Fighting Against the Lamb of God

 1 Nephi 14:11 - 14, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 28

And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters, and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters. Nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together in multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth. And they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

The Stick of Joseph in the Hand of Ephraim 1 Nefi 3 par. 28

And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters, and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. And it came to pass that I beheld the assembly of the Lamb of Elohim, and its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters. Nevertheless, I beheld that the assembly of the Lamb, who were the k’doshim of Elohim, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together in multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Goyim, to fight against the Lamb of Elohim. And it came to pass that I, Nefi, beheld the power of the Lamb of Elohim, that it descended upon the k’doshim of the assembly of the Lamb and upon the covenant people of yhwh, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth. And they were armed with righteousness and with the power of Elohim in great glory.

Here is another place in the Book of Mormon that I believe that in all my previous readings of the Book of Mormon I was so intent on hurrying on through, in an effort to get my eyeballs over the words of the entire book in a certain amount of time, and so I miss applied what I now presently understand to be Nephi's or rather the Lord's intent for what is shared here.

There are three questions I have considered recently about this part of Nephi's vision.

1)What am I to understand concerning the statement Nephi makes, "I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together in multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God."?

What does that look like?

How would I know that this event is occurring?

If I am able to recognize what this looks like would that help me avoid being a part of it?

2)What should I understand by Nephi's statement, "I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth."?

What does that look like?

What is contained in the power of the Lamb of God that descends upon these two groups of people?

3)What should I understand by Nephi's third statement, "they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory."?

Why did Nephi use the word "armed" when he described the two groups having righteousness and the power of God in great glory?

Why would God "arm" someone?

Those who are so "armed", what actions or what tasks do they complete with their "arms"?

I will give my ever constant disclaimer here that I believe that it is impossible for me to share everything in this blog post that could even probably scratch the surface of this subject matter and anything I do share I consider to be at best incomplete and more likely than not incorrect.

I simply hope that these ideas that I am going to share will maybe spark an interest in someone to really look into the matter and get to the bottom of it.

To start with the first question:

Earlier in Nephi's vision he made the following statement.

And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying, Look. And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people, yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record. And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world. And after he was slain, I saw the multitudes of the earth, that they were gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb, for thus were the twelve called by the angel of the Lord. And the multitude of the earth was gathered together, and I beheld that they were in a large and spacious building, like unto the building which my father saw. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying, Behold, the world and the wisdom thereof; yea, behold, the house of Israel hath gathered together to fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And it came to pass that I saw and bear record that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and the fall thereof was exceeding great. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me, saying, Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (1 Nephi 11:32 - 36, NC 1 Nephi 3 par. 14)

Earlier Nephi declared that the multitudes of the earth were gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb.

Now Nephi declares that the multitudes and nations are gathered together to fight against the Lamb of God.

What has changed?

Is it possible that Nephi is distinguishing between the time in world history, starting with Joseph of Egypt and culminating with the faithful eleven who were with the Lord during His mortal ministry, where He commissioned these apostles to take His gospel to the world and the end time of world history where the Lamb Himself is going about to do His work?

Is it possible that this is what Zenos was describing in his allegory here as the Master of the vineyard becomes very involved in the pruning and dunging of His vineyard for the last time before the end?

And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant, and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him and brought other servants, and they were few. And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them, Go to and labor in the vineyard with your mights, for behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard, for the end is nigh at hand and the season speedily cometh. And if ye labor with your mights with me, ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come. And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights, and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them. And they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things. And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard. And the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly, and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof. And thus they labored with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard and the Lord had preserved unto himself, that the trees had become again the natural fruit. And they became like unto one body, and the fruit were equal. And the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.(Jacob 5:70 - 74, NC Jacob 3 pars. 26 - 27)

If one reads the entire allegory of Zenos in the book of Jacob, is it possible to detect a slight difference between the beginning of the allegory and this paragraph close to the end?

The Master never neglects His vineyard; He is very attentive and always has a servant who is obedient to care for the vineyard according to His commands.

At this point in the allegory though don't we see that the Master Himself is engaged directly in the labor with His servants this last time?

What does this look like?

Although the laborers in this final effort are “few” you will be the means used by the Lord to complete His work in His vineyard (Id., v.70). You are required to labor with your might to finish the Lord’s work in His vineyard (Id., v.72). But He will labor alongside you. (Id.) He, not a man or a committee, will call you to do work. When He calls, do not fear--but do not run faster than you have strength. We must find His people in the highways and byways and invite them to join in. (Luke 14:23.) Zion will include people from every part of the world. (Moses 7:62.) This conference is broadcast worldwide as part of the prophecy to Enoch that God would send “righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.” (Id.) We must proclaim this to the world.(Boise Conference Address (Opening Remarks) Covenant of Christ Conference Egyptian Theater Boise, Idaho, September 3, 2017 by Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., pg. 6)

Why would the Lord or in other words the Master of the vineyard work in this way, beside the "few" servants, this last time?

It is the Lord's purpose to create equality in his vineyard. In the allegory equality in the vineyard appears three times in verses 66, 73 and 74. We cannot be greater and lesser, nor divide ourselves into an hierarchy to achieve the equality required for Zion. When a group is determined to remain equal (and I am personally determined to be no greater than any other) then it faces challenges that never confront unequal people. A religion of bosses and minions never deals with any of the challenges of being equals. Critics claim we will never succeed because of our determined desire for equality. None of our critics can envision what the Lord has said in verses 66, 73 and 74 about His people. But equality among us is the only way prophesied for us to succeed. That does not mean we won't have a mess as we learn how to establish equality....  We cannot allow ourselves to be drawn in to inequality when the result of this labor is to make us one body, equal with one another. We cannot imitate the failures of the past by establishing an hierarchy, elevating one above another, and forgetting that we must be of one heart, one mind and with no poor among us. The restoration was never intended to just restore an ancient Christian church. That is only a halfway point. It must go back further. In the words of the ancient prophet, God intends to do ‘according to [His] will, and [to] preserve the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning (Id., v.75). This means the beginning, as in the days of Adam, with the return of the original religion and original authority. Everything must be returned as it was in the beginning. Civilization began with the temple as the center of learning, law and culture. The temple was the original “university” because it taught of man's place within God’s universe. (Boise Conference Address (Opening Remarks) Covenant of Christ Conference Egyptian Theater Boise, Idaho, September 3, 2017 by Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., pgs. 6 - 7)

If I desire to work beside the Master of the vineyard during the time of His final work in His vineyard should I expect that if I qualify and am faithful to be one of His "few" servants that the Master would speak directly to "me" and give "me" commandments concerning what He would like "me" to accomplish in His vineyard?

Wouldn't this be the same for any and all who would qualify to be one of the "few" who will labor in the vineyard beside the Master for the last time?

If the Master is speaking to each and every one of the "few" who labor for the last time in His vineyard beside Him, doesn't that create equality?

How should I consider, then, any religious tradition that requires another mortal, not the Master, to tell me or anyone else what to do and how to labor in the vineyard?

Would such a religious tradition create equality in the vineyard or would it create inequality by putting one servant above another?

If the above is correct and Nephi is seeing that it is the Lamb of God or in other words the Master of the vineyard who is going about personally to do a work, with His "few" servants, at the last day, then would that mean that if a person opposes, or belongs to something that opposes, or believes something that opposes, what the Lord is doing personally with His "few" servants that they are, in Nephi's words, fighting against the Lamb of God?

Is it even more serious a matter to fight against the Lamb of God than it is to fight against the apostles of the Lamb?

If this is what Nephi is beholding at this point in his vision, then does that give new meaning to what Nephi declared to the Prophet Joseph in September of 1823?

...He quoted also the third chapter of Acts, twenty-second and twenty-third verses [Acts 2:3], precisely as they stand in our New Testament. He said that that prophet was Christ, but the day had not yet come when they who would not hear his voice should be cut off from among the people, but soon would come... (Joseph Smith History 1:36 - 41, T&C 1, Joseph Smith History, part 3, par. 4) 

Is Nephi seeing here in vision the time that he told Joseph would soon come, where those who would not hear Christ's voice, or in other words, recognize His words as He goes about to perform His labor among the children of men would be cut off because they qualify by their actions to be fighting against Him? 

I have testified in preceding posts that I am a living eye witness that the Lord is going about at this time in the history of the world to do a great and a marvelous work among the children of men.

I will add that I have now experienced enough to conclude that He is doing this work personally. 

My present understanding of the effects of this work is that they are polarizing on the one hand or on the other to the convincing of one to peace and life eternal or to the bringing of one down into destruction and captivity according to the captivity and destruction of the Devil.

I have outlined previously my present understanding of what is required to be a part of the church of the Lamb of God.

I believe what Nephi declared, that there are save two churches only.

I believe that if our religious traditions are not in line with bringing us into the church of the Lamb of God that the only other option Nephi leaves us is to be a part of the multitudes and nations that belong to the great whore of all the earth; the only other church there is on the earth.

If one finds themselves in the situation of accepting and practicing religious traditions that are not part of the church of the Lamb of God then my understanding from Nephi is that they are in deed fighting against the Lamb of God, Himself.

I invite everyone to turn and face the Lord and be reconciled to Him in order to leave the mother of abominations and become one of the "few" who labor beside the Master this last time in the vineyard.

I do not believe that there are "few" servants because there are some "few" who are more knowledgeable about Christ or who seem to be more devout or who are better than others.  

I believe there are so "few" only because so "few" accept the invitation to participate.  It is open to all.

In my previous haste in reading through Nephi's vision I would come to this part and think in my mind "Here the world is fighting against those who follow Christ" the end.

I viewed it as a completely physical struggle for domination between a small group of people and the rest of the multitudes and nations of the world.

I now view it differently.  I presently understand that the vast majority of the multitudes and nations of the world that Nephi sees here embrace religious traditions that oppose the work that the Lamb of God is presently undertaking to accomplish.

In this way they are "fighting" against the Lamb of God.  

Yes those "few" who accept the task of working beside the Master of the vineyard are physically affected by this but the fight is not against them; it is directed against Christ.

The change in my understanding of the above has affected my understanding of the other two points I have questioned.

The second question.

Because I had viewed the fight to be a physical conflict between a small group that follows Christ and the rest of the world basically, I viewed the power of the Lamb of God descending upon those who are of the church of the Lamb of God and those who are the covenant people of the Lord to be like some "by the power of Grayskull!!!!" Heman getting magical powers type of event.

All of the sudden we would be able to in effect kill a whole bunch of wicked people by pointing our fingers at them or by using weapons; magic swords and forcefields did come to mind.

As I considered what Zenos set forth in his allegory I could not find such an event though.  

In the allegory of Zenos it is the Master of the vineyard who will burn the vineyard at the last.

Those "few" who are servants working beside the Master are doing nothing more than pruning and dunging and work that causes growth and development.  

I couldn't see anywhere where they were involved in anything that is destructive.

Enoch's people were not required to fight any battles against those who would come against them.

I also considered that at the time that the children of Israel were brought out of Egypt they did not have to fight any battles physically until they had provoked the Lord at Sinai.

Previous to that the Lord did all of the "fighting" so to speak.  Not one Israelite lifted a sword against Egypt as they left.

In the Book of Mormon as we read about captain Moroni even, we read that he did not delight in the shedding of blood.

I take that to mean that he abhorred it.

Even when the Nephites prospered in battle against the Lamanites we read,

 Now it came to pass that Moroni marched forth on the morrow and came upon the Lamanites, insomuch that they did slay them with a great slaughter and they did drive them out of the land. And they did flee, even that they did not return at that time against the Nephites. And thus ended the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. And thus they had had wars, and bloodsheds, and famine, and affliction, for the space of many years. And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephi. Nevertheless for the righteous’ sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared. But behold, because of the exceeding great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, many had become hardened because of the exceeding great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depths of humility. (Alma 62:38 - 41, NC Alma 29 par. 18)

Even with the Lord prospering them in battle many were "hardened" by the war.

Because of all of this, my point of view with respect to the Power of the Lamb of God descending upon some "few" believers has changed.

I do not believe that the Lord desires to have a warlike people.

My understanding, from what I have read in the scriptures and my conversations with some folks while they were living and what I have read of the accounts of those who have been to war, is that it is very difficult to not be affected in one way or another by killing someone in war.

Even though the Lord justifies self defense and outlines when it is allowed for a people to go to war, if you look at those instructions, the Lord commands first to sue for peace multiple times and always forgive enemies after they withdraw and He invites us to spare our enemies even if it has come to the point that they are delivered by Him into our hands.

In my mind, He really likes peace.

If any of my above conclusions are correct, then what is the power of the Lamb of God?

...the power of God and the glory of God—meaning the peace of God and the ability to live with one another in harmony without this raging conflict—that power is manifest among the people of God, the church of God, and the covenant people that belong to God.

So if you can maintain peaceful coexistence with one another as you worship God in the coming days, the power and glory of God will descend and be with you because you manage to extract yourself from the coming conflict, rage, hatred, polarization...("59: Nephi, Part 2, Denver Snuffer Podcast, Denversnuffer.com, March 3, 2019)

Is it possible to look around right now and see rage, hatred, polarization and conflict in every part of life, in government, in education, in business, in health, in religion, in philosophy, etc. all around the world?

I can now, by living experience, testify to the peace that comes from changing my desire to contend, and to argue with others, trying to compel them by my arguments to be submissive to my point of view, to being willing to simply put forth my opinions and let others do so as well and simply acknowledging that we may "disagree" without being angry with one another.

The Lord has revealed the following today in July 2017.

For you to unite I must admonish and instruct you, for my will is to have you love one another. As people, you lack the ability to respectfully disagree among one another. You are as Paul and Peter, whose disagreements resulted in jarring and sharp contentions. Nevertheless, they both loved me and I loved them. You must do better...Nevertheless, there have been sharp disputes between you that should have been avoided. I speak these words to reprove you that you may learn, not to upbraid you so that you mourn. I want my people to have understanding.(T&C 157 pars. 3, 5)

By the Lord condescending to reveal such a marvelous command today, could it be reasonably stated that such a statement from the Lord constitutes part of the power of the Lamb of God descending on anyone who will be part of the church of the Lamb of God?

If this pattern continues what would the conclusion be?

All nations, other than the Holy Order family-government ordained by God, will be brought to

a full end. Or, in the various iterations of the prophecy of Malachi, God “will smite the earth with a

curse,” or “the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.” The only surviving rule or

dominion at that time will be the one tied to the fathers. It will be the people whose one heart is like

the one heart of the fathers. They will possess the promises made to the fathers, or in other words,

they will have been sealed to the fathers. ("The Religion of the Fathers",  March 2021 Denver C. Snuffer, Jr., pg. 35)

My present understanding is that the power of the Lamb of God descends upon those who are of the church of the Lamb and the covenant people of the Lord to enable them to live in peace one with another as they work beside the Master this last time in His vineyard.

His work will culminate in the restoration of the family of God that was had in the beginning with Adam and the other ancient Fathers.

This connects with my third question.

To be "armed" with the power of the Lamb of God and with righteousness in great glory is to be able to have the "weapons" that God wants you to have to be at peace.

That is my opinion based on the following from Paul.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace — above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit (which is the word of God), praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching unto that with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, and for me — that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in bonds, that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10 - 20, NC Ephesians 1 par. 25)

Is it a coincidence that in the very same teaching of Paul found here, where he clearly states that the struggle is not against flesh and blood (other mortals) but against principalities, and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, that he also declares the "arms" to fight these things to be the "armor of God"?

Is Nephi seeing here in his vision a small group of people who possess truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the spirit (which is the word of God)(ie. the Master of the vineyard is working beside them, speaking to them, and giving them "commandments not a few").

Could it be reasonably stated concerning a group of people, no matter how small the group, that if they possess this "armor of God" that they are armed with the power of God in great glory?

With these "arms" who would they be battling?

Would they be battling their fellow men?

I don't believe so.

With these "arms" would they be able to everlastingly be convinced of peace and life eternal amidst a world that is descending into complete disarray where the residue of the world is everlastingly hardened in their hearts and blinded in their minds and brought down into captivity and into destruction both physically and spiritually?

With these "arms", the armor of God, would they be able to perform the labors of blessing the vineyard in their pruning and dunging by inviting all to come to Christ by having their words of invitation being filled with the power of the Spirit?

By performing their labors in the vineyard that the Master of the vineyard has called them to perform using these "arms" would they be battling the ruler of the darkness of this world?

Would they be struggling against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places?

Why would Nephi present such glaring contrasts to us?

Does Nephi want us to understand how black and white this predicament is where we presently find ourselves in the history of the world?

Wouldn't we do well to carefully and thoughtfully consider what Nephi is presenting and then respond to what he has presented in a way that allows us to follow the Lord?