2 Nephi 9

Resurrection

For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God. 2 Nephi 9:4

Jacob echoes Job's hope that after the body decays he will still see God in the flesh. That hope rests on the Resurrection Christ makes possible, which Jacob explains in the next verses.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Job 19:25-26 — 'I know that my redeemer liveth ... yet in my flesh shall I see God.'

Creator

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him. 2 Nephi 9:5

Jacob calls the One who comes to Jerusalem 'the great Creator.' The same Being who made the world is the One who is born, lives in a body, and lets men put Him to death.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 1:3 — All things were made by Him, the Word who became flesh.

Crucifixion

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him. 2 Nephi 9:5

Centuries before Bethlehem, Jacob prophesies that the Lord will come in a body to Jerusalem and die for everyone. By dying for all, He gains the right to redeem all.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in 1 Nephi 11:33 — Nephi saw Him lifted up on the cross and slain for the sins of the world.

Atonement

For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord. 2 Nephi 9:6–7

The Fall brought physical and spiritual death to everyone, so only an infinite Atonement can undo it. Without Christ, our bodies would stay in the grave forever.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 — 'This corruptible must put on incorruption' through the victory of Christ.

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the sacred, set-apart God of Israel's covenant

O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit. 2 Nephi 9:10–11

The God who makes a way of escape from death and hell is named the Holy One of Israel, Jacob's favorite title for Christ in this sermon. He is the Deliverer.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Resurrection

And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel. 2 Nephi 9:12–13

Every body and spirit will be reunited, and Jacob says plainly whose power does it: the Resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Alma 11:43-44 — Amulek teaches the same restoration of body and spirit, every limb and joint.

Final Judgment

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. 2 Nephi 9:15

After the Resurrection all people stand before Christ's judgment-seat. The One who redeemed us is the One who judges us.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 5:22 — The Father has committed all judgment unto the Son.

Faith in Christ

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. 2 Nephi 9:18

The righteous belong to Christ and believe in Him. Enduring their crosses and despising the shame follows the pattern of Jesus Himself, who endured the cross.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Hebrews 12:2 — Jesus 'endured the cross, despising the shame.'

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the sacred, set-apart God of Israel's covenant

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 9:19

Jacob praises the mercy of the Holy One of Israel, who rescues His saints from the devil, death, and hell.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Atonement

O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it. 2 Nephi 9:20–22

The all-knowing God comes into the world and suffers the pains of every man, woman, and child. He does it so that everyone will be resurrected and stand before Him at judgment.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• the same event in Alma 7:11-12 — Alma foretells Him suffering pains and afflictions of every kind.
• the same event in D&C 19:16-18 — The Savior describes that suffering in His own voice.

Doctrine of Christ

And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. 2 Nephi 9:23–24

Jacob lays out the doctrine of Christ: faith in Him, repentance, baptism in His name, and enduring to the end. He also calls the Lord God and the Holy One of Israel the same Being.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:15-20 — Nephi later expands the same path: faith, repentance, baptism, enduring to the end.

Atonement

Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him. 2 Nephi 9:25–26

People who never received the law are covered by the Atonement's mercy. Jacob also says the God who gave them breath, their Creator, is the Holy One of Israel.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• alludes to Mosiah 3:11 — Christ's blood atones for those who died not knowing the will of God.

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the sacred, set-apart God of Israel's covenant

O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken. 2 Nephi 9:40

Jacob asks the people to remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. He says his hard words are really the words of their Maker.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Keeper of the Gate

Keeper of the gate — the One who personally admits each soul to eternal life

O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. 2 Nephi 9:41–42

Christ Himself stands at the gate to eternal life and hires no servant to do it. No one can fool Him, and He opens to everyone who humbly knocks.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by John 10:9 — 'I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.'
• alluded to by Matthew 7:7 — 'Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.'
• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:17-18 — Nephi names the gate and the strait and narrow path.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the premortal Christ, God of Israel

O, my beloved brethren, remember my words. Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you; I pray the God of my salvation that he view me with his all-searching eye; wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of their works, that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him, and am rid of your blood. 2 Nephi 9:44

The God of Israel who witnesses at the last judgment is Jehovah, the premortal Christ. Jacob trusts Him to confirm he warned the people.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Rock

Rock of salvation — the sure foundation that saves

O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation. 2 Nephi 9:45

Jacob invites the people to come to God, the Rock of their salvation. The Book of Mormon repeatedly names Christ as the sure rock to build on.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• alludes to Deuteronomy 32:15 — Israel 'lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.'
• the same title in Helaman 5:12 — 'the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God.'

Final Judgment

Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery. 2 Nephi 9:46

At the judgment the guilty will admit that the Lord God Almighty judges fairly. In context this is the Holy One of Israel sitting at the judgment-seat (v. 15).

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Revelation 16:7 — 'Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.'

Living Water

Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Nephi 9:50

Jacob quotes Isaiah's call to the thirsty to come to free water. Verse 51 shows the waters mean coming to the Holy One of Israel, the Living Water Jesus later offered.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 55:1 — Jacob quotes Isaiah's invitation.
• alluded to by John 7:37 — 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.'

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the sacred, set-apart God of Israel's covenant

Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. 2 Nephi 9:51

Isaiah's feast becomes an invitation to come to Christ. What He gives never spoils, unlike what money buys.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 55:2 — Jacob adapts Isaiah's words about what cannot satisfy.
• alluded to by John 6:27 — Labour for 'that meat which endureth unto everlasting life.'

Grace

And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel. 2 Nephi 9:53

The Lord's 'condescensions' echoes the language Nephi's vision used for God coming down to be born and minister among men.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• alludes to 1 Nephi 11:16 — 'Knowest thou the condescension of God?'