Isaiah Decoded: Ascending the Ladder to Heaven

by Avraham Gileadi

For the first time, a Bible scholar fully integrates the Old and New Testaments. Dr. Avraham Gileadi reveals the Book of Isaiah as the key to these two seemingly incompatible books of scripture, taking both to an unprecedented level of understanding. Hitherto unseen literary features change the rules for interpreting the prophecy of Isaiah, showing it to be an allegory of the end of the world. Isaiah's "good news" teaches us God's higher law and how God enables us to ascend to heaven. By living God's law, we are reborn on ever higher levels of a spiritual "ladder" until we are privileged to pass through heaven's gate. For centuries, people have tried to make sense of Isaiah's writings, not realizing that sophisticated literary structures both conceal and reveal a major prophecy about our time. Now, decades of scriptural analysis by Avraham Gileadi, a leading Bible scholar, are simplified for the lay reader in Isaiah Decoded.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Christian

357 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Audrey L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. It is incredibly helpful in understanding Isaiah. The author was trained in Jerusalem in Hebrew schools before he became LDS. He has a very unique perspective because of his education. His book shows how the structure of Isaiah is like a ladder that shows you how to ascend toward God or descend toward Satan.

There are a few times in the Book of Mormon where we are told to study Isaiah. Nephi was trying to tell us about what would happen before Christ came in the last days and quoted many passages of Isaiah-- trying to guide us.

Christ himself told us to study Isaiah when he visited the Nephites in 3 Nephi 23:1-3: "And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. 2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles. 3 And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake..

So did Moroni in Mormon 8:23: "Search the prophecies of Isaiah. Behold, I cannot write them. Yea, behold I say unto you, that those saints who have gone before me, who have possessed this land, shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto the Lord; and as the Lord liveth he will remember the covenant which he hath made with them."

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of this book. I just picked it up to read for the second time. I am again awestruck by how illuminating this book is about the Book of Isaiah. I find the book very motivating.

As described on widipedia -- Avraham Gileadi is a Latter-day Saint Old Testament scholar specializing in the Book of Isaiah. He was born in Holland, went to Rabbinical school in Israel, then moved to the United States and converted to Mormonism. He received his doctorate in Ancient Studies and taught for some time at Brigham Young University. However, some of his writings and analysis were not well received by Church authorities, and he was later excommunicated from the Mormon church for undisclosed reasons. His book on Isaiah and the last days which was published by LDS-owned Deseret Book was later pulled from the shelves.

Gileadi has been re-baptized, and is an active member of the Mormon Church. He has since written this book, Isaiah Decoded, though this book is not carried by Deseret Book. You can find it on Amazon.

When reading books by any author who is writing about spiritual topics, the reader should be thoughtful and seek for the truth. What I find so impressive about this book is how it urges the reader to seek to be better, to seek to follow the path that God wants us to follow to become closer to Him. I highly recommend this book.

[Tyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The word 'decoded' makes me a little unsettled but I realize the word might encourage many people to read the book. In reality Isaiah was a literary master, and through years (and years) of study, Brother Gileadi is so helpful opening a window to Isaiah's poetic/literary genius.
Read and listened to Audible (just as in previous books by Gileadi narration is very bland but after a while I don't hear narrator just the message).
This book is so eye opening I had to go back and re-read and mark passages after nearly every listening session. I will regularly revisit this book. Oil in my lamp. 10 stars.
Note: I have paperback version and author's name is Avraham (Not Abraham) Gileadi

[Chappyfamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very deep book, it’s one you must read when you can focus. It has a lot to think about. It’s really good but because it’s so difficult to focus on I couldn’t give it as many stars as my favorites. I recommend it

[Dorothy Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much new material to absorb that I had never considered. I need to read it again.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this for Christmas from Pete. I'd looked over Gileadi's writings before but this was a perfect match for my current comprehension. I've long and consistently tried to study Isaiah because of the recommendation and quotations from almost every prophet since, including Christ himself, but found it difficult. Gileadi opens the whole book up in simple and comprehendable language. The path way to God as presented by Isaiah became clear and simple and matched with my personal journey in life. Loved it!

It's also nice to hear the blueprint of "the end from the beginning". It's great to put the pieces together for anyone that has an interest in specific last days scenerio.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not written as I had anticipated. Rather than following Isaiah from chapter to chapter, it talked about the symbolism used to convey an overarching theme. I didn't feel it was very revealing or exciting but by the time I reached the end of the book, I was very clear on the message of the book. Now as I read Isaiah on my own, I can see some of the message. Interesting!!!

[Deila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to be read more than once. Each time I read it, I see new things, new light and understanding. It's a great book to understand the lows in your life. And how those humiliating difficult times can lead to a higher level. Those descents in life are tough to bear.

[Brent McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting insight. The four dimensional approach to understanding Isaiah and other biblical writings has helped greatly.

[Macay]

I'm only a couple of chapters in, but it is already increasing my understanding of this wonderful prophet. More later...

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. I found it fascinating and a new overlook of Isaiah and his teachings about covenants, God's purposes, and our path back to God.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why didn't I think of this before?

[Chris Condie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too repetitive. There were some interesting insights but not enough - nor was it written in an analytical style - that would cause me to want to read any of his other books.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once in a while a book changes your life. This book did that for me - gave me a paradigm shift. I think about it often and am anxious to read his other books. I have listened to him lecture in person, and he is truly a fount of knowledge - probably the foremost expert on Isaiah