The punishment for rejecting the truth is severe. Speaking to the wicked Gentiles of the latter-days, Moroni said, Behold, the sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer (Mormon 8:41). While some have thought that this scripture prophesied of an impending "Lamanite uprising," this is not correct. When the Lord speaks of my people, O house of Israel, he is speaking of those who are the descendants of Lehi, others of Jewish descent, and those Gentiles who have repented and been adopted into the house of Israel. In this context, the house of Israel are the servants of the Lord in the latter-days. See commentary for 3 Nephi 20:15-20.
Elder McConkie explains that this prophecy will be fulfilled in part prior to the Second Coming. However, the prophecy is not completely fulfilled until Christ comes to fight for his people according to the promise, when the Lord shall appear he shall be terrible unto them, that fear my seize upon them, and they shall stand afar off and tremble. And all nations shall be afraid because of the terror of the Lord, and the power of his might (DC 45:74-75).
Bruce R. McConkie
"These things lie ahead; they are pre-millennial; as the great destructions and wars unfold that shall usher in that reign of peace, then we shall learn how and in what manner they shall be fulfilled. Our feelings are that the Gentiles will not repent and that there will be a day when Israel shall triumph over her ancient enemies according to the promises." (The Mortal Messiah, book 4, p. 318)
Bruce R. McConkie
"In the full and true sense, Israel shall triumph over her foes only when the Millennium is ushered in, only when her Messiah comes to deliver them from the aliens, only when the wicked are destroyed and the Lord reigns gloriously among his saints.
"It is in this setting -- a millennial setting; a day of millennial glory; the day when peace prevails because the wicked have been destroyed -- it is in this setting that Jesus says: 'Then' -- in the day of which we speak – 'the words of the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled.' These are the words: 'Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion.' We are establishing Zion now, but our Zion is only the foundation for that which is to be. We are laying a foundation; the promises relative to the glorious Zion of God which shall yet stand upon the earth shall be fulfilled after the Lord comes. 'Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem,' Isaiah continues, 'for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.' The true and full redemption of Jerusalem must await the day of the Lord's return. 'The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eye of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God.' (3 Ne. 16:4-20.) Again, we have made a beginning, but the glorious fulfillment lies ahead." (The Millenial Messiah, p. 241)