It will be recalled that there was a death warrant sent out against the prophet Abinadi. King Noah wanted him captured and brought to him so he could personally slay him.
Although Abinadi had been in disguise for two years, he did not choose to hide his identity when he appeared again among the people. He said the Lord had called him by name to warn the people. God's message was that the Lord was about to turn loose his wrath upon these apostate Nephites if they did not repent.