Ahaz, Amaziah, And Asa

     Today let's see what happened to some kings of Judah who trusted in the people of this world instead of the Lord Jesus. James 4:4 tells us whosoever therefore will be friend of the world is the enemy of God. When faced between choosing this world or Jesus for help, always choose Jesus and His peace that passeth all understanding. Jesus said at John 14:27 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. Get saved now and choose Jesus; repent, stop sinning, make Jesus God of your life, and believe daily that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again.

     First, we will discuss King Ahaz of Judah. Pekah of Israel and Rezin of Syria were fighting against Ahaz. Instead of trusting in the Lord Jesus to defeat Pekah and Rezin, Ahaz relied on Tilgath-pilneser of Assyria who defeated Pekah and Rezin. As a result, Tilgath-pilneser distressed Ahaz, making Ahaz and his people slaves. Ahaz suffered because he trusted in the worldly help of Tilgath-pilneser instead of the Lord Jesus. Remember Proverbs 3:5 tells us Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (calm your nerves) and marrow to thy bones (refreshment like a drink of cold water on a hot day).

     The prophet Isaiah said that Ahaz refused the living fountain of water called Shiloah that is Jesus and suffered as a slave because he relied on the worldly help of an Assyrian King named Tilgath-pilneser. Isaiah 8:6 says Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah (defined as a fountain of living water or Jesus) that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son. Now therefore behold the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river Assyria (and King Tilgath-pilneser to make slaves of Ahaz and his people) and all his glory and he shall come up over all his channels and go over all his banks.

     2 Chronicles 28:16 also speaks about Ahaz saying At that time did King Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. Pictured above, 2 Chronicles 28:20 goes on to say And Tilgath-pilneser King of Assyria came unto him and distressed him, but strengthened him not. For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the Lord and out of the house of the king, and of the princes and gave it unto the King of Assyria.

     How prone we are to choose like Ahaz earthly alliances, confederacies of the world, and the flesh, instead of Jesus' soft gentle way at Shiloah's living fountain of waters. Zechariah 13:1 tells us that Jesus is the Shiloah fountain of living waters that Ahaz refused saying In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. Revelation 1:5 says Unto Him (Jesus) that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood (there is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins and sinners plunge beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains). Revelation 7:17 also says Jesus is the living fountain of waters: For the Lamb (Jesus) which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

     Friends avoid being a slave to this world like Ahaz and choose the still soft small voice and quiet peaceful way of Jesus (the living Shiloah fountain of water) instead of the boisterous turbulent spirit of this world. This world (Assyria) will come to help but remain to conquer. But remember it is the Lamb (Jesus) that finally conquers all our problems. Jesus said at John 16:33 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.

     OK let's see how our next King of Judah Amaziah got blessed when he refused worldly help. 2 Chronicles 25:6 tells us that King Amaziah hired 100,000 mighty men of valour out of Israel for 100 talents of silver to fight against the Edomites. Pictured above, we see that a man of God at 2 Chronicles 25:7 tells King Amaziah let not the army of Israel go with thee, for the Lord is not with Israel. But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle; God shall make thee fall before the enemy (King Amaziah was warned that he would lose if he refused to send home the army of Israel) for (only) God hath power to help, and to cast down.

     Amaziah responded to this man of God saying if I do what you say, I'll lose 100 talents of silver and a powerful army of 100,000 mighty men of Israel. I'll only have the Lord Jesus to protect me. 2 Chronicles 25:9 says And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the 100 talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord (Jesus) is able to give you much more than this.

     Amaziah got blessed and obeyed the instructions of the man of God. 2 Chronicles 25:10 says Amaziah told the army of Israel to go home. As a result the men of Israel's anger was greatly kindled against Judah. Even though the men of Israel persecuted Amaziah and Judah for obeying the Lord Jesus, God blessed Amaziah, by giving him a great victory over the Edomites. Amaziah learned that he only needed the Lord Jesus to defeat the Edomites without the worldly army of Israel. 2 Chronicles 25:14 records that because Amaziah relied on God instead of the Israeli army, Amaziah slaughtered and defeated the Edomites.

     Amaziah reminds me of Gideon who only used 300 men instead of 32000 people to defeat the Midianites. God whittled down Gideon's unwieldly band of 32000 soldiers to a few hard core effectives who were the irreducible minimum of 300 faithful warriors that won a victory over the Midianites with just trumpets, pitchers, and lamps. 22000 cowards and 7700 sissies went home but God used 300 brave men to win the victory for Gideon. Amaziah and Gideon learned that if God is for us who can be against us. Let us all boldly say along with Amaziah and Gideon Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

     Notice that God gave Amaziah much more than the 100 talents of silver he lost. Amaziah with just the Lord Jesus' help won a great victory over the Edomites and received much more than 100 talents of silver. God always makes up for any losses we suffer when we leave worldy assistance and choose Jesus to help us. The Lord Jesus said at Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

     Brother Bob like Amaziah chose to trust Jesus instead of his millionaire earthly unsaved parents to pay off a debt of $40000 for school loans. In 1986 my parents told me to choose between them with their millions of dollars or Jesus. Hallelujah, I chose Jesus, and Jesus has taken care of Brother Bob for over 30 years. Jesus paid off my entire debt and blessed Brother Bob with extra money to bless many poor widows and orphans over many years. Brother Bob along with Amaziah learned that when we leave the fading riches of this world, we just trade away trash for the treasures of Jesus and rags for the riches of Jesus.

     Alright, finally we look at King Asa of Judah who chose the worldly help of the king of Syria Ben Hadad instead of trusting in God to win a battle against Baasha king of Israel. In Asa's early life though he was blessed and trusted in God who helped him win a battle against a million Ethiopians led by Zerah.

     2 Chronicles 14:9 says And there came out against them (Asa and his army) Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand (a million) and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God, let not man prevail against thee. So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.

     But years later Asa forgot the Lord Jesus' victory over the million Ethiopians and sought worldly help from King Ben Hadad of Syria to fight against King Baasha of Israel. After this, Hanani the seer told Asa at 2 Chronicles 16:7 Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria (Ben Hadad) and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host (a million people) with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because thou didst rely on the Lord, He delivered them into thine hand.

     Hanani's words angered Asa and 2 Chronicles 16:10 says Then Asa was wroth (angry) with the seer, and put him (Hanani) in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time. As a result, because Asa chose to seek the worldly help of Ben Hadad instead of Jesus' help, Asa became diseased in his feet until his disease was exceeding great. Yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians (doctors of the world). As a result, Asa died because he rejected God and chose to trust in worldy assistance.

TWO BLESSED STORIES

1) A little boy named Andy told his mom, they were singing about me in church.

Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I'm his own.

2) When a muslim or jehovah witness refuses to believe that Jesus is God, get saved, and change their ways, their minds are like concrete.

All mixed up and well set.

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blessed multitudes all over this earth with peace. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.  

The True Judge To Behold

     Notice the two pictures above showing two trials about our true Judge Jesus Christ. In the first picture, Judge Jesus is on trial before the chief priests and elders. In the second picture, the scene changes and Jesus becomes the Judge over sinners who are on trial.

     In the first picture, Jesus said to the chief priests and elders at Matthew 26:64: Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. This saying angered the chief priest causing him to rend his clothes in the first picture above. But in the second picture, Judge Jesus will reverse this trial and rend not his clothes but rend the clouds of heaven. Jesus will no longer be a lamb servant on trial; Jesus will be the Lion Judge ruling this earth who is the King of kings for 1000 years and forevermore in the kingdom of God.

     Now Jesus Christ is no longer on trial awaiting a verdict. Everyone is awaiting His verdict because Jesus is the true Judge to behold. Jesus was the judge on trial; but now Jesus is the true Judge and sinners will be on trial. At the great white throne judgment, Jesus will be the true Judge that casts sinners who reject the Lord Jesus into the lake of fire to be tormented forever.

     Jesus told us at Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him (Judge Jesus) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Friends everywhere, I pray in Jesus name you avoid this great white throne judgment and get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again.

     Sinners without the Lord Jesus die twice; first they die and go to hell and then they experience the second death where they are cast into the lake of fire at the great white throne judgment. But saved saints with Jesus overcome the world, never die, and are not hurt of the second death lake of fire stated at Revelation 2:11. These saved saints live forevermore in peace in the new heaven with our Lord Jesus.

THE TRUE BREAKTHROUGH

     The true breakthrough will occur when Jesus rends the clouds in heaven in the second picture above and says Come up hither. The saved saints will be caught up with the dead in Christ in the clouds to be with our Lord Jesus in the air forevermore in peace. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

     Men talk of major breakthroughs in science and space exploration. Men hope for a breakthrough in the conquest of cancer. But the greatest of all major breakthroughs was stated at Isaiah 64:1 Oh that thou (Lord Jesus) wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence. As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence.

     This is a breakthrough in reverse. God visiting us instead of man visiting God by space exploration; God visited us in His Son Jesus, in the Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost, and in great revivals and answers to prayer. Now we pray Lord Jesus breakthrough and return soon to be the true Judge that rends the heavens with a new visitation. Come soon Lord Jesus and be King of this earth in Jerusalem where all nations bow down to the Lord Jesus who is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

     The prophet Micah spoke that Jesus is the true breakthrough that will soon rend the heavens and become the Judge of this earth ruling for 1000 years. Micah 2:13 says The breaker (a breakthrough down by our Lord Jesus when He rends the heavens) is come up before them (Jesus will meet the saved saints in the earth's air): they have broken up (a breakthrough up by the saints leaving this earth to be caught up to the clouds to live with Jesus forever), and have passed through the gate (saints entering the twelve gates of the kingdom of God to be with Jesus forever), and are gone out by it: and their King (Jesus) shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them.  

  

     Next let's behold this true Judge Jesus. In the first picture above, John the Baptist said at John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God (Jesus), which taketh away the sin of the world. Today the news media and many people behold the sins of this world. But Brother Bob says along with John the Baptist, instead of beholding the sins of this world, Behold the Lamb of God (Jesus) by daily looking at and memorizing the Word of God that is Jesus, which taketh away the sin of the world.

     Instead of saying What is the world coming to? Say to lost sinners Jesus has come to the world. Tell sinners everywhere that Jesus said at John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Let us not be so taken up with beholding the sin of the world that we do not behold Him (Jesus) who came to take sin away.

     According to the second picture above, the problem of our sin finds its answer in God's Son Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says For He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Revelation 1:5 says And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him (Jesus) that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

     A STORY ABOUT A MAN ON AN UNINHABITED ISLAND

WHO LEARNED THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER

FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE THE LORD JESUS

     A man stranded on an uninhabited island built a straw hut to live in. He began to pray to God for deliverance. Every day he'd go down to the shore of the island to look for passing ships. He kept praying to God for deliverance. 

     One day after hunting for food when he returned to his hut after a storm, he had to put out a fire for several hours. This was very tiring and the man was discouraged wondering if he'd ever be rescued from the island. 

     Just about that time he saw a ship pictured above coming toward the island. And when the ship came ashore, the man asked the captain of the ship How did you know I was on this uninhabited island? The captain replied, I saw your smoke signal.

     Then the man on the uninhabited island rejoiced and said Romans 8:28 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. God allowed the temporary fire to be a smoke signal seen by the captain so the man could be rescued. The bible says at 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In (not for) everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  

     I pray in Jesus name these bible studies bless multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.