CHAPTER ELEVEN

In That Day Shall They Understand

As previously discussed, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."⁽¹⁾ (Rev. 19:10.) An understanding of our Lord is but partially complete if we focus only on his first coming and the issues that relate to the gospel and individual salvation. An understanding of the Messiah's second coming, and the issues of freedom that relate to nations and government, is also important, and cannot come without an understanding of prophecy. Studying and hearkening to the word of God, including prophecy, will enable the faithful to endure the tribulations to come and receive an inheritance in Zion. The Lord said, "...He that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the Lord to come, even for the signs of the coming of the Son of Man." (D&C 45:39.)

Seeking Prophecy; and
Withstanding Persecution

Many in our day hedge the study of prophecy. Because of the difficulty involved in the search which leads to the truth, few embark earnestly on the journey. Because "some things [are] hard to be understood..., they that are unlearned and unstable, wrest [them], as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Pet. 3:16.) The spectacle of seeing ourselves and others wandering "in strange roads" or drowning in filthy waters after abandoning the word of God, makes the carnal security of the "wisdom of the world" seem a welcome sight. (1 Ne. 8:32, 11:35.) If we join with that comfortable company, we may ourselves begin to "point the finger of scorn" at the seemingly fanatical followers of God. (8:33.)

Some, having been subjects of that mockery, after having partaken of the power of God, and not being able to bear the shame of the cross, have subsequently "fallen away." (8:34; D&C 76:31; Jacob 1:8.) Concerning such tendencies, Peter warned, "seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness." (2 Pet. 3:17.) In the end, "they that have laughed shall see their folly," for "calamity shall cover the mocker, and the scorner shall be consumed...." (D&C 45:49,50.)

Whatever the excuse, the word of the Lord to those who spurn is the same: "Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that [it] is of no worth!" (2 Ne. 28:16.) Let us not be numbered among these latter-day "scoffers," who walk "after their own lusts," or those who fulfill the words of Peter when they say, "Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" (2 Pet. 3:4; 3 Ne. 29:2), or, in other words, "All is well!" (2 Ne. 28:25.) To such, the coming of the Lord might well be hundreds of years away -- surely not in our lifetime. "For this they willingly are ignorant...," and will howl and mourn when "the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" comes. (2 Pet. 3:5,7.)

When is the Day of
the Lord?

Peter taught, "Be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years...." (2 Pet. 3:8.) According to John, the earth has "seven thousand years of temporal existence." (D&C 77:6; Rev. 5:1.) (Before the fall, which occurred around 4000 B.C., the earth was in a paradisiacal state, and it will be renewed at the end of the millennium, or seventh thousand year. (2 Ne. 2:22; Gen. 3:17,23; A of F 10.) People may dispute about exactly when in the prophetic sequence Christ will appear in glory. But one thing is certain, the cataclysmic destructions, which other prophets describe as taking place in the "day of the Lord" -- the era of his coming -- will take place at the end of the sixth thousand years, the "sixth seal" having been "opened." (Rev. 6:12.) This is when the sun becomes "black as sackcloth, and the moon [becomes] as blood..., every mountain and island...[will] move out of their places..., the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (6:12,14,17.) While no man may know the "day, and hour" of Christ's coming, the time-frame for these terrible destructions cannot be moved far from the year 2,000. (JS-M 1:40; Matt. 24:36.)

With Satan knowing "he hath but a short time," the time of his being bound soon approaching, makes this not a time for us to be lackadaisical. (Rev. 12:12.) His target is not so much the vast inhabitants of the earth as it is those "which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" -- that same testimony which is also "the spirit of prophecy."⁽²⁾ (Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

Only through the testimony of Jesus will we be able to abide the day of wrath, for "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:14; Mosiah 4:8.) This is as true politically as it is religiously. In that day of treading down, when "none can deliver" (3 Ne. 20:16; Micah 5:8), the only salvation is through the Lord; for "none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God" (Mosiah 11:23,24). Those who "fall down" and "worship" the gods of the day, will be cast away, along with their gods, which will have proven ineffective in saving them. (Isa. 46:6,7.) As Paul said, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 3:11.)

Endnotes:

1. See "Parallels: A Key for Being Numbered Among God's People" section of Chapter Four.

"Would God that ALL the Lord's People Were PROPHETS"

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