The comment that “they shall be a scourge unto the people of this land” is particularly relevant to these Nephites. The Messiah makes it clear that these events will happen, not in the Old World, but to the listeners’ descendants.
He then promises a reversal: When those who “have received the fulness of my gospel… harden their hearts against me I will return their iniquities upon their own heads.” The Gentiles may have the upper hand for a while, but eventually the house of Israel will prevail. Jesus is here alluding to his second coming as the Triumphant Messiah (see 3 Ne. 16:14–15).