ISAIAH 13 (2 NEPHI 23)
A chapter foretelling the destruction of ancient Babylon and of a
modern day spiritual Babylon. Scholars say that Isaiah could not have written
this because the destruction of Babylon took place so many years after his
death. (That's what Korihor, Nehor and Sherem said also-No man can know the
future)
Vs. 1 -A burden is a prophecy of doom
against a people. Babylon was the
capital of ancient Babylonia, a society that was so wicked that its name became
synonymous with wickedness. The ancient city had walls said to be 56 miles in
circumference, 335 feet high, and 85 feet wide. Babylon is a symbol of the
whole wicked world. (Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2-4;, 10, 21; D&C 133:14,
5, 6; 1:16; 35:11; 64:24; 86:3) Babylon
is not to be converted, but destroyed. (Draper, 7 Seals p. 189-90; 204-5)
Verses 2-5 - tell of the Lord gathering together his host
of gatherers of Israel.
Vs. 2 - The banner (Heb. nes)is the ensign or standard or battle
flag which shows Israel where to gather. The high mountain is a symbol for the
temple. “Shake the hand” means to wave
the hand with invitation. Entering the gates of the nobles may refer to the
status the Lord gives to those who live in Zion rather than Babylon. Those who
enter Zion become the nobility of the Lord. The gates of a city are a symbol of
the city itself.
Vs. 3 - Sanctified ones and mighty
ones are the temple worthy gatherers. The Book of Mormon verse is more clear
than the KJV. "mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my
highness."
Vs. 4 - The gatherers appear to be
numerous. The noise of the great multitude in the mountains is an obvious
reference to the fireworks at the Olympics closing ceremonies or a group of
missionaries from all over the world in the MTC or the Harlem Young Single
Adult ward last Sunday or General Conference translated into 94 languages.
Vs. 5 - The gatherers appear to come
from both side of the veil and from every nation.
Verses 6-9 tell of destruction of the
wicked before Christ comes again.
Vs. 6 - The “Day of the Lord” (Isaiah
2:12; Amos 5:18) is elsewhere referred to as the “Great and Dreadful Day of the
Lord” (Malachi 4:5-6), the “Day of visitation and of judgment, and of
indignation” (D&C 56:16). It will be great for the righteous and dreadful
for the wicked. This does not mean that the righteous will escape all of the
dreadful.
Vs. 7 - The melting hearts may have
reference to failing hearts or to despairing hearts.
Vs. 8 - “Pangs” refers to short, sharp
emotional or physical pain. Sorrow is the same only lasting longer. Their faces as flames could refer to major
embarrassment for sin and getting caught at it.
Vs. 10 - Similar to the prophecy of
Samuel the Lamanite in Helaman 14:20. The prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled
world-wide as opposed to only in America. See also Joel 2:10 and Matthew 24:29.
Vs. 11 - Bad things happening to bad
people.
Vs. 12 - Seems to indicate a population
depletion. Ophir was probably a port of South Arabia noted for its high quality
of gold.
Vs. 13 - The earth removing out of her
place could refer to the reuniting of the continents or any thing preparatory
to the earth returning to it Garden of Eden - Terrestrial state or to any of
the upheavals associated with the 2nd coming. "Remove out of
her place" may be translated as "quake."
Verses 14-18 are commentary on the
destruction of ancient Babylon. A foreshadowing of modern Babylon.
Vs. 14 - roe=deer, “ sheep that no man
taketh” seems to refer to Babylon not having anyone to rescue them like a
shepherd would his sheep.
Vs. 15- "Every one that is proud shall be thrust through; and ever
one that is joined to the wicked
shall fall by the sword. (Book of
Mormon)
Vs. 17 - The “Medes”, under the
leadership of Darius the Mede, joined with the Persians, led by Cyrus, came
from Persia and destroyed Babylon in 538-9 BC. Historians say they dammed the
Euphrates River, marching through its riverbed, going under the city walls, and
subsequently captured Babylon. Isaiah says that they will not take bribes,
their motivation was killing and power.
Vs. 18 - Fruit of the womb is a
Biblical phrase for children. Not to be confused with Fruit of the Loom.
Verses 19-22 foretell the future of Babylon.
It was not only to be totally destroyed, but never rebuilt.
Vs. 19 - Chaldean is often used as a
synonym for Babylonian. The Chaldeans were a group of tribes in the lower delta
of the twin rivers below the most southerly Babylonian cities who had gained a
leading position within Babylonia by the time of Isaiah; Merodachbaladan and
Nebuchadrezzar were both Chaldeans. It was under Nebuchadrezzar (605-562 BC)
that Babylon reached its zenith of power, pomp and splendor, but his empire
fell only a generation after his death. (Parry p. 138)
Vs. 22 -
"For I will destroy her speedily; yea, for I will be merciful unto my
people, but the wicked shall perish. (BoM)
Satryrs are in mythology half man and half goat. Dragons are jackals or
wild dogs.
Isaiah 14 (2 Nephi 24)
Verses 1-12 talk about Millennial rest
Vs. 1 – Strangers are converts to the
gospel (see Gal. 3:29 and 2 Nephi 30 and Ephesians 2:19-20) - This is a chapter
about the Gathering of Israel.
Vs. 2 – The people taking them and
bringing them to their place may refer to rulers of foreign nations assisting
in the Jewish return to Israel. It may
also refer to heads of state opening doors to latter-day missionaries. This verse also talks about a role
reversal. Israel who had been servants
to Babylon will now be leaders.
Vs. 3 – Millennium for Israel.
Vs. 4-21 – is a proverb or song telling of
the powerless position of their former rulers (Babylon). It is called a taunt song. The King of Babylon represents Satan. Great
pleasure is expressed for this reversal of fortune.
Vs. 7 – the earth being at rest is in
great contrast to the earthquakes and upheaval before the millennium.
Vs. 8 – The Assyrians had not only
conquered the people, but also destroyed natural resources such as trees.
Vs. 9 – Could this verse refer to the
previous occupants of Hell being stirred up at the arrival of Babylonian kings?
Vs. 10-11 – The grave is the great
equalizer. You can’t take it with you.
Verses 12-17 – These verses talk about the King
of Babylon being compared to Lucifer.
Vs. 12 – In Hebrew means morning star or
son of dawn. It refers to Satan’s
pre-mortal stature. See also Rev.12:7-9 and Moses 4:1-4.
Vs. 13 – among Babylonians and other
ancient people the north was the location of the home of deity.
Vs. 15 – The sides of the pit is a
reference to the most remote part of hell.
Does hell have a Ghetto?
Vs. 16 – There will come a time when
people will look upon Satan and those he has used as generals on earth and
wonder why we feared them.
Vs. 17 – Neal A. Maxwell said, “Satan is
permissive on most things, but not on granting passports for citizens to leave
his realm.” (Deposition of a Disciple,
p. 12)
Verses 18-32 talk about the triumph over
Babylon.
Vs. 18 – Speaking of the glorious
burial places for kings.
Vs. 19 – Where will Satan be buried? This verse describes the great curse of not
having a burial.
Vs. 20 – The honor of a glorious burial
will be denied the King of Babylon and Lucifer.
Vs. 21 – It appears that the King of
Babylon will not have seed. How about
Satan?
Vs. 23 – besom = broom
Verses 24-27 are about the Assyrians, who
send a delegation to Jersalem trying to arrange an anti-Assyrian alllisance.
Isaiah warns against it.
Vs. 25 – Appears to have reference to
the destruction of the Assyrian army led by Sennacherib as shown in Isaiah
36-37 and also to the army of nations lead by God in the last days.
Vs. 26 – All of the wicked on the earth
will be destroyed. God is the God of the
whole earth.
Vs. 28 – about 720 - 715 BC
Vs. 29 – The country of Philistia
consisted of 5 city-states, each with their own ruler. This was the home of the Philistines, enemies
of the Israelites. They were conquered
by the Assyrians in 734 BC. Palestine
has become the name for the whole Holy Land.
The message is a warning just when Philistia is rejoicing over the death
of one of their oppressors, another will take his place with greater problems
for their people. Possible persons
referred to could be Sargon (Assyrian king from 722-705 BC) and Sennacherib
(705-681)
Vs. 30 – A promise that eventually the
poor spiritually and physically will have the gospel blessings, but the nation
of Philistia will perish.
Vs. 31 – Look out Philistia – An army is
coming from the north and there will be none missing in its formation.
Vs. 32 – When messengers from nations
report on what has happened, what will they say? The Lord has taken care of His
people.
