Isaiah’s Timeline for the Last Days

Isaiah embedded a timeline in his early chapters. Nephi quoted those chapters as a block (2 Nephi 12–24), and read in order they describe the last days from the first earthquakes to the binding of Lucifer and the dawn of the Millennium. Start with the overview episode, then follow the chapters in order.

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1. Chapter 2 – The Timeline BeginsIsaiah 2In Isaiah's original introduction (v. 1-4), he says that all that follows will occur "in the last days" (v. 2). Then he begins the timeline, starting with earthquakes wracking the earth.
2. Chapter 2-14 – The Isaiah TimelineIsaiah 2–14A 13-chapter summary of the complete timeline for the last days.
3. Chapter 3 – Great Are The Words Of IsaiahIsaiah 3The timeline specifically found in chapter 3. Food and water become scarce.
4. Chapter 10 – The AssyrianIsaiah 10As the timeline continues, the Assyrian terrorizes the world, including many unrepentant covenant people. The people who actually dwell in Zion are not to be afraid.
5. Chapter 11 – A Servant Goes ForthIsaiah 11Still in the timeline, Isaiah reveals the attributes and mission of Christ's righteous servant. This man will possess tremendous power, but he will be among the meekest of men.
6. Chapter 14 – The Assyrian Is Slain, Lucifer Is Bound, The Timeline EndsIsaiah 14The Lord sweeps the earth with the besom of destruction. The Assyrian king is slain, and his fall is likened to Lucifer's fall. Both will suffer in hell, where their worm dieth not.
7. Chapter 23 – A Tsunami Destroys TyreIsaiah 23The destruction of Tyre by a tsunami is a type of the calamities to befall many seaports in the last days.
8. Chapter 36 – A Mortal ThreatIsaiah 36Using historical events as prophecy, Isaiah foretells a mortal threat to Zion in the last days.
9. Chapter 47 – Babylon Becomes StubbleIsaiah 47Babylon and the powers of darkness will be destroyed in the last days.
10. Chapter 54 – The Millennial Covenant of PeaceIsaiah 54As the work of the Father commences in the last days, Christ will make a new covenant of peace with his people.
11. The Great Winding Up SceneIn the very last days all of Isaiah's words will be fulfilled.
12. Before the TimelineIn his original introduction, Isaiah sets the time and place for all of his prophecies.
13. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 2 and 3Isaiah 2–3"The great and dreadful day of the Lord" begins with catastrophic earthquakes and wars.
14. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 4 and 5Isaiah 4–5Seven women take hold of one man, and Christ takes away the hedge from around his vineyard.
15. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 6Isaiah 6Using his own call to be a prophet as a type, Isaiah prophesies of a servant who will personify Israel, and who will be Christ's messenger to the people in the last days.
16. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 7Isaiah 7A prophecy of "Immanuel" will be fulfilled at least three times.
17. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 8Isaiah 8In the last days, Christ will become a sanctuary to the faithful, and a stumbling block to the rebellious of his people.
18. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 9Isaiah 9While those in Zion are led by Christ, those who rebel will be led by false prophets and will suffer greatly.
19. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 10Isaiah 10The Assyrian will be a tool in the Lord's hand to humble a hypocritical nation.
20. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 11 Verse 1Isaiah 11Two servants of Christ will come in the last days, one to commence the work of restoration, and one to complete it.
21. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 11Isaiah 11The Lord will raise up an ensign, the "branch," who will gather Israel and lead them to Zion.
22. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 12Isaiah 12Newly arrived saints in Zion sing a song of praise to Christ.
23. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 13Isaiah 13The catastrophic fall of Babylon will occur in the very last days, near the end of Isaiah's timeline.
24. The Timeline Reviewed Ch 14Isaiah 14The end of Isaiah's timeline for the last days. Israel is gathered. The Assyrian is dead. Lucifer is bound in hell. Zion and Jerusalem are redeemed. The Millennium begins.
25. The Shew of Their CountenanceSin like Sodom will condemn "Judah" and "Jerusalem" to ruin in the last days.
26. In the Last DaysEvery word of Isaiah was given for us in the last days.
27. His Hand is Stretched Out StillGod's hand of justice will fall upon the wicked of his people in the last days.
28. Out of the Waters of BaptismThe Book of Mormon reveals who Isaiah is speaking to in the last days.
29. An Offender For a WordIn the last days the wicked will try to make the righteous offenders for a word.
30. Two SignsIn the last days, two signs will signal the coming of the Lord's day of wrath.
31. They Do Not Stay ThemselvesNephi introduces Isaiah to the covenant people of the last days.
32. A Remnant Shall ReturnA righteous remnant will be led out of spiritual Babylon in the last days.
33. The Curse of Familiar SpiritsIn the last days many will "seek unto them that have familiar spirits" and "wizards that peep."
34. A Superpower at War (with itself)"Egypt" is a latter-day superpower that will be severely humbled in the last days.
35. Shebna and EliakimA servant will fall, and a new servant will be raised up in the last days.
36. Circling BackAfter giving us his timeline, Isaiah circles back to add greater detail to those prophecies.
37. “How is the Faithful City Become an Harlot!”In the last days "the daughter of Zion" will be tried as in a crucible.
38. Those Who Shall be AnnihilatedIn the last days, brazen sinners will be "shattered" and "annihilated."
39. “And it shall come to pass in the last days…”In the last days, many people will flee to Zion, which will be established in the top of the nations.
40. “O Lord, Thou Has Forsaken thy People”A wealthy, covenant people will be found wanting in the last days.
41. “They Declare Their Sin as Sodom”Early in the timeline, both the wicked and the righteous begin receiving just rewards for all their works.
42. “Ye Beat My People to Pieces”In the last days, even some of the Lord's people will oppress the poor.
43. I Will Tell You What I Will Do to My VineyardIn the last days, many covenant people will reject prophetic counsel and will be trodden down.
44. Woe Unto the Rich who Isolate ThemselvesIn the last days, we need to help the less fortunate, not shrink from them.
45. “Woe unto Them That Call Evil Good”In the last days those who reject the prophet's counsel will call evil good and good evil.
46. “Make the Heart of this People Fat”Isaiah is told to make his prophecies for the last days deliberately difficult to understand.
47. “Ephraim Shall be Shattered as a Nation”Ephraim and Syria serve as types of enemies that will threaten the righteous in the last days.
48. “A Virgin Shall Conceive and Bear a Son”Isaiah prophesies of saviors to come forth in his day, in the meridian of time, and in the last days.
49. “The Riches of Damascus”The riches of Damascus and covenant Israel will be spoiled in the last days.
50. “A Branch Shall Grow Out of His Roots”Christ will raise up a servant to complete his work in the last days.
51. “The Spirit of the Lord Shall Rest Upon Him”The Lord will call up and anoint a great servant of Christ in the last days.
52. “The Lord Hath Founded Zion”The timeline ends with final destructions and the rise of Zion.
53. Moab in the Last Days"Moab" suffers from the Assyrian invasion of the promised land.
54. “At the Fords of Arnon”In the last days, the Moabites will beg for help from Zion.
55. “A Forsaken Bough”In the last days, even strong cities shall become "a forsaken bough."
56. “The Waters Shall Fail”Drought will devastate the promised land in the last days.
57. “Refugees in the Last Days”In the last days, places of refuge will be so few that Isaiah likens them a "forest in Arabia."
58. A Great Seaport is ConsumedTyre symbolizes a seaport that will be inundated by heaving seas in the last days.
59. A Massive Earthquake at the EndIn the very last days, the whole earth will be racked by a massive earthquake.
60. “We have waited…. We have waited”In the very last days, the faithful will wait, and wait, upon God—then be blessed with great faith.
61. A Trumpet and 144,000 High PriestsIn the very last days, the Lord's servants will glean the righteous remaining on earth.
62. Ephraim’s Crown of PrideThe prideful in the covenant will fall before a raging tyrant in the last days.
63. Here a Little, There a LittleIn the last days, the Lord's people will need spiritual meat.
64. A Covenant with DeathIn the last days, some leaders of the covenant will seek safety by compromising with evil.
65. “A Precious Cornerstone”In the last days, God's people will choose a covenant in righteousness or a covenant with death.
66. The Lord’s “Strange Work”In the last days, the Lord will do "his strange work" and perform his "strange act."
67. The Lord Gives Milk and Meat in Due SeasonGod's children need both milk and meat, especially in the last days.
68. The Sum of all VisionIn the last days the people must heed a prophet's words.
69. The Deaf Shall Hear, and the Blind Shall SeeIn the last days, the righteous shall "sanctify the Holy One of Jacob."
70. The Shame of Egypt’s ShadowIn the last days, some covenant people will rely upon government rather than God.
71. The Lord “Will Sift the Nations”In the last days nations will be torn apart by sieves of vanity and deceit.
72. The End of the Timeline—and a Great TestAfter finishing his timeline, Isaiah prophesies of a great test in the last days.
73. The Servant Gathers Israel (Isa. 46-49)Isaiah 46–49In the very last days, the servant of Christ will wield enormous power in gathering the elect from around the world.
74. Christ’s Servant Shall be Marred (Isa. 50-52)Isaiah 50–52In the last days, the servant of Christ will be marred by the wicked and healed by the Lord. (Isaiah 50-52)
75. A Man of Sorrows and a Tender Plant (Isa. 53)Isaiah 53The Lord will bear the iniquity of all mankind, while his servant blesses the elect in the last days. (Isaiah 53)
76. The Righteous will Disappear (Isaiah 55-57)Isaiah 55–57In the last days, the righteous will be led out of Babylon to safety.