4/23/2017 - Section 19:1-3

April 23, 2017

Section 19: 1-3

Christ Names, Christ Roles, Second Coming, End of the World,

Evidently, almost a year after Martin Harris had earnestly requested—and been accepted—as one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, he came again to Joseph Smith “…seeking further assurance in relation to his standing before the Lord, being sorely troubled in spirit because of his transgression. Perhaps out of this [his participation as one of the three witnesses and/or a not publically known transgression] came much serious reflection and he sought further light. However, there is no indication in the History of the Church as to the reason why the revelation was given….It is without question a revelation of great comfort to Martin, and it is one of the great revelations given in this dispensation; there are few of greater import than this. The doctrine of the atonement of the Lord, as directly applying to the individual, and his exposition of ‘Eternal Punishment’, as here set forth, give to the members of the Church light which was not previously know.” (President Joseph Fielding Smith)

In v 1 Christ identifies Himself with many of his names and titles—for each one indicates His nature or His work: “Alpha and Omega: The first and the last letter of the Greek alphabet, used as symbols of the beginning and the ending. Christ is so called, because He is the Author and the Preserver of all things (Heb 1:2,10). Christ the Lord: ‘Christ’ means anointed’. Prophets, priests and kings were anointed, and our Lord unites all these offices in Him. He is the anointed Lord. The Greek word Christ is the same as the Hebrew Messiah (Mashiac), the title used in John 1:41 and 4:25. A am He. This is equivalent to Jehovah….The Beginning and the End. He was in the beginning and will remain throughout all eternities. He is endless (v4). The Redeemer of the World. Christ is our Redeemer. He delivers those who turn to Him from the bondage of sin and guilt. He has ‘bought’ us (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23); (2 Peter 2:1). And the world will in due time be delivered from the power of Satan, from sin and all its consequences, such as war, poverty, ignorance, sickness, and even death.” (Smith and Sjodahl commentary, p 91)

V 3 and its explanations are very interesting. Christ, still explaining his role says: “Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done.” Elder Bruce R McConkie explained that this expression does not mean the end of the earth: “The end of the world is the end of unrighteousness or of worldliness as we know it, and this will be brought about by ‘the destruction of the wicked’ [JS-M 1:4]. When our world ends and the millennial era begins, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. (Isa. 65:17-25; D&C 101:23-24) Lust, carnality, and sensuousness of every sort will cease, for it will be the end of the world.” (Mormon Doctrine, p 848)

I’ve always wanted the second coming to come after my death—for it seems just too tumultuous to want to live through. My desire has long been to die first, and then participate in the second coming as part of a heavenly choir (because after I die maybe I’ll actually be able to carry a tune) But in the event I don’t die first: seeing Christ come…feeling Christ here with us!—That will be truly wonderful, overwhelming glory. The world will end—which means the long test we all decided to sign up for, will be over. It will be a time of opened eyes, deeper understanding, and a FULL knowledge of our Redeemer and His Power and His purpose and His love. That is not an event to dread.