Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
2 Nephi Chapter 12
made to the scattered Jews that when they "begin to believe in Christ" they shall be gathered (85)
and shall "become a delightsome people" (86).
2 Ne 12:90 For the time speedily cometh, that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the
people; and the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must
destroy the wicked by fire.
12:90 It is difficult to interpret the phrase "the time speedily cometh." Peter reminds us that while
some will say, "All things must continue as they are, and have continued as they are from the
beginning of creation," he reminds them "that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years" (II
Pet. 3:4, 8).
Doubtless, this great division is that referred to in Matthew (25:32, 33; D. and C. 63:13 g) which is
to be hear the time of Christ's second coming and "the end of the world (or the destruction of the
wicked, which is the end of the world)”. We are also told that "for the elect's sake, according to the
covenant, those days shall be shortened" (Matt. 24:4,20).
2 Ne 12:92 And then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling, together; and a little child shall lead them.
12:92 Verses 91 through 95 are the same as Isaiah 11:5-9, Nephi used this prophecy concerning
the millennium previously ( see comments on II N. 9:121).
2 Ne 12:99 And Satan shall have power over the hearts of the children of men no more, for a long time.
12:99 This is an important phase of the millennial reign of our Lord on a cleansed earth. Some
scholars interpret Isaiah's prophecy as altogether spiritual and unrealistic. Others accept it as a
literal reign of the Prince of Peace on the earth. The revelation of John on Patmos Island (Rev. 20)
supports the literal view. Peace is to reign because "that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan"
is to be bound for a thousand years (20:2). After the thousand years are fulfilled, he is to be loosed
a little season (20: 3, 7). Then Satan “shall go out to deceive the nations ...to gather them together
to battle" (20:8). (See also D. and C. 85:35)