the/any oppressor compared to the power of God!
Vs.
14 - Scattered Israel shall return,
not die in the pit (may be making reference to Sheol or Spirit Prison) or of
hunger. Remember who the Bread is
Vs.
15 - Another reminder of God’s power
from water to the Hosts of Heaven
Vs.
16 - Inspiration, protection, creator of
old and new heaven and earth and willingness to allow us to take upon us His
name.
Vs. 17-25 - GOD’S WRATH
UPON ISRAEL
Vs.
17 – the dregs are the sediment in the bottom of the cup. The cup referred to is the cup of the Lord’s
wrath. It will all be poured out.
Vs.
18 – Apostasy
Vs.
19 - Because Israel has none, God sends
two Priesthood holders. They are the two spoken of in Revelation 11:3-12 who
will testify in Jerusalem for 3 ½ years, then killed and left dead in the
streets, then be resurrected and lifted up to meet Christ when he comes to the
Jews
Vs.
20 - Describes the fury and energy of
these two representatives of God
Vs.
21 – Are they drunken with the contents of the cup of the Lord’s fury? Sin not
wine
Vs.
22 - Christ is our advocate with the
Father. He drank for us. See D&C 45:3-5
Vs.
23 - The punishment will be affixed to
those who have caused the suffering. Reference is made to a custom of having
the defeated lie down on the ground while the victors walk on top of them.
Vs.
24 - strength=priesthood, beautiful
garments=replacing slave garments with the robes of the temple. Zion and Jerusalem=two
world centers.
Vs.
25 – The bands of the bondage of apostasy are loosed when latter-day Israel
accepts the restored gospel.
These
last two verses are part of Is. 52. They are found in 3 places in the BOM,
here, 3 Nephi 20:36-37 and Moroni 10:31
Read
2 Nephi 9:1-3 - Rejoice is the message!
Isaiah
52
Isaiah's writings in Chapter 52
are referenced by the Apostles John and Paul in the New Testament (Rev. 18:4; 2
Cor. 6:17), quoted by such Book of Mormon prophets as Nephi (1 Nephi 22:10-11),
Abinadi (Mosiah 12:21-24; 15:29-31), and Moroni (Moroni 10:31), taught by our
resurrected Lord in the Americas (3 Nephi 16, 20, & 21), and found
sprinkled throughout the Doctrine and Covenants (38:42; 82:14; 84:98-99).
ISAIAH 53 (MOSIAH 14)
Surely the most sublime, the
lengthiest and most lyrical declaration of the life, death and atoning
sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is that found in the 53rd chapter
of Isaiah quoted in its entirety in the Book of Mormon by Abinadi as he stood
in chains before King Noah. Abinadi was, of course, a prefiguration, a type and
shadow of the Savior, a fact that makes his moving tribute to Christ even more
powerful…than when Isaiah wrote it. (JR Holland, Christ and the New Covenant,
p. 89-94)
Abinadi quoted this chapter in
defense of his statement that “God himself shall come down among the children
of men and redeem His people and that all past prophets had predicted his
coming. See Mosiah 15:1 and 13:33-35 Note
the detail that Abinadi and Isaiah reveal about the Savior’s mission so many
years before his birth.
Vs.
2 – The tender plan refers to the Savior’s humble beginnings. The root is Jesus
Christ (see 2 Nephi 21:1 and D&C 113). The dry ground is apostate Judah. Remember that Jesus grew up to become the
tree of life. The tree of life as a symbol includes the tree on which Jesus
would be slain for the sins of the world. The reference to his physical
appearance is probably not indicating that he wasn’t handsome, but that the
bigger-than-life-save-us-from-the –Romans person the Jews looked for was not
who Jesus was.
Vs.
3 – How Judah would treat Jesus. See John 7:5; Luke 4:16-30; John 1:11; Matthew
26:56; Matthew 27:22-23 and 1 Nephi 19:7-9.
Vs.
4 – See Alma 7:11-12; Hebrews 2:18.
Vs.
5 – Gethsemane and Golgotha is where Jesus suffered to heal and redeem us.
Vs.
6 – All is a pretty high percentage
Vs.
7 – See Mark 15:3 and John 19:9 for his interview with the chief priests and
Pilate. See Luke 23:9 for his interview before Herod Antipas.
Vs.
8 – Who shall declare his generation? His roots, origin. His atonement was
dependent upon his Divine Origin.
Vs.
8 – Who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of
the living. In the Old Testament the
value of one’s life was often measured by his posterity, who would perpetuate
his name, works, and merits. Inasmuch as Christ would be killed, “cut off out
of the land of the living.” Who would be his posterity to carry on his work and
glory? Who would declare the life and atoning mission of Jesus the Messiah?
Abinadi seemed to be thinking in these terms when, in answer to the question,
“Who shall declare his generation?” he testified “that when Christ’s soul has
been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed” or posterity (Mosiah
15:10) Abinadi then taught that Christ’s seed are those who believe in Christ
and are redeemed through him-the prophets and those that believe on their
words. (Mosiah 15:10-12) They become his children, to perpetuate his name, works,
and merits. (BMRC p. 394-5)
Vs.
9 – a reference to his death between 2 thieves & his grave in the tomb.
Vs.
10 – D&C 138:12-14
Vs.
11 – Jesus’ crown of thorns came before his crown of glory.
Vs.
12 – The strong or faithful will become joint-heirs with the Savior.
ISAIAH 54 (3 NEPHI 22)
It would seem that an exclamation
mark should be placed next to the only recorded entire Isaiah chapter quoted by
the Savior during his ministry in America. This chapter tells of the Latter-day
gathering of Israel. It speaks of a time when the Gentile nations shall take
the gospel to the descendents of Book of Mormon people as well as to other
scattered Israelites. All of the prophecies in this poetic chapter are to be
fulfilled in our dispensation. Israel is likened unto a woman who has long been
barren because of her separation from her husband, a separation brought about
by her unfaithfulness.
Vs. 1 – And then shall that which is written come to
pass. This is an indication that Isaiah saw the things of which the “Savior
had been speaking in 3 Nephi 21. The preaching of the gospel in the latter days
is to be done from an unexpected source, apparently the Gentile nations. Of
course the Gentile nations have scattered Israel living among them. Barren- Israel in her scattered,
spiritually unproductive state.
Children of the
married/desolate wife. – The married wife (or bride of Christ) appears to be
both the church and the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2, 9; D&C 109:73-74). The
children of the married wife may be the members of the church, or those who
inhabit New Jerusalem. The children of the desolate may be the Israelites who
are scattered around the earth. When Jesus was teaching the Nephites, he put
this verse in the context of the New Jerusalem (3 Nephi 21:22-29; 22:1) thus
the children of the married wife appear to be those who first build up New
Jerusalem, and the children of the desolate are those who are gathered later
(Is. 62:4) It seems clear that the children of the desolate are greater in
number.
Latter-day Saint scripture scholar
Victor Ludlow has a different view: “The desolate woman and her relationship to
the wife can be understood in two ways: 1) The desolate woman represents the
gentiles, and the wife Israel; thus the gentiles will bring forth greater spiritual
fruits than Israel has delivered; 2) the desolate woman is Israel in her
scattered condition, while the wife is those people remaining in the Holy Land.
Thus Israel will bring forth more children (both physically and spiritually)
outside the land of her original inheritance than in it. (See Gal. 4:22-31;
Rev. 12:1-6) In either case, Isaiah uses these images to symbolize the
relationship of the Lord to Israel; those who join with covenant Israel are the
children of that relationship.” (Parry p. 480-1)
22:2 – the tent is made
larger to make room for those being gathered.
President Benson said, “To
members, the term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind a great
tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are firmly secured in the
ground. The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the
earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of
course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth.
Presently Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion.” (Come unto Christ, 101)
22:3 – Israel will occupy
desolate Gentile cities and convert (inherit) the inhabitants.
22:4 – Gathered Israel
will not remember anymore the pains of her apostasy.
22:5 – Ancient peoples
thought that each country or local had its own God. It is made clear by Isaiah
that Israel’s God will be recognized as God of the whole earth.
22:6-8 – The Lord make’s it
clear that he will accept and forgive his people.
22:9-10 – The Lord reminds
us that he is a covenant keeper. As he kept the promise of Gen. 9:11-13 to
never destroy the earth again by flood, so will be accept repentant Israel
home.
22:11-12 – This verse
describes Jerusalem as a symbol of the Lord’s covenant people. The precious
stones that form the city’s architecture symbolize the love and care the Lord
will lavish on his people.
22:13 – This verse may
refer to millennial times, but this verse has been used as the Primary as their
general theme. Other translations of this verse in Isaiah indicate that the
children will be taught by the Savior.
22:14 – It sounds like
unemployment for al-Qaeda.
22:15 – It looks like
victory for the good guys with divine help.
22:16 – The Lord has
created both those who make things (the blacksmith) and those who destroy (the
waster). This imagery assures us that God can keep his promises.
22:17 – This is a beautiful
verse and promise. Similar verses from the D&C reinforce this promise.
(D&C 71:9; 109:25; 122:4-7)
