CHAPTER 13

Compare 2 Nephi 23

13.1

‘Burden’ as used in Isaiah is a message of doom lifted up against a people. The historic destruction of wicked Babylon is made typical of the ultimate destruction of the world.

‘Since Babylon is a scriptural symbol for the peoples and governments that oppose the kingdom of God, the “burden” of Babylon refers to the weighty judgments that inevitably await it. Indeed, the threshing floors of Babylon will be fanned and its chaff burned. (see Jeremiah 51:1–2; Matthew 3:12.’ (Institute Old Testament Manual).

13.2

In a beautiful metaphor Isaiah 13 refers to the gospel standard or ensign being lifted up in the last days as a “banner” (v. 2) to which the world may gather (compare Isaiah 5:26; 62:10; 2 Nephi 15:26). (Institute Old Testament Manual.

13.3

‘Sanctified ones’ and ‘saints’ are synonymously translated from either of two Hebrew words in the Old Testament.

“Jehovah’s sanctified ones (Josh. 3:5) are those who are temple worthy, who actually attend the temple, and who are made holy by Christ’s power. In ancient Israel the soldiers prepared for the holy war by participating in holy rituals connected with the temple (Deut. 23:10-15). In this dispensation, Jesus Christ’s soldiers (members of the Church) prepare for the battle against Babylon by participating in temple rituals.” (Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, and Tina M. Peterson, Understanding Isaiah, 131)

13.4

The prophet here represents himself as hearing the confused tumult of the nations assembling to the standard reared on the mountains.

13.5

The host is now seen in motion, advancing under the guidance of Jehovah to its appointed goal.

13.6

“To the Babylonians the invasion of the Medes and Persians, the destruction of their homes and cities, was ‘the day of the Lord.’ It was the day of his vengeance and judgment upon them. The prophetic imagery, which here refers to the destruction of Babylon, is applicable to all such catastrophes of historic import. It is, therefore, also descriptive of the last judgment before the Millennium, which is, the fullest meaning of the word, ‘the day of the Lord.’” (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 1, p. 363)

13.7

This describes the consternation and alarm of the people. They would be so terrified and alarmed that they would have no courage, no hope, and no power to resist. 

13.8

The destructions of the last days will be so severe that they will strike fear into the hearts of the wicked.

13.9

It will be a day of wrath and vengeance.

13.10

Signs preceding the Second Coming.

13.11

The fate of the wicked and the proud.

13.12

The destruction will be so severe that survivors will be as rare as gold.

13.13

To have the heavens shaken and the earth removed was a Jewish figure of speech suggesting a time of great calamity and disaster. Such would be the fall of Babylon. The whole political climate and circumstances of the world would be shaken.

The prophecy also has a literal fulfillment in the latter days. All things are to be restored. The heavens will flee as the earth is brought back to a condition it once enjoyed. The earth will then receive its paradisiacal glory. Its paradisiacal glory is not to be confused with the celestial state that is the eventual destiny of this sphere; it is, rather, the millennial condition wherein all life will enjoy continual peace. (See Joseph Fielding Smith, The Signs of the Times, pp. 34–38.)

13.14

The earth will move across the heavens like a hunted deer or a wandering lost sheep. People will flee to their own families.

13.15

There shall be a vast slaughter of all that are found in the city, and of those that attempt to flee from it. 

13.16

The fate of the wicked who have rejected God.

13.17

They will accept no ransom to save them.

13.18

A picture of senseless slaughter.

13.19

Babylon shall be completely overthrown.

13.20

Babylon (the world) will fall forever.

‘When Babylon was in the height of her glory, Isaiah prophesied that it should be destroyed, “that it should never be inhabited, neither dwelt in from generation to generation”  It was completely destroyed and inundated by the flood waters of the river. Now, after more than two thousand years, the city that at that time was the greatest under heaven is still a heap of ruins.’ (George Albert Smith, General Conference, April 1945)

13.21

Babylon will be seen as a haunted place.

13.22

Dragons = serpents of various species.