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Saturday, July 10, 2010

1 Nephi 14: 14

1 Nephi 14: 14: 

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." 

Once the whore sets about to destroy the Lamb of God, He does not remain in His pavilion away. He takes up the fight for His Saints.

What is the "power of the Lamb of God?"

Why does this "power" "descend" upon the Saints?

Why are there two groups identified, "the Saints of the Lamb of God," and also, "upon the covenant people of the Lord?"  Are these the same or two different groups? If two, what is to happen in this descending of "power" upon these two?

Why are the "Saints" and the "covenant people" both "scattered upon all the face of the earth?" Why are they not gathered together in one place?

What does it mean to be "armed with righteousness?"

Why are "righteousness" and "the power of God" two different things?

Do the "covenant people" have to have "righteousness" to receive the "power of God?" Are they blessed for the covenant's sake? What about the others? Who are "righteous" and their protection? Are they protected for righteousness sake?

Assuming the "power of God" is given to protect these groups, do they need munitions? Do they need intercontinental firepower? Do they need to form an army for their own defense?

What is the "power of God in great glory?" Will the children of the great whore be able to behold this "power of God in great glory," or will it be hidden from them? If hidden, will they sense something? Will fear fall upon them that they flee from the presence of this glory? Wasn't that the case with Daniel's friends? (Daniel 10: 7.) Wasn't that the case with the companions of Saul? ( JST Acts 9: 7 "And they who were journeying with him saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him who spake to him.") Will Zion not be protected by this "power of God?" (D&C 45: 70.)  If it is to be like the days of Noah (Luke 17: 26-27), then won't there be someone who can speak the word of God and mountains flee, armies held at defiance, and rivers turned out of their course? (Moses 7: 13.)

Will the same things happen that happened at the time of the great flood? If so, how much relevance does the history from Enoch through Noah have to our day? Should we be familiar with that pattern to know how the pattern may repeat itself? 

What can you do to be numbered with those who will be spared? Does the known history of the antediluvians tell you anything about how you need to prepare? Since Enoch had 365 years to develop a people who were worthy to be spared, how much greater a work will it be to prepare now that life spans are generally less than 90 years? How great a work lies before you?

18 comments:

  1. This may be a tangent, or it may be right on the subject.

    I started with a lot of Physicial preparedness. In the process of doing that I was led to go to the Temple more than just once a month. Now I feel that the MOST important preparation is SPIRITUAL, meaning if we dont KNOW Christ we had better have some of these lower levels of preparedness in place.

    Again, Not saying throw Food storage away (I just lost my job, so I may be using some) but I feel that Denver, John P, James Custer, many others all point to Christ, and to knowing Him as the Only True/REal way to be ready for what is here and coming.

    I am planning on moving out of the Wasatch Front personally as I feel my job loss is a opportunity to move else where.

    Its hard, as I understand better what Lehi and Noah must have felt like, but I am following the Spirit to a place I dont even know if I can get a job yet, but I feel its not my fight, but the Lords.

    Denver, Thanks again for standing up on the Wall and taking the Arrows shot at you.

    I know its not pleasant, yet I know you and the Lord and I love the LDS people, and only want as many as possible to repent and return to HIM.

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  2. I think an excellent companion to this scripture is 1 Ne 22

    Before the earth was flooded, Enoch gathered his people. If this is a type for our day, we know that the earth will not be flooded again, because of God's covenant with Noah, but there will be a baptism:

    1 Ne 22:17-18 - Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire. Behold, my brethren, I say unto you, that these things must shortly come; yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must come; and it must needs be upon the face of this earth; and it cometh unto men according to the flesh if it so be that they will harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel.

    Doug

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  3. justwaitingcheerfulJuly 10, 2010 at 5:50 PM

    Brian Bowler - What did James Custer write that you are mentioning? What direction are you moving? I hope north of a line that goes from Independence, MO across this country.

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  4. Hello Justwaitingcheerful...
    Its hard to speak for James Custer since I am just becoming acquainted with his material, but here goes.

    He stated that the most Sure way of enduring the trials ahead are receiving the baptism of Fire, receiving calling election, then to be translated so as to be able to endure the trials. I think that is over simplified, as I am still seeking further light and knowledge myself so as to understand.

    I have followed preparedness and what is happening with our nation very closely. In this process I began reading more of Pres Benson, Hugh Nibley, Skousen, Boyd K Packer, D todd Christofferson, and Henry Eyring, to name a few. Then I read John Pontius and most of Denvers books (still have 2 to go). I then ran across James Custer and a book called "the unspeakable gift" on www.jamescuster.com. I also read a lot of his writing on Ldsremant.com.

    I have meet many good people a long the way, and My wife and I feel we are being led to where we need to be, spiritually and Physically.

    So, Where I am going? Due West of Independence (if you draw a line) in Colorado. We are planning on visiting a good friend there and seeing how we feel. I am also setting up job interviews since I was blessed to loss my job yesterday. Joseph Smith's family would not have moved if it was not for 3 crops failures, and this is my 3 job loss/change in 3 years.

    I hope that answered your question.

    In Summary, follow the Spirit, and seek the Lord, and continue with any preparations.

    We feel called to head to our little Ark. The Lord has always guided us to the right spot, and He is doing so now. If it doesn't end up in Western Colorado, it will be wherever He feels will be best for our family.

    utahbowler@hotmail.com

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  5. Yesterday I had a great conversation with a friend and her insights have helped me form a more complete picture of what (I believe) is coming down the pike.

    Right now, the Church is doing however good it's doing and however poorly it's doing, and it just is what it is. It's supposed to be and is trying to be a tool, a vehicle to lead us to Christ and provide us with all the saving ordinances. The Church is a temporal tool in a temporal world -- a tool which the Lord gave us and which we need.

    As things get tough in the United States, the Church might not be able to function openly anymore, and invidual families will have to "do the Church" themselves at home. Things will have gone "underground". This is symbolic and perhaps literal of the death of the temporal Church. When this happens, many will leave the Church, but the faithful will continue on becoming more sanctified with more and more of them coming unto Christ.

    At some point the Lord will bring forth His REMNANT -- "holy men that ye know not of ... with whom the priesthood has continued through the lineage of [their] fathers ... a light unto the Gentiles and a savior to my people Israel." (D&C 49: 8; 86: 8-11)

    As part of this the Lord will bring forth "one mighty and strong" (D&C 85: 7), possibly an indigenous prophet who is part of "THE Remnant", who will gather out all those who have been underground and any others who are willing to repent and truly come unto Christ, and these will be joined TO the Remnant who will build again Zion. All these will be or will become members of the Church of the Firstborn.

    D&C 85: 7
    7 And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God;

    So we will have the death of the institutional church, and what will be "resurrected" will be the perfected Church of the Firstborn.

    Only those who have reached this state will be able "to stand the day" when the earth is burned at His coming. What is coming has been set in motion for all eternity -- the cycles in the heavens and in the universe.* Our righteousness and wickedness has no effect on it. It is coming. Our state of righteous or lack of it will only affect how we are able to withstand and deal with all that is coming.

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  6. 2 Nephi 21: 10

    10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall be glorious.

    D&C 113: 5-6

    5 What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter [of Isaiah = 2 Nephi 21]?
    6 Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.

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  7. But what does this mean? Anyone have an idea?

    Rom. 15: 12.
    12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

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  8. While we're at it... I'll add a few more head-scratchers:

    Jer. 30: 9
    But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

    Ezek. 34: 23-24
    And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
    And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.

    Ezek. 37: 24-25
    And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
    And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.

    D&C 85: 7
    And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God;

    Isa. 28: 1-3
    Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
    Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.
    The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

    Joel 1: 5
    Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

    ---Doug

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  9. Avraham Gileadi refers to this person as a Davidic servant, the arm of the Lord, a future King David and by other names too. In his book Isaiah Decoded he goes into great detail about what he thinks this person will do in the Last Days.

    One person I know of says he is the future King David. He lays it out in his book The Adamic Language and Calendar: The True Bible Code by David Cohen.

    On a side note I'm reading Avraham Gileadi's book The Last Days: Types and Shadows from the Bible and Book of Mormon. He make the case very like Denver has here, that we are the Gentiles spoken of in the Book of Mormon. He mentions a number of different groups that will be preserved in the last days namely repentant Gentiles, Jews, the Lost 10 Tribes, and descendants of Lehi. He also talks again about the future Davidic servant.

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  10. I've lost track of David Cohen. For a number of months we had many great email exchanges. I don't think he has claimed to be the future King David of Israel.... I know he sold his business in St. George... and in one of our last email exchanges he said he was on his way to Europe with Israel as his ultimate destination... I believe that was in February. Wishing God's speed and blessings to brother Cohen wherever he may be.

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  11. If you read his (David Cohen's) book on the Adamic Language...he DOES pretty much come out and say that he is the David that is prophesied of that will take significant part in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem and aiding in their eventual conversion to Christ, etc. He also puts September of 2011 as the beginning of the 22 years of silence spoken of in Revelations. It begins with a cosmic sign (can't remember what he called it) that everyone will be aware of. According to him, things will then begin to gradually unfold as described in Revelations. He would be heading to Israel because he clearly explains in his book that he will be a key player in bringing the Jews to the truth over time and he would need to be there in the coming years as things unfold. If I remember correctly, he also put the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem sometime between the years of around 2020 - 2025 (I could be in error...but he does give a time frame). Not saying I believe him or disbelieve him...just saying he DOES admit that he believes he is this "David" of prophecy.

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  12. This may be a foolish question. I may be very misinformed and if so, straighten me out. I thought the one mighty and strong was Joseph smith? I've always felt he had more work to do here yet. I know there will be remnant prophets as well, but is a remnant prophet the one mighty and strong? Thanks for your help.

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  13. justwaitingcheerful--what is the reason you hope Brian moves north of a line that goes through Independence, MO. I live in Arizona and you've got me worried.

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  14. Dan: These are just a few of the reasons Joseph Smith probably is not the “one mighty and strong.”

    -In Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith Joseph said “The throne and kingdom of David is to be taken from him and given to another by the name of David in the last days, raised up out of his lineage.” Joseph is not named David and is clearly talking about someone other than himself.

    -David Cohen in his book interprets the scriptures regarding the future King David to be a literal descendant of Aaron. I may be wrong but I don't believe Joseph Smith was.

    -D&C 113:4-6 “Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of aEphraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much bpower.” I'm not sure Joseph Smith fits this either. The reason for this is to heal the emnity between Ephriam and Judah. “The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not aenvy bJudah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.” Isaiah 11:13

    There are many other reasons that Joseph Smith is probably not the “one mighty and strong”, most of them being that the there are prophecies regarding the future King David that have yet to be fulfilled. I suppose Joseph could come back and fulfill those prophecies. I dont' know who it is for sure though, but I'm open to new information.

    DKD: David Cohen in his book does not come right out and say he is the prophesied David, but he basically does. I've mentioned this in a previous comment, but Dr. Cohen's mother and sister live in my ward. I asked his sister if Dr. Cohen thinks he is the future King David and she said yes and that he wants to help convert the Jews.

    Oh and the cosmic sign is Betelgeuse going supernova on September 22, 2011.

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  15. The Mursets: yes the Alph Ori super nova...we shall see a year from Sept....I also believed in his book he was CLEARLY identifying himself as the future Davidic King... yet when I asked him that question he became a little defensive and said he never claimed that he was the future DK. He was clear on more than one occasion the I should prayerfully find out for myself by the spirit (he's right)... I've since prayed literally for hours including in the temple on this issue... to date, I haven't received an answer... there must be some reason HF does not want me to know this...for now.... or I'm not worthy of an answer.... meanwhile I continue to pray and plead... the Lord will answer when He approves.

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  16. I do believe Joseph Smith still has a work to do. However, I have mixed things up. The sections that I believe identify Joseph are D&C 101, 103, & 105. I see that he isn't the "One mighty and strong" that is referred to in D&C 113. Thanks for helping me clear that up.

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  17. Since we're talking about interesting scriptures. I came acroos this verse JS-M 1:27 And now I show unto you a parable. Behold, wheresoever the acarcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together; so likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth.

    I started looking into the Hopi since reading some posts from this blog. They talk often of eagles. I know Denver referred to it earlier I believe in a post and stated the eagles were angels. Could there be more meaning than one here? Is it possible that the eagles here can refer to the Native remnant and the carcass is the Church organization? Just a thought.

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  18. I agree, Joseph will play a large upcoming role. I found this last night after I left my previous comment. It is the last paragraph from Joseph Smith's Patriarchal Blessing:

    "Thou shalt stand upon the earth when it shall reel to and fro as a drunken man, and be removed out of its place: thou shalt stand when the mighty judgments go forth to the destruction of the wicked: thou shalt stand on Mount Zion when the tribes of Jacob come shouting from the north, and with thy brethren, the sons of Ephraim, crown them in the name of Jesus Christ: Thou shalt see thy Redeemer come in the clouds of heaven, and with the just receive the hallowed throng with shouts of hallalujahs, praise the Lord. Amen"

    Dan, nice find in the JS-M about the carcass. I'll have to check that out.

    And to whoever was talking about James Custer, I just checked out his book The Unspeakable Gift and read some things from his website ldsremnant.com. Very interesting.

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