Conclusion
The Book of Revelations is a fascinating work whose theme is the conflict of good versus evil. Here we see this conflict take place in each millennium as man’s dominion and God’s dominion do battle with each other. In the conflict of nations, the dichotomy of good and evil is prevalent, particularly in the case of America. It is the Jekyll and Hyde of nations; the lamb beast, miracle-wielding prophet of the dragon, and the anointed one to shepherd the house of Israel and the fleeing woman. Within the world of the powerful beasts, the saints of God are faithfully awaiting their time to escape to the refuge of the new Zion. They overcome the tremendous forces of the seductive Babylon. Their allegiance is not to nations, false prophets, or false Christ’s. It is placed securely on the Rock. Here lies the great conflict within every man and woman, the free will to choose between the great oppositions that surround us. John the Seer makes clear that God’s great work is to convince man to forsake the cunning forces of the evil one, to recognize that he alone is the Creator and Ruler of all, and to extend the unambiguous call of “Come unto me and I will give you rest.”
The chronological development of Revelations has been a major stumbling block to a clear understanding of the storyline. With the inclusion of the seven days of creation, the symbolic interpretation of the first six seals appears definite. It squarely places our generation at the beginning of the opening of the seventh seal. This analysis merely makes this assumption and has inserted transpired events and world conditions to make sense of what has always been apparently nonsensical. Many good men have tried to make sense of this Book. Is this a true interpretation? There are many assumptions and extrapolations in this analysis. Only the generation in which these things will occur will be able to make sense of them. Are we truly on the verge of experiencing the collapse of our dear America? Will the glories of Zion, prophesied by holy prophets since the beginning of time, be ours to behold? Only the spirit of revelation can motivate your sense of its truth. Humbly seek it.
Chiasmic message of 3 Nephi 20, 21
Historical Types of the Last Days
1. Opening the sixth seal, symbolized with earthquake, sun, moon, stars, geographic alterations, and scroll analogies. Rev 6:12-17
2. The work of the priesthood is emphasized just prior to the opening of the seventh seal. Rev. 7:2-4
3. Warning calamities that affect the sky, sea, heaven, and earth are sent to capture the attention of the world. Rev. 8
4. Modern warfare breaks out to destroy the evil ones and which involve huge numbers of participants. Rev. 9
5. God’s servants, Joseph and Judah, are destroyed and emerge as new entities, surprising the other nations of the world. Rev 11:3-12
6. Zion is established with the power of heaven and Christ is in their midst. Rev 14:1-5
7. A great work of gathering takes place throughout the world to bring in those who do not want to associate themselves with Babylon, degenerate materialism. Rev. 14:6-16
8. Plagues and wars envelop the remaining world until Babylon disintegrates. Rev. 16 Another call goes out to those who did not engage with her. Rev 18:4 The remnant of Babylon laments her fall. Rev. 18:8-19
9. The saints sing praises to God. They prepare for the marriage supper of the Lamb.
10. Christ comes to dispose of the beast, false prophet. Rev 19:20,21 Satan is bound for a thousand years. Rev. 20:1-3
11. The resurrection of the righteous occurs. Rev 20:4-6
12. Satan is released after a thousand years, he once again deceives the nations of the world, they gather to make war with the Holy City, God destroys them with fire, and Satan is disposed of permanently. Rev. 20:7-10
13. The final judgment occurs as the books are opened. Rev. 20:11-15
14. The righteous inherit the celestial glory. Rev 21,22
These chronological events are incorporated into many other scriptural writings of the last days. It will be helpful to analyze a few of them.
D&C 88:87-115
This section in the Doctrine and Covenants was designated as an “olive leaf”, symbolizing the Lord’s message of peace for the faithful in these last days. We will only focus on the portion of this Section that deals with end time events. The order of these events is listed below. The numbers correspond to the chronology in Revelations.
1. Sixth seal is opened with the symbols of an earthquake, sun, moon, and stars. (v. 87)
2. The church’s testimony given prior to the wrath. (v. 88)
3. Warning voices of thunder, lightening, earthquakes, and a tsunami, are to come. (v. 89-90)
4. The world is in commotion and the people fear. (v. 91)
5,6,7. A call of gathering is voiced. A great sign comes from heaven as all observe. (v. 92-93)
8. Babylon is destroyed. (v. 94-95)
9. The saints prepare to meet him. (v. 96)
11. The resurrection of the righteous occurs. (v. 97-98)
12. The resurrection of the wicked at the end of the 1000 years finishes in their destruction. (v. 100-106)
14. The saints receive their celestial glory and are made equal with him (compare with Rev. 22:5). (v. 107)
Verses 108 through 115 are a review of the seven seals of each thousand years. The works of man and the works of God are compared. The demise of Satan in the seventh seal is emphasized.
Isaiah
1. Idol worship is condemned. (chap 10 v. 11) The Lord establishes a work upon his people with his strength and wisdom. He has expanded their borders. (v. 12,13) The people are rich, yet do not recognize the nurturing hand. (v. 14)
3,4. There is arrogance among the people and the Lord sends leanness to his fat ones. Their glory will be kindled with fire. (v. 15,16)
5. The light of Israel will be consumed with fire, as will it’s forest and fruitful field. This destruction of body and soul will be like when a standard-bearer faints. In that day Israel (Jew) and the escaped from Jacob (American remnant) will not depend on the world, they will depend on the Lord. (v. 17-34)
6. The word of Christ (rod from Jesse) will grow and become an ensign of the people. (chap. 11:1-10)
7. The Gentiles will seek it and the remnants of Israel will assemble there also. (v. 10-12) Ephraim and Judah will dwell in harmony. They will fly to the west. (v. 13,14) A great highway will be made for the remnant. (v. 15,16) Praises are sung. (chap. 12)
8. The destruction of Babylon. (chap. 13)
9. Joy and praises are raised. Peace and rest will come upon the earth. (chap. 14:1-8)
12. Satan’s fate is sung as he is brought down in to the pit. (v. 9-20)
Note that the fifth event, the one which corresponds with the witnesses, symbolizes the “fallen one” as the light of Israel and as a standard-bearer. America has been Israel’s light and standard bearer. America’s soul is from Judah and its body is from the American remnant.
2 Nephi 9:9-25 (Isaiah 51:17-23 and 52:1-2)
These passages shed more light on this witness event in the form of a chiasm. The chiasm extols the glory of Zion. The fulfillment point of the chiasm is the comfort offered by the two sons, Joseph and Judah who will be the slain witnesses.
A. Song of anticipation for the everlasting joys of Zion. (v. 11)
B. The Lord comforts oppressed Israel. The Lord puts words in Israel’s mouth, to plant the seeds of heaven and identify his people. (v. 13-16)
C. Israel is to wake up from it’s drunkenness due to the Lord’s fury. (v. 17)
D. None of all her sons are there to guide her. (v. 18)
E. Two sons come unto Israel to offer comfort because of the persecutions she has suffered. (v. 19)
D. All her sons have fainted except the two who have the fury of the Lord in them. (v. 20)
C. Listen thou drunken (Israel), and not with wine. The Lord will remove the cup of fury from your hand (v. 21,22)
B. The Lord puts the cup of fury into the hand of Israel’s oppressors. (v. 23)
A. Song of loving praise is sung as Israel’s promise of Zion is fulfilled. (v. 24,25)
Isaiah in the Book of Mormon
Of particular interest is Isaiah’s treatment of the destiny of the house of Jacob. Nephi has a special interest in quoting chapters 48-52 because he feels that, as a remnant of Jacob, his people have a vested interest. Nephi makes this strong correlation after he is shown a vision of the future of his father’s posterity. As it turns out, the Nephite timeline of events has many matching parallels to the spiritual timeline of the United States, it is a type of our time (see chart in “Types of the Last Days”). In Isaiah 48 (1 Ne. 20), the Lord identifies the house of Jacob as a covenant group (v. 1). He knows that they will not always faithful, yet he delivers his word in such a way that there will be no doubt that they are his (v. 2-8). The Lord is not willing to abandon them, and he calls on them to look to their Redeemer and be obedient (v. 9-17). Those who do keep the commandments will receive blessings of peace and prosperity (v. 18-22).
In verse 20, he identifies Jacob as his “servant”. This title refers to those of the house of Jacob who are obedient as a group. The title “servant” is used figuratively as a location, Zion, because that is where the obedient will dwell. In the previous section, “Chiasmic Message”, we learned that the Lord identified the marred servant as the free land of America. This American continent will become Zion and here is where the righteous nations of Judah and Joseph were raised up as olive trees and candlesticks to prepare the way for the gathering of scattered Israel. Isaiah is consistent with this interpretation.
Chapter 49 is addressed to scattered Israel (v. 1) and is the contemplation of the Lord’s servant as he considers his (America’s) destiny. The servant recognizes his calling since before his birth. He has a special place in the Lord’s arsenal of truth, in fact; he has been hidden (v. 2). He admits that his calling to restore Jacob to the Lord will be glorious (v. 4, 5). But the Lord replies that raising the tribes of Jacob is a small thing; instead he will receive the greater responsibility of being a light to the salvation of gentile nations. For this, he will be worshiped by kings. (v. 6-7). At the appropriate time the Lord will come to the aid of the servant to facilitate the release of scattered Israel (v. 8-10). The servant will open up his mountains and highways for those who will come from afar to seek comfort (v. 11-13).
Further work is coming in this section. It will show that these chapters follow the flow of Israel’s family to America, the servant. First the Nephites, descendants of Joseph, establish residence. Then scattered Israel inhabits the desolate land left by a destroyed civilization; these are the current residents of America. They turn from God and through Israel’s two sons, Joseph and Judah, Zion is finally established.
Chapter 21 is focused on the promises God will make with the Gentiles. It contains a message of warning, a call to repentance, and a description of fury upon the unrepentant. This chiasm has three primary steps leading to the point of fulfillment. This is symbolic of the work of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost as they inspire, redeem, and gather.
In both of these chapters, there is a hidden message that can only be identified by looking at the matching parallel concepts/events presented by each chiasm. The hidden message that is placed there, according to God’s infinite wisdom, is that the free land of America will be the servant who is marred and left for dead just prior to the gathering and establishment of Zion. For years everyone has assumed that the servant that is marred is Joseph Smith. Both the chronology and structure identify the marred servant as America, the servant raised up as a witness and light to the world. America will be God's slain prophet!
3 Nephi 20 -- The Lord’s promise to Abrahams children.
A. When Isaiah’s prophecies are fulfilled, then the covenant the Father made with Israel shall be fulfilled (v. 11,12).
B. Then the remnants which were scattered upon the face of the earth will be gathered and taught God’s knowledge (v. 13).
C. Jacob’s remnant will have this land (America) as an inheritance. Unrepentant Gentiles who scattered the remnant will be tread upon and torn to pieces (v. 14-17)
D. The Lord will gather his people. He will make them. He will strengthen them. They will protect themselves and their gains will be consecrated of the Lord. (v. 18,19).
E. The sword of justice will hang over remaining unrepentant Gentile nations (v. 20).
F. The American remnant will be establish on this land in fulfillment of Jacob’s (Lehi’s son, 2 Ne. 10:19) covenant. The New Jerusalem is established among them; the powers of heaven and Christ will be in their midst (v. 21,22).
G. The Lord identifies himself as the fulfillment of Moses prophecy which states that a prophet will be raised up unto Israel. Those who do not listen will be cut off (v. 23,24).
H. The American remnant is identified as the house of Israel. They will share in Abrahams covenant (v. 25)
G. Christ declares that this remnant was first to know Christ’s identity so that they would turn from their iniquities (v. 26).
F. Because they are covenant children, the Father’s covenant with Abraham to bless the kindreds of the earth is fulfilled (v. 26, 27).
E. The Gentiles are blessed through the American remnant. If they harden their hearts, their iniquities will be turned upon their heads (v. 27, 28).
D. The glorious and joyous return of believing Jews to the Holy Land (v. 29-42). These verses are a chiasm surrounding the song of joyous return to Jerusalem and thanks to the Father (v. 34-37).
C. The Lord’s exalted servant, the one whose appearance and form was marred more than any man and astonished many, shall work prudently (v. 43,44).
B. The servant shall sprinkle many nations, kings will shut their mouths as they see and ponder a mysterious event (v. 45).
A. When these events come then the Father’s covenant will be fulfilled and Jerusalem will be inhabited again with His people (v. 46).
3 Nephi 20 Text
11 Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them—
12 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that when they shall be fulfilled then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O house of Israel.
13 And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them.
14 And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land, for your inheritance.
15 And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people—
16 Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
17 Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.
18 And I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor.
19 For I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass. And thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it.
20 And it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them at that day; and except they repent it shall fall upon them, saith the Father, yea, even upon all the nations of the Gentiles.
21 And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel.
22 And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you.
23 Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people.
24 Verily I say unto you, yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me.
25 And behold, ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26 The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities;
26 and this because ye are the children of the covenant—
27 And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed
27 —unto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles, which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel.
28 And they shall be a scourge unto the people of this land. Nevertheless, when they shall have received the fulness of my gospel, then if they shall harden their hearts against me I will return their iniquities upon their own heads, saith the Father.
29 And I will remember the covenant which I have made with my people; and I have covenanted with them that I would gather them together in mine own due time, that I would give unto them again the land of their fathers for their inheritance, which is the land of Jerusalem, which is the promised land unto them forever, saith the Father.
30 And it shall come to pass that the time cometh, when the fulness of my gospel shall be preached unto them;
31 And they shall believe in me, that I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and shall pray unto the Father in my name.
32 Then shall their watchmen lift up their voice, and with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye.
33 Then will the Father gather them together again, and give unto them Jerusalem for the land of their inheritance.
34 Then shall they break forth into joy—Sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Father hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
35 The Father hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of the Father; and the Father and I are one.
36 And then shall be brought to pass that which is written: Awake, awake again, and put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city, for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
37 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
38 For thus saith the Lord: Ye have sold yourselves for naught, and ye shall be redeemed without money.
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that my people shall know my name; yea, in that day they shall know that I am he that doth speak.
40 And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
41 And then shall a cry go forth: Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch not that which is unclean; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
42 For ye shall not go out with haste nor go by flight; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel shall be your rearward.
43 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
44 As many were astonished at thee—his visage was so marred, more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men—
45 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him, for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
46 Verily, verily, I say unto you, all these things shall surely come, even as the Father hath commanded me. Then shall this covenant which the Father hath covenanted with his people be fulfilled; and then shall Jerusalem be inhabited again with my people, and it shall be the land of their inheritance.
3 Nephi 21 -- The Lord’s promise to the Gentiles.
B. Gentiles shall receive his words (Book of Mormon) after the scattering of the remnant of Jacob (Lamanites / Nephites) (v. 2).
C+. Gentiles are to impart the gospel unto the house of Jacob (v. 3)
C. It is the Fathers wisdom to set up this free land (America) to fulfill his covenant (v. 4).
C-. These works are to come from the Gentiles to Jacob’s seed (v. 5).
D. The Lord’s power is shown unto the Gentiles. Humble Gentiles will be numbered with Jacob’s house (v. 6).
C-. When Jacob’s seed knows these things, the power shown in Gentiles will be a sign of the commencement to fulfill the Lord’s covenant with his people (v. 7,8).
C. A marvelous work is to take place among the house of Israel. The Lord will care for his servant. Servant is marred, yet healed. In this the Father shows his wisdom (v. 9,10).
C+. Gentiles who do not believe will be cut off from the house of Jacob (v. 11) .
B. Civilization of unrepentant gentiles to be destroyed (v. 12-21). Gentiles who believe will be numbered with the house of Jacob in this land (v. 22).
A. Zion is established in the New Jerusalem (v. 23-28). God himself shall escort them (v. 29).
3 Nephi 21 Text
1 And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion;
2 And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign—for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you, and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Father, shall be made known unto the Gentiles that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them;
3 Verily, verily, I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them of the Father, and shall come forth of the Father, from them unto you;
4 For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel;
5 Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity;
6 For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel;
7 And when these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel.
8 And when that day shall come, it shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths; for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
9 For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them.
10 But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.
11 Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.
12 And my people who are a remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles, yea, in the midst of them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he go through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
13 Their hand shall be lifted up upon their adversaries, and all their enemies shall be cut off.
14 Yea, wo be unto the Gentiles except they repent; for it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Father, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots;
15 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strongholds;
16 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thy land, and thou shalt have no more soothsayers;
17 Thy graven images I will also cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee, and thou shalt no more worship the works of thy hands;
18 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee; so will I destroy thy cities.
19 And it shall come to pass that all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, shall be done away.
20 For it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that at that day whosoever will not repent and come unto my Beloved Son, them will I cut off from among my people, O house of Israel;
21 And I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.
22 But if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance;
23 And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.
24 And then shall they assist my people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land, in unto the New Jerusalem.
25 And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.
26 And then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem.
27 Yea, the work shall commence among all the dispersed of my people, with the Father to prepare the way whereby they may come unto me, that they may call on the Father in my name.
28 Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance.
29 And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward.
In this chapter Lord foretells the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem and the calamities preceding his Second Coming. We will study the verses which deal with the last days, starting with verse 19. By note of interest, these verses are a 12 point chiasm focused around verse 31. The Lord’s message in Matt. 24 is three fold: 1) beware of being deceived, prior to Zion’s establishment, 2) the great work of gathering and fulfillment will occur even as the wicked continue with their wars and self destruction, and 3) Christ will return in glory, this return must be anticipated and one must always be prepared since no one knows the hour.
JS Matthew section 1 – Warnings to the Elect
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19. All things which have befallen them are only the beginning of the sorrows which shall come upon them. 20. And except those days should be shortened, there should none of their flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake, according to the covenant, those days shall be shortened. 21. Behold, these things I have spoken unto you concerning the Jews; and again, after the tribulation of those days which shall come upon Jerusalem, if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe him not; 22. For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant; 23. Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect’s sake; and you also shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for all I have told you must come to pass; but the end is not yet. 24. Behold, I have told you before. 25. Wherefore, if they shall say unto you: Behold, he is in the desert, go not forth; Behold, he is in the secret chambers, believe it not; 26. For as the light of the morning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, and covereth the whole earth, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.
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The fall of Jerusalem was only the beginning of the oppression the covenant children of God would have to endure. Yet God will be mindful of them and not allow their complete destruction. Warnings are issued concerning those who present a false hopes and false miracles. Revelations explains the cunning trap of the false Christ and prophet, by carefully explaining the rise of the wounded beast and the lamb beast. They are truly deceptive and will deceive even the covenant elect! The restoration of the gospel is represented in v. 26, as it is the morning light that has gradually filled the earth in preparation of the triumphant return of the Son of Man.
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JS Matthew section 2 – Wheat and Tares Separated
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27. And now, I show unto you a parable. Behold, wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together; so likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth. 28. And they shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars. 29. Behold, I speak for mine elect’s sake; for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 30. And again, because iniquity shall abound, the love of men shall wax cold; but he that shall not be overcome, the same shall be saved. 31. And again, this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come, or the destruction of the wicked; 32. And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled. 33. And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 34. Verily, I say unto you, this generation, in which these things shall be shown forth, shall not pass away until all I have told you shall be fulfilled. 35. Although, the days will come, that heaven and earth shall pass away; yet my words shall not pass away, but all shall be fulfilled.
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Because the gathering of the elect will be in America after the prophesied collapse of 3 Ne. 21, it is likened unto the eagles flocking to the carcass. This will be Zion, the New Jerusalem. During this time, there will be great turmoil amongst the wicked. The gospel will be preached to the entire world in an effort to find all those willing to unite themselves with the family of the Father. The abomination of desolation will occur again, only this time in Babylon. This marks the fulfillment of the Fathers covenant with Israel. The work of gathering will continue to the last moment. It will be a great and marvelous work! |
JS Matthew section 3 – Triumphant Return and Admonition
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36. And, as I said before, after the tribulation of those days, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken, then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory; 37. And whoso treasureth up my words, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 38. Now learn a parable of the fig tree—When its branches are yet tender, and it begins to put forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh at hand; 39. So likewise, mine elect, when they shall see all these things, they shall know that he is near, even at the doors; 40. But of that day, and hour, no one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my Father only. 41. But as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man; 42. For it shall be with them, as it was in the days which were before the flood: for until the day that Noah entered into the ark they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage; 43. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. 44. Then shall be fulfilled that which is written, that in the last days, two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left; 45. Two shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left. 46. And what I say unto one, I say unto all men: watch, therefore, for you know not at what hour your Lord doth come. 47. But know this, if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to have been broken up, but would have been ready. 48. Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh. 49. Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 50. Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh, shall find so doing; and verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 51. But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My lord delayeth his coming, 52. And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken, 53. The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 54. And shall cut him asunder, and shall appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 55. And thus cometh the end of the wicked, according to the prophecy of Moses, saying: They shall be cut off from among the people; but the end of the earth is not yet, but by and by.
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As the elect see and hear the signs of his imminent arrival, those in the field will be called in for his arrival. It will be a glorious moment. If our understanding of all these scriptures is correct, many of us will be there as witness. Verse 49 has a special mandate that we need to consider. It insinuates that the wise servant will have food in his house available for the right season. This servant will be made ruler. When prophets advise the saints to have food storage, it is the wisdom of Joseph in Egypt. The Lord issues parables, parallels, and frank discussion to convince us to prepare for these times. It is clear that he is saying that few will be able to discern the signs. We have seen that they are subtle. We have seen that there is monumental deception, even among the elect. We have seen that the signs are in the scriptures, yet they are open for interpretation. The Lords chosen leaders have a call to testify of his divinity, to motivate, and inspire. Not to broadcast the subtleties of his mysteries. Those who have studied this analysis will either consider it interesting or will be moved by the spirit to have these mysteries unfolded in your heart. God lives, he is all knowing, these scriptures testify of this fact. He works in mysterious ways. He has a special calling for this generation. |
Historical Types of the Last Days
One of the fascinating realities about the study of the last days is that our Heavenly Father has an infinite foreknowledge of his children’s destiny. If he can foresee the future of complex nations then he certainly has the ability to foresee the destiny of individuals. No one doubts the concept of free will. We all recognize that we control personal decisions; no one controls our minds. Individuality is a divine gift. Yet, incomprehensibly, God is able to foresee the essential and meaningful results of our individual actions and mould our contributions into the overall state of humanity’s affairs. Prophecies testify to this fact.
The prophet Isaiah used examples of events among the Assyrians and Babylonians to foretell the events of the last days. The events were types of the future. He was able to do this probably because he was shown the last days in vision and was inspired to make the connections in order to forcefully impress upon a recalcitrant Israel the consequences of their rebellion. There are probably many types throughout history that “prophesy” of the end times. We will examine three major historical events to show how God, in his infinite foreknowledge, has been teaching his children for a long time that which is to come (or occurring in our case).
The Book of Mormon – A Historical type of Servant America
When Nephi and his brother Jacob included so many chapters from the Book of Isaiah in their history, they stated that they held them in such high regard because Isaiah’s prophecies of the last days applied to their own people (1 Ne. 19:23-24, 2 Ne. 6:5). They “likened” Isaiah’s prophecies to the destiny of their posterity. After all, they had seen visions of both the destinies of their posterity and what would occur at the end times. When we closely examine the history of the Nephite nation and compare it to the history of America, we find several parallel events. This close affinity is not coincidental, and it gives us an insight into the future of America.
American Events Nephite Events
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Columbus |
Brother of Jared |
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Pilgrims |
Lehi and family escape persecution |
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Constitutional Government |
King Mosiah transfers power to judges |
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Restoration of the Church |
Alma established the church |
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Book of Mormon translated |
Records of Ether translated |
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Civil and World Wars |
Great Lamanite and internal conflicts |
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Missionary Work |
Alma and Helaman renew ministry |
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Age of Discovery – space travel |
Hagoth builds ships |
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Commerce and trade abound |
Commerce and trade abound |
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Government conflict |
Intrigue in Nephite government |
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Korea, Vietnam |
Lingering battles with Lamanites |
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Terrorism/Iraq |
Rise of the Gadianton robbers |
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Evangelical movement |
Lamanites embrace gospel |
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Communism/Capitalism |
Secret combinations abound |
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Diminishing the Role of Christianity |
Persecution of believers |
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Fulfilling of Millennial prophecies |
Fulfillment of Messianic prophecies |
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Islamic terrorism |
Gadianton robbers afflict everyone |
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War in Afghanistan/Iraq |
War taken to the strongholds of the robbers |
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Fall of U.S. government |
Government fails after assassination |
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Recuperation of a remnant in fallen America |
Nephi shepherds remnant during tribal fracture |
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Humbling of America – desolation of cities |
Tremendous destruction – destroyed cities enumerated |
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Zion is established – God makes his arm bare |
Christ comes to establish His church |
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Gathering – separating the wheat from the tares |
Powerful missionary work gathers believers |
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Final destruction of Babylon |
Nephite civilization is destroyed |
Joseph in Egypt – The anointed one offers hope
The story of Joseph is one of longest and most detailed in the Old Testament. His story is a type of the last days. Joseph represents or is symbolic of the restored church, which was raised by the power of God from the words of the “stick” of Joseph – The Book of Mormon. Here are some interesting parallels.
Joseph in Egypt The Church in America
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Young Joseph saw a vision in which he was to be the ruler of his older brothers. |
The restored church came into existence through a vision to a boy, and was given the mandate to bring truth to an erroneous Christendom. |
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Out of hatred, Joseph was left for dead, then sold to foreigners. |
The restored church was hated by its Christian brothers and under threat of extermination, cast out of the country. |
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Joseph survived many tribulations. Because of his refusal to give in to the seductions of Potiphar’s wife, he was imprisoned. |
The restored church survived great tribulations. Because of its refusal to abandon family covenants, church properties were taken and leaders were imprisoned. |
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Joseph gained acceptance in Pharaoh’s court and became respected. |
The restored church overcame its burdens and became a prominent and respected entity in the world. |
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Joseph prepared during the good years by putting away food for the coming bad years. |
The restored church has counseled its members to store food. It has amassed considerable influence in the ownership of food production facilities with its welfare system. |
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Joseph became powerful as a result of the ensuing famine because he was prepared. He was able to consolidate land and properties on Pharaoh’s behalf.
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The prophesied collapse of America will be devastating to all who don’t have food. The restored church will be in position to shepherd the survival of remnant America. It will consolidate lands for the establishment of Zion. |
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Joseph’s humbled and repentant brothers came to him for relief from the famine. This story has many intriguing details. |
Humbled and faithful believers of all faiths will seek the direction of the restored church. It will be interesting to see how temporal salvation and reconciliation plays out as this prophecy is fulfilled. |
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Joseph forgives his brothers and brings the whole family to a new land of promise to live in harmony and abundance. |
Zion will flourish as faithful believers flee spiritually famished Babylon to make their new home in Zion America. |
Israel’s History – Shepherding the covenant family
An oft-repeated prophecy is that of the restoration of Israel to the Promised Land. This prophecy has its roots in the covenants God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the covenant fathers. There are many scriptures that indicate that in the last days, scattered Israel will be gathered and restored as a righteous family. The essay “Covenant Structures” establishes that a covenant pattern uses the first-last last-first order to symbolize fulfillment. This pattern is present in the fulfillment of this familial covenant.
1. Israel is united physically and spiritually at the beginning of the 4th millennium.
2. Israel fragments and becomes two separate nations. One is Judah and the other is designated as Israel.
3. Around 721 BC, the nation of Israel is taken captive and led into the “north countries.” This is the scattering of Israel. Judah (comprised primarily of Judah, Benjamin, and half of Levi) retains identity and stays around Palestine.
4. Christ comes to redeem Israel, to rescue her from oppression. It is a spiritual redemption that is offered. The nation of Judah rejects Christ and it passes through severe tribulation as it, too, is scattered. Tradition and records keep the Jews from losing identity as it was lost among the other tribes.
5. The message of the redeeming gospel of Christ is recorded by Jewish apostles. These records are compiled as the New Testament. The primitive church grows and prospers in spite of persecution and apostasy. Through Judah’s words, the Bible, the gospel of Christ is available to gentiles.
6. In 1830, the restored church is established. It is founded on the words of Joseph (The Book of Mormon) and begins the work of gathering scattered Israel from throughout the world. They are invited to accept the gospel of Christ as contained in both testaments of Christ, Judah’s and Joseph’s. Those who accept the redeeming work of Christ are sealed into the house of Israel.
7. God performs a great and marvelous work that causes humble believers of all Christian and Jewish faiths to unite into one family. Confusion is dispersed, truth is revealed, as the Father’s work gathers willing children from all over the earth into his family.
This diagram below is the summary covenant structure for the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel’s family.
4Christ’s redemption
3Judah alone --> 5Judah’s testament
2Two nations divided --> 6Testament’s of Judah and Joseph
1Israel’s 12 tribes united --> 7Zion’s gathering of redeemed Israel
This covenant structure illustrates the fulfilling nature of Christ’s redemption upon the family of Israel; it is the focal point of their history. After Christ, the focus of God’s work with Israel is one of redemption and gathering. Prior to Christ, God actually scattered Israel throughout the world for the purpose of fulfilling his promise to Abraham, which was to bless all the nations of the earth through Abraham’s posterity. Abraham’s blood line has intermingled throughout the world over the generations in the last 4000 years! This is why, in the last days, the mandate to spread the word of the gospel to every nation, kindred, and tongue is actually a fulfillment of the call to gather God’s covenant family. The righteous posterity who seeks truth align themselves with the fulfilling gospel of Christ, taking upon themselves the covenant blessings of the fathers. God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled and God extends his merciful salvation to all people.
In these three types – Nephite America, Joseph in Egypt, and scattered Israel – we have yet another level of symbolism. The three types symbolize the covenant work of the Trinity. The work of the Father is in bringing loving unity to his covenant family. The work of the Son is in bringing hope to a spiritually famished world. The work of the Holy Ghost is to build faith through shepherding service; the land of America has truly been God’s anointed servant for the purpose of fulfilling the temporal needs of his spiritual servants, Joseph and Judah, in these last days.