Why Imagery?

After teaching for the church for 36 years, I have learned that the Lord loves to use imagery. In Hosea 12:10 he states that he uses similitude's by the ministry of the prophets. I believe that when there is a event about a prophet recorded in scriptures, we can then look to see that the story may be talking about the life and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 8:18 talks about how he and his family are for signs and wonders. Moses 6:63 states that all things bear witness of Him, and I hope to show some of these examples. This blog is designed to share some of my discoveries and those of many of my students who helped me learn so much in seeing Christ throughout all scripture. I was blessed to have these students from Northern Arizona, Texas and the Seattle area. I also thank all the CES teachers who have shared their thoughts and ideas. I will also include some posts giving helps to understand the book of Revelation and a few other books and chapters. Also included is an imagery sheet of notes taken at an in service meeting given by Gerald Lund back in the 80's that helped get me started with symbolism or imagery. I believe that the Lord uses both sides of your brain to teach about him. The logical side will just tell you the doctrine put straight forward and the creative side of your brain to see the imagery and symbolism, giving you two witnesses in your own body. These thoughts do not reflect any official position of any church but may be of help to some who want to learn more about their Savior.
I will try and not post more than one a week, so I don't overwhelm you.
Suggested reading order: 1. Scriptural Symbols 2. Imagery that got me started
Other blogs available. - Christ as the husband of Church part 1 of 2. It shows how family is central to God's plan,-Our marriage imagery part 2 of 2 -Jonah as a similitude of Christ - Jaredite Barge story - Nephi Building a boat - Joseph in Egypt or Temple experiences - Ammon in B of M Cutting Off Arms - The war chapters in the Book of Alma - Book of Revelation Helps-Understanding Adam and Eve-The Good Samaritan a plan of happiness story-The earth teaches the Plan of Happiness- Moses as a type of the Savior-The following posts are the chapters of Isaiah as found in the Book of Mormon.
The next series of posts will be the chapters of the book of Revelation,-A little paper on some Christmas imagery-


Friday, October 4, 2019

Isaiah in the Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 23 Isaiah 13


Isaiah 13 or 2 Nephi 23
By Jeffrey Bushman Aug. 2017
Chapter 23
The destruction of Babylon is a type of the destruction at the Second Coming—It will be a day of wrath and vengeance—Babylon (the world) will fall forever—Compare Isaiah 13. About 559–545 B.C.
There are two ways to look at these chapters, both for the actual Babylon and also for the Babylon that is symbolic of a wicked world.  Nephi included these chapters in their entirety, so he seemed to use them to tell us about the last days.
1 aThe burden (or Message to) (‘Burden’ as used in Isaiah is a message of doom ‘lifted up’ against a people.) of bBabylon, (The historic destruction of wicked Babylon, prophesied in Isa. 14:28, is made typical of the ultimate destruction of the whole wicked world.) which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. (see in Hebrew is Chazah which is the root for seer) but some translation use burden for when a prophet speaks or gives a message it becomes a burden to those who are now accountable.
2 Lift ye up (a JST my)banner (battle flag or ensign) upon the high mountain, exalt (HEB raise) the voice unto them, ashake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. . Banner or ensign, probably the church of Jesus Christ, organized inviting all to join the nobles or great ones to fight against the wicked world.  It will show the same principles as contained in the parable the wheat and the tares.  Matt 13:24-30, D&C 86:1-7    The gates of the nobles would be in our day “the Church” and for Judah it would be to gather to Jerusalem
3 I have commanded my sanctified ones ( ‘Sanctified ones’ and ‘saints’ are synonymously translated from either of two Hebrew words in the Old Testament), I have also called my amighty ones, for mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my highness.    The Lord seems to be sending out his righteous both mortal and his hosts of heaven to separate the wheat from the tares before the second coming.
4 The noise of the multitude in the mountains like as of a great people, a tumultuous noise of the akingdoms of nations bgathered together, the Lord of Hosts mustereth the hosts of the battle. There will be assembled a mighty force that will fulfill some of the Lords judgments against the wicked.
5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, yea, the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.  Destruction of the wicked before and at the 2nd coming.
6 Howl ye, for the aday of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. The Lord will now describe the destruction that shall come upon the wicked in the day of the Lord.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, every man’s heart shall amelt;  Their hands will hang limp, no power compared to the Lord, and their courage shall fail.
8 And they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. The bible verse describes this pain as like a woman in childbirth.   Their fear will be so bad that they can only stare at one another in amazement.  2nd coming? Wicked to burn!
9 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall adestroy (end of the world, cleansing of) the sinners thereof out of it.  No wicked people to be left, only the few who are righteous.
10 For the astars of heaven and the bconstellations thereof shall not give their clight; the dsun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.  The earth will shake and the heavens turn dark as signs of the day of the Lord. See Rev 6:12-14; D&C 133:21-24,49; Matt. 24:29; Joel 2:10
11 And I will apunish the world for evil, and the bwicked for their iniquity; I will cause the arrogancy of the cproud to cease, and will lay down the haughtiness of the terrible (HEB tyrants). In April 74, Pres. Kimball said it is hard to live in the world and not be part of the world and then quoted this verse and said there is great danger in following the ways of the world.
12 I will make a aman more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.  .  Few people left who are righteous, to usher in the millennial age
____________Physical changes that will come to the earth____________
13 Therefore, I will ashake the heavens, and the earth shall bremove (renewal of the earth) out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. See D&C 35:24-27
14 And it shall be as the chased roe (or hunted dear), and as a sheep that no man (HEB none gathers in) taketh up; and they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own aland.  This verse could start with the literal conquest of Babylon
Here again it may be important to remember that this has to do with the destruction of Babylon by the Medes in ancient days and also the destruction of the wicked before or during the 2nd coming
15 Every one that is proud shall be thrust through (or pierced, or stabbed); yea, and every one that is ajoined to the wicked shall fall by the sword. Babylon and a wicked world at their end will be destroyed.  Remember two groups for destruction.
16 Their achildren also shall be bdashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled (or plundered) and their wives ravished. This seems to have much more to do with the destruction of Babylonia since the righteous of the Lord will not rape the wives of the wicked, but could be what the wicked do to each other before Christ’s coming.
17 Behold, I will stir up the aMedes against them, which shall not regard silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it. The destruction of Babylon will come from the Medes. And did in 538 B.C.
18 Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no apity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not spare children. This army will not have mercy and will kill even the children.  2 centuries the Greeks under Alexander will conquer Persians and by the time of Christ it will be pretty much desolate
19 And aBabylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty (HEB vain glorious grandeur of the Babylonians) of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew bSodom and Gomorrah.  Total destruction
20 It shall never be ainhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
21 But awild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs (HEB he-goats, or demons) shall dance there. It will only be used by wild animals.
22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses (HEB palaces), and dragons (HEB (perhaps jackals, or wild dogs.) in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her day shall not be prolonged. For I will destroy her speedily;  yea, for I will be merciful unto my people, but the wicked shall perish.

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