Today’s blog has to do with events
that are closely associated with the Lord’s first millennial appearance,
Adam-Ondi-Ahman. If you have already read “A Year With No Rainbow”, you may
recall that in chapter fifteen, it was explained that JS Matthew concludes
with the Lords first appearance at the end of the day of the Gentiles. For
convenience sake, I will quote from page 96:
“The parallels and differences between JS Matthew and
D&C 45.
“Though there are many parallels between these two
sources, there is one grand and paramount difference. Simply put, it is
this. JS Matthew gives us a description of the events leading up to the
Second Coming which conclude with the destruction of the Gentiles and the
Lord’s first appearance when he comes “as a thief in the night” to
Adam-Ondi-Ahman. The evidences supporting this view have been stated above.
“On the other hand, D&C 45 concludes with the
Lord’s appearance to the Jews at the Battle of Armageddon. Of this there can
be no doubt. Understanding how JS Matthew and D&C 45 differ is a grand key
and leads to a correct interpretation of events soon to occur.”
It is within the context of JS Matthew, having to
do with the end of the day of the Gentiles and his coming to
Adam-Ondi-Ahman, that today’s subject is to be understood.
“Behold, I speak these things unto you for the
elect's sake”
In JS Matthew, the subject of the elect is somewhat
of a reoccurring theme. The elect are mentioned in no less than seven
separate verses. In three of those seven verses the Lord explains that he is
giving this information concerning the signs of his coming, “for the elect's
sake”.
The world at large will be caught off guard when
destruction comes, they will suffer greatly and many will die. However,
notwithstanding the extreme distress that the world will be placed in, the
Lord has a plan for saving or preserving his elect. He will save them, in
whatever circumstance or country they may reside. The Lord explains his
intentions three times in JS Matthew. The first is in verse 27 where he
says:
27 And now I show unto you a parable. Behold,
wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together; so
likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth.
It’s easy to see how this verse could be applied to
the Latter-day restoration and gathering of the saints but please bare with
me before you jump to any conclusions. We move on to verse 37 where the Lord
says:
37 And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be
deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before
him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the
remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the
other.
Again, this verse might also be interpreted as
having reference to the restoration and gathering of the saints but I don’t
think that is what the Lord is saying here. Note that “angels” are involved
and that they “gather together the remainder of his elect from the
four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Now we move on to verses
44 & 45:
44 Then shall be fulfilled that which is written,
that in the last days, two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken,
and the other left;
45 Two shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall
be taken, and the other left;
Taken together, these three passages paint a pretty
complete picture. However, I’m assuming that some readers will want to apply
verses 44 & 45 to that time when Christ comes in his glory. As mentioned in
chapter fifteen of “A Year With No Rainbow”, we have additional light
supplied us by the Prophet Joseph Smith in JST Luke, chapter 17. We quote:
“And of angels descending and gathering the
remainder unto them”
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two in
one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two shall be
grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
35 Two shall be in the field; the one shall be
taken, and the other left.
36 And they answered and said unto him, Where,
Lord, shall they be taken?
37 And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is
gathered; or, in other words, whithersoever the saints are gathered, thither
will the eagles be gathered together; or, thither will the remainder be
gathered together.
38 This he spake, signifying the gathering of his
saints; and of angels descending and gathering the remainder unto them;
the one from the bed, the other from the grinding, and the other from the
field, whithersoever he listeth.
Note that the Lord answers the question, “Where,
Lord, shall they be taken?” with “Wheresoever the body is gathered; or, in
other words, whithersoever the saints are gathered, thither will the eagles
be gathered together; or, thither will the remainder be gathered together.”
Note also that the phrase “eagles be gathered together” was mentioned in JS
Matt. 27 and that the phrase “the remainder” was used in verse 37.
It appears that during this most tumultuous time,
when the Lord comes and the earth is smitten with unprecedented calamity and
destruction, he will keep his promise to spare the elect by gathering them
to places of safety, for “thither will the remainder be gathered together”.
He will accomplish this, even if he must send his angels to convey the elect
to places of safety. Amazing!
