Tying It All Together
In preparing for today’s message, I inadvertently tapped on the wrong link in my scriptures and ended up in the last chapter of the Book of Revelation. When I started reading, the verses jumped out at me with several different but connected themes from the recent General Conference and Christ’s teachings to the Nephites. John’s revelation, Christ’s quotations of Isaiah, and President Nelson’s address at the conference all speak of covenants and events relating to end times. I invite you to read and contemplate each of these.
I will start with John 22:6 and interweave parts of 3 Nephi and President Nelson’s talk. My comments will be in parentheses. “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets (including and especially the parts of Isaiah that Jesus teaches in 3 Nephi, and this from President Nelson, “My dear brothers and sisters, do you see what is happening right before our eyes? I pray that we will not miss the majesty of this moment! The Lord is indeed hastening His work.”) sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
(A significant focus in 3 Nephi 20-26 is the gathering of Israel in the last days. Jesus emphasizes the fulfillment of covenants made with Israel’s ancestors and the gathering of His people as a sign of the times (3 Nephi 20:13, 27-29).)
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
(President Nelson, “Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord!”)
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. (This saying is prevalent every time the Second Coming is mentioned, not so much to give us a date, but to encourage our preparations.)
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (Here are the reasons to be ready!)
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Our rewards are based on our works, not good intentions.)
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
President Nelson: “As the prophet Isaiah prophesied, and as memorialized in Handel’s Messiah, when Jesus Christ returns, “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” In that day “the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Jesus Christ will govern from both old Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem “built upon the American continent.” From these two centers, He will direct the affairs of His Church. In that day the Lord will be known as “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” Those who are with Him will be “called, and chosen, and faithful.”
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
(BONUS! These verses are all about the temple, which I find the most compelling to pay attention to. Our objective is to return to the Tree Of Life and drink the water of life. From President Nelson, “Why are we building temples at such an unprecedented pace? Why? Because the Lord has instructed us to do so. The blessings of the temple help to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. These blessings also help to prepare a people who will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord!”)
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
These are a few more summaries of 3 Nephi for us to consider:
Jesus speaks of the restoration and establishment of His Church in the last days, highlighting the coming forth of the Book of Mormon as part of this great work (3 Nephi 21:1-11).
There are references to judgment upon the wicked and the purification of the earth, reminiscent of apocalyptic imagery found in other scriptures (3 Nephi 25:1; see also Malachi 4:1).
Jesus gives assurances of His return in power and glory, emphasizing preparation and anticipation for this event (3 Nephi 24:1-3).
Jesus quotes and interprets the words of Isaiah and Malachi, unfolding the meaning of past prophecies and how they connect to future events, further validating His role as Messiah (3 Nephi 22:1, 25:1-6).
These chapters reiterate the call to return to righteousness, keep covenants, and prepare spiritually for the coming events (3 Nephi 21:14-22).
We live in exciting times! The fact that we have witnesses from the Bible, Book of Mormon, living prophets, and our temple covenants that all point to the same things gives us no excuses to procrastinate our preparations.