Part of arriving at an answer depends on understanding where we are in relation to the prophecies in the scriptures. When Christ came to earth, there was a switch which occurred in which the gospel, which had been among the Jews was then dispensed and sent forth among the Gentiles. In the scriptures, this is referred to as the times of the Gentiles.
One of the first mentions in the New Testament of the times of the Gentiles occurs in Luke 21:
Here, Christ was speaking to His disciples about what to watch for in relation to the Jewish people. Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies. Many would flee to the mountains. It was to be a day of wrath and distress. The Jews would be killed and scattered among all nations.20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.21 Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
The state of Jerusalem here appears to be linked to the times of the Gentiles. First, Christ tells of the siege of Jerusalem. After the death of Christ, there was a siege in AD 37 and another one in AD 70. In AD 70, the temple was destroyed. Since then, Jerusalem has been down trodden by the Gentiles and continues to be until this day. It will continue to be so until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Isaiah, in his prophecies of Zion coming forth in the latter days, speaks of this latter state of Jerusalem. It is a time in which the city is no longer trodden down by the Gentiles. A time in which it will become a holy city.
1 Awake, awake; 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.In 2 Nephi chapter 25, Nephi also discussed what would happen to the Jewish people:
According to Nephi's prophecy, there will be a time in which the Jewish people will believe in Christ. It is here that we also find a reference to the Lord setting his hand again, a second time, to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. It is here that there is a reference to the Lord doing a marvelous work and wonder among the children of men.14 And behold it shall come to pass that after the Messiah hath risen from the dead, and hath manifested himself unto his people, unto as many as will believe on his name, behold, Jerusalem shall be destroyed again; for wo unto them that fight against God and the people of his church.15 Wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered among all nations; yea, and also Babylon shall be destroyed; wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered by other nations.16 And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind—and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah, then, at that time, the day will come that it must needs be expedient that they should believe these things.
So what is the time frame of the items in verse 17? Was it in Joseph Smith's day? Is the second time related to the gathering of the Jewish people and the fulfilling of the times of the Gentiles? Who are "his" people that are referred to at this point? Will this be in our day? What can we watch for from these scriptures to identify that the prophecies are being fulfilled?
The problem with Israel is the slumber that keeps them from awakening to their awful situation and repenting of their sins. Jacob sees the end of time, and Israel still slumbers and cannot establish Zion because of their deep sleep. They must awake, put on the strength of salvation or priesthood, shed their filth for beautiful garments, and cease association with the unclean and uncircumcised. (2 Ne. 8: 24.) Zion will not otherwise come to pass.
ReplyDelete"And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not "(Genesis 28:16).
Zion evades those who desire it because they are too ill-educated, thinking their scholarship has merit and the Holy Spirit does not. (2 Ne. 9: 29.) They are rich, and think it a good thing rather than a hindrance. (2 Ne. 9: 30.) They will not hear, and therefore are as good as deaf. This form of deafness prevents them from hearing the warning and so they will perish in their ignorance of the truth. (2 Ne. 9: 31.) They are also deliberately blind, refusing to see the truth when it is presented to them. (2 Ne. 9: 32.) They are uncircumcised, liars, whoring after other gods, and worshiping idols. (2 Ne. 9: 33-37.)
D&C 130
"7 Questions by Elias Higbee: What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion—and what people had Isaiah reference to?
8 He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost."