What To Others Believe Is The "Sealed Book"?

[Carborendum]

I was just reading Isaiah today. I came across Isaiah 29, the oft read passage about the learned saying he can't read a sealed book.

It seems that one unfamiliar with Anthon's episode, would simply say that this vision of Isaiah's is a mystery. But why would it be one? Why make this entire vision/prophecy and say,"Sorry, you have no idea what I'm talking about, and I'm not going to tell you."

At least with Revelation, we're supposed to look into the symbolism and look for certain icons like "the Beast" and so forth. But this chapter doesn't seem to have much meaning except a time for Isaiah to rip people a new one.

So, what is this supposed to be referring to, if not the last days and the coming forth of the BoM and the Stone cut out of the mountain?

Edited August 30, 2012 by Carborendum

[David T]

I was just reading Isaiah today. I came across Isaiah 29, the oft read passage about the learned saying he can't read a sealed book.

It seems that one unfamiliar with Anthon's episode, would simply say that this vision of Isaiah's is a mystery. But why would it be one? Why make this entire vision/prophecy and say,"Sorry, you have no idea what I'm talking about, and I'm not going to tell you."

At least with Revelation, we're supposed to look into the symbolism and look for certain icons like "the Beast" and so forth. But this chapter doesn't seem to have much meaning except a time for Isaiah to rip people a new one.

So, what is this supposed to be referring to, if not the last days and the coming forth of the BoM and the Stone cut out of the mountain?

I have seen it presented as The message to be declared to Israel when they have had their ears unstopped, and eyes unblinded in the days of the Eschatological Second Great Exodus. The message Isaiah is declaring, which is being ignored by the then-current generation preparing to go into exile.

For the record, I feel this was most likely closer to Isaiah's intention. I think Nephi adapted and 'likened' this text to his present circumstances and vision. There is a fantastic discussion of this in the book by Joseph Spencer (free online) An Other Testament: On Typology - I can't recommend this book enough. See also the book (on the same page) Reading Nephi Reading Isaiah: 2 Nephi 26-27

Edited August 30, 2012 by David T

[volgadon]

I was just reading Isaiah today. I came across Isaiah 29, the oft read passage about the learned saying he can't read a sealed book.

It seems that one unfamiliar with Anthon's episode, would simply say that this vision of Isaiah's is a mystery. But why would it be one? Why make this entire vision/prophecy and say,"Sorry, you have no idea what I'm talking about, and I'm not going to tell you."

At least with Revelation, we're supposed to look into the symbolism and look for certain icons like "the Beast" and so forth. But this chapter doesn't seem to have much meaning except a time for Isaiah to rip people a new one.

So, what is this supposed to be referring to, if not the last days and the coming forth of the BoM and the Stone cut out of the mountain?

If you are asking are there other ways to read Isaiah 29:11, there are.

R. David Kimhi, for instance, saw it as the people's reaction to the prophet's message. The person is making excuses not to accept the message, claiming he can't understand, it is a sealed book. IE, it's all Greek to me. Had he wanted to accept the message he'd have asked the prophet to explain it to him.

[ANACO]

Revelations Chapter 5.

[Vance]

Well, a standard critics response may go something like this.

1) We don't know what it means, but

2) Mormons are WRONG.