Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Isaiah 52

In the last day, Isaiah provided some specific instructions to the saints, especially their priesthood leaders. First he taught -

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (Old Testament | Isaiah 52:7)

The charge to the saints is to bring the good tidings, to publish peace and salvation, to testify that God lives and reigns over this earth. To the leaders Isaiah instructs -

"Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice..." (Old Testament | Isaiah 52:8)

Watchmen upon the tower warning the saints of impending danger. And to -

"...see eye to eye..." (Old Testament | Isaiah 52:8)

Or as instructed in modern time, to -

"...assemble yourselves together to agree upon my word..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 41:2)

Leaders and saints are counseled -

"Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD." (Old Testament | Isaiah 52:11)

That is depart from wickeness or Babylon as the Lord confirmed in modern day -

"...go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 38:42)

And in doing so -

"...ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward." (Old Testament | Isaiah 52:12)

I sense the Lord is teaching that this is not a fanatic instant change as if suggesting that when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are instantly saved. I sense he is suggesting that this "change of heart" is an ongoing process of becoming in the same manner as He did, for -

"...I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 93:12)