2 Nephi Conclusion

[pam]

The obsession of ancient Assyria was land, power, and wealth. The Lord burned and consumed the Assyrians as a type of the burning that will take place at his Second Coming, in a world also obsessed with land, power, and wealth.

Modern covenant Israel need not live in fear, even when these trials are at their doors because, ‘at the last minute,’ the Lord will intervene and redeem covenant Israel. Many of us have reached the limits of our faith and been forced to our knees before the Lord has intervened. Some have waited and are currently waiting for the Lord’s blessings. This chapter teaches us that such blessings will come, but sometimes there is an uncomfortable amount of waiting that tests our faith. President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

One of the trials of life is that we do not usually receive immediately the full blessing for righteousness or the full cursing for wickedness. That it will come is certain, but oft-times there is a waiting period that occurs, as was the case with Job and Joseph….

During this testing time the righteous must continue to love God, trust in His promises, be patient, and be assured. (“The Great Commandment—Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988, 6.)

In 2 Nephi 20, Isaiah teaches us to wait upon the Lord with faith and never give up, but to “stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (D&C 123:17).

John Bytheway, Isaiah for Airheads, p. 137