Post by Ezekiel –
Though our friend Daniel and I are here in Babylon, we feel blessed to know of your doings in the promised land. Nephi, you and your brother Jacob have referred to Isaiah’s writings in many of your recent posts. We too love Isaiah’s writings. They are certainly great in the sight of God.
I wish to comment on one of his prophecies that you have not touched on – and I recognize it is of little relevance to your people in the promised land so please do not consider this critical, I do find it very interesting and we are anxious to see this prophecy fulfilled.
Isaiah foretold of a Cyrus, through whom the Lord would perform His pleasure, even returning His covenant people back to Jerusalem, commanding them to re-build the temple.
Nephi, you have talked consistently about the destructions prophesied by Isaiah and even the restorations, but in this prophecy there is more immediate interest because Isaiah refers to the delivering King by name – Cyrus. We know of a Cyrus – A King in Elam.
Currently Daniel serves King Nabonidus, with Belshazzar the King’s son as commander-in-chief. If this King Cyrus who would be King of Persia, is the one foretold by Isaiah to be our deliverer, he must certainly capture Babylon and overthrow the current Chaldean dynasty.
As you must know, Daniel found favor in the sight of Nebuchadnezzar, making him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar has now been gone several years, yet Daniel and our dear friends Meshach, Shadrach and Aged-nego, (You probably remember them as Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, but here in Babylon they go by Babylonian names. Believe it or not Daniel is called Belteshazzar. We still call him Daniel.) Anyway back to my point, these our dear friends, are still faithful to the God of Israel even though they serve the king valiently.
Through revelation, Daniel translated one of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams, in the which Daniel foretold of various kingdoms to be established. Daniel told that God would remove kings and set up kings. Daniel certainly saw therefore the fall of Babylon and its replacement by Persia. Yet, knowing Daniel, he will valiantly serve whomever God sets up as King and Daniel will continue to serve God and be an instrument in His hands.
God in His great wisdom has preserved us despite our people’s rebellious nature and we do look forward to the day we may return to our homes. We have been here decades now.
Your brother in the Lord, though on different sides of the world.
Ezekiel
