15 And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment–seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.
16 And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end.
16 And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end.
2 Nephi 9:15-16 (Emphasis mine)
Jacob tells us that the day will come when all must stand before Christ. At that time, we will face His judgment.We know this to be so because we have His word. Christ' s word is eternally. His word will come to pass.
The judgement identified by Jacob is an important principle. It is a concept that is found repeatedly throughout scripture. Here are but a few examples.
10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Job 34:10-12 (Emphasis mine)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psalms 19:7-9 (Emphasis mine)
16 ¶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 (Emphasis mine)
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Matthew 12:36 (Emphasis mine)
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Matthew 16:27 (Emphasis mine)
1 THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:1-3 (Emphasis mine)
In the April 2003 conference, Elder Robert C. Oaks discussed the judgment. Elder Oaks stated that...
"Obedience, discipline, love, and forgiveness are just a few of the divine characteristics of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each reminds us of where we need to look for the standards by which we will be measured as we prepare for the Lord’s judgment bar, the place where we will be judged for who we really are ...Whether we will realize our longed-for return to God’s presence hinges on the outcome of our Day of Judgment before the Lord Jesus Christ. His careful, penetrating gaze will not be deflected ... We will indeed stand and be judged for what we really are. This life is our opportunity to sculpt a celestial soul sufficient to stand the scrutiny of the Son ... We have been given both a perfect pattern and the perfect tools to sculpt an eternal masterpiece. May we use them as we look to Christ and dedicate our lives to Him." (Emphasis mine)
Those who have lived a righteous life will be righteous eternally; those who are "filthy" (v16) will remain so eternally. They will reap justice based on their choices. They will suffer eternally for their choices.
The next set of scriptures are "a Hymn to the Holy One of Israel." (The Book of Mormon - A Reader's Edition by Grant Hardy, pg. 85). As I share this, I will use Hardy's outline of this set of scriptures.
17 O the greatness and the justice of our God!
For he executeth all his words,
and they have gone forth out of his mouth,
and his law must be fulfilled.
18 But, behold, the righteous,
the saints of the Holy One of Israel,
they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel,
they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame
of it,
they shall inherit the kingdom of God,
which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world,
and their joy shall be full forever.
19 O the greatness of the mercy of our God,
the Holy One of Israel!
For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil,
and death, and hell,
and that lake of fire and brimstone,
which is endless torment.
2 Nephi
It is appropriate that Jacob's hymn of praise follows his words concerning the resurrection, atonement, judgment, and goodness of Christ. Those that are righteous will be delivered from the devil and they shall inherit the kingdom of God. His words and promises are eternally, everlasting, and just. Is there a better reason to praise God?
14 I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 24:14 (Emphasis mine)
11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
Psalms 5:11-12 (Emphasis mine)
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Colossians 1:10-12 (Emphasis mine)
In the October 2006 conference, Elder Richard G. Scott, said...
"Justice guarantees that you will receive the blessings you earn for obeying the laws of God ... When you obey the laws of God, you are blessed .." (Emphasis mine)
Jacob's words should resonate with all followers of Christ. He teaches us great and eternally truths about God and his promises. As we read the Book of Mormon, we are constantly reminded of the powerful promises and blessing we have if we follow the teachings and example of Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment