Temporary Bondage

Once Coriantumr "had obtained the possession of the strongest hold in all the land [Zarahemla], his heart took courage insomuch that he was about to go forth against all the land." (Hel. 1:22.) Isaiah likewise described the intentions of the latter-day king of Assyria: "...In his heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few." (2 Ne. 20:12 = Isa. 10:12.) Will this tyrant achieve his aspirations? How extensive will his domain reach? How long will he maintain his grip?

Reading further into this prophecy in Isaiah 10, we find possible answers to these first two questions. In verse 13, the triumphant king of Assyria boasts, "I have removed the bounds of the people...." The removal of borders likely implies that the sovereignty of individual nations will be dissolved. "I have gathered all the earth," he gloats in the next verse, suggesting that the long sought one-world government will then become a reality. Then in verse 24, the Lord tells us that not only will the Assyrian "smite [us] with a rod"--perhaps another way of concisely describing the attack--but he will also "lift up his staff against [us], after the manner of Egypt." We know that Egypt often symbolically denotes captivity. The mention that a staff will be lifted up by a tyrant "after the manner of Egypt" solidifies this image.

We might wonder what would happen to the Constitution during such a period. Brigham Young explained, "Will the Constitution be destroyed? No. It will be held inviolate by this people [the Latter-day Saints]...."⁽¹⁾

Many do not fathom the possibility of our nation falling under a tyrannical rule. According to Nephi (son of Lehi), "...This land...shall be a land of liberty unto [us]; wherefore [we] shall never be brought down into captivity...." (2 Ne. 1:7.) However, in the same breath Nephi added the condition: "...If so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land...." (Ibid.)

A prophecy in the book of Daniel and a corresponding one in the book of Revelation apparently provide us with more insight into the nature and duration of this bondage.⁽²⁾ They use similar imagery to portray what will probably be a global government.⁽³⁾

Daniel described a beast that "shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces." (Dan. 7:23.) Here we note the "treading down" phrase again, which occurs in half of the probable prophecies about this event. (See Appendix I.) This phrase is also found in Book of Mormon history. (See Hel. 4:20.)

Daniel symbolically described this beast, saying his "teeth were of ^a.iron, and his ^b.nails of brass; [and he] devoured, ^c.brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet." (Dan. 7:19.) (Note that Daniel said this beast shall tread down the earth "with his feet." John said that the feet of this beast "were as the feet of a bear." (Rev. 13:2.)⁽⁴⁾) Compare Daniel's wording above with that of Christ's, when He addressed the latter-day House of Israel: "I will make thy horn ^a.iron, and will make thy ^b.hoofs brass. And thou shalt ^c.beat in pieces many people...." (3 Ne. 20:19 = Micah 4:13.) Because Daniel's and Christ's wordings are so similar, might we surmise that they refer to the same thing? As a corollary, might Daniel's beast be essentially the same thing as Isaiah's Assyrian? Appendix I suggests that there is a definite correlation between these prophecies.

Isaiah's description of the "stout heart of the king of Assyria and the glory of his high looks" (Isa. 10:12) closely matches Daniel's depiction of the one of the horns of Daniel's beast, "whose look was more stout than his fellows" and who "spake very great things." (Dan. 7:20.) (Recall also the presumptuous courage of Coriantumr, the Lamanite leader.)

According to Daniel, the ten horns on this beast represent "ten kings." (Dan. 7:24) The beast John described in Revelation 13 had ten horns too. He added to the picture, saying it also had seven heads, each having the name of blasphemy upon it. (Rev. 13:1.) Looking around in the world today, we see some compelling possibilities as to the identity of the seven heads and the ten horns. The beast as a whole is probably the same thing as the secret combination that the Book of Mormon repeatedly prophesied would come in our day. The various attributes of the beast apparently represent various physical manifestations of this conspiracy to set up a one-world socialistic government.

Today we can read in our newspapers about "the Group of Seven," as they like to call themselves.⁽⁵⁾ This group is a league-like diplomatic organization of the seven leading industrial super-powers in the world: the U.S., Japan, Canada, Great Britain, West Germany, France, and Italy. The rhetoric in their summit this past summer (July, 1989) portrays their underlying motive. They talked largely about wealthy nations needing to play a larger role in propping up poor nations--an important facet of world socialism.⁽⁶⁾ Again, their aims are altruistic, but what about their means?

The probable identity of the ten-horns on this beast is a little more hard to determine. A likely possibility is the European Economic Community, which is now settling into place. At present there are twelve nations headed for membership. Perhaps the final coalition will be ten nations or groups of nations. John said that upon the ten horns were ten crowns, possibly using this imagery of royalty to reflect the past and present association of kings with European nations. (Rev. 13:1.) One thing is certain, and that is that the formation of this union represents a major step in the globalists' plans toward setting up a one-world government.⁽⁷⁾ Once formed, this community is touted to become the world's leading economic and possibly even political super-power.

John then continues, stating that one of the heads will be "as it were wounded to death," following which people will say, "who is able to make war with [the beast]?" (Rev. 13:3,4.) Recall that one of the seven heads--supposing this represents the Group of Seven--is the United States. Should the Soviet Union destroy the United States' military muscle in a preemptive nuclear strike, nothing would stand in the aggressor's way. They could then sweep the world into a global dictatorship.

John explained that each of these seven heads would have the name of blasphemy written on it. (Rev. 13:1.) "Blasphemy" describes very well the false Christ aspect of this modern secret combination. What they scheme is diabolically opposed to God's plan of salvation. Even though the United States would be dealt a severe blow through a nuclear strike, apparently this would not stop our nation's conspirators from reuniting our nation into the beastly coalition. John saw that the head which was wounded to death "was healed," being restored into the fold of its fellow blasphemers. (13:3.)

After this beast did its treading, Daniel and John saw that another group would become a member. (Rev. 13:11; Dan. 7:20.) Daniel described it as another horn to arise on the head of the beast, and John described it as another beast. The timing of this latter element, as far as its coming up later, seems to do with actual alliances being made. At the conclusion of the recent (July, 1989) summit of the Group of Seven, Mikhail Gorbachev wired a letter to the leadership participants. In it he proposed that they let the Soviet Union join in with that alliance.⁽⁸⁾ A newspaper report stated, "Most of the Group of Seven agree it is premature to offer the Soviets membership in their free-market club."⁽⁹⁾ However, if the Soviet Union were to remove the obstacle of the U.S.'s military might, then they could join the so-called "free-market club" as they like. Though many would still have the will to resist, they would no longer have the means.

John said that this latter beast to arise will cause "fire come down from heaven on earth...." (Rev. 13:13.) This probably depicts the atomic holocaust that would rain upon us in the event of a Soviet attack. This beast will also be the one that will "[cause] the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast..."--of which it will then apparently become a recognized member. (13:12.)

Daniel and John said that this last member "shall speak great words against the most High," and it will become the dominating element of the dreadful kingdom. (Dan. 7:25,20; Rev. 12:12.) This kingdom will be established for a period of "forty and two months" or three and a half years. (Rev. 13:5; Dan. 7:25.)

Perhaps the most disheartening aspect of this prophecy is that once this beast is in place, not only will power be given it "over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations," but it will actually "make war with the saints." (Rev. 13:7; Dan. 7:21,25; 1 Ne. 14:13.)

This is reminiscent of a situation in Book of Mormon history. Once the Gadianton robbers had obtained "sole management of the government," the record states that "they did trample under their feet and smite and rend...the humble followers of God." (Hel. 6:39.)

We have discussed how a great division will polarize the people in the days ahead; some will align themselves with the kingdom of God, and others, with the kingdom of the devil. Apparently, this war against the saints will serve as a consummating catalyst. The choices will be vividly clear: light or darkness, freedom or captivity, Christ's plan or Satan's alternative.

Once this one-world dictatorship locks into place, John says the latter beast will cause "all...to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that [have] the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Rev. 13:16.) (See Appendix J.) The image of the beast will "cause that as many as [will] not worship the image of the beast should be killed." (13:15.) So deceptive, so influential, and so pervasive will this beast be that "all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (13:8.)

Looking to Book of Mormon history, we find a likely parallel for this situation of taking the mark of the beast. During the era of Nephite wickedness described in the book of Helaman, "Satan did stir up the hearts of the more part of the Nephites, insomuch that they did unite with those bands of robbers...." (Hel. 6:21.) They "did enter into their covenants and their oaths...; and...they did have their signs...." (6:21,22.) "...And this that they might distinguish a brother who had entered into the covenant that whatsoever wickedness his brother should do he should not be injured by his brother, nor by those who did belong to his band, who had taken this covenant." (Hel. 6:22.) Their oaths also had to do with their commerce: one reason they took these pacts was "that they should not suffer for...their plunderings, and their stealings." (Hel. 6:21.)

Along with describing what would happen in the days ahead of us the prophets apparently admonished us about the stance we should take during this trying time. After talking about how "the king of Assyria and all his glory...shall fill the breadth of thy land..." (2 Ne. 18:7 = Isa. 8:7), Isaiah warned, "Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces." (2 Ne. 18:9 = Isa. 8:9.) The Lord's strict instructions, as he told Isaiah, were: "Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid." (2 Ne. 18:12 = Isa. 8:12.) Isaiah then concluded: "Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." (2 Ne. 18:13 = Isa. 8:13.) Concerning those who will be killed because they will not take the mark when compelled, John consoled, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord...." (Rev. 14:13.)

Reflecting upon this trying period that is apparently about to unfold in our day, we understand better why Daniel's cogitations troubled him after seeing it. (Dan. 7:28.) Likewise, Nephi's "heart was swollen with sorrow" when in antiquity he saw "this great iniquity" which the Gadianton robbers had wrought among the Nephites. (Hel. 7:6.)