Up until section 97 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the early Saints, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, knew and understood the geographical concept of “Zion, the place”. That geographic place is Jackson County, Missouri, USA; in particular, where the city of Independence exists today (see article A River Watered the Garden: Prophetical and Geographical Evidences). In section 97 Jesus Christ revealed the demographical concept of “Zion, the people” and defined that demographic Zion as “the pure in heart”.
Immediately thereafter, Christ revealed what will happen to the wicked in the latter days, specifically referring to something He calls “the Lord’s scourge” that will come upon the wicked as well as Zion, the people, if they “observe not to do whatsoever I have commanded.” He indicates the Lord’s scourge is not just a one-time event in the last days but that once it starts it will be an ongoing event that continues until His Second Coming!
This article
explains the modern-day prophecy of the Lord’s scourge Christ revealed to the prophet of the Restoration, Joseph Smith, Jr.,
shows the ancient prophet Isaiah also prophesied about this “overflowing scourge” reserved for the wicked in the last days,
identifies historical and current events and trends that appear to match Isaiah’s descriptions of the behavior of the wicked,
indicates what Zion, the Saints or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, must choose to do to escape the Lord’s scourge, and
uses historical and recent prophetical pronouncements and admonitions with current medical information to show God is fulfilling His prophecies in such a manner that they are evidences for His revealed truths, both ancient and modern.
This article is currently in the research and writing phase.