Doctrine and Covenants 133

Jesus Christ

Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the Lord your God, and hear the word of the Lord concerning you— Doctrine and Covenants 133:1

The whole section is spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ to 'my church' — the Church that bears His name. He is the one calling His people to prepare for His coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in D&C 1:1 — The Preface opens with the same 'Hearken, O ye people of my church'; this Appendix closes the book in His voice.

Messenger of the Covenant

The Lord who shall suddenly come to his temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you. Doctrine and Covenants 133:2

Malachi foretold that the Lord would 'suddenly come to his temple.' Here Christ applies it to His Second Coming, when He comes both to His house and in judgment on the ungodly.

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

• alludes to Malachi 3:1 — 'The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant.'
• the same title in D&C 36:8 — 'I will suddenly come to my temple.'

Second Coming

For he shall make bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of their God. Doctrine and Covenants 133:3

Isaiah's picture of the Lord rolling up His sleeve to show His power to save. At His coming every nation will see Christ, the salvation of God.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 52:10 — Same words: 'The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations.'
• quotes Mosiah 15:31 — Abinadi quotes Isaiah 52:10 as a prophecy of the Messiah.

Bridegroom

Bridegroom — Christ as the husband who comes for His covenant people, the bride

Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. Doctrine and Covenants 133:10–11

From the parable of the ten virgins: Jesus is the Bridegroom whose coming His people must be ready for, lamps full, because no one knows the hour.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 25:6 — 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.'
• quotes Matthew 25:13 — 'Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.'
• the same title in D&C 88:92 — Angels cry 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.'

Second Coming

For behold, the Lord God hath sent forth the angel crying through the midst of heaven, saying: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight, for the hour of his coming is nigh— Doctrine and Covenants 133:17

The words John the Baptist used to prepare for Christ's first coming are now cried by an angel to prepare the world for His second coming.

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

• quotes Isaiah 40:3 — 'Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'
• alludes to Matthew 3:3 — Applied to John the Baptist before Christ's first coming.
• alludes to Revelation 14:6 — An angel flying in the midst of heaven with the everlasting gospel.

Lamb of God

Lamb — the sacrificial Lamb slain for the sins of the world

When the Lamb shall stand upon Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father's name written on their foreheads. Doctrine and Covenants 133:18

The Lamb is Jesus Christ, sacrificed for us, now standing in triumph on Mount Zion with those who bear His Father's name.

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

• quotes Revelation 14:1 — 'A Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.'
• interprets D&C 77:11 — Explains the 144,000 as high priests ordained to bring souls to the church of the Firstborn.

Bridegroom

Bridegroom — Christ as the husband who comes for His covenant people

Wherefore, prepare ye for the coming of the Bridegroom; go ye, go ye out to meet him. Doctrine and Covenants 133:19

The call repeats: the coming of the Lamb on Mount Zion is the coming of the Bridegroom, so go out now to meet Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 25:6 — 'Go ye out to meet him.'

Second Coming

For behold, he shall stand upon the mount of Olivet, and upon the mighty ocean, even the great deep, and upon the islands of the sea, and upon the land of Zion. Doctrine and Covenants 133:20–23

'He' is the Bridegroom of verse 19. At His coming Christ will stand on the Mount of Olives, speak from both Zion and Jerusalem, and command the earth itself.

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

• alludes to Zechariah 14:4 — 'His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives.'
• alludes to Joel 3:16 — 'The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem.'
• alludes to Revelation 1:15 — The glorified Christ's 'voice as the sound of many waters.'
• the same event in D&C 45:48 — 'Then shall the Lord set his foot upon this mount, and it shall cleave in twain.'

Savior

Savior — the one who rescues and delivers from sin and death

And the Lord, even the Savior, shall stand in the midst of his people, and shall reign over all flesh. Doctrine and Covenants 133:25

The Lord who returns is named: the Savior. He will live among His people and reign over all the earth in the Millennium.

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

• the same event in D&C 29:11 — 'I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory ... and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years.'

Jesus Christ

And now, verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth. Doctrine and Covenants 133:36

Christ Himself says He sent the angel of Revelation 14 with His gospel — fulfilled in the Restoration through Moroni and other heavenly messengers.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Revelation 14:6 — John saw 'another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel.'

Judgment

And the servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come; Doctrine and Covenants 133:38–39

The servants announce the hour of judgment and call all to worship the Creator. Latter-day scripture teaches that the Father created and judges through the Son, so Christ is the Creator and Judge meant here, under the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Revelation 14:7 — The first angel's cry, word for word.
• interpreted by John 5:22 — 'The Father ... hath committed all judgment unto the Son.'
• interpreted by John 1:3 — 'All things were made by him.'

Second Coming

Calling upon the name of the Lord day and night, saying: O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence. Doctrine and Covenants 133:40–45

The Saints pray Isaiah's prayer for the Lord to tear open the heavens and come down, and it is answered in His coming as melting fire. He will meet the righteous who remember Him with blessings no eye has seen.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 64:1-4 — The same prayer: 'Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down.'
• alludes to 1 Corinthians 2:9 — 'Eye hath not seen ... the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.'

Second Coming

And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? Doctrine and Covenants 133:46–49

Christ comes 'from God in heaven' dressed in red, and answers the question of who He is: 'mighty to save.' The red garments recall both His own blood shed in the Atonement and the judgment He brings; His glory outshines the sun.

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

• quotes Isaiah 63:1-2 — 'Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments ... mighty to save.'
• alludes to Revelation 19:13 — 'He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.'

Atonement

And his voice shall be heard: I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; and none were with me; Doctrine and Covenants 133:50–51

Christ speaks: He trod the winepress alone. In context this is His judgment on the wicked at His coming, but Latter-day Saint teachers also see in 'alone' and 'none were with me' the loneliness of Gethsemane and the cross, where He bore everything by Himself.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 63:3 — 'I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me.'
• alludes to Revelation 19:15 — 'He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.'
• alludes to D&C 76:107 — Christ 'shall have trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.'

Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back, paying the price to set the captive free

And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever. Doctrine and Covenants 133:52

'My redeemed' means those Christ has bought with His own blood. Their year of rescue has come, and they will praise their Lord's loving kindness forever.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 63:4 — 'The year of my redeemed is come.'
• quotes Isaiah 63:7 — 'I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD.'

Redeemer

In all their afflictions he was afflicted. And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old; Doctrine and Covenants 133:53

'He' is 'their Lord' of verse 52 — Jehovah, the premortal Christ, who felt every affliction of His people and carried them through all of history. The same Lord who redeems at the end carried Israel from the beginning.

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

• quotes Isaiah 63:9 — 'In all their affliction he was afflicted ... in his love and in his pity he redeemed them.'

Angel of His Presence

Angel of His presence — the messenger who carries the very presence of the Lord

In all their afflictions he was afflicted. And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old; Doctrine and Covenants 133:53

The one who saved Israel is called 'the angel of his presence.' Many Christian readers see this as the premortal Christ, the Lord's own presence among His people; the text does not settle it.

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

• alludes to Exodus 23:20-21 — The Angel sent before Israel, of whom the Lord says 'my name is in him.'

Resurrection

And from Moses to Elijah, and from Elijah to John, who were with Christ in his resurrection, and the holy apostles, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, shall be in the presence of the Lamb. Doctrine and Covenants 133:55

The prophets up to John the Baptist rose with Christ when He was resurrected. His Resurrection opened the graves for the righteous dead.

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

• the same event in Matthew 27:52-53 — Saints arose 'after his resurrection' and appeared to many.
• the same event in D&C 138:51 — The righteous dead came forth after His resurrection.

Lamb of God

Lamb — the sacrificed Lamb who conquers death

And from Moses to Elijah, and from Elijah to John, who were with Christ in his resurrection, and the holy apostles, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, shall be in the presence of the Lamb. Doctrine and Covenants 133:55–56

At His coming the risen Saints will stand at the right hand of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, and sing His song forever — the victory of the Lamb who was slain.

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 Revelation 15:3 — 'They sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.'
• alludes to Revelation 14:1 — The Lamb standing on Mount Sion.

Second Coming

And also that which was written by the prophet Malachi: For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. Doctrine and Covenants 133:64

Malachi's 'day that shall burn as an oven' is the day of the Lord's coming. The Lord of Hosts speaking is Jehovah, Jesus Christ.

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

• quotes Malachi 4:1 — The same prophecy of the burning day.
• quotes Joseph Smith—History 1:37 — Moroni quoted this verse to Joseph Smith.

Mortal Ministry

In that day when I came unto mine own, no man among you received me, and you were driven out. Doctrine and Covenants 133:66

Christ recalls that when He came to His own people they did not receive Him. His answer to the unrepentant at His coming looks back on that rejection.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 1:11 — 'He came unto his own, and his own received him not.'

Redeemer

When I called again there was none of you to answer; yet my arm was not shortened at all that I could not redeem, neither my power to deliver. Doctrine and Covenants 133:67–70

Christ says it was never a lack of power that kept Him from redeeming them; He is the one who dries up the sea. They would not answer when He called.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 50:2-3 — 'Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? ... at my rebuke I dry up the sea.'
• a parallel account in 2 Nephi 7:2-3 — The same Isaiah passage in the Book of Mormon.
• quotes Isaiah 50:11 — 'This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.'