2 Nephi 23-24

2 Nephi Lesson 10: 2 Nephi 23-24
Day 1: Read 2 Nephi 23:1-5; Isaiah 13:1-5 with footnotes; D&C 1:16, 133:14
1. Read the footnotes for Isaiah 13:1. What is a “burden” as given by a prophet? According to these footnotes and the chapter headings, of what is the destruction of Babylon a type?



2. In verses 2-5, the Lord gathers his forces. Read D&C 1:16 and 133:14 to help explain what Babylon represents. How can we respond to the Lord’s call?



3. From what two locations does the Lord muster his ranks?


Day 2: Read 2 Nephi 23:6-18; Matthew 24:29-30
4. 2 Nephi 23:6-9 speak of the condition of (a) the Babylonians when the Medes and Persians invaded and (b) the wicked when Christ will cleanse the earth at his coming. According to these verses, what will happen to the hands of the wicked? their hearts? their faces?



5. Read Matthew 24:29-30 with 2 Nephi 13:10. According to Matthew, when will the sun and moon be darkened - after what and before what?


6. Which two verses in this scripture block specifically discuss the fate of the proud? What word is used in both verses as another name for the proud?


Day 3: Read 2 Nephi 23:19-22; Isaiah 13: 19-22 with footnotes; Jeremiah 50:1-3
7. What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah? Why? (see Genesis 19:24-25)



8. Read Jeremiah 50:1-3. Note: Bel and Merodach were false gods or idols of Babylon. What was the Lord trying to say to Babylon? Is spiritual Babylon any different?



9. Use the footnotes for Isaiah 13:22 to find an explanation for “houses” and “dragons” in 2 Nephi 23:22.


Day 4: Read 2 Nephi 24:1-5; Isaiah 14:1-5 with footnotes
10. Again, there are multiple meanings in chapter 24. The return of a remnant of Israel after the Babylonian captivity foreshadows the gathering of Israel today and the righteous remnant who will remain at the Second Coming. Substitute the word “Israel” for the pronouns “they” in the last part of 2 Nephi 24:2. Who holds the righteous captive today?



11. From what will the righteous be given rest in the last days?



12. If Babylon is a metaphor for wickedness, who is her king?


Day 5: Read 2 Nephi 24:6-15; Isaiah 14:6-15 with footnotes; D&C 76:25-27
13. According to the chapter heading, when will the whole earth finally be at rest?



14. Look up “Lucifer” in the Bible Dictionary. What does this name mean? Who was Lucifer before his fall? Who is he now?



15. What will the wicked rulers say to Satan when he is finally cast out of the earth? What will he receive, instead of a red carpet and a robe?




Day 6: Read 2 Nephi 24:16-22; Isaiah 14:16-22 with footnotes; Revelation 18:1-4, 19:17-21, 20:1-2
16. What will we think of Satan when we see him for what he really is?


17. Read Revelation 18:1-4. How can we escape the rise and fall of Babylon?




18. Use the footnote to Isaiah 14:21a to help explain the seeming injustice of 2 Nephi 24:20-22.



Day 7: Read 2 Nephi 24:23-32; Isaiah 14:23-32 with footnotes; D&C 97:21-25
Note: “Bittern” (v.23) means “owls” and bessom” means “broom.” The end of chapter 24 (Isaiah 14) shifts the message of burden from Babylon to Assyria and the Philistines (“Palestina”). The Philistines rejoiced at the death of Assyria’s king Shalmaneser (727-722) because Sargon II, his successor, was not as bad. What they didn’t see coming was Sargon’s son (“fruit”) Sennacherib – who was even worse than Shalmaneser.
19. According to D&C 97:21-25, who should rejoice and who should mourn?



20. 2 Nephi 23-24 mark the end of Nephi’s lengthy quote of whole chapters from Isaiah’s writing. Why do you think Nephi closed his quote with this burden of doom for the wicked? What message of hope is found in the last verse of 2 Nephi 24?