Topical Study of the "Gentiles" Part 8

3 Nephi 21:1-29 The Lord gives the Nephites a sign to signal when the events in chapter 20 are about to take place. The Lord gathers the dispersed of Israel and establishes Zion amongst them. The subject is a sign to the Nephite descendants that signals when the gathering of Israel and the establishment of Zion is about to occur. (vs.1) This is the sign given to the Nephites: When the things the Lord is teaching the Nephites is “made known” to the Gentiles, the Gentiles will know about the Nephites, (who are from the tribes of Israel) and have been scattered by the Gentiles, (after the scattering has occurred.) (vs.2) The sign is not when these things appear among the Gentiles, but when these things are known to the Gentiles and taken by the Gentiles, (or “from the Gentiles”) and given to the Nephites. The sign the Lord points to is the transition that occurs when these writings are taken from the “Gentiles” and given to the descendants of Nephi. It is unclear whether “taken from the Gentiles” means “taken away from the Gentiles” in their entirety or simply shared by the Gentiles. Speculation is it refers to covenant withdrawal from the Gentiles and transferred to Israel. There is room for either interpretation and unless the text/study clarifies this issue we have to leave open the possibility either scenario could play out or a hybrid outcome of the two alternatives. (vs.3) In the Father’s wisdom the Gentiles are established first in the America’s and by the power of the Father this is brought to pass. The Father’s reason for establishing the Gentiles in the America’s first was to provide a conduit for the Nephite record that passes from the Gentiles to the Nephite descendants who live on this land in the last days. The Lord uses the Gentiles as a conduit for the Nephite record to pass from the Gentiles to the Nephite/Lamanite/Jaredite descendants in the last days. This, so the Father may keep the covenants made with their forefather’s (Israel’s) anciently. (vs.4) When these “works” and the “works that shall be wrought among you hereafter” come from the Gentiles to descendants of Nephi, (who have dwindled in unbelief because of iniquity.) (vs.5) The Father decides these things come to the seed of Nephi from the Gentiles (the Church membership) if by chance the Gentiles will not harden their hearts, repent, come unto Christ, be baptized in the name of Christ and know the “true points of my doctrine”, (as opposed to the false that prevail in that day), the righteous Gentiles are numbered among Israel. The Lord doesn’t assume or suggest the Gentiles of certainty will, but simply explains a contingency is in place if the Gentiles do the prescribed requirements, (soften their hearts toward sacred truth when revealed, repent, come to Christ and be baptized in the name of Christ and “know the true points of Christ’s doctrine.) The Gentiles are joined with the house of Israel and receive an inheritance amongst Israel. It is clear the members of the Church are not viewed by the Lord as part of Israel until they follow the listed steps. Obedience to the ordinances is a given but not hardening our hearts towards revealed knowledge, truly and sincerely repenting, as well as “knowing” assuredly the “true points of my doctrine” are subjects each individual must prayerful consider and assess themselves. (vs.6) When these “works” are known to the Nephite descendants it is a sign/signal they know with certainty the Father has already begun to bring about the fulfillment of promises made to their father’s as well as all righteous patriarchs of Israel. (vs.7) When the day comes the tribes of Israel are restored to a knowledge of their covenant status with the Father a prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled foretelling events that cause kings of the earth to “shut their mouths” (they are speechless) when that which “they had not been told” shall they “see” and that which they “had not heard, shall they consider.” The secular kings of this earth are not familiar with the true meaning of prophecy and the promises the Father made to Abraham and the ancient patriarch’s since the days of Adam. Lack of understanding by secular kings does not invalidate the promises the Father has made to His children. Consequently, kings will “shut their mouth” when the Father fulfills His covenants with Israel. They will be filled with wonder and amazement leaving them both speechless and powerless to stop the works of the Father. (vs.8) What is the work the Father brings about leaving the kings speechless and amazed? For the Lord’s sake the Father works a work that is great and marvelous. The work occurs when the “works of the Nephites” go from the Gentiles to the descendants of Nephi. This is not referring to the time when the Lord brings the record to the Gentiles originally, but the time when it goes from the Gentiles to Israel. This work has to be post Joseph Smith. Joseph laid the foundation for this work but the Father calls another servant to do this among “them” or the descendants of Nephi. The “marvelous work” among the Gentiles that causes kings to “shut their mouths” begins with a man who declares truth to all people and among the Gentiles will be those who will not believe the revelation even though “a man shall declare it unto them.” (vs.9) The life of the servant declaring these things is in the Lord’s hands. The Lord controls the servant’s fate. The kings will not hurt the servant, (but the servant will be “marred because of them.”) Though kings mar the servant, the Lord heals him showing kings the Lord’s mercy is greater than the cunning of the devil. (vs.10) Following the rise of the servant and his marring by the kings, the Lord draws a “line in the sand” so to speak wherein those who will not believe the words of Jesus Christ which the Father causes the servant to bring forth unto the Gentiles, it shall be done “even as Moses said”, the unbelievers will be “cut off from among the people”, (Israel). The servant brings about fulfillment of the Moses prophecy and has yet to arrive on the prophetic scene. I suspect he will be to the Gentiles what Samuel the Lamanite was to the Nephites. (vs.11) The “remnant of Jacob” will be among the Gentiles, (in their “midst”, “like a lion amongst the beasts of the forest” among “flocks of sheep”, (people who follow one another) who “if he goeth through” will tread down and teareth in pieces and none can deliver.” (Isaiah 5:29) (vs.12) The hand of the children of Israel is “lifted up” upon their enemies. (like Moses [Exodus 17:11-12]) The Savior invokes the prophecy of Isaiah to describe the how He empowers the children of Israel to cut-off their enemies. (vs.13) The Gentiles are warned they will be in a condition of deep suffering (wo) if they do not repent. “In that day”, the Lord warns Gentiles, a wo comes upon them if they fail to repent. “In that day” the Father will “cut off” horses and chariots, both of which were means of transportation and war. (vs.14) Gentile cities are “cut off” and their strongholds (most heavily fortified, seemingly impenetrable places of resort) are thrown down. This is how the Jews felt about Jerusalem when they were warned it would be overthrown and not one block of the Temple would stand upon another when their destruction arrived. (vs.15) Witchcraft and fortune telling are “cut off” from the land. (vs.16) Graven images made and worshipped by man are removed from the midst of the Gentiles. The fact they become the spoils of their adversaries. Material goods are taken from the “midst” or middle suggests even the most valuable and most secure possessions are taken implying how successful the adversaries of the Gentiles will be in their conquest. (vs.17) “Thy groves” has a two fold meaning. In the days of Isaiah part of fertility rights involved the farmer having sexual relations with a “priestess” / prostitute in a grove of trees. If the prostitute became pregnant the belief was the idol God of the respective temple would bless the farmer’s crops. To “pluck up” the groves is to eliminate false worship and may refer to a loss of food production as well. The Gentiles are destroyed in the same manner. (vs.18) All lyings, deceivings, envyings strifes, priestcrafts and whoredoms will be done away. In this condition some Gentiles may prepare, repent and return to the Lord. (vs.19) “At that day” anyone, (Israel or Gentile) unwilling to repent and come to Christ will be “cut off” from Israel. At this point literal lineage will be less of a determining factor than discipleship to Christ. The definition of “Israel” and “Gentile” will be redefined to mean “Israel” represents those who repent and come to Christ and “Gentile” will be redefined to mean anyone not coming to Christ. (vs.20) The most wicked from the latter group referred to as “heathens” will suffer the Lord’s “fury” as He seeks “vengeance” for acts of wickedness committed by the “heathens” against their fellow man. The level of the Lord’s wrath they feel will be unprecedented, more than they have ever heard tell. (vs.21) If the “Gentiles” repent and “hearken unto my words” which the servant of the Lord brings forward (see vs.11) and “harden not their hearts” I will establish my church among them and they will come in unto the covenant and be numbered among the remnant of Jacob/Israel that have been given this land for their inheritance. (The Nephite inheritance) (vs.22) Repentant Gentiles assist those who previously repented, come to Christ, entered into a covenant with Christ and joined the Church of Jesus Christ with as many literal descendants of Israel as will come. Collectively they gather and build the New Jerusalem (in the land of the Nephite inheritance, America’s.) (vs.23) When New Jerusalem is established efforts turn to gathering the rest of Israel to claim the lands of their inheritance by divine decree. (vs.24) That is when the “power of heaven” descends upon the Lord’s people and the Savior is in their midst. (see 1 Nephi 14:14) (vs.25) When these things are accomplished (the preaching of the gospel to the Nephites) at the same time the work of the Father commences among all the tribes of Israel, including those who have been lost. (vs.26) All the dispersed of Israel will gather in and the Father “prepares the way” (Aaronic) whereby they may “come unto me” (Christ/Melchizedek Priesthood) and call upon the Father “in my name” (Endowment/True order of prayer/introduction to the Father at the veil). (vs.27) The Father begins the work among all nations that allows all Israel to gather to the lands of their inheritance. (vs.28) Israel goes out of the nations without pressure or persecution because the Father leads them at the front and confronts all who oppose them, protecting them in the rear from attack. (vs.29)