Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Old Testament: Uzziah Cursed With Leprosy.

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Old Testament: Uzziah Cursed With Leprosy.

Occasion: Godly Punishment For Having Usurped Priestly Duties.

Location: Jerusalem.

Bible Text:

II Chronicles 26:16-23 NLT

16 But when he (King Uzziah) had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against The Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of The Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.

17 Azariah the high priest went in after him with eighty other priests of The Lord, all brave men.

18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to The Lord. That is the work of the priests alone, the descendants of Aaron who are set apart for this work. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have sinned. The Lord God will not honor you for this!”

19 Uzziah, who was holding an incense burner, became furious. But as he was standing there raging at the priests before the incense altar in The Lord’s Temple, leprosy suddenly broke out on his forehead.

20 When Azariah the high priest and all the other priests saw the leprosy, they rushed him out. And the king himself was eager to get out because The Lord had struck him.

21 So King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in isolation in a separate house, for he was excluded from the Temple of The Lord. His son Jotham was put in charge of the royal palace, and he governed the people of the land.

22 The rest of the events of Uzziah’s reign, from beginning to end, are recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.

23 When Uzziah died, he was buried with his ancestors; his grave was in a nearby burial field belonging to the kings, for the people said, “He had leprosy.” And his son Jotham became the next king.

PRIESTLY DUTIES AND WARNINGS:

Exodus 30:7,8,27 NLT (The Lord said to Moses.)

7 “Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar.

8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before The Lord throughout your generations.

27 the table and all its utensils, the lamp stand and all its accessories, the incense altar,

Numbers 16:40 NLT

To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before The Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as The Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.

Numbers 18:1-7 NLT

1 Then The Lord said to Aaron: “You, your sons, and your relatives from the tribe of Levi will be held responsible for any offenses related to the sanctuary. But you and your sons alone will be held responsible for violations connected with the priesthood.

2 “Bring your relatives of the tribe of Levi—your ancestral tribe—to assist you and your sons as you perform the sacred duties in front of the Tabernacle of the Covenant.

3 But as the Levites go about all their assigned duties at the Tabernacle, they must be careful not to go near any of the sacred objects or the altar. If they do, both you and they will die.

4 The Levites must join you in fulfilling their responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the Tabernacle, but no unauthorized person may assist you.

5 “You yourselves must perform the sacred duties inside the sanctuary and at the altar. If you follow these instructions, The Lord’s anger will never again blaze against the people of Israel.

6 I myself have chosen your fellow Levites from among the Israelites to be your special assistants. They are a gift to you, dedicated to The Lord for service in the Tabernacle.

7 But you and your sons, the priests, must personally handle all the priestly rituals associated with the altar and with everything behind the inner curtain. I am giving you the priesthood as your special privilege of service. Any unauthorized person who comes too near the sanctuary will be put to death.”

II Chronicles 26:16 NLT

But when he (King Uzziah) had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.

Oh how sinful pride has been the ruin of many.

Ezekiel 28:17 KJV (Lucifer)

Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

II Chronicles 26:16-

16...He (King Uzziah) sinned against The Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of The Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.

17 Azariah the high priest went in after him with eighty other priests of The Lord, all brave men.

18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to The Lord. That is the work of the priests alone, the descendants of Aaron who are set apart for this work. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have sinned. The Lord God will not honor you for this!”

Confronted with his grievous error, what did King Uzziah do?

II Chronicles 26:19 NLT

Uzziah, who was holding an incense burner, became furious. ...”

Under the teaching of Godly Zechariah, King Uzziah had been for some 52 years a Godly King, indeed a righteous ruler, and this was thee only time he grossly errored.

II Chronicles 27:2 NLT (Jotham, King Uzziah's son.)

Jotham did what was pleasing in The Lord’s sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done, except that Jotham did not sin by entering the Temple of The Lord..."

II Chronicles 26:19 NLT

Uzziah, who was holding an incense burner, became furious. But as he was standing there raging at the priests before the incense altar in The Lord’s Temple, leprosy suddenly broke out on his forehead.

Why did this happen? Was this an actual judgment of The Lord?

Answer: Yes!

II Chronicles 26:20 NLT

When Azariah the high priest and all the other priests saw the leprosy, they rushed him out. And the king himself was eager to get out because The Lord had struck him.

“Oh pastor, surely you must be wrong! God would never do an evil thing like that!”

Numbers 12:1,2 NLT (Read the whole story-Numbers 12:1-15)

1 While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman.

2 They said, “Has The Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But The Lord heard them.

9 The Lord was very angry with them, and He departed.

10 As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy.

Can God send sickness or death?

Yes, He is God.

If you have been a follower of TBPL for any amount of time you have placed on the flyleaf of your

Bible the following verse, and if you have not, do so now.

Psalm 145:17 KJV

The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.

Isaiah 40:13,14 NLT

13 Who is able to advise The Spirit Of The Lord? Who knows enough to give Him advice or teach Him?

14 Has The Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does He need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach Him what is right or show Him the path of justice?

Isaiah 46:9,10 KJV

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me,

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:

Isaiah 55:8,9 KJV

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith The Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 11:33,34 KJV

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of The Lord? or who hath been His counselor?

I Corinthians 1:27-29 KJV

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in His presence.

King Uzziah, went to his grave as a leper. What a lesson to all, that ...

Proverbs 16:18 KJV

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

II Chronicles 36:15,16 NLT

15 The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent His prophets to warn them, for He had compassion on His people and His Temple.

16 But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until The Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done.

Galatians 6:7 KJV

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Salvation Prayer 

Trouble

Bible Questions Answered:

“My easy question, why, must life be filled with things that go wrong?...”

Sheila/ Houston, Texas U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Job 5:7 NLT

People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.

Psalm 90:10 NLT

Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble soon they disappear, and we fly away.

Matthew 5:44,45 KJV

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

All face good times and hardships, in life, there are no exceptions!

The reasons:

*We have a spiritual enemy!

I Peter 5:8,9 KJV

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

*Life was designed to be lived. As God's children, when we make errors, God in love corrects us.

Hebrews 12:1-13 NLT

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, The Champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

3 Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as His children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of The Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when He corrects you.

6 For The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.”

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?

8 If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children at all.

9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of The Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness.

11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.

13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

*God tries His children, so that they may come forth as pure gold.

Zechariah 13:9 KJV

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

II Corinthians 4:17 KJV

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

The Lord, our Refuge:

Psalm 9:9 KJV

The Lord also will be a Refuge for the oppressed, a Refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 34:19 KJV

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but The Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 37:39,40 KJV

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of The Lord: He is their Strength in the time of trouble.

40 And The Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.

Psalm 46:1 KJV

God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble.

Psalm 50:15 KJV

And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.

Psalm 121:2 KJV

My help cometh from The Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 43:1-3 KJV

1 But now thus saith The Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel (God's people), Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither

shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am The Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior..."

John 16:33 KJV

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

In Times Of Trouble What Should We Do?

Believe God's Word.

Romans 8:28,35,37-39 KJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Pray:

James 5:13 KJV

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray..."

Ephesians 6:18 NLT

Pray in The Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Do Not Become Discouraged:

I Corinthians 10:13 MSG

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; He’ll always be there to help you come through it.

Give Thanks For Your Heavenly High Priest, Intercessor:

Luke 22:31,32 KJV

31 And The Lord said, Simon, Simon (true for the people of God), behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not..."

Romans 8:34 KJV

"...It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at The Right Hand Of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Receive Peace, Comfort, Grace And Mercy That Comes From The Lord:

John 14:27 KJV

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

II Corinthians 1:2-4 KJV

2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT

14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus The Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.

15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

• Salvation Prayer

Intercession-Godly

Bible Questions Answered:

“...so I'm totally mixed up. I read that Jesus is our intercessor and in class I thought I heard that the holy spirit is our intercessor, which is right?”

Conrad/ Austin, Texas U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Both.

At Pentecost our God commissioned The Holy Spirit to come and live in the hearts and lives of believers.

John 16:5-15 NLT

5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent Me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.

6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.

7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, The Advocate* (The Comforter KJV) won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you.

8 And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.

10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see Me no more.

11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.

13 When The Spirit Of Truth comes, He will guide you into all Truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.

14 He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me.

15 All that belongs to the Father is Mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from Me.’

*Advocate-Greek: Parakletos (Par-ak-lay-tos): An intercessor, counselor: advocate, comforter.

Luke 11:13 KJV

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall

your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?

Intercessor: Someone who pleads or makes a request on behalf of another or others.

New World Dictionary

Proverbs 20:27 KJV
The Spirit* Of Man is The Candle Of The Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly*.

*Spirit-Hebrew: Neshamah ((Nesh-aw-maw): Wind, divine inspiration, intellect, breath, spirit.

*Belly-Hebrew: Beten (Beh-ten): Bosom, body, within.

 

Homily:
This pastor has told this story before, when as a child on our ranch in Cunningham, California, in the 

40's (wow), memory speaks of mother doing something most would not be familiar with today, and that 

was candling eggs. Newly laid eggs were candled, to see if there was blood in  the egg, if there was it

could not be a AAA grade egg. 

The Spirit Of Man, candles the hearts and lives of Christians to reveal flaws and areas needing God's help. 

We must listen to Him, and above all, not grieve Him.

Ephesians 4:30 KJV
And grieve not The Holy Spirit Of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Proverbs 20:27 NLT
The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.

Proverbs 20:27 MSG
God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out.

Yes, The Spirit Of God, intercedes to The Lord on our behalf! 
“Intercedes to The Lord, and not The Father?”
It has always been the role of The High Priest, to intercede for all the people, to God.
 

Levites from 12 tribes interceded for the people, with their many offerings, but only The High Priest, 

Aaron, sprinkled blood on the mercy seat, and interceded for them all.

Certainly The Holy Spirit, follows this ancient observance.

Praise The Lord, The Holy Spirit is such a wonderful friend!

Romans 8:26-27 KJV
26 Likewise The Spirit also helpeth* our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as 

we ought: but The Spirit itself (Himself) maketh intercession* for us with groanings which cannot 

be uttered.
27 And He that searcheth the hearts* knoweth what is the mind of The Spirit, because He maketh 

intercession* for the saints according to the will of God.

*Helpeth-Greek: Sunantilambanomai (Soon-an-tee-lam-ban'-om-ahee): Assist: co-operate, help.

*Intercession-Greek: vs. 26 Huperentugchano (Hoop-er-en-toong-khan-o): To intercede in behalf 

of: make intercession for.

*Intercession-Greek: vs 27 Entugehano (En-toong-khan-o): To entreat (in favor or against): deal with,

 make intercession.

*Hearts-Greek: Kardia (Kar-dee-ah): The heart, the thoughts or feelings (mind).

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, He is our Advocate, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor!

But we must make one proviso, never is He called our High Priest, that is said only of Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 2:17 KJV

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus The Son Of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto The Throne Of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Our great High Priest, The Lord Jesus Christ, "once for all" has interceded for our salvation, by His own precious blood.

Hebrews 7:23-28 NLT

23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office.

24 But because Jesus lives forever, His Priesthood lasts forever.

25 Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

26 He is the kind of High Priest we need because He is Holy and Blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.

27 Unlike those other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when He offered Himself as The sacrifice for the people’s sins.

28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed His Son with an oath, and His Son has been made The Perfect High Priest forever.

Hebrews 8:1 KJV

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the Throne Of The Majesty in the heavens;

Salvation Prayer

Condemnation

Bible Questions Answered:

“...I've prayed with my friends and received Jesus, but I still think about all I've done. I don't think I'm saved....”

Joyce/ Manchester, United Kingdom (England)

Bible Answer:

Condemnation:

To pass an adverse judgment on; disapprove of strongly; censure. To declare to be guilty of wrong doing; convict.

To pass judicial sentence on; inflict a penalty upon, to doom.

New World Dictionary

When we obey The Word Of The Lord, we become God's children.

Mark 16:16 KJV

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 2:21 KJV

"... whosoever shall call on the name of The Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:9,13 KJV

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of The Lord shall be saved.

I John 1:9 KJV

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 4:15 KJV

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is The Son Of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

I John 5:1 NLT

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God..."

Accusation, Condemnation, and Fear of not being God's child comes from sin and the devil!

Job 1:8-11 NLT (Satan, the accuser of the brethern.)

8 Then The Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed My servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

9 Satan replied to The Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.

10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!

11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

John 3:19 KJV

And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil.

II Corinthians 11:3 NLT

But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.

Ephesians 6:11 NLT (The Armor of God, verses 10-19.)

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

I Timothy 3:6 KJV (Amidst requirements of Elders, the Apostle Paul states, that it is the devil that brings condemnation!)

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

II Thessalonians 2:10-12 NLT

10 "...because they refuse to love and accept The Truth that would save them.

11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.

12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing The Truth.

The Lord does not send, Accusation, Condemnation, and Fear to His children!

Luke 6:36-38 KJV

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

John 3:17-19 KJV

17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of The Only Begotten Son Of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

John 5:24 KJV

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me,

hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Romans 5:16-19 NLT

16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free Gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.

17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His Gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

Romans 8:1,31-35. 36-39 KJV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

II Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

II Timothy 1:7 KJV

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I John 4:18 KJV

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

May we never be ruled by feelings, but by thus saith The Lord.

Isaiah 12:2 KJV

Behold, God is my Salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for The Lord Jehovah is my Strength and my Song; He also is become my Salvation.

• Salvation Prayer

Samson-Saved Or Lost?

Bible Questions Answered:

“I want to know what happened to samson, did he end up lost?”

Randy/ Oklahoma City, Oklahoma U.S.A.

Bible Answer:

Samson was a Judge of Israel, for some 20 years. His life was a story of being too cozy with the enemy, the Philistines. Disappointment after disappointment with these people, started a deep hatred for the enemies of Israel, and he slew many of them.

His first wife, had proved herself unfaithful to him, and Delilah the same. Bound and in prison, his eyes put out, he was forced to grind grain in prison, as an animal.

His shorn hair grown back from Delilah's henchmen, Samson prayed to God.

(No, Samson was not lost.)

Judges 16:23-31 NLT

23 The Philistine rulers held a great festival, offering sacrifices and praising their god, Dagon. They said, “Our god has given us victory over our enemy Samson!”

24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, “Our god has delivered our enemy to us! The one who killed so many of us is now in our power!”

25 Half drunk by now, the people demanded, “Bring out Samson so he can amuse us!” So he was brought from the prison to amuse them, and they had him stand between the pillars supporting the roof.

26 Samson said to the young servant who was leading him by the hand, “Place my hands against the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against them.”

27 Now the temple was completely filled with people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were about 3,000 men and women on the roof who were watching as Samson amused them.

28 Then Samson prayed to The Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.”

29 Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands,

30 he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.

31 Later his brothers and other relatives went down to get his body. They took him back home and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol, where his father, Manoah, was buried. Samson had judged Israel for twenty years.

Samson had slain much of Israel's enemy, but he had strayed much of his life, from the will of God. In prison, Samson had much time to think, and no doubt he called upon The Lord.

One day amidst thousands Philistines, Samson prayed “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.”

“Let me die with the Philistines.”

Two requests made in prayer, and The Lord heard and honored both.

Psalm 103:1-4, 8-13, 17,18 KJV

1 Bless The Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless The Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies;

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth His children, so The Lord pitieth them that fear Him.

17 But the mercy of The Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.

Psalm 130:1-4 KJV

1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.

2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

And today The Lord tells us....

Isaiah 1:18 KJV

Come now, and let us reason together, saith The Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Micah 7:19 KJV

He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Matthew 6:14,15 KJV

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Ephesians 1:6,7 NLT

6 So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son.

7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.

I John 1:9 KJV

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• Salvation Prayer

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Old Testament: The Steps Of The Sundial Reversed By Ten Degrees.

Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Old Testament: The Steps Of The Sundial Reversed By Ten Degrees.

Occasion: Proof Of Isaiah's Words.

Location: Jerusalem.

Bible Text:

II Kings 20:1-11 NLT

1 About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what The Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.”

2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to The Lord,

3 “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.

4 But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from The Lord:

5 “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of My people. Tell him, ‘This is what The Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of The Lord.

6 I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My own honor and for the sake of My servant David.’”

7 Then Isaiah said, “Make an ointment from figs.” So Hezekiah’s servants spread the ointment over the boil, and Hezekiah recovered!

8 Meanwhile, Hezekiah had said to Isaiah, “What sign will The Lord give to prove that He will heal me and that I will go to the Temple of The Lord three days from now?”

9 Isaiah replied, “This is the sign from The Lord to prove that He will do as He promised. Would you like the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or backward ten steps?”

10 “The shadow always moves forward,” Hezekiah replied, “so that would be easy. Make it go ten steps backward instead.”

11 So Isaiah the prophet asked The Lord to do this, and He caused the shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!

II Chronicles 32:24 NLT

24 About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill. He prayed to The Lord, who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign.

Isaiah 38:1-8 NLT (Hezekiah’s Sickness and Restoration)

1 About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what The Lord says: ‘Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.’”

2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord,

3 “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.

4 Then this message came to Isaiah from The Lord:

5 “Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, ‘This is what The Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life,

6 and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. Yes, I will defend this city.

7 “‘And this is the sign from The Lord to prove that He will do as He promised:

8 I will cause the sun’s shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!’” So the shadow on the sundial moved backward ten steps.

II Kings 20:1 NLT

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what The Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.”

Why, oh why had this sickness unto death, come to the Godly King, King Hezekiah?

The Jews believed...

Proverbs 10:27 KJV

The fear of The Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Certainly this was the work of the devil, for King Hezekiah was only 41 years old.

John 10:10 KJV

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am (Jesus Christ) come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I John 3:8 KJV

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose The Son Of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

We know this was the work of the enemy, because of the simple fact, that if King Hezekiah would die, he would die without a son, and the line to the Messiah would be broken.

Oh the wisdom of the enemy, never, never under estimate him, he is not God, but he is not stupid either!

But...

I John 4:4 KJV

"... greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

II Kings 20:2-7 NT

2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to The Lord,

3 “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.

4 But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from The Lord:

5 “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of My people. Tell him, ‘This is what The Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of The Lord.

6 I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My own honor and for the sake of My servant David.’”

7 Then Isaiah said, “Make an ointment from figs.” So Hezekiah’s servants spread the ointment over the boil, and Hezekiah recovered!

The God who hears and answers prayer, would be faithful to His Word, and to His people!

Jeremiah 29:13 KJV

And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.

Joel 2:32 KJV

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of The Lord shall be delivered..."

Matthew 6:6 KJV

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 7:7,8 KJV

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

John 15:7 KJV

If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

II Kings 20:8-11 NLT

8 Meanwhile, Hezekiah had said to Isaiah, “What sign will The Lord give to prove that He will heal me and that I will go to the Temple of The Lord three days from now?”

9 Isaiah replied, “This is the sign from The Lord to prove that He will do as He promised. Would you like the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or backward ten steps?”

10 “The shadow always moves forward,” Hezekiah replied, “so that would be easy. Make it go ten steps backward instead.”

11 So Isaiah the prophet asked The Lord to do this, and He caused the shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!

God answered Isaiah's prayer.

What actually happened?

The shadow of the sundial, reversed itself by some 10 degrees.

How could this be? The earth could have reversed itself on its axis.

Some believe that God, simply stopped the earth from spinning on its axis.

One day we will know for sure.

Thee all important thing to realize today is....

Genesis 18:14 KJV

Is any thing too hard for The Lord?..."

Our God is not only the Creator of the universe and everything in it, but also healer, and Savior of the soul of mankind.

Our Lord's promise...

Jeremiah 33:17 NLT

For this is what The Lord says: David will have a descendant sitting on the throne of Israel forever.

Satan thought for sure, the Davidic Kingly line could be broken and that the promise of The Lord, could be made untrue, but he is a liar.

John 8:44 KJV

"...the devil,...He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in The Truth, because there is no Truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Saints of The Lord, may we always rest in our God's promises, He alone is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

I Kings 8;56 KJV

Blessed be The Lord, that hath given rest unto His people Israel (God's people), according to all that He promised: there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised..."

Psalm 34:19 KJV

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but The Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Isaiah 43:1-3 KJV

1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee...and He that formed thee...Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am The Lord thy God, The Holy One Of Israel, thy Savior:

Revelation 21:3,4 KJV

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

• Salvation Prayer

Matthew 24

Bible Questions Answered:

“Pastor we are having a debate about how long a generation is, in other words is this the generation that will see the Lord?..”

Leonard/Makati City, Philippines

Bible Answer:

How ridiculous this question about a “generation,” has become!

This is not the proper setting for Matthew 24:34 “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

This pastor remembers well, in time past, why 40 years had to be a generation...of course that was wrong, so now what? The subject is up to total speculation. Try to find any two people who really agree on just what a generation should be, good luck!

If indeed a generation is the transition from father to son, than a generation could be, 100 years!

That's right, for that is what a generation was for Abraham and Isaac. Genesis 18:13,14 KJV (Abraham 100, Sarah 90).

What is a generation, the lunacy of trying to figure that amount of time, when that was not what was intended in Matthew 24:34, is a waste of good time.

Here is Matthew 24, properly parsed.

Matthew 24:1-51 KJV

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and His disciples came to Him for to shew Him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us,

* when shall these things be? and

* what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

(Two Questions Asked By The Disciples:)

Last Question First (Because of its importance not only to Jerusalem, but to the world.):

3. What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of The Son Of Man be.

28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of The Son Of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see The Son Of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

First Question Last (Because it is in minor consequence compared to the last question):

The disciples asked:

3. When shall these things be?

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

34 Verily I say unto you, This generation (The one present) shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.

Good News Translation:

32 “Let the fig tree teach you a lesson. When its branches become green and tender and it starts putting out leaves, you know that summer is near.

33 In the same way, when you see all these things (Roman occupation of Jerusalem, and Titus destroying the surrounding northern provinces.), you will know that the time is near, ready to begin.

34 Remember that all these things will happen before the people now living have all died.

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Our Lord in His foreknowledge, knew only too well, the horrors that would one day befall Jerusalem.

Epilogue:

Last Question, Again Answered: (Because of its importance, involving the whole world.)

The disciples asked:

3. What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of The Son Of Man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of

The Son Of Man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not The Son Of Man cometh.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Simply put, verse 36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” our Lord does not know the hour of His return for His people, 

but He did know the day, the hour, and even the second, that Jerusalem would be sacked, and the temple torn down, stone by stone!

Jesus knew (By the foreknowledge of God.) when the Roman Prince Titus would bring destruction. Destruction that came in August of 70 A.D.

That destruction came some forty years after our Lord's pronouncement to His disciples. 

Forty has always spoken of judgment (Just a couple of examples, but there are many others).

At the time of Noah's flood, rain fell for forty days.

Genesis 7:4 KJV

"...and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

Sinful Israel wandered in the desert, until all adults who left Egypt were dead and their children entered the promised land.

Numbers 14:33,34 NLT

33 And your children will be like shepherds, wandering in the wilderness for forty years. In this way, they will pay for your faithlessness, until the last of you lies dead in the wilderness.

34 “‘Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have Me for an enemy.’

Psalm 95:10,11 KJV

10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known My ways:

11 Unto whom I sware in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest.

Yes, Jesus knew well the date of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. That is why He told them verse 34. “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”

What were the things going to be fulfilled?

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and His disciples came to Him for to shew Him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

That was Christ's answer to their first question.

Christ's answer to their second question (the most important information, involving the whole world)

Matthew 24:3 KJV “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” is found in Matthew 24:4-31; 35-51.

To this question, their second, and yet more important question, our Lord stated the following.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

This date and time our Lord does not know, only The Father, knows it.

As God's people, we are not to be worried about dates, but the signs of our Lord's coming.

The importance of all this is...

As it was with the Jews, and their shallow religious living, having been warned, they did not listen.

So our Lord warns again and again, now the world.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not The Son Of Man cometh.

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

• Salvation Prayer