Entering into His rest, Part 1

The scriptures sometimes use the phrase "enter into His rest" or similar. We have discussed several passages containing this phrase in recent posts and there are many more, especially in the Book of Mormon. But let's start with the Old Testament. "Rest" is mentioned several times in Deuteronomy and is always associated with the promised land or inheritance. Consider these examples:
Deuteronomy 3:20

Until the Lord have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the Lord your God hath given them beyond Jordan

Deuteronomy 12:9

For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth you.

Deuteronomy 25:19

Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it

Joshua 1:13

Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.

There are many examples of something physical described in the Old Testament which also carries a spritiual meaning or symbolic value that is pointed out in the New Testament or in the Book of Mormon. This is no exception. Entering into the Lord's rest is not discussed much in the New Testament, except a lengthy part of Hebrews chapter 3 and 4. The Book of Mormon is using this phrase a lot and we will see some examples in part 2 of this post. In both cases it is clear that the "rest" is dwelling in God's presence and the inheritance or promised land is our heavenly home. This life is the journey. Perhaps the symbolism has lost some power in this age where travelling is much more comfortable. In Biblical and Book of Mormon times, the traveler had more need of rest when the destination was reached. The story of the Israelites serve as a warning to all of us. They hardened their hearts and did not enter into His rest in the promised land. If we harden our hearts, we will not enter into His rest in heaven.

This is certainly the idea in Alma 12 that has been quoted several times recently. Alma 12:36 is a bit hard to understand, especially the meaning of the terms marked in bold.

And now, my brethren, behold I say unto you, that if ye will harden your hearts ye shall not enter into the rest of the Lord; therefore your iniquity provoketh him that he sendeth down his wrath upon you as in the first provocation, yea, according to his word in the last provocation as well as the first, to the everlasting destruction of your souls; therefore, according to his word, unto the last death, as well as the first.

This is my interpretation: Earlier in Alma 12, Alma talks about the fall of Adam and Eve. The "first provocation" refers to the disobedience in the Garden of Eden. It resulted in the "first death". Because of that, we are now travelers in the wilderness of this telestial world. By means of the atonement and the priesthood (important themes in Alma 12&13) we are able to enter into his presence/rest again. But if we harden our hearts and provoke God again like the children of Israel did (the "last provocation"), we will not enter into his presence but suffer the last/second death.