Thursday, September 1, 2022

Hope of Israel (Isaiah 1-6)

Background on Isaiah

Who was Isaiah?

Most quoted prophet in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon, included being quoted by Christ himself.

Lived in Jerusalem in the 700s.

Saw the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel (North Kingdom) and the near destruction of the Kingdom of Judah (South Kingdom).

How do we know that Isaiah’s prophesies apply specifically to our day?

Because of their inclusion in the Book of Mormon – the BoM is NOT history as much as it is a very tailored prophesy and warning to the USA, the “Gentile Church”, and the Remnant of Lehi.

Because many of them were known to be “Messianic” – either prophesying of His first coming or His second coming.

Why did Nephi use Isaiah in his record?

After seeing a vision of the history of the world from his own time to the end, Nephi was commanded not to write any more after the latter day restoration of the gospel (see 1 Nephi 14:24-25).

But others, like Isaiah, had also seen this same vision (see 1 Nephi 14:26) and had written it down.

Nephi is using Isaiah, and then commenting on what he has written, to get around the Lord’s command – not really get around it, because the Lord himself does the same thing in 3 Nephi; but compared to Nephi’s “plain style”, Isaiah’s writing style is much more difficult to discern specific events from, making it more serviceable to the Lord’s purposes, as He does not want to be so plain in His prophecies that evil people could easily thwart them, making Him a liar.  It’s a question of honoring agency while also informing those with ears to hear – and with the desire to seek out the Lord for further light and knowledge. 

Surviving what is coming is dependent upon us coming unto Christ individually – Nephi felt Isaiah was a great key to doing this (see 1 Nephi 19:23 and 2 Nephi 11:2).

 

 

Israel’s Last Days Hope

READ Isaiah 1:2-6

What is the Lord saying about His people?

Like Gomer, His children have betrayed Him.

They are filled with sin from the leaders to the least.

The sinfulness is obvious (to the Lord at least) – they look just like the World.

 

READ Isaiah 1:11-13

Israel is continuing to “worship” Jehovah using all of the rites that have been revealed, so what is wrong?

They are complete hypocrites – the Lord HATES that.

They think they are fooling God; or perhaps can be saved on a technicality, like God’s justice (and mercy) was the US legal system.

 

READ Isaiah 1:16-20

Is there hope for Israel?

Yes – scarlet sins can be white as snow IF THEY ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT and RELIEVE THE OPPRESSED.

What happens if Israel does not hear Isaiah’s cry for repentance?

The Lord Himself has decreed that they will be destroyed if they refuse to repent and rebel against Isaiah’s message.

This chapter sets the stage for the next 66 chapters of this prophesy – God’s people can either come unto Christ and be saved or refuse to repent and be destroyed.  In this context, it is extremely sobering that Mormon included Nephi’s record and extensive quoting from Isaiah in a book EXCLUSIVELY meant as a prophesy and guide for us to survive the end of the world.  Does Isaiah have your attention yet?

 

READ Isaiah 2:2-3 and Isaiah 5:26

Where will the Temple of the Lord be established in the Last Days?

In the top of the mountains – above the hills; it is a “holy mountain”.

Not in a lowland area like Jackson County, Missouri or Nauvoo, Illinois, or even Salt Lake City, Utah, which is located in a mountain basin.

What nations will flow unto this Temple?

The nations of Israel (see Gen 17:4-5 and Gen 35:10-11).

Not the nations of the Gentiles or Heathens but Israel who is scattered among them; so visitors coming to Temple Square during the 2002 SLC Olympic Games doesn’t count as a fulfillment of this prophesy.

What is being described in v.3?

The gathering of Israel to Zion.

How is Israel gathered?

By remembering or discovering who they are; the covenants that are theirs if they will enter into the Temple and come unto Christ.

Who in the Temple will teach Israel the Lord’s ways and how to walk in His paths?

The Lord Himself will teach them.

What Temple is being referred to here?

A temple in the tops of the mountains, in Zion.

Which is the gateway to the literal portal or pathway which leads to the heavenly temple on the sides of the north where God Himself dwells with His heavenly hosts.

What does it mean to walk in the Lord’s paths?

There is a path or “stairway” between earth and heaven – a connection between the two on which one can travel quickly between them.

Those that come to Zion will learn God’s ways so they can walk these paths back to heaven, passing the angels that stand as sentinels (John the Beloved on this end and Elijah on the other) to the gatekeeper, who is the Lord Himself.

This reconnection of heaven and earth will happen in Zion, in temple located in the tops of the mountains, and will be why Zion is “terrible” because the glory of God, through that portal, will be visible enough to scare the nations (see D&C 97:15-21; D&C 45:70-75).

What is the “ensign to the nations” which will be “lifted up” above them and will enable them to come quickly to the Lord?

It is a zodiacal map found in the constellations overhead.

It is a depiction of the heavens themselves.

It will tell those in Zion how to walk in the paths of God, through the heavens, back into God’s presence.

 

READ Isaiah 2:10-12

When the Lord comes, who will not abide the day?

ALL the proud and wicked will be destroyed.

Anyone who is not quickened with light to a point that they resonate at a similar level of glory as Christ’s angels.

Why does it say that the Lord ALONE shall be exalted in that day?

Christ will enter into the Kingdom as the only perfect man.

And only those who are like Christ – one with Him through covenant, will be able to accompany Him, although still through His mercy – not their own merits; this means that even the best person with the most light would not be able to withstand the full might of Christ’s second coming glory without the mercy and grace of a quickening or transformation.

“It was the custom for one fleeing for his life in the desert to seek protection in the tent of a great sheik, crying out, “I am thy suppliant,” whereupon the host would place the hem of his robe over the guest’s shoulder and declare him under his protection. In one instance in the Book of Mormon we see Nephi fleeing from an evil enemy that is pursuing him. In great danger, he prays the Lord to give him an open road in the low way, to block his pursuers, and to make them stumble. He comes to the Lord as a suppliant: “O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies!” (2 Ne. 4:33.) In reply, according to the ancient custom, the Master would then place the hem of his robe protectively over the kneeling man’s shoulder (kafata). This puts him under the Lord’s protection from all enemies. They embrace in a close hug, as Arab chiefs still do; the Lord makes a place for him (see Alma 5:24) and invites him to sit down beside him—they are at-one. This is the imagery of the Atonement—the embrace: “The Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.” (2 Ne. 1:15.) “Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.” (Alma 5:33.) This is the “hpt”—the ritual embrace that consummates the final escape from death in the Egyptian funerary texts and reliefs, where the son Horus is received into the arms of his father Osiris.” (Hugh Nibley, The Atonement of Jesus Christ, Part 1 – July 1990 Ensign).

The Lord alone will be exalted in that day, but if you are one with Him, He will exalt you, too.  The Lord alone is Israel’s hope in the last days.

 

 

Israel’s Last Days Sins

Getting back to the sins of Israel that will cause them to be destroyed when the Lord comes…

 

READ Isaiah 3:14-15

What does “grind the faces of the poor” mean?

To take as much as possible from those that have the least.

Who does this to the poor?

The rich and those in power.

The rich become richer at the expense of the poor, who then become poorer in the process.

 

READ Isaiah 5:1-4

What are the grapes?

The fruit of the vineyard – us.

What is the vineyard?

Israel.

The Church.

A producer of good or bad fruit.

What should the Lord do with His vineyard?

There is nothing more that He could have done.

It is time to abandon it and let nature take its course.

 

READ Isaiah 5:13-14

Who might take them captive because they have no knowledge?

Satan and his angels.

What knowledge can keep His people from captivity?

Knowledge of the Lord – their standing before Him – i.e. is the path they are pursuing according to His will?  (LoF 6:3-7).

“Knowledge saves a man, and in the world of spirits, no man can be exalted but by knowledge.  So long as a man will not give heed to the commandments, he must abide without salvation.  If a man has knowledge, he can be saved” (TPJS 400:2).

 

 

Isaiah’s Redemption and Prophetic Call

READ Isaiah 6:1-5

What is a seraph?

A “fiery one”.

An individual who can reside in everlasting burnings or in the presence of God.

What do the wings represent?

Power in the presence of God.

Why do the posts of the door move?

The door posts are symbolic of the main structural elements of the heavenly temple; if they move, the temple will fall.

Their shaking and yet not crumbling reminds Isaiah whose house the temple is and who has the power in that house and why that house is holy in the first place – it is because of God – He sanctifies the temple through His presence, not the other way around.

God’s glory and might are greater than the Temple.

What does “woe is me, I am undone” mean?

He doesn’t feel worthy to be in the Lord presence.

“A man is his own tormentor and his own condemner” (TPJS 401:1).

He would rather dwell with the damned than God (see Mormon 9:3-5).

Why is this his reaction?  He is a “prophet” so isn’t he worthy enough to see God, by definition?

He’s not just being humble…this is as honest a reaction to being in the presence of God, as we are all going to find.

NO ONE is worthy enough to enter into the presence of God on their own merits.

God can’t look upon sin AT ALL (see D&C 1:31).

We must be perfect – precisely like Christ or we cannot be saved (LoF 7:9).

And it’s not that Isaiah is a lot closer than the rest of us… being a mile farther down the road, or even a hundred miles, when the road is light-years long really doesn’t matter to God or to eternal law.

 

READ Isaiah 6:6-7

How does God make it possible for any one of us to exist in His presence without being physically incinerated and mentally anguished beyond measure?

He reconciles us to Himself by forgiving us.

He makes us “perfect in Christ” through His sacrifice (see Moroni 10:32-33).

Is this fair?

No – it is grace (giving us a blessing we don’t deserve).

No – it is mercy (sparing us a cursing we do deserve).

Grace and mercy cannot be earned and are not fair, by definition.

What does the altar of incense represent?

The prayers of the saints.

What is the symbolism of the seraphim taking a coal off the altar of incense and touching Isaiah’s lips, making them clean?

It is a ceremonial cleansing which represents a real cleansing.

The words of Isaiah’s mouth (which was “unclean”) are tied to the altar of incense or his prayers to God.

Prayer or crying unto God, in an act of sacrifice or submission before an “altar”, is a key way to gain forgiveness from God – in fact, it is the only way – we must commune with Him and put our whole soul on His altar in sacrifice through prayer and He, in turn, will “touch our lips” or forgive us and cleanse or sanctify or quicken or change us through the use or vehicle of His Spirit (see Alma 22:15-18); He will make of us a different person – actually changing our spiritual and even physical elements to be purified as He is pure or to resonate at a much higher frequency, having removed the dross and replaced it with His glory or light or intelligence or “spirit.”

 

READ Isaiah 6:8

How does Isaiah go from “woe is me” to “here am I, send me” in a few minutes?

The Lord’s grace and mercy.

Isaiah now knows his standing before the Lord.

Isaiah has confidence before the Lord because he has been forgiven and sanctified by God.

Why is Isaiah so quick to volunteer when the Lord needs a messenger?

All he wants to do is to serve that Lord who has forgiven and sealed him up.

Like Lehi, he wants to help others to experience the same relationship with God that he now does.

 

READ Isaiah 6:9-10

What is the Lord’s message through Isaiah?

He gives them a message to repent – through Isaiah’s words and deeds.

That they might also be converted and healed.

What is the problem?

The Lord is being a little sarcastic here.

He knows the people will not listen and see and understand.

He is sending Isaiah to deliver a message that will damn most of the people.

But it will only damn them because they choose to be damned by not listening to it and changing; it is not a “gotcha” or a set up where God is damning people He knows can’t change – but as some point our chances to repent are exhausted and justice must be served.  But since God knows the end from the beginning, He knows that so many of us will not heed His counsel. 

 

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