Once again, I apologize for letting this go for so long. The study of Isaiah is daunting for me. However, we just had a really inspirational fireside, so let’s get to it, daunting or not. Today, we’ll be studying 2 Nephi 12.
I was surprised, initially, at how interesting this chapter is. A footnote in verse 2 points out that comparisons between the Book of Mormon and the King James Version of the Bible in the Isaiah chapters reveal differences in more than half of the 433 verses quoted. Interestingly enough, 200 of those verses have the exact same wording. Cool, right? So, anyway, Isaiah starts out by saying that the following prophecies concern Judah and Jerusalem. I don’t have any official explanation of this beyond my own belief that Judah and Jerusalem should have a personal interest in all the things Isaiah mentions in the following prophecy.
First of all, in verses 2 – 5, Isaiah uses the word “when,” which means during a given period of time. I take this to mean that the following prophecy will happen when certain signs, which he will give us, happen. He says the “mountain of the Lord’s house” will be established in “the top of the mountains.” We already understand that the mountain of the Lord’s house is a reference to the temple and “top of the mountains” means Utah. So, we know that when there are temples in Utah, and people from all nations say, “Let’s go visit the temple” where the Lord will teach his people and they will make promises to walk in his ways. The reason Isaiah gives for this is that the Law will come from Zion, and the word of the Lord (Prophecy) will come from Jerusalem. I assume this means because that’s where the Lord will be following his 2nd coming. Verse 4 says He will judge all the nations, rebuking many individuals. What’s more, there will be no war. If Isaiah is to be believed (and he’s been right so far, so…) those in the military will give it up to become farmers.
Next, in verses 6-9 we learn the condition of the world just before the Second Coming.
- People will believe that God has forsaken the world. (v 6)
- Some will rely on the offices of “soothsayers” for spiritual guidance (See Bible topical Guide “Sorcery”. v 6).
- They will “please themselves in the children of strangers.” (v 6 Child molestation?)
- They will have great wealth and be very warlike (v 7)
- They will worship the work of their own hands (secularism? v8)
- They will be very proud (v9)
Then we move to verses 10-17, which details their reactions when Christ returns to the earth. Basically, they will be so ashamed of their actions that they will throw away their “idols” and go into hiding in caves and holes, because they’ll be afraid to meet their savior and look him in his face. At the Second Coming, all men will be humble, either willingly or not. The Savior alone will be exalted. Verses 13-17 are devoted almost completely to detailing how much of the world will be humbled. For me, it’s enough to just say all of it.
Finally, verses 18-22 give us some of the results of the Second Coming.
- All idols will be abolished (v 18).
- The proud and wicked will hide in caves and holes out of shame and fear that they will be smitten by the glory and majesty of the Lord. (v 19 & 21).
- Man will throw away anything that has taken the place of God in his heart (v 20)
- They will wonder why the Lord loves them even though they are wicked (v 22)
Applying the Scripture to My Life
Reading this, I’m trying to imagine being so wicked and so proud that I can’t abide the idea of even coming into the presence of the Lord at his Second Coming, let alone look into his face. I’m trying to imagine being so wicked that I’d rather hide in a cave than chance meeting him and, to judge by Isaiah’s words, abjure the Lord from trying to save me, telling him that I’m not worth his time or his effort. It’s hard to do. That’s not something I want. I desperately want to look into the face of Christ and hear him say that I was a good and faithful servant. So, I imagine I should probably avoid the traits listed above.
What about you? How would you say this scripture applies to your life.
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