One of the most repeated themes of 1 and 2 Nephi is the return of Israel in the last days. This great gathering takes on many forms—the return of the Jews to Jerusalem, the gathering of the descendants of Joseph to Zion, the preaching of the gospel to the descendants of the Lamanites and Nephites, the great missionary effort to spiritually gather scattered Israel into the fold of God. Isaiah often concentrates on how the Lord will bless the house of Israel in the last days. This is in contrast to the wicked ways of the people during Isaiah’s time. He knew that shortly the northern kingdom would be captured by the Assyrians and the southern kingdom would be eventually captured by the Babylonians. How beautiful the thought of an Israel that was once again favored of the Lord? The promises truly are great to the house of Israel in the last days. Their history has been a history of pain, persecution, and prejudice. But in the last days, all those who afflicted them with impunity will be oppressed, ’they shall take them captives unto whom they were captives; and they shall rule over their oppressors.’