THE SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI
CHAPTER 20
Destruction of Assyria is a type of destruction of wicked at the Second Coming—Few people shall be left after the Lord comes again—Remnant of Jacob shall return in that day—Compare Isaiah 10. [ Between 559 and 545 B.C.]
[ The first portion of this chapter prophesies of the coming destruction of Assyria, and the last part compares this destruction to what will happen to the wicked in the last days. ]
1 aWO [ The word woe means intense sorrow and suffering.—Old Testament Study Guide. ] unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
2 To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! [ Reprimand against the wicked leaders for creating a society with unrighteous and unjust laws that oppressed the poor, the needy, the widows, and the fatherless. ]
3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, [ So now the prophecy is projecting to the distant future, the second coming, and the events that will surrond the latter days. ] and in the desolation which shall come from far? [ Does he suggest that the desolation comes from afar because those who will do the destruction are the ten tribes and the come from afar? ] to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, [ Because of unrighteousness the Lord will no longer be their protector, and without the Lord's help they will suffer greatly. It does not matter in what you put your trust, money, power, fame, political power, none of them will matter. It will only matter if you put your trust in God, he is the only one that can save. ] and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. [ This is the fifth of five times (Isa 5:25; 9:12; 9:17; 9:21; 10:4) that Isaiah uses this phrase: "but his hand is stretched out still." ]
5 O Assyrian, [ Those who are members of the military superpower to the northeast. The Assyrian's are a tool of judgment in the Lord’s hands. This Assyrian here is the antichrist which will come forth. Like in the times of old God used the Assryian army to cut down Israel, so to will this Assyrian be used to sift through the nations of the world. Just as Israel was overtaken by him anciently so to will America and the United States ] the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is their indignation.
6 I will send him [ Assyria. The Assyrian (the antichrist) is really doing God's work here, he does not know it as he thinks he is building his own power base. ] against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but in his heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few. [ Assyria, however, failed to recognize God’s hand in their rise to power but rather boasted in their own strength— Terry Ball and Nathan Winn, Making Sense of Isaiah, Deseret Bookshelf. ]
8 For he saith: [ The King of Assyria, is conceited and prideful. As a result he is caught in the trap that often befalls men in power. They become estranged from their maker, they fail to give God credit, and they arrogantly conclude that it is by their power that they have found success. ] Are not my princes altogether kings? [ The leaders in the Assyrian armies commanded more men than the kings of the small city-states they conquered. ]
9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus? [ Assyria’s conquests are listed north to south, ending at the border of Judah. Carchemish (falls 717 BC) is on a bend of the Euphrates. 350 miles north of Jerusalem; Calneh/Calno (falls 738 BC) is about 50 miles southwest of Carchemish; Arpad (falls 740 BC) is just south of Calneh/Calno; Hamath (falls 738 BC and again on 720 BC) is on the Orontes River and about 100 miles south of Arpad and 100 miles north of Damascus; Damascus is the capital of Syria and is 100 miles northeast of Israel; Samaria (falls ca. 722 BC) is the capital of Israel and is just to the north of Judah. 
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10 As my hand hath founded the kingdoms of the idols, [ The King of Assyria boasts of his conquests against those cities that had idol gods who were supposed to protect them. Yet they did nothing to stop his powerful armies. ] and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, So do to Jerusalem and to her idols? [ The suggestion is that the same armies of the king that have overtaken the other idol Gods so the same will happen to the God of the Jews - he will over through the power of their God as well, and over take Jerusalem. ]
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon Mount Zion [ America. ] and upon Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, [ The antichrist or Stout Horn as Daniel calls him. ] and the glory of his high looks.
13 For he saith: By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I have done these things; for I am prudent; and I have moved the borders of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man;
14 And my hand hath found as a nest [ Israel's riches (Isa. 10:13). ] the riches of the people; and as one gathereth eggs that are left have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. [ The fact that Israel was not able to move her wings or to make a peep signifies that she, like a little chick, was helpless before Assyria’s ravenous armies. —Parry, Donald W., Understanding Isaiah, Deseret Book Company, (Also see 3 Ne. 10:4–6; D&C 10:65; 29:1–2). ]
[ Note: Isaiah next uses some very fascinating imagery in describing the absurdity of the king of Assyria’s taking credit to himself for his “amazing” accomplishments. There is an important message in this for all of us who might at times take or accept credit for accomplishments in the work of the Lord. ]
15 Shall the ax [ king of Assyria ] boast itself against him [ the Lord - God ] that heweth [ chops ] therewith? [ Or shall the ax brag that it is doing all the work by itself? ] Shall the saw magnify itself against [ German Bible: defy him. ] him that shaketh it? [ The one using it. ] As if the rod [ wooden club - or the wooden shaft of the ax ] should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood! [ As if the ax shaft should suddenly turn to the man who is swinging it and say, “Let go of me. I can do it myself!”), or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were not made of wood, but something else. In other-words: In their conceit and pride, the Assyrians had fallen into a trap that has snared humankind in every age and estranged them from their Maker. They failed to see the influence of God in their lives. They did not seek the will of the Lord and thus could not comprehend it. They did not understand their role in God’s eternal plans and thus arrogantly concluded that everything they accomplished was done by their own power and genius. ]
16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Hosts [ What exactly does “host” mean? The phrase “Lord of Hosts” is the same as the “Lord of Sabaoth.” “The Lord of Sabaoth was a title of Jehovah; the hosts were the armies of Israel (1 Sam. 17:45), but also included the angelic armies of heaven” (Bible Dictionary, “Sabaoth,” ] , send among his fat ones, leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. [ A condemning warning to Assyria, that due to their pride they will ultimately be decimated. ]
17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame, [ The "light of Israel" is a reference to the former inhabitants of Galilee. Galilee was part of the Northern Kingdom, and was the home of the Ten Tribes. While there the ten tribes walked in darkness. Then the Lord led them away, and to a place where they now have received the light once again. Now they are an unstoppable force, a royal army of God. So forceful that when the return the antichrist and his army can do nothing to stop them. The roles in a way are reversed from ancient times. These names for the God of Israel are appropriate in this context because it is Jehovah’s light and glory that consumed ancient Assyria and will consume the wicked at his coming.—Parry, Donald W., Understanding Isaiah, Deseret Book Company. ] and shall burn and shall devour his thorns [ This modern day army - the return of the ten tribes will yield such force that they will bring destruction to the antichrist and his rule in a way that devours or takes over immediately. ] and his briers in one day;
[ This is how the latter day antichrist will be removed from his seat of power in America. It will all happen suddenly, in one day, just as it did anciently. ]
18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body; and they [ the antichrist and his forces. ] shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth. [ The prophecy of destruction upon Assyria, given in verse 17, above, happened suddenly. 185,000 Assyrians died of devastating sickness in one night as they prepared to attack Jerusalem; see 2 Kings 19:35–37. The prophecy is continued with additional repetition in verses 18 and 19.—Ridges, David J.. The Book of Mormon Made Easier, Part 1 (The Gospel Studies Series) (p. 286). Cedar Fort, Inc. ]
19 And the rest of the trees of his forest [ The forests of Lebanon are used by Isaiah as a type for the proud and haughty, as described by Ezekiel: “Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs” (Ezekiel 31:3) ] shall be few, that a child may write them. [ So few Assyrians will remain that even a small child with limited counting ability will be able to number or count them. ]
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them, but shall stay upon the Lord, [ They have a new King and it is now God. ] the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
21 The remnant shall return, yea, even the remnant of Jacob, [ Those who where led away by the hand of God - the Ten Tribes. A promise that a righteous remnant of Israel will survive the onslaught of Assyria. ] unto the mighty God.
22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, [ The size of the ten tribes will be extremely large. Implies that they will fulfill the covenant given to Abraham of righteous posterity, as they do so they will go to work converting the nations to peace and to the worship of the true God. ] yet a remnant of them shall return; [ The first of the ten tribes that will return will be the great army that will meet out the judgements of God, starting in America. They will do the work that God has for them in removing the antichrist from America, along with his army. Then after they have done their work then the remainder of the Ten Tribes will return to inhabit the earth, they will come and inhabit the desolate cities once occupied by the Gentiles. ] the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
23 For the Lord God [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] of Hosts shall
make a consumption, even determined in all the land. [ Could have been translated from the Hebrew "shall make a full end, as ordained." At end of the world…the glory of the Savior will consume the wicked at the Second Coming; see Doctrine & Covenants 5:19; 2 Nephi 12:10. ]
24 Therefore, thus saith the Lord God [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] of Hosts: O my people that dwellest in Zion, [ Zion is in this case America. ] be not afraid of the Assyrian; [ Those who stay committed to the Lord need not fear the Assyrians (the antichrist) or any other oppressors, ancient or modern. ] he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, [ Yes, there will be times of trial, but the righteous will endure and be preserved. Though in the last days the Saints of Zion will suffer persecution, the Lord’s compensatory blessings are found in Zion, wherein we learn of and receive the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To dwell in Zion is to enjoy a pure life. To be pure is to “stay upon the Lord in truth.”—Christensen, Reg. Unlocking Isaiah, Covenant Communications Inc. ] after the manner of Egypt.
[ Isaiah associates the antichrist with the ancient Pharaoh of Egypt. The Pharaoh's considered themselves as God, suggesting that like the ancient children of Israel were required to worship the Egyptian God so to will the antichrist force the worship of himself as God. Because of the power of the Pharaoh the children of Israel had no real choice, so it will be in the latter days. ]
25 For yet a very little while, [ This will be the case for a short period of time. ] and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction. [ The plea is for the Israelites to rely upon the Lord. While they may have trials and tribulations, these will be short-lived and the promised blessings of Israel will be restored.—Nyman, Monte S., Great are the Words of Isaiah, Cedar Fort, Inc.. ]
26 And the Lord of Hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian [ Isaiah uses as an example the destruction (of the antichrist) of the Midianites (who were describes as numerous as the sands of the sea) by Gideon and his 300 men. (Judges 7) This is the same example that Elder Nelson (now President Nelson) taught us at the Bishops conference. ] at the rock of Oreb [ The Rock of Oreb, Judges 7:23–25, is where Gideon and his 300 miraculously defeated the overwhelming armies of the Midianites; His power came upon the Red Sea to drown the Egyptian armies…God will stop Assyria like he did the Egyptians when they pursued the Children of Israel.—Ridges, David J., The Book of Mormon Made Easier, Part 1. ] ; and as his rod was upon the sea so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
27 And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. [ This may refer to the Messiah (Hebrew “anointed one”), who was anointed with olive oil and the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:38). In addition, 10:26–27 contains symbols that represent Jesus the Messiah, including rock, rod, and the removal of the yoke and burden (Matt. 11:28–29).—Parry, Donald W., Understanding Isaiah Deseret Book Company. ]
28 He [ The antichrist. ] is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages. [ The Assyrian invasion forces continue to move forward with their destruction toward Jerusalem. Isaiah suggests that the Assyrian armies will gobble up city after city and will come right up to the gates of Jerusalem, and then will be stopped in their tracks by the Lord. What remains of their army will then go home. Isaiah speaks of the future as if it has already happened. He is a master at building dramatic tension. ]
29 They are gone over the passage; they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramath is afraid; [ Due to the way that the Assyrians conduct war, in that they are extremely brutal; including the use of torture with their captives all are afraid of them as they march forth with seemingly little opposition. ] Gibeah of Saul is fled.
30 Lift up the voice, O daughter of Gallim; cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth. [ All of these cities mentioned here are the ancient cities that surrounded the children of Israel - their neighboring cities. ] [ In verses 28–32, Isaiah described as if standing on the wall of Jerusalem, the progress of the Assyrian army toward Jerusalem, featuring in Hebrew a superb example of alliteration. …This idealized sequential conquest narrative apparently symbolizes also the future siege called Armageddon (see Isaiah 40:1–2; 51:19–20; Ezekiel 38–39).—Ogden, D. Kelly. Verse by Verse, Old Testament: Volume Two, Deseret Book Company. ]
31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee. [ Another Assyrian unit apparently marched against Jerusalem via the province of Samaria, conquering a series of towns as it passed through the district of Benjamin —Aharoni, Land of the Bible, p 339. ]
32 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day [ With a map, (see above], it teaches a powerful lesson. The armies reach all the way to Nob, and “shake their hands” at those on the hill of Jerusalem. ] ; he [ The antichrist. ] shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, [ He is still upset that he was thrown out of America, he is filled with rage about it, but also knows that there is nothing he can do about that other than shake his fist at America. ] the hill of Jerusalem.
[ So he will take the rage that is in him and take it to the only other house of Israel left Judah. Just as in the times of old Assyria made it all the way to Jerusalem, where they were up to their necks in water (2 Ne.18:8). This the Lord allows the Jewish nation to be purged just as he did in America, the Lord however will not allow the antichrist to completely overtake and destroy Jerusalem. The antichrist will lay seige on Jerusalem now for the time of 3.5 years. ]
33 Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough [ Those who refuse the beckoning hand of the Lord and who persist in their lustful greed will be pruned away. ] with terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled.
34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one. [ Historically this was fulfilled as leaders of Assyria were lopped off and hewn down, but the figure is also future (see Zechariah 14:2; Revelation 11). The Lord of hosts will do the cutting down in both eras.—Ogden, D. Kelly. Verse by Verse, Old Testament: Volume Two. ]