God’s Plan of Salvation By Richard Rupe

Chapter 17 Isaiah: Prelude Isaiah: Prelude

• Chapter 17 covers pages 221-224 • Serves as an introduction to Chapters 18 and 19 • Study of Isaiah • Explains why he is including a section on Isaiah • Introduces Avraham Gileadi • Borrows a lot from this author in his study • Talk about the ministry of Elijah and the Messiah Isaiah: Prelude

• Isaiah • “a foreboding book” • “for most of us is ‘sealed’ from our understanding” • “subject of much scholarly debate” • And yet … • It is in the • recommended the writing of Isaiah • With the commandment comes the power to do the thing commanded (1 Nephi 1:65).

Isaiah: Prelude

• Nephi gives some clues about how to understand Isaiah in 1 Nephi 11:5, 8 • Plain to those with the spirit of prophecy • Understanding the way of the Jews • Jesus adds the need to ask the Father in the name of Jesus in order to understand (3 Nephi 8:3) • GW: other keys • Read the commentary on Isaiah and let Nephi and Jacob instruct us • Feast on the word of God (2 Nephi 14:4). • Enduring to the end Isaiah: Prelude

• Isaiah is well studied and a library of books on the subject have been written • Multiple commentaries • Books designed to make Isaiah easier • Isaiah For Airheads by John Bytheway (Deseret Books) • Isaiah Made Easier In The Bible and the Book of Mormon by David J. Ridges (Deseret Books) • Choose help carefully • He will introduce us to an author he has found useful. Isaiah: Prelude • Avraham Gileadi (born 1940) is a Hebrew scholar and literary analyst specializing in the . He grew up in the , then later emigrated with his family to New Zealand. As an orthodox Jew, he studied in , where he was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. He was baptized a member in the Pool of Siloam, where the Bible records Jesus healing a blind man by having him wash his eyes in the pool. In 1973 Gileadi moved to the United States, where he married and raised a family of nine children. Isaiah: Prelude

• Rupe says, “Much that follows is an analysis of what Gileadi has written. Personally, I am very impressed with his interpretation of Isaiah but what I write is not meant to be dogmatic. I feature Gileadi because of his superior knowledge of Isaiah and how thoroughly he has integrated Isaiah with Restoration scripture. Gileadi’s writings are somewhat controversial, probably especially within his own church” (GPS, pg 222).

Isaiah: Prelude

• Special problems identified by Rupe • Integrating Isaiah’s words with Restoration scripture • Choice Seer • One Mighty and Strong • Man like Moses • Elijah • Timing for additional records coming forth • GPS touches on some of these topics • Discussion of views of trusted sources Isaiah: Prelude

• Reconciling scriptures for information on end-time events may lead to “apparent contradictions.” • As Jesus once expounded all scriptures to his disciples (Luke 24, 3 Nephi 10-11), we can anticipate he will do the same for us. • GW: This is one of the reasons for the Book of Mormon and many of the revelations to the church. • Guide us to rightly discerning the words of Isaiah and the former prophets • Rejecting BofM leads to darkening of minds (D&C 83:8) Isaiah: Prelude

• As an example of the “apparent contradictions” of scriptures is the question of Elijah (pg 222). • This example illustrates that we misinterpret scripture/prophecy because we don’t grasp the timing, context, literal vs analogy, physical vs spiritual aspects of prophecy. • Prophecy may refer to more than one event or a sequence of events

Isaiah: Prelude

• Elijah • A prophet of God • Found in 1 Kings and 2 Kings • Lived around 850 B.C. • Confronts King Ahab and Jezebel and the Baal worship culture of the day • At his death he was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). • Malachi prophesied that Elijah would appear before the coming of the Messiah Isaiah: Prelude

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse (Malachi 4:5-6). Isaiah: Prelude

• If the OT Elijah had to physically manifest himself before the Messiah could come, that would make a sure test of anyone claiming to be the Messiah • Many of the Jews believed this was true • Asked John who he was • They used their interpretation of this prophecy to reject the true Messiah • The spirit and power of Elias (Elijah) was given to the son of Zacharias and Elizabeth (Luke 1:17) • Jesus was asked about Elias and said: Isaiah: Prelude

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist (Matthew 17:11-13 KJV).

But I say unto you, Who is Elias? Behold, this is Elias, whom I send to prepare the way before me. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist, and also of another who should come and restore all things, as it is written by the prophets (Matthew 17:13-14 IV). Isaiah: Prelude

• The prophetic student needs to recognize that Elijah • 1. Was a real man and prophet of God • 2. The role of Elijah as a restorer is a spiritual duty or special ministry which can be laid upon others • 3. This ministry relates to restoration of covenants • 4. Necessary function prior to the appearance(s) of the Messiah GPS, pg 223 Isaiah: Prelude

• Many ancient prophets have seen the end-times events • Adam • Enoch • The Brother of Jared • Moses • Joseph of Egypt • Ether • Nephi • Mormon • Moroni • John Isaiah: Prelude

• We have some of their records now • Some remain to come forth • Now we see a glimpse of things to come • In all of these things, the Book of Mormon plays a vital role • Isaiah is given to reveal all things pertaining to the house of Israel. • Remember the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-12(1-13 KJV). Isaiah: Prelude

• While differences abound from individual to individual as to the exact end-time scenario and the personalities involved, I believe that the scriptures will clearly support the following: • The Gentiles will reject the fullness of the gospel and then the fullness will go to the house of Israel (3 Nephi 7:34-36/ 16:10-11). • A mighty leader, the ‘one mighty among them,” will arise among the posterity of Joseph of Lehi (2 Nephi 2:46-47/ 3:24).

Isaiah: Prelude

• A man like Moses shall be raised up by God to redeem Zion (D&C 100:3d-e/ 103:15-17). It is reasonable to assume that since it appears that the ‘one mighty among them’ and the man like Moses appear in the same time frame, that they are one and the same. Even if not the same individual, the functional result will be the same. • Truth will again spring forth from the earth. Just as truth sprang forth with the Book of Mormon, so will additional records come forth that will establish the truth of the previously revealed records and cause a great division among all the people – “a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other” (1 Nephi 3:214-216, 220-222/ 14:7,10).

Isaiah: Prelude

• With those points in mind, let us now delve into Isaiah.

Isaiah: Prelude Study Guide Chapter 17 Isaiah: Prelude

• 1. Share with others what has been your experience with the book of Isaiah. • 2. Discuss how Jewish leaders failed to distinguish between the first and second advents of the Messiah that led to their rejection of Jesus. • 3. Discuss the author’s statement: “While God does not always give us definitive answers, He gives us enough information so that if we’re willing to put forth the effort to study and pray, we can and will recognize the events when they occur.”