In the recently discovered Gospel of Philip, is this statement: "The name Jesus does not exist in any other tongue (than Hebrew), but he is always called Jesus. And I agree with the same conclusion. . (Psalm 24:3-4), The message of the Psalm is clear: In order to enter into the temple (the "hill of the Lord," called "the mountain of the Lord's house" in Isaiah 2:2), one must have clean hands and a pure heart.167 In other words, both acts (represented by the hands) and thoughts (represented by the heart) must reflect righteousness, along with the lips that utter the prayer.168 This is probably what the author of Job had in mind when he wrote, "prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him" (Job 11:13). Why have Biblical scholars decided that this vision of Isaiah is a mixture of Jewish and Christian material? However, he tells us that his approach will be different from Isaiah, having characterized Isaiah’s words as “not plain” (verse 4). It's a strange thing; they go back like this and face each other. With Healing in His Wings – 2 Nephi 25:13 (8/11/2017) They Are Plain unto All Those Who Are Filled with the Spirit of Prophecy – 2 Nephi 25:4 (8/10/2017) Until the Law Shall Be Fulfilled – 2 Nephi 25:30 (6/12/2016) We Labor Diligently – 2 Nephi 25:23 (4/17/2016) That Our Children May Know – 2 Nephi 25:23, 26 (3/13/2015) Create a website or blog at WordPress.com. . . 2 Nephi 25-30 [Nephi's Interpretation of Isaiah (2 Nephi 12-24)]: According to John Welch, Nephi's extensive quotation of the prophecies of Isaiah (Isaiah 2-14) is found in 2 Nephi 12-24. Nephi describes how the Messiah will present himself to each of these peoples and how in each case the main reason for their rejection of the Messiah and his gospel is pride. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes], 2 Nephi 25:13 After he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead (Illustration): He Is Risen. What is the point of that? 1 Moreover, the word of the Lord said unto me: Take thee a great a roll, and write in it with a man’s pen, concerning b Maher-shalal-hash-baz.. 2 And I took unto me faithful a witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.. 3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived and bare a son. the Jews: In speaking about the prophecies of Isaiah, Nephi mentions that, "Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews" (2 Nephi 25:1). (2 Corinthians 3:14) [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on the name Abraham -- 1 Nephi 22:9; see also the commentary on the name Israel -- 1 Nephi 15:18]. (Source: Donald W. Parry, "Nephi's Keys to Understanding Isaiah (2 Nephi 25:1-8)," in Isaiah in the Book of Mormon, ed. By placing the Isaiah text on one side of the page and the pertinent passages from Nephi's commentary on the other side, we get a whole new insight into the extent of Isaiah's knowledge concerning both ancient and modern America. and the Fourth Century A.D. Then, in the MSS, known as the Life of Adam and Eve, we find an example of Christian doctrine much like that which Dr. Charlesworth had questioned being in the Book of Mormon. According to Randall Spackman, this verse seems to imply that Jerusalem was destroyed the very next year after Lehi left. Nephi explained to his brethren that the prophecies of Isaiah "were manifest unto the prophet [Isaiah] by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh" (1 Nephi 22:2). 2 Nephi 5. 2 For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed. 2 Nephi 10:24 reaches the exact same conclusion as I do, and is basically a more clear expression of what 2 Nephi 25:23 means: That's the long and the short of it right there. Here in these interpretive chapters, Nephi draws individual words and phrases from Isaiah (2 Nephi 12-24) to corroborate and substantiate his now familiar four-phased prophetic view: 2. his rejection and the scattering of the Jews; 4. the restoration of Israel and the ultimate victory of good over evil. 2 Nephi 25:19 His Name Shall Be Jesus Christ, the Son of God: According to Joy Osborn, in the Book of Mormon we read of angels revealing the name of Israel's Messiah as "Jesus Christ" to Nephi, to his brother Jacob, and later to King Benjamin (see Mosiah 3:5-13) hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. and this is an Egyptian formula too. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. Ultimately, however, through the revelation of the Book of Mormon to the gentiles, each group will repent of its pride, be brought back to a knowledge of the Messiah, and enter into a covenant with the Lord. And the oil of mercy shall be life. Change ). Table 3 (see illustration) outlines Nephi's progression through the group's reactions to the Messiah and the gospel, giving representative passages of their attitudes and action. In this paper, I build on the work of these and other scholars. The gesture exposes to God both the breast and the palms of the petitioner to show that they are pure (clean). 2 Nephi 13. Here in chapter 25, Nephi talks about the Messiah. 2 Nephi 16. That is the only time this phrase appears in scripture. This is probably what the author of Job had in mind when he wrote, "prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him" (Job 11:13). Its presence, therefore in chapter 29 of 2 Nephi (the only place the word "bible" is mentioned in the Book of Mormon) is regarded as an anachronism by critics of the Book of Mormon. The Theme of Pride in 2 Nephi 12-14 (Parallel to Isaiah 2-14). Now that we have “muddied the water” concerning the meaning of the word Jew, perhaps we should turn our discussion specifically to the chapter which I have been asked to discuss-2 Nephi 25. 2 Nephi 11. As the chart below illustrates, these keys include being filled with the spirit of prophecy, living righteously in the last days, and understanding the geography and rhetorical tradition of the Jews. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! For if you shall understand this, you shall likewise perceive that the name of Him who said to Moses "for my name is in him' was Jesus. 2 Nephi 25:1, 2, 6 They Know Not Concerning the Manner of . Everything is left behind and out it comes like a new creature, reborn. After quoting thirteen consecutive chapters of Isaiah's writings in 2 Nephi 12-24 (Isaiah 2-14), Nephi begins to prophesy "in plainness." There were two serpents copulating on a staff. Nephi's Commentary on Isaiah, Chapter 29): According to Cleon Skousen, one of the greatest treasures in the Book of Mormon is Nephi's inspired commentary on Isaiah, chapter 29, which is contained in 2 Nephi, chapters 25-27. . After quoting thirteen consecutive chapters of Isaiah's writings in 2 Nephi 12-24 (Isaiah 2-14), Nephi begins to prophesy "in plainness." [That is, both the example of a serpent healing and blood washing white seem paradoxical, so what is the explanation?] To this day in the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Serbian Church, the staff of the archbishop, head of the church, always consists of a cross with two serpents entwined on it. And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. You must pass through the serpent. In this earth we must pass through the serpent; we go to the lowest stage. the definition of the phrase, as presented in scripture, has reference to the testimony of Jesus. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Specifically in 2 Nephi 25:19 he says: "His name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God." [John W. Welch and J. Gregory Welch, Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written (, "Outlines of Passages Quoting Isaiah," [John Gee, "Choose the Things That Please Me": On the Selection of the Isaiah Sections in the Book of Mormon," in. 2 Nephi 15. The original name of the first Joshua was, (Numbers 13:16), and with prophetic significance, this name was changed by Moses to, . . A careful analysis of the above texts will disclose at least twenty separate conditions which had to be met in order to make these prophecies come true. The next verse (2 Nephi 25:25), especially with the epexegetical conjunction “for,” connects with the previous thought and carries on the discussion of the importance of keeping the law for the time being while expounding upon the relationship between Jesus Christ and the law of Moses: A “For, for this end was the law given; That’s the message I get from this verse. 91-92], Note* Thus we see that it is Jesus (Joshua) who leads the children of Israel (the children of Christ) into the Promised Land. We have to have life, and we have to have death. [Randall Spackman, "An Introduction to Book of Mormon Chronology," F.A.R.M.S., p. 12], If Nephi wrote this verse at the most between 40 and 55 years after Lehi left Jerusalem (Jacob 1:1), what does. Isaiah's Prophecies in 2 Nephi 12-24, Parallel to Isaiah 2-14 / Nephi's Prophecies in 2 Nephi. His explanation includes prophecies about his own posterity that will be fulfilled when Jesus appears to the Nephites in the book of 3 Nephi. (2 Nephi 2:25). In view of this criticism one might ask, Is there any evidence in the ancient scriptures or writings to support the claim that the name of Jesus Christ, and also the name of his mother Mary was known and recorded by the ancient prophets? When it comes to support of “preposition of time,” the second definition seems to fit. But then he added that what we need to bring what we gain from the sabbath and from the temple into our own homes. Whenever salvation has been administered, it has been by testimony. The pattern they used in citing and interpreting Isaiah in the Book of Mormon may be standardized as follows: C. Quotation of parts of the text and interpretation of the passage by explaining and defining terms. . Reflections on 2 Nephi 25:23 27 determine the meaning of this passage to clarify what the Book of Mormon teaches about the Atonement. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. We find verification for Nephi's statement. All the episcopal staves and patriarchal staves of the Orient and the old eastern churches have the two serpents. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. In an essay entitled, "Messianism in the Pseudepigrapha and the Book of Mormon," Dr. Charlesworth states: "At the outset we should recognize that, as with the Pseudepigrapha, the Book of Mormon contains lengthy sections that look very Jewish and others that look peculiarly Christian" (p. 124). Born at Caesarea, about 260 A.D., Eusebius wrote two great histories of the Church, covering it from the time of Christ to the days of Constantine. Remember, we are told [in Numbers 21:6-9] that the serpents came in great numbers and bit the people. [Thomas R. Valletta ed., The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families, 1999, p. 130]. It's one of the most striking symbols of rebirth. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the b plates of brass. 152-160], 2 Nephi 25-30 (Isaiah's and Nephi's Theme of Pride) [Illustration]: Table 1. really mean in terms of days, months, or years? . 159-160]. Nephi Explains Isaiah – 2 Nephi 25:1-30 Posted on February 5, 2019 by Pure Revelations 1 Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. First and Second were added to the titles of The Books of Nephi by Oliver Cowdery when preparing the book for printing. And Adam speaks of the "majesty of our Lord Jesus the Messiah.". . (2 Nephi 25:19). 2 Nephi 18. 2 Nephi 25-30 (Isaiah's and Nephi's Theme of Pride): According to David Seely, one key to understanding Isaiah is to become familiar with the common themes he addresses. Even something like the Fall of Adam and Eve, which appears to be a failure and a tragedy, turns out to be part of God’s plan of happiness. It leaves its old skin behind. I feel the same way about understanding the context of the Doctrine and Covenants—it … Immediately After My Father Lehi Left Jerusalem: Nephi commented that the destruction of Jerusalem "should come upon [the Jews], after my father left Jerusalem" (2 Nephi 25:10). And we see now, from the writings of Eusebius, that Moses wrote a great deal more about Jesus than is found in our Bible. Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, c. 313-339, is recognized as one of the greatest of the early Church Fathers and Historians. There are always the two serpents. (see 2 Nephi 11:2-3) In the following pages I have examined the different meanings of the word "redeem" and shown how they are used in the scriptures. We have the statements of Isaiah, in the Vision of Isaiah, that he was shown the coming of the Lord Christ, who is to be called Jesus, and whose mother would be named Mary. Why would the blood of the Lamb wash you white? 2 Nephi 29:3 A Bible! Either meaning is theoretically possible in the Book of Mormon, although most of the close textual examples involve the sense of logical opposition. This fact was lost on the Jews of Lehi's day as well as the Jews at the time of Christ: "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament: which veil is done away in Christ." We were meant to be happy. But a thing like that seems so contradictory to us; it's not so, though. , Semester 1, pp. 2 Nephi 2. And what is grace, this thing that is supposed to save us, anyway? Was it changed by Manasseh, the wicked king of Judah, who had the prophet Isaiah killed, and the "name of God removed from the Torah"? [Thomas R. Valletta ed., The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families, They Shall Believe in Christ, and Worship the Father in His Name, with. By placing the Isaiah text on one side of the page and the pertinent passages from Nephi's commentary on the other side, we get a whole new insight into the extent of Isaiah's knowledge concerning both ancient and modern America. (Source: Donald W. Parry, "Nephi's Keys to Understanding Isaiah (2 Nephi 25:1-8)," in. Moses again was enabled by the Holy Spirit to foresee quite plainly the title Jesus: it, too, he felt to be worthy of special privilege . In overview, beginning in 2 Nephi 25, Nephi spoke “somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah” (25:1). Q: “LDS Church: What is the meaning of 2 Nephi 2:22?” > “And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. One is life and the other is death, and you must have both--this opposition in all things. The change had the effect of converting the meaning of the name from saving to Jehovah is Salvation. Table 2 also shows that the theme of pride is an important and recurring theme throughout the Isaiah passages that Nephi quotes. It is astonishing that the prophecies of Isaiah in the eighth century B.C., and the parallel prophecies of Nephi in the sixth century B.C., should have been so completely, literally and immaculately fulfilled in the nineteenth century A.D. A careful analysis of the above texts will disclose at least twenty separate conditions which had to be met in order to make these prophecies come true. "The Lord God . It's a very interesting thing--only the early parts of the Book of Mormon refer to the Messiah. . Or, he says that Joseph Smith could have added these things to the records when he translated the Book of Mormon. Artist: Del Parson. Then the most beloved Son of God, Christ, shall descend to the earth, and lead your father Adam to Paradise to the tree of mercy. V. 1, p. 907). 1372-1380]. Dr. James H. Charlesworth, head of the Pseudepigrapha Institute at Duke University, who edited two impressive volumes of Pseudepigrapha, published by Doubleday in 1985, is recognized as one of the worlds great authorities on the Pseudepigrapha. It's here that Nephi starts referring the Christ. [Ariel L. Crowley, About the Book of Mormon, pp. : The word "Bible" comes from "Biblea," an original Greek word not used by Hebrew prophets. [Randall Spackman, "An Introduction to Book of Mormon Chronology," F.A.R.M.S., p. 12], Note* If Nephi wrote this verse at the most between 40 and 55 years after Lehi left Jerusalem (Jacob 1:1), what does immediately really mean in terms of days, months, or years? (Oshea). [Joy M. Osborn, The Book of Mormon -- The Stick of Joseph, pp. 28-30]. 2 Nephi 2. . If so, who changed it and when was it changed? (2 Nephi 11:2-3). Note also Lamentations 3:41, "Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." Why have Biblical scholars decided that this vision of Isaiah is a mixture of Jewish and Christian material? Again we see where the things which seemed so far out and ridiculous in Joseph Smith's day, are the very things which now prove him a true prophet of God. So on that basis, we could take the 'in spite of' meaning as more likely for 2 Nephi 25:23. But a thing like that seems so contradictory to us; it's not so, though. No man is a minister of Jesus Christ without being a Prophet. Moses raised a brazen serpent on a staff, and whoever looked at the serpent would be healed. Thus it is written: 'And the Lord spake to Moses, Say to this people, Behold, I send my angel before thy face to keep thee in the way, to bring thee into the land which I have prepared for thee. . 2 Nephi 25:19 The Messiah Cometh . gave unto Moses power that he should. 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