II Kings 21
Manasseh did EVIL in sight of the LORDverses 1-3
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign
and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem
and his mother’s name was Heph-zibah
And he did that which was EVIL in the sight of the LORD
after the abominations of the heathen
whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel
for he built up again the high places which
Hezekiah his father had destroyed
and he reared up altars for Baal
and made a grove – as did Ahab king of Israel
and worshiped all the host of heaven
and served them
List of EVIL practices of worship of Manassehverses 4-6
And he built altars in the house of the LORD
of which the LORD said
In Jerusalem will I put MY name
And he built altars for all the hosts of heaven
in the two courts of the house of the LORD
and he made his son pass through the fire
and observed times
and used enchantments
and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards
He wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD
to provoke HIM to anger
Manasseh’s EVIL exceeded sins of Amoritesverses 7-9
And he set a graven image of the grove
that he had made in the house of which the
LORD said to David – and to Solomon his son
In this house – and in Jerusalem
which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel
will I put MY name for ever
neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more
out of the land which I gave their fathers
Only IF they will observe to do according to all that
I have commanded them according to all the law
that MY servant Moses commanded them
BUT they hearkened not
Manasseh seduced them to do more EVIL, than did
the nations whom the LORD destroyed
before the children of Israel
LORD sends message of coming judgmentverses 10-15
And the LORD spoke by HIS servants the prophets
saying
Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations
and has done WICKEDLY above all that the Amorites did
which were before him
and has made Judah also to sin with his idols
THEREFORE, thus says the LORD God of Israel
BEHOLD – I am bringing such EVIL upon Jerusalem and Judah
that whosoever hears of it – both his ears shall tingle
And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria
and plummet of the house of Ahab
and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipe a dish
wiping it – and turning it upside down
And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance
and deliver them into the hand of their enemies
and they shall become a prey and a spoil to
all their enemies
BECAUSE they have done that which was EVIL in MY sight
and have provoked ME to anger
since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt
even unto this day
Manasseh killed innocent peopleverse 16
Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much
till he has filled Jerusalem from one end to another
besides his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin
in doing that which was EVIL
in the sight of the LORD
Record of reign of Manassehverses 17-18
Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh – and all that he did
and his sin that he sinned
Are they not written in the
book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And Manasseh slept with his fathers
and was buried in the garden of his own house
in the garden of Uzza
And Amon his son reigned in his stead
Amon reigned two years and did EVILverses 19-22
Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign
and he reigned two years in Jerusalem
and his mother’s name was Meshullemeth
the daughter of Jaruz of Jotbah
and he did that which was EVIL in the sight of the LORD
as his father Manasseh did
and he WALKED in all the way
that his father walked in
and served the idols that his father served – and worshiped them
and he forsook the LORD God of his fathers
and WALKED not in the way of the LORD
Amon killed by his servantsverses 23-24
The servants of Amon conspired against him
and slew the king in his own house
and the people of the land slew all them
that had conspired against king Amon
And the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead
Record of reign of Amonverses 25-26
Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did
Are they not written in the
book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
And he was buried in his sepulcher in the garden of Uzza
and Josiah his son reigned in his stead
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzi-bah. (4427 “reigned” [malak] means to be the king, rule, to install someone as king, to become ruler or supreme ruler over a nation, have a coronation, or to become a king or queen)
DEVOTION: I have three grandchildren who are same age. They all are growing up way to fast but they are also able to have responsibilities around the house. Their parents are trying to raise them to honor the LORD.
I had one over who helped with mowing the lawn. He is a very strong and able young man.
He has a choice to make each day, just like this twelve-year old who is reigning over a nation. It is thought that he started with his father reigning together. His father was one of the good kings of Judah.
However, we find that Manasseh didn’t follow the lead of his father but went in the other direction. He brought back all the false gods that his father had taken out of Jerusalem.
So even those who try to raise their children right, might find that one or more of them rebel against the teachings of their parents. Should we not train our children correctly? No, that is not the answer. We have to set a good example for them while they are growing up.
Remember that most lessons are caught rather than taught. Children watch their parent’s actions as well as their words. If there is a difference between their words and their actions, they will usually follow their actions.
Teens are very active in our world today. They have more temptations it seems than we ever faced when we were growing up. The computer age is good but it is also bad. Many of the teenagers I see are addicted to video games and movies that have a lot of killing and sex that we didn’t have when I was growing up. We were still using typewriters. No pictures.
We have to realize that we only have our children and grandchildren for a short time before they are on their own. We are to make sure that they are giving the basics in the true worship of the LORD. We are not to train them to worship the LORD and other things.
How are you training your children to face responsibility? Are you praying for the teens in your church to mature in the LORD before they turn old enough to make a choice regarding serving the LORD or other gods?
CHALLENGE: Training is very important in the younger years of our children and grandchildren because they will grow to an age when they will be making decisions that effects the rest of their lives.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 3 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. (5647 “served” [‘abad] means work for another by labor, work as subjects, to toil, cultivate, be a slave, expend considerable energy and intensity in a task or function, be indentured, or minister)
DEVOTION: There are those who go to church or a place of worship each Saturday or Sunday today that once they leave the building, they forget about doing anything else to worship the god represented in the building. Some of these worshippers are going to a church that truly worships the LORD alone but once they leave they forget about any type of service until they attend the next Sunday.
Here we find a young king who not only attends a serve to worship false gods but he also practices this religion during the week. He works to make others serve his false gods as well. He makes it important in his life and in the lives of them under his rule to make sure that they understand that his kingdom worships and serves the host of heaven.
What does this mean? How do you worship the hosts of heaven? How is a live guided by the sun, moon and stars? We know that many newspapers carry the horoscope of the day. These are based on the stars. We know that many cultures today still bow down to the sun, moon and stars with names for theses gods.
The LORD expects HIS servants to not only come to church on Sunday but also to serve HIM from Monday through Saturday as well. HE is not a one day a week God. HE is a seven day a week God. HE expects us to promote HIM to our family, friends and neighbors. HE wants us to witness for HIM regularly.
Manasseh was witnessing to these false gods throughout his reign over Judah. He led the people in Judah in these types of worship and they followed him to the displeasure of the LORD.
Are we trying to worship and serve more than one God in our world? One of the false gods today is money. Some people are serving money more than the LORD. Some people are worshiping their favorite sports teams.
Some people are just worshiping their families more than God.
CALLENGE: Our commitment to the LORD has to be total. We are to have no other gods but HIM.
: 12 Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever hears of it, both his ears shall tingle. (7451 “evil” [ra‘] means adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, harm, hurt, mischief, sorrow, trouble, vex, or wretchedness)
DEVOTION: Can a godly man have children that are very ungodly? The Word of God gives us the answer. Yes!! Here we have Hezekiah who “walked before the LORD in truth and with a perfect heart.” After he was given fifteen more years to live, he had a son named Manasseh.
Manasseh became king over Judah at the age of twelve years. He was born after the incident in the last chapter. He did evil in the sight of the LORD. Not only did he do evil but he exceeded the sins of the Amorites whose iniquity had to be full before the children of Israel could have the Promised Land.
The children of Israel conquered the Promised Land because the iniquity of the Amorites was full. Now we read that Manasseh did more evil then them.
The LORD told the prophets that Manasseh did more evil than all the kings of Judah before him. The list is very long in this chapter. It seemed he did more things wrong than his father did good in the sight of the LORD.
He was king over Judah for fifty- five years. The LORD was longsuffering. HE gave Judah plenty of time to repent. HE sent prophets to warn them of coming judgment. It had no effect on Manasseh.
The LORD promised that the judgment HE was going to place on Judah and Jerusalem was going to cause the ears of all those who heard of it to tingle or quiver. It was going to be bad. HE was going to allow them to be wiped out like a dish as a man was finished eating. HE was not even going to protect the remnant of the people. All were going into captivity.
The leader can either lead in the right direction or the wrong direction. We hear some people say that God would never send anyone to hell. There is no such place. There is a book currently being sold that state this as a fact. Here we see that the LORD has let evil reach a point of no return and sends Jerusalem into enemy hands.
When we hear of hell, do our ears tingle? There are many people who say they don’t need a relationship with God and one day they will meet the judgment of the LORD at the Great White Throne. They will be sent to a place called hell or the lake of fire.
We are here to warn those we know of this judgment in a caring manner. Jerusalem was judge. The church is going to be held accountable for the community in which it is to minister. If a local church is not reaching her Jerusalem, what will she say to the LORD? Each house within the neighborhood of the church are her Jerusalem.
Is there a connection between the church of Jesus Christ not serving the LORD and the nation going away from the LORD?
Don’t stay in a church that is ingrown rather than reaching out to the community it is living in. Start another church or start a visitation program. Pray for the pastor and leaders to get a vision for their Jerusalem.
CHALLENGE: Too often we find churches reaching out through their missionaries in foreign lands but not reaching their neighbors. It is a sin in the sight of the LORD!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 16 Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. (5355 “innocent” [naqiy] means blameless, unmarried, free from evil or guilt, pure, clean, exempt, free from obligation or free from punishment)
DEVOTION: Today we have many false religions in our world. We have some that will not bother with those who don’t believe the same way but we have others who believe that if you are not a follower of their religion you must be killed because no one can believe anything other than what they believe.
This religion believes that other religions should not exist in the countries they are ruling in. If there are people in the country that will not convert to their beliefs than they are to be killed or let leave their countries with no possession of their own. If someone converts to Christianity in their country they are condemned to death.
This is what was happening during the time period of Manasseh. If anyone didn’t agree with him, he would simply have them killed. They were followers of the LORD but that didn’t make any difference. He would kill them for not agreeing with him.
It is thought that Isaiah was killed by him by sawing him in half. So, the population in Judah was being reduced to only those who agreed with their king. Following the LORD meant death during this time period.
We could face the same thing in our own time period because we don’t agree with the current beliefs of those who are ruling our nation. The atheists want to stop letting Christians raise their children through home schooling or private schools because they are promoting the fact that any religion is dangerous to children. However, even their beliefs are really promoting their religion of no god.
Our world seems to be getting more and more confusing regarding who is in control of our educational system. We need to make sure that we know what we believe and share it with those we love. The time might be shorter than we think before Christianity will be outlawed even in our land because we are going against the current favored religion or no religion.
We have leaders who would like to have biblical beliefs outlawed in our society and unbiblical beliefs become the law of the land. Many of our educational institutions are not allowing those who hold to Biblical believes teach in their colleges and universities. Some will not give advanced degrees to those who hold to Biblical creation of our world.
Innocent blood is being spilled in our land through the death of the unborn babies whose lives are ended before they leave their mother’s womb.
CHALLENGE: We will as a nation have to answer to God for these actions. Does this truth effect the way we should think as a nation?
: 21 And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them. (1980 “walked” [halak] means to go, to behave in accordance or in agreement with, to go along, to go with, adhere to, or proceed)
DEVOTION: Parents have an awesome responsibility. This chapter gives us an example of how children walk the same way their parents walk.
If they see their parents doing something they think that it is the right way to do things. If the parents are not walking the way that the LORD wants them to walk then the children will find it hard to walk any other way.
So, we see that even kings need to set a proper example for their children. If there is no example for good to follow then the children will do evil just like their parents. They just don’t know any better.
Church is important for adults and children. If there is a good place to worship that teaches the Word of God and the need to become a follower of Jesus then children have an opportunity to become followers of Jesus.
However, if parents don’t go to church or believe that church is important than it becomes harder for children to follow the LORD. They will need someone to come alongside them that knows the LORD and follows HIM correctly.
We see that children follow the example of their parents. They also follow the example of their friends. We need to make sure that we know who our children are following and turn them in the right direction if we are genuine followers of the LORD.
Our society is not following the LORD. Our television programs are not honoring the LORD most of the time. The music that our children and grandchildren are listening to most of the time is not honoring to the LORD. The friends of our children and grandchildren are mostly those who don’t know how to honor the LORD because they have never been taught by their parent.
Satan has a foothold in families. It seems to be easier to sin than to honor the LORD. Parents have an awesome responsibility today.
Are we setting the right example for our children and grandchildren as they face all the challenges of our present society? Are we praying daily for our children and grandchildren? Can the watch what we say and do and know what is right in the eyes of the LORD?
CHALLENGE: If the answer to the previous questions is NO. We have to change now to reach our children and grandchildren for the LORD.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Book of Chroniclesverses 17, 25
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
House of the LORDverses 4, 5
Correct worship to be observedverse 8
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Lawverse 8
Book of Chronicles of the kings of Judahverses 17, 25
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 2, 6, 7, 10, 12, 20, 22
Sight of the LORDverses 2, 6, 15, 16, 20
Provoke LORD to angerverses 6, 15
Spoke through the prophetsverse 10
God – Elohim (Creator)verses 12, 22
LORD God of Israelverse 12
HE is going to allow much evilverse 12
LORD God of his fathersverse 22
Way of the LORDverse 22
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Abominations of the heathenverse 2
Nations the LORD destroyed: Amoritesverses 9, 11
Enemyverse 14
Egyptverse 15
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Evilverses 2, 9, 12, 15, 16, 20
Evil in sight of the LORDverses 2, 15, 16, 20
Abominations of the heathenverses 2, 11
High placesverse 3
Altars for Baalverse 3
Groveverses 3, 7
Worshiped all the host of heavenverse 3
Served host of heavenverses 3, 5
Altars to false gods in house of the LORDverses 4, 5
Son pass through fire to false godverse 6
Observed timesverse 6
Enchantmentsverse 6
Familiar spiritsverse 6
Wizardsverse 6
Wickednessverses 6, 11
Provoked LORD to angerverses 6, 15
Graven imagesverse 7
Hearkened not to the LORDverse 9
Seduced to evilverse 9
Sin with his idolsverses 11, 16, 17, 21
Shed innocent bloodverse 16
Sinverses 16, 17
Walked in evil wayverses 21, 22
Forsook LORDverse 22
Conspiredverses 23, 24
Murderverse 23
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Chosenverse 7
Observe commandmentsverse 8
Servantverses 8, 10
Prophetsverse 10
Walk in the way of the LORDverse 22
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Manassehverses 1-18
12 years old when he began to reign
Reigned 55 years in Jerusalem
Did evil
Built up high places for false worship
Altars to Baal
Worshipped host of heaven
Seduced to more evil
Shed innocent blood
Sins written in the chronicles of Kings of Judah
Children of Israelverse 2
Ahab –king of Israelverse 3
Davidverse 7
Solomonverse 7
Mosesverse 8
Judgment on Judahverses 12-15
House of Ahabverse 13
Amon reigned instead of Manassehverses 18-26
22 years old at beginning of his reign
Reigned two years.
Did much evil
Served idols
Forsook the LORD
Killed by servants
Acts written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah
Josiah – king of Judahverses 24, 26
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
Besides these “secular” matters, the text mentions at least seven separate religious offenses Manasseh commits. First, he reverts to worshiping idols in the same manner as the nations. Israel expelled from the land. By doing so the covenant people prove as unworthy of the promised land as their predecessors. Second, Manasseh allows high places to flourish again. Now his standards are no higher than those of Jeroboam I. Third, he sinks to Ahab’s religious level, reintroducing the worship of Baal and his consort Asherah (cf. 1 Kgs 20–22; Deut 16:21). Polytheism reenters Judahite society with royal approval.
Fourth, Manasseh also bows down “to all the starry hosts.” Astral deities were popular throughout the ancient world before, during, and after this time. J. McKay believes “there can be no question that the Sun, the Moon and perhaps Venus were worshiped in Judah” and that “it can hardly be doubted that in this age of vassaldom. Assyrian influence must have contributed much to the upsurge of the astral cults in Palestine.” Fifth, Manasseh builds altars to these gods in the temple of the Lord, as Ahaz his grandfather does in 2 Kgs 16:10–16. If these are Assyrian deities, he probably hopes to please the gods he thinks can make him as powerful as his masters, or at least he hopes to please his masters. Sixth, he also imitates Ahaz’s practice of child sacrifice (cf. 2 Kgs 16:3), and, seventh, he consults “mediums and spiritists,” both in direct violation of Moses’ law (cf. Lev 18:21; Deut 18:9–13).
Given this summary, it is clear that Manasseh follows all the wrong role models. He imitates the detestable Canaanites, Jeroboam I the builder of high places, Ahab the advocate of Baal worship, Ahaz the proponent of child sacrifice, and Saul the visitor of mediums. It is hard to imagine a more damning critique (cp. vv. 3, 6 with 17:16–17). (House, P. R. (1995). 1, 2 Kings (Vol. 8, pp. 377–378). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
16. Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood—Not content with the patronage and the practice of idolatrous abomination, he was a cruel persecutor of all who did not conform. The land was deluged with the blood of good men; among whom it is traditionally said Isaiah suffered a horrid death, by being sawn asunder (see on Heb 11:37). (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (2 Ki 21:16). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
16. To shed innocent blood implies oppression against the young, innocent and godly (cf. 2 Kgs 24:3–4). The uncorroborated Jewish tradition (The Ascension of Isaiah) says that Isaiah was sawn in half during the reign of Manasseh (cf. Heb. 11:37). Others interpret it as the liquidation of opponents. (Wiseman, D. J. (1993). 1 and 2 Kings: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 9, p. 311). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
The shedding of innocent blood (16) may indicate the persecution of those who opposed Manasseh’s policies, just as Yahweh’s prophets were killed during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. (Carson, D. A., France, R. T., Motyer, J. A., & Wenham, G. J. (Eds.). (1994). New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 382). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
1 Peter 5 Elders should shepherd the church and, in turn, the church should respect their leaders.
INSIGHT True leaders are servants. Their task is to make those under them successful. As everyone is successful, the larger goal toward which they are all contributing is achieved. This is an example of a fundamental principle which is taught throughout Scripture: The work of God is done by the people of God through mutual submission. As we submit to the needs and roles of others rather than looking out for our own efforts, His work is accomplished. Elders are to shepherd those in the church by living the kind of life that is a positive example to others. They should live in submission to the needs and characteristics of those under them and humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt them in due time.
KNOWING GOD
No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Matthew 11:27
Salvation brings me a knowledge of pardon and forgiveness, of reconciliation with God. Yes, but beyond all that, it gives me a knowledge of God.
Have you ever considered this text in that way? Have you ever seen the span and the ambit [scope] of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Here it is. There is this little babe on the ground in his smallness and weakness and helplessness, yet the gospel gives Him a knowledge of the Lord of heaven and earth, the Maker, the sustainer of everything that is. What a knowledge! Amazing! I, the pygmy creature of time, can know God the infinite, the absolute, and the eternal—and know Him as my Father—not as some great, mighty force away in the distant heavens, but as my Father.
Those who are interested in Greek words can examine the word for babies, used in Matthew 11:25, in the original and will find that it has a sense of sonship unfolding in it. That is what our Lord was saying: that we, though we have sinned, become in Him the sons of God, the heirs of heaven and of eternal and everlasting bliss.
What a way of salvation! May I say it with reverence—who but God could have thought of it? In such an astounding way, in our utter nakedness and helplessness He just draws back the veil and reveals it to us perfectly in Jesus Christ. He “of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30)—everything, a complete salvation. All you must do is to look at the Lord Jesus Christ and believe this record concerning Him. Surrender yourself to Him and accept the gift, and you will know the Lord of heaven and earth as your Father.
A Thought to Ponder: I, the pygmy creature of time, can know God the infinite, the absolute, and the eternal.
(From The Heart of the Gospel, pp. 118-119, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Sociologist Philip Rieff wrote about “death works”—cultural activities or expressions that serve no purpose except to tear down tradition and belief in the sacred.
Recently, Culture of Life Africa founder, Obianuju Ekeocha, took to Twitter to highlight an especially appalling death work. Bloomberg Quicktake featured a video on an art exhibit in New York City called “Abortion is Normal,” in which over 50 artists celebrate and defend the so-called “right to choose” in bizarre and even grotesque ways.
The exhibit is described as a way to push back against abortion restrictions, but the pieces really speak to the central place death plays in the pro-choice movement.
For Rieff, abortion itself was a death work. It ends not just a life but a culture’s belief in life and that sex has a necessary connection with new humans. As Obianuju Ekeocha reminds us, “Abortion is vile and ugly.” That can’t be covered up with paint or anything else.
Samson uses foxes to burn the Philistines’ crops and kills 1,000 men.
INSIGHT
A list of the sins of Samson:
1. Fraternizing with pagans
2. Marrying an unbeliever
3. Disobeying his parents
4. Touching a dead animal
5. Murdering innocent people
6. Visiting a harlot
7. Lying
We are often tempted to disregard the truth. We weary of being good and fighting natural inclinations. But one look at Samson’s life reveals the consequences of giving in to that weariness. We must wait on the Lord and have our strength renewed. (Quiet Walk)
Death by Sin
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
This very important verse conveys several vital truths. First of all, death came into the world only when sin came into the world. Suffering and death of conscious life, whether animal or human, were not a part of God’s “finished” and “very good” creation (Genesis 1:31–2:3). There was an abundance of food and all other provisions for both people and animals. There was certainly no “struggle for existence” or “survival of the fittest,” for every creature was created “fit” for its own environment.
When Adam sinned, however, it became necessary for God to bring the curse of decay and death not only upon Adam but also upon all his dominion (Genesis 3:17-20; see also Romans 8:20-22; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
Furthermore, there remains no warrant for the notion that “Adam” is simply a generic term representing the human race. He was “one man.” In fact, he was “the first man” (1 Corinthians 15:45), and Eve was “the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). There was certainly no population of evolving hominids becoming “Adam.” In fact, Christ Himself made it clear that Adam and Eve were there “from the beginning of the creation” (Mark 10:6, quoting Genesis 1:27).
The entire argument here in Romans 5:12-21 becomes irrelevant if the Genesis record of the creation and fall of Adam did not happen precisely as recorded in Genesis 1–3, and this would mean that there is no reality in the saving work of Christ either.
Such a rejection of the Christian faith is hardly warranted by the fragmentary fossils that have been alleged to support the notion of human evolution. No one should stake his eternal soul on such a will-o’-the-wisp as that!
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Abundant Waters
Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.
Exodus 17:6
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Keep in mind… The AntiChrist comes after the Rapture. I have studied the Bible a lot in my life, in many different forms and it really does always come down to this. I have been hearing about the second coming of Christ and the events unfolding since I was a kid. The “Mark of the Beast”, microchips, no cash/just plastic, Martial Law, TOTAL Government dependency/control. When we are raising a family, working long hours, some two jobs, lots of things go unnoticed or just get ignored.
No one can comprehend how bad it will be til it is. We have NEVER been told to stay home, quit work and rely on the Government. We are seeing a lot of “firsts” since January. Can our minds and bodies handle what’s coming?
Not without God – I wonder what doctor they will have on the news explaining the Rapture and the disappearance of so many people? I won’t be here for it but it’s just a thought.
While the devil is preparing people for the Anti Christ, God is preparing people for the Rapture. I don’t know when the Rapture will take place but I do believe it could be soon. And I KNOW that I won’t be left behind when that trumpet sounds!
I also believe right now that God is giving us a chance to repent. We need to get the Gospel message out!!! Until the Good Lord calls me away from this world to go home, I want to make it clear that I believe in Jesus Christ as the one and only True Lord and Savior. Despite the fact that I am human, and I fail a lot, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that He came as a baby, I believe that He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins and that He rose from the dead on the third day and He is in Heaven preparing a place for all those who believe and trust Him as their Savior.
He loves us all dearly (far more than we deserve) and forgives our sins when we repent. His Word says John 3:16 “whosoever believeth in Me, shall not perish but have ever lasting life.”
The Bible also says Matthew 10:33 “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which art in heaven”.
This is the best challenge I have seen on Facebook; so, if the Holy Spirit moves you and you’re not ashamed, just copy, and make this as your status update.
Can I get an Amen for being a believer in God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit? Amen! (my cousin Sabrena M. sent this to me)
A young man went to seek an important position at a large printing company. He passed the initial interview and was going to meet the director for the final interview. The director saw his resume, it was excellent. And asked,’
“Have you received a scholarship for school?” The boy replied, “No”.
‘It was your father who paid for your studies? ” Yes.’ He replied.
‘Where does your father work? ‘ ‘My father is a Blacksmith’
The Director asked the young man to show him his hands.
The young man showed a pair of hands soft and perfect.
‘Have you ever helped your parents at their job? ‘
‘Never, my parents always wanted me to study and read more books. Besides, he can do the job better than me.
The director said:
‘I have got a request: When you go home today, go and wash the hands of your father and then come see me tomorrow morning.’
The young man felt his chance to get the job was high.
When he returned to his house he asked his father if he would allow him to wash his hands.
His father felt strange, happy, but with mixed feelings and showed his hands to his son. The young man washed his hands, little by little. It was the first time that he noticed his father’s hands were wrinkled and they had so many scars. Some bruises were so painful that his skin shuddered when he touched them.
This was the first time that the young man recognized what it meant for this pair of hands to work every day to be able to pay for his studies. The bruises on the hands were the price that his father paid for his education, his school activities and his future.
After cleaning his father’s hands the young man stood in silence and began to tidy and clean up the workshop. That night, father and son talked for a long time.
The next morning, the young man went to the office of the director.
The Director noticed the tears in the eyes of the young man when He asked him,
‘Can you tell me what you did and what you learned yesterday at your house?’
The boy replied: ‘I washed my father’s hands and when I finished I stayed and cleaned his workshop.’
‘Now I know what it is to appreciate and recognize that without my parents, I would not be who I am today. By helping my father I now realize how difficult and hard it is to do something on my own. I have come to appreciate the importance and the value in helping my family.
The director said, “This is what I look for in my people. I want to hire someone who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the hardship others go through to accomplish things, and a person who realizes that money is not his only goal in life”.
‘You are hired’.
A child that has been coddled, protected and given everything he or she wants, develops a mentality of “I have the right” and will always put himself or herself first, ignoring the efforts of parents, family and friends. If we are this type of protective parent are we really showing love or are we helping to destroy our children?
You can give your child their own room in a big house, good food, a computer, tablet, cell phone, and a big screen TV, but when you’re washing the floor or painting a wall, children need to experience that too.
After eating, have them wash the dishes with their brothers and sisters, let them fold laundry or cook with you, pull weeds or mow the lawn. You are not doing this because you are poor and can’t afford help. You are doing this because you love them and want them to understand certain things about life.
Children need to learn to appreciate the amount of effort it takes to do a job right. They need to experience the difficulties in life that people must overcome to be successful and they must learn about failure to be able to succeed.
Children must also learn how to work and play with others and that they will not always win, but they can always work harder to reach their goals. If they’ve done their best, then they can take pride in all the effort they put forth.
Life is about giving and serving and these qualities are taught in our homes.
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