2 Nephi 24

2 Nephi 24;  Isaiah 14

2 Nephi 24: 1-7

Lord, mercy............................................................a part of the covenant, forgiving misdeeds of Israel

land........................................................................promise of a place to have a country

rest and no fear..........................................................a promise of national security

broken scepters...........................................................the Lord will not allow Israel to be a vassal state

at rest..................................................................a condition of international peace

The Lord promises a time when the nation of Israel will be firmly established with harmony, peace and security, but it is a part of the covenant, meaning that Israel must do its part to realize this event.

2 Nephi 24: 8-22

stir the dead..........................................................a time of resurrection, figuratively and literally

weak as we...........................................................the wicked destroyed, the dead lifted

Lucifer................................................................apostrophe to the awful state of Lucifer, Satan

exalt myself.......................................................the vaunting pride of Satan, His great sin

like Most High....................................................the grievous aspirations of Satan

Is this....................................................................at this judgement, men, even wicked will find Satan absurd

glory to the earthly leaders......................................All will be elevated above Satan, None so bad

not joined with them..............................................Satan not allowed to rule over anyone

Babylon cursed..........................................................Satan's kingdom utterly wasted

The prophet Isaiah lets the children of Israel, especially faithful, know what the final resolution for the works of Satan will be.  That particular "ruler" will lose everything that he prizes, including influence and rulership over anyone who has lived on this earth.

2 Nephi 24: 23-27

so shall it stand...................................................a formal decree from the King of Kings

to all nations.........................................................the Lord's promise and covenant is offered to ALL peoples and nations, not just Israel

The Lord lets all men know that is gospel is for all men.  Although the covenant is made to the House of Israel, he reminds all men that the promises are offered to all living people, with the added information that some of this may occur after men die, and the influence of Satan is completely removed.

2Nephi 24: 28-32

is broken................................................................the Lord will break down mighty adversaries

founded Zion.................................................................promise of a people who will help the Lord

The eternal promises and covenants go far beyond a single person's life span, both on earth and in the spritual realms.  

2 Nephi 24

The Lord discloses the cosmic fight with Satan, letting all men know that the Lord is in charge, and that at the designated time, the Lord will heal the troubles of Israel and of the whole world.  Meanwhile, as Satan moves among the peoples, men can feel assured that the Lord will fix the ills of the world.  We need to keep our promises and covenants

2 Nephi 14

2 Nephi 14

2 Nephi 14: 1-6

stumbling blocks......................................................remove the hindrances for faith
harden hearts..........................................................choose to distance oneself
blessed forever..............................................the followers of Christ are promised prosperity
the pit...............................................................a trap.  Ironically it traps those who build it
abominable church.............................................a community that encompasses those who do evil
wickedness and abominations..................................breaking the rules given by God
Gentiles..............................................................offered all the blessings of the Lord's church
wo....................................................................should Gentiles reject Christ, they will be destroyed

America is a place that is to serves as a home for those who follow Christ.  If the European peoples follow Christ, they will live in prosperity and in safety, but if they reject the Lord, they will be removed.

2 Nephi 14: 7-14

great and marvelous work.....................................terminology indicating a restoration of the gospel
delivery...................................................the function of the Church is to lead men to God
covenants remembered..........................................must believe in the promises of God
two churches.............................................men make one of two choices,  God or Satan.
whore of the earth..........................................no legitimate.   Full of evil and sinfulness.
upon many waters............................................fills the 4 corners of the earth.  Huge group.
group few......................................................God's church relatively small in comparison
gather to fight..............................................the larger group constantly wars the smaller one.
power from on high...........................................God's church is protected by divine help

In the last day, the Lord reestablishes his Church to counter the Church of the Devil.  It has strong power, because God himself protects the church and its members, but the members must keep the covenants of God.

2 Nephi 14: 15-17

wrath.......................................................much of the great and abominable destroyed by war
upon the whore..........................................God curses the evil church, full wrath

A decree to end the great and abominable church prophesied.  Christ will remove it from captivating his people.

2 Nephi 14: 18-30

white robe..................................................the Holy One of Israel works with John the Revelator
remainder.......................................................Nephi does not record the rest of the vision
the book......................................................the bible is given as a legacy to the Gentiles
was pure....................................................many changes entered into the Bible, not the original
rest to see....................................................the servant sees the rest of the prophecy, sealed.
apostle to write...............................................a duty of the apostle to record the remainder
John.......................................................even his name foretold
angel made known......................................a divine vision, to which he bears testimony.
is true...........................................................bears his testimony of the vision's truth

Nephi lets the reader know that the vision is divine, given through the Lord's manner of prophecy.
He indicates that the vision is the beginning of John's vision, but that the vision of John is not recorded for the Nephites, but rather for the Gentiles.  The word will go forth to the Gentiles through the Bible, and important, divine book, but the evil Church will have removed and altered the points of the gospel.

2 Nephi 14

This chapter enlarges Isaiah's words to explain how America will be featured in the latter-day.
The Lord's church will be established in America, and it will be spread to the whole world, but the world will largely belong to Satan's system.  The evil system will go to war with the Saints, but the Lord will protect the Saints.  Eventually the evil will destroy themselves, but the Lord will protect his children.

2 Nephi 3

I've had a few medical problems.  Now, I'm just getting back to a reading schedule

2 Nephi 3

2 Nephi 3: 1-7

rudeness of brethern...........................................this young man had suffered because of his brothers
consecrate afflictions......................................Jacob will be blessed for his faithfulness
salvation...................................................Spirit has accepted Jacob's works and faith
glory....................................................men can experience some of the power of God
justification.............................................the law condemns all men
Holy Messiah.......................................the mercy of God that overrules the justification
broken heart, contrite Spirit................................the requirements for mercy

Jacob learns from his father the power of repentance in the laws of salvation.  Each person must receive the approval of the Lord.

2 Nephi 3: 8-13

make known........................................servants of God teach the power of repentance
intercession.........................................Christ is the focal point for forgiveness
judged............................................Christ will judge all men to see if they meet the standards
opposition in all things.............................men must have a clear choice
denial of the purpose..............................denial has no logic to it.  It makes living meaningless

We do not need to fight the oppositions that we face.  These many tough decisions are the way that we demonstrate what makes us function.  Christ is aware of all our battles and of our decisions.

2 Nephi 3: 14-25

God...............................................God does oversee all and he is the creator
the forbidden fruit.................................this is the other choice, the one not meant to save
agent...................................................men are given the choice to follow God or not do so
devil.................................................Lehi explains the existence of Satan
Eve....................................................this devil enticed Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit
human family..................................all men come as a result of this decision to make choices
Adam fell that............................................the purpose of life.  Falling under the power of the forbidden fruit, but given a chance to improve and be forgiven
might have joy....................................if we choose correctly, we will be saved.

2 Nephi 3: 26-30

Christ.............................................the Messiah makes it possible to change and to be saved
men are free...................................people have full freedom to choose Christ or reject him
hearken............................................men should choose Christ and follow him
choose..............................................consequences for the path we choose
object..................................................the salvation of your souls

Christ's atonement makes it possible to overcome the punishments of the law.  Christ's mercy is on those who choose him and follow what he teaches us to do.  We receive the Holy Spirit as we move in the way.