Same War: Different Venue

There was war in heaven, according to John the Divine. The battle lines were drawn with Jehovah and Michael on the side of the Father and Lucifer and his minions in defiance. (See posts from January 13 and 17 and Revelation 12:7-10) Lucifer and his followers were cast out of heaven, but they didn't disappear from the narrative: they were cast down upon the earth where Lucifer became Satan, the great Deceiver and Accusor; the Father of Lies. The enemy. That battle continues on earth today; same war, different venue.

This week, we are studying 2 Nephi 26 to 30. Nephi quoted Isaiah and explained it to his people. Nephi and Isaiah knew our day.

And as one generation hath been destroyed among the Jews because of iniquity, even so have they been destroyed from generation to generation according to their iniquities; and never hath any of them been destroyed save it were foretold them by the prophets of the Lord.

Wherefore, it hath been told them concerning the destruction which should come upon them, immediately after my father left Jerusalem; nevertheless, they hardened their hearts; and according to my prophecy they have been destroyed, save it be those which are carried away captive into Babylon. (2 Nephi 25: 9-10)

 

Save It Were Foretold Them by the Prophets of the Lord

Nephi interpreted Isaiah in plainness for his people. He began when his father joined with other prophets, in foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem if the people would not repent.  Nephi testified that because of the Spirit, he knew that Jerusalem had, in fact, been destroyed and most of its people carried away captive to Babylon. The people had not responded to the prophets’ calls and had not repented, this because became more hardened in their hearts.

 

In my studies of the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon, I have noted the frequent use of the phrase harden their hearts.  It is often used in conjunction with another phrase – stiff necked.

What do these two phrases mean? Stiff neck, I believe, is a reference to a people’s refusal to humble themselves before God.  They won’t bow their heads in prayer nor in submission to His will. When someone is hard-hearted, they do not allow their hearts to be moved with emotions like love and compassion.  In conjunction, they are also hard-headed, refusing to allow information into their minds which is contrary to their perceived version of reality. How can a anyone repent and grow spiritually if they can never even entertain the idea that what they have believed, said, or done, has been wrong? Prophets’ warnings cannot help if one will not listen.

We cannot turn a blind eye to the war between good and evil raging in the hearts of men today. The battle lines have been drawn since before Creation.  As Joshua once said to God's children of Israel: Who's on the Lord's side, who?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx9PguKp1-4