Thankful for men like Rep. Greg Steube, who are not afraid to stand up and speak the truth.
Actually, what the Bible says is a concern of our Congress, and of our nation. Why? Because the Bible says, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." (Psalm 9:17) Thankful for men like Rep. Greg Steube, who are not afraid to stand up and speak the truth.
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Pastor is arrested; trial is held in secret; pastor is told he will be released only if he agrees to quit pastoring and holding services; family is not allowed to see him. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene takes a stand.
It has been a little while since I did a little study on Isaiah. Some things in this book are very hard to understand, and I was taking some time to study it and pray over it. I finally decided just to break it down and look at it a little at a time. Verses fourteen through twenty-five of Isaiah chapter seven contain prophecy. In the prophetic books, there is usually a near prophecy (to be fulfilled soon) and a far prophecy (to be fulfilled sometime in the far distant future). That is the case in these verses as well. In addition, there is a type (prophecy of Christ) which is given in verses fourteen through sixteen. There is also an anti-type (prophecy of the anti-Christ) in these verses as well. Today’s little study takes a look at one of the near prophecies. Remember that Ahaz said he did not need a sign from God because he did not want to tempt God? God had promised that Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah would not be able to overcome Ahaz and set up their own king or their own kingdom. The story of what occurred during the fulfillment of this prophecy can be found in II Chronicles chapter twenty-eight. Pekah, the son of Remaliah, and Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim came in with Syria’s army and slew a hundred and twenty thousand people. They also took two hundred thousand women, sons, and daughters captive. But a prophet of the LORD by the name of Oded was there, and he went to talk to the people of Samaria where the captives were taken. He rebuked them and told them to give the captives back, “Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. 10) And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God? 11) Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.” (II Chronicles 28:9b-11) God allowed these enemies of Judah and Jerusalem to do great damage because of the sins of king Ahaz and the people of Judah and Jerusalem. However, they went in and wreaked havoc and took captives without pity. Now, they were in danger of God’s fierce wrath. Certain heads of Ephraim stood up and agreed with the prophet and said, “Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. 14) So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation. 15) And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren.” (II Chronicles 28:13-15a) God had promised Ahaz that he would not be overthrown. Also, God had promised that Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah would not take over and that they would not set up their own kingdom or appoint their own king. God fulfilled this promise, although He allowed many to be killed and much trouble to come to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Because of the trouble that came upon Judah and Jerusalem, Ahaz became afraid. He did not think that God had given them enough deliverance. He did not take into consideration that the reason so many were killed and so much damage was done was that he and the people had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. When Ahaz saw the destruction that came upon Judah and Jerusalem, he chose to doubt God and put his trust in man. The very next verse shows that he called upon Assyria to come and help him, “16) At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. 17) For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives. 18) The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.” (verses 16-18) How did this turn out for Ahaz? Not very well. Verse twenty says, “Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.” Why not? For two reasons. 1. God was judging the nation for Ahaz’ sake, “For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD.” (verse 19) 2. God was judging Ahaz because Ahaz had taken things out of the Lord’s house to give as a bribe to the king of Assyria, “For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria.” (verse 21a) But the king of Assyria was not bought with bribes, “but he helped him not.” (verse 21b) As a nation, we in America could be in danger like the people of Judah and Jerusalem. In a large part, we have also forsaken the Lord God. We have put our trust in man and in our own understanding. Ahaz did not demonstrate trust in the Lord as his own son Hezekiah did. When Sennacherib, king of Assyria came up against Judah, Hezekiah comforted the people saying, “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.” (II Chronicles 32:8a) The arm of flesh will always fail, but trust in the Lord will bring victory and rest. II Chronicles 32:8 ends by saying, “And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” What will be our choice today? Will we rest in the power of the Lord God even if it looks like things are not like they are supposed to be. Or will we trust in man, in the arm of flesh, in which there is no help? I hope you can take 12 minutes to listen to this video.
It is so important to be about the Father's business. Time is short. The Lord could change the hearts of rulers, and we could have more years to serve the Lord, or we could be raptured today. But the night is coming, and it is falling fast; the night is coming when no man can work. But for the Christian, "look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28b) Please note that this lady is NOT saying that the vaccine passport IS the mark of the beast. She is only saying that it prepares the way for implementing the mark. You do not need a rumble account to watch This video “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.” (Genesis 25:14) Esau despised his birthright. He scorned it; treated it as something contemptible. We, as believers, also have a birthright. We have a right to eat at the altar whereof the priests and Levites had no right. “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.” (Hebrews 13:10) The priests and Levites served in a sanctuary where the blood of animals was sprinkled upon the altar. We partake of the altar where the blood of Christ was shed for our sins. We have a right to partake of the body and blood of the perfect Lamb. In heaven, we will also have right to partake of the tree of life. This privilege, which Adam and Even enjoyed in the garden of Eden, was taken away when they sinned. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14) As children born of God, we enjoy many other privileges. We may come boldly before God’s throne to petition Him for our needs. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) Our names are written in heaven, in the Lamb’s Book of Life. “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20) We have a right to enter the kingdom of God. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) We will receive an inheritance. “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” (Ephesians 1:11) This barely touches the many privileges and rights that we may enjoy because of the new birth. Lord, may I never despise this wonderful birthright. ~J. L. T. Y. Are vaccine passports coming soon? Will they be required for
Working? Dining out? Travel? Check out the video at this link. It gives some information about this. You do not have to have a Rumble account to watch the video. Philippians 4:8 says that we should keep our minds on good things, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” So, here is a video of things that the Bible says are pleasant. I pray it will bless and encourage those who watch. (Video has no sound) This sermon was preached years ago by pastor Adrian Rogers, and yet it is a sermon so appropriate for today. Adrian Rogers passed away in 2005, almost 16 years ago. We can be thankful that God has extended His mercy on our nation all these years. Our hope is not in who gets elected President, in which administration wins over the other one. Our only hope is in Almighty God. What blessing did King Ahaz receive because he believed God? He received a very special blessing. The Lord allowed him to hear of the prophecy of the coming Messiah. After God told Ahaz he could ask for a sign and Ahaz refused to ask a sign, Isaiah said to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, “Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign…” (Isaiah 7:13b,14a) What sign would the Lord give them? “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (verse 14b) In the previous little study, I had mentioned that Ahaz said the words of verse 13. However, in looking at the fulfillment of this prophesy in the book of Matthew, it appears that these words were actually spoken by the prophet Isaiah who had been sent by the Lord to talk with King Ahaz. Matthew 1:20-23 tells about the fulfillment of this prophecy, “20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” The prophet foretold the coming of Jesus and that His name would be called Emmanuel. The name “Emmanuel” means “God with us.” This child which would be born, Emmanuel, was not an ordinary child. He was born of a virgin through the work of the Holy Ghost, and He was the Son of God and God the Son. I Timothy 3:16 explains it by saying, “God was manifest in the flesh.” This wonderful Emmanuel, Jesus, the Son of God and God the Son, was coming to be the Messiah for the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and for all the children of Israel. What a wonderful promise the Lord was allowing Ahaz and the people to hear! Not only would He give them protection from their enemies now and keep their enemies from overthrowing Ahaz and establishing their own king; but God would also send them a Savior, Emmanuel, the One who could redeem Israel from all their sins. If Ahaz and the people of Judah and Jerusalem could believe that God would save them from their present fleshly enemies, they could also believe that God would send them Emmanuel, and they could look forward to the time that Emmanuel would come and be saved by believing on Him. Sadly, many of the children of Israel did not recognize the Messiah when He came, but some did. And Emmanuel still waits and still welcomes all who believe on Him today. Judah, Jerusalem, all Israel, and even the Gentiles who are alive today benefited from Ahaz believing the word of the Lord. |
AuthorI am a concerned citizen of the United States of America. And I am a Christian who believes in salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray this blog will honor the Lord.
My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. Hosea 4:12
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