W. Cleon Skousen Insights

The W Cleon Skousen Library
  • 4.8 (40)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semiweekly

Religious and political insights from W. Cleon Skousen

  1. 3d ago

    OT Lesson 38 The Prophet Jeremiah

    Text: Jeremiah chapters 1 - 26 Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapter 24 BYU Lecture 43 Jeremiah received his prophetic calling and open revelation from God when he was just “a child.” This is similar to many prophets, such as Enoch (“a lad”), Abraham (unmarried youth), Samuel (shortly after the age of 12), Nephi (“exceeding young”), Mormon (“fifteen years of age”) and Joseph Smith (“in my fifteenth year”). The book of Jeremiah opens during the reign of the righteous King Josiah, putting his calling at 626 BC. God tells Jeremiah the He knew him before he was born. And because of his youth, Jeremiah was to prepare himself with Godly knowledge for 5 years prior to his mission. Then, he was commanded to go before the rich and powerful, not to be timid nor intimidated by them but boldly declare the word of God. The Lord charged the rebellious Israelites of gross idol worship, heathen practices, murderers of His holy prophets, shedding innocent blood, offering their children as human sacrifices, addicted to gross immortality and adultery, relying on the security of Egypt instead of God, taught for commandments the doctrines of men, corrupt judges, false prophets and trusting in their own learning and intellect rather than God. Following the death of King Josiah, Jeremiah warned the leaders and people of Israel that God would destroy this backsliding nation unless they repented. Murderous conspiracies surrounded Jeremiah, even from his own friends and family. As a result, Jeremiah went into hiding and was silenced. Therefore the Lord had Jeremiah write all the words on a scroll by his scribe Baruch which were then read to the people and to the wicked King Jehoiakim. The king was so insulted, he had the scrolls burned, yet God had Baruch write them again, which we have today as the book of Jeremiah. Although Jeremiah told the king the Lord wanted Israel to ally with Babylon, the king allied with Babylon’s enemy, Egypt, and refused to pay Babylon their tribute. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was so angry he conquered Jerusalem in 598 BC, taking 10,000 of the brightest Jews back to Babylon, and placed a puppet king over the now ravished and starving Jerusalem, named Zedekiah.

  2. Oct 4

    OT 37 Good and Evil in a Deadly Struggle

    Text: 2 Chronicles chapters 33 – 34; Nahum, Zephania and Habakkuk. Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapter 23 BYU Lecture 42 - Although today’s lecture covers chapter 23, Brother Skousen presents to the class a slide show of modern Israel and shows the fulfillment of the Book of Mormon prophets, Isaiah, Zechariah, Ezekial and Jeremiah concerning Israel. This presentation is from pictures taken from one of his many tours led throughout the Middle East. You will relive the 1967 lightening war where little Israel miraculously defeated all the Russian supported Arab countries in 6 days. Although he didn’t have time to discuss the chapter material directly, it is summarized as follows: During most of Isaiah’s life he lived under the good king Hezekiah, but following Hesekiah was the most vicious and depraved king in the history of Israel, king Manasseh. This wicked grandson of King Ahaz rebuilt all the heathen alters and adopted the worship of the fertility gods, including Baal and Ashtoreth. He practiced human sacrifice, including his own son. According to Justin Martyr (100 AD) Manasseh killed Isaiah by being "sawed asunder with a wooden saw." After the death of Manasseh, his wicked son Amon reigned for a short time until he was assassinated. This is where his 8 year old son Josiah comes on the scene as the new king. By the time Josiah was 20 years old, he was disgusted with the heathen perversion in Israel and called for a complete cleansing. Throughout Judah and especially Jerusalem, Josiah pulled down the heathen idols, cleansed the temple, destroyed the heathen temples along with their priests and he cut down the harlot-ridden groves. It appears that during the religious purge of King Manasseh, the true prophets of God had been either destroyed or driven underground. But now that King Josiah has restored the temple and God’s law, God raised up several prophets during this time, such as Zephaniah, Nahum and Habakkuk. Although King Josiah’s “reform” was impactful, it did not have an enthusiastic or universal revival with the majority of the people. If it had, they would not have been destroyed 30 years later. Just as prophesied by Zephaniah and Nahum, the great and powerful Assyrian empire would fall in 612 BC and the Babylonians would now be Israel's tyrant, who would destory Jerusalem and the temple in 587 BC.

  3. Sep 27

    OT 36 Isaiah's Prophecy and Modern Times

    BYU Lecture 41 Quick review of chapter 21 of The Fourth Thousand Years and the interesting parallel scriptures between Isaiah and Nephi. Just as history repeats itself, prophets will often apply their prophecy to multiple places and occasions, all of which are literally fulfilled. Isaiah, David and Micah did this often. Isaiah gives prophecy of “Zion” knowing there will be two Zions, one in America and one in Palestine. He therefore distinguishes America as “Zion” and Palestine as “Jerusalem.” Some of the more prominent prophecies made by Isaiah include the return of the 10 tribes of Israel, the building of the New Jerusalem in America, the return of the Jews to Palestine, the building of a new temple in Jerusalem, terrible destructions prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ and the peaceful Millennial period. As spoken by Christ, “Great are the words of Isaiah.”

  4. Sep 20

    OT Lesson 35 Isaiah’s Prophecies about Israel and America

    Text: Isaiah chapters 40 – 55; 2 Kings chapters 18 – 19; Chronicles chapters 29 – 32;  3rd Nephi chapters 21 – 27 relating to Isaiah. Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapters 20-21 BYU Lecture 40  Once the Bible reader grasps the scope of Isaiah’s prophesies he cannot help being amazed at the vast, encyclopedia of foreknowledge which the Lord entrusted to this one man. Isaiah was one of those who knew a great deal about today and our marvelous age of miracles, along with the devastating disasters which could summarily sweep us into oblivion if we fail to do our part. In some ways, Isaiah knew us better than we know ourselves. For Israel, Isaiah proclaimed his message of pleading and warning for more than 20 years before Israel fell to Babylon in 721 BC. He denounced violence, immorality and dishonesty of the people calling them to repentance. Isaiah must have been delighted when the 25 year old son of Ahaz named Hezekiah, became the new king. His first task was to repair, sanctify and re-dedicate the temple which his father ransacked and defiled. Soon, the people began to follow Hezekiah’s lead and began to repent. After destroying the northern 10 tribes of Israel, Assyria storms down through Judah and threatens to destroy Jerusalem. In preparation for this war and siege, Hezekiah carves the famous water tunnel through limestone rock. Isaiah prophesies that God will save Jerusalem and send a blast upon the mighty Assyrian army. When the king of Assyria arose in the morning, he found 185,000 of his soldiers dead. He abandons his war plans and flees back to Ninevah. As prophesied by Isaiah, Babylon conquers Assyria and then destroys Jerusalem in 721 BC, devastating the temple, community and city walls. In 539 BC, Babylon is conquered by Cyrus of Persia, also prophesied by Isaiah, even by name. He also prophesied of the coming of Christ, of America, Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon (stick of Joseph), the restoration of the gospel, latter-day temples and the second coming of Jesus Christ. The discovery of America by Columbus is discussed and the many white Nephite people found alive as noted in his diary. Also discussed is the unfortunate mass slaughter of the indigenous people by well-meaning Catholic priests under the leadership of Cortez and Pizzaro; all prophesied by Nephi.

  5. Sep 13

    OT Lesson 34 Fall of the Ten Tribes and the Importance of Isaiah's Ministry

    Text: 2 Kings chapters 14 – 27; 2 Chronicles chapters 26 – 28; Books of Hosea and Micah; Isaiah chapters 1-39 Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapters 18-19 BYU Lecture 39  Judah on the south and Israel on the north had both become strong, powerful nations, yet they were cankered with corruption, immortality, evil and decadence like the heathen. The prophet Hosea cried repentance in vain but remained hopeful. As Israel began to derail under corrupt government and assassinations, her tributaries began to flee and join with Judah. Israel broke into civil war under tyrannical rule of wicked king Menahem. In Judah, Uzziah rose to power and became a king after the pattern of Solomon. Judah embraced tributaries fleeing from Israel and conquered territories on the south, becoming a powerful, independent nation. Suddenly, from the north of Israel came the menacing forces of Assyria. Israel tried to make alliances with all the western nations to confront Assyria, but Judah, now ruled by the wicked king Ahaz, refused to join. Israel was so angry, an army was sent to Judah to force them to join. Isaiah comes on the scene and counsels king Ahaz not to fight Israel and Syria. But Ahaz did not listen, rather he stripped the temple of gold and valuables, sent them to the king of Assyria and asked for help in defending Judah. Assyria accepted the bribe but did not defend Judah. So Ahaz turned to the pagan gods and offered obscene sacrifices, pleading for help. He even sacrificed his own son on the alter. To Ahaz, this must have seemed to be successful for Israel turned from Judah to face the attacking Assyrians from the north. The prophet Isaiah is introduced and his ministry during this period is reviewed. The Book of Isaiah is difficult to read for several reasons. It is deliberately obscure to prevent too many prophetic details to be revealed which can manipulate our choices. It is also difficult because it is written in poetic form and he skips around history. He is also a brilliant and advanced writer with a large vocabulary. A brief biography and history of Isaiah is given, along with some of his Messianic prophesies we study today. For example, he gives Ahaz a sign that a virgin will conceive and bear a son named Immanuel.

  6. Sep 6

    OT Lesson 33 The Ministry of Elisha, Jonah and Amos

    Title: OT Lesson 33 The Ministry of Elisha, Jonah and Amos Text: 2 Kings chapters 8 – 13; Books of Jonah and Amos Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapters 16-17 BYU Lecture 38:  As we open the 8th chapter of 2 Kings, the author reverts back to a previous time period. Gehazi (the servant of Elisha when Naaman was cleansed of leprosy) was telling King Ben-Hadad II, king of Syria, the many miracles performed by the prophet Elisha. At the time, King Ben-Hadad II was suffering from a disease and sent his servant Hazael to ask Elisha if he will recover. Elisha says the king will not die from the disease but he will die nonetheless, knowing that Hazael will murder the king and take his place as the new king of Syria. Elisha faithfully serves God through six different kings of Israel. He endured 65 years of horrific wickedness, conspiracies, wars, murders, military coups and all manner of evil. Next is the study of the prophet Jonah and his calling to Ninevah. He flees his assignment and is intercepted by a whale. He finishes his mission call, and the Assyrians actually repent, albeit temporarily. Amos comes on the scene prophesying and preaching repentance to all Israel. He prophecies that Israel will be conquered and taken into slavery beyond Damascus. His prophecy was literally fulfilled 3 decades later when Assyria smashed Israel in 721 BC driving the 10 tribes into obscurity and lost.

  7. Aug 30

    OT 32 The Ministry of Elisha the Prophet

    Text: 2 Kings chapters 3 - 7 Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapter 15 BYU Lecture 37: Barely had Elisha returned from witnessing the translation of Elijah when the people of Jericho asked him to purify their water supply. In the name of the Lord, Elisha performs this miracle and purifies the water by symbolically sprinkling it with salt. As Elisha left Jericho, he was set upon by a mob of rebellious youth mocking him and mocking the translation of the prophet Elijah in derision. In the name of the Lord, Elisha turned back and called two bears out of the wild and “tare 42 of them.” We are not told of any fatalities. Elisha continues in his ministry, performing many miracles, providing counsel to kings and interceding in wars. On one occasion, the king of Syria was frustrated with Elisha because his plans were constantly thwarted by this prophet. Sending an army to capture or kill Elisha, the prophet’s servant was frightened at their large number. Elisha opened his servant’s eyes so symbolically, he could see that the Lord’s strength was with them. Elisha went out to the Syrian army, confused their minds and led them helplessly into Israel’s stronghold in Samaria. Rather than kill the Syrian army prisoners, Elisha directed them to eat in peace and go home. Among his many miracles, in addition to those already mentioned, Elisha: Raised the dead Cured and caused leprosy Neutralized toxic poison Healed a barren woman Raised a heavy axe head from the river bottom Increased the supply of oil Cured and caused blindness Fed 100 men with only 20 small loaves Notice the similarity of these miracles to those accomplished by the Savior about 850 years later.

  8. Aug 23

    OT 31 The Last Days of Elijah

    Text: 1 Kings chapters 20 - 22; 2 Kings chapters 1 - 2 Supplemental Text: The Fourth Thousand Years chapter 14 BYU Lecture 36:  Elijah returns to Trans-Jordan after meeting the Lord at Mt. Sinai. Here, he finds Elisha plowing his field. Elijah gives Elisha his mantel, demonstrating to Elisha his calling as the next prophet. Elisha accepts his calling and follows after Elijah in his final days. Meanwhile, King Ahab had defied the Lord again. He had allowed the wicked king of Syria to live after being commanded by the prophet to slay him. In addition, murder was committed in order to obtain the coveted vineyard of his neighbor. Elijah finds King Ahab and tells him that both the king and the queen will die because of their wickedness, and dogs will lap up their blood; their posterity shall also be destroyed. In the next war against Syria, King Ahab was killed in his chariot, and upon washing out the chariot his blood poured out upon the ground where the dogs licked it up. The Lord reveals to Elijah that it’s time for him to come home (translated). He travels with Elisha to visit his brethren of the church before going. As they cross the Jordan River, Elijah strikes the water with his robe, and the waters divide and they cross on dry land. Fifty of the brethren watch from a distance. Elisha made one request of Elijah which was to have twice the spiritual power as Elijah. He gave Elisha his robe and said if God grants this request you will be able to divide the river as I did upon your return. When out of sight of the fifty brethren, Elisha watched in amazement as a chariot of fire appeared and took Elijah across the veil. On his return trip to the brethren, Elisha struck the water with Elijah's robe, and the waters did indeed divide.  Over 800 years later, on the Mount of Transfiguration, this translated prophet Elijah will bestow the priesthood keys to Peter, James and John, and then as a resurrected being, the sealing keys bestowed to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1836.

See All (280)

4.8
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Religious and political insights from W. Cleon Skousen

Information

  • Creator
    The W Cleon Skousen Library
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    280
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    W. Cleon Skousen Insights

You Might Also Like