Verses 3–5 describe the Triumphant Messiah’s coming as the irresistible judge. Unbelievers will be overcome with shame at their “filthiness” and a terrible guilt at having “abused his laws.” Recognition of the Messiah will simultaneously be recognition of their own unrighteousness.
Variant: The printer’s manuscript has “anguishable fire,” which appears in the 1830 edition as “unquenchable fire.” “Unquenchable fire” appears in Matthew 3:12 and Luke 3:17. Possibly Oliver Cowdery simply misheard “unquenchable” but Moroni may have also intended to emphasize the sinners’ misery (v. 4).