King James Bible Study: Our Comforter

King James Bible Study: Our Comforter
For: Tuesday May 10, 2011
Chapters: II Kings 24-25
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-may-10
Details of Today's Reading: Jehoikim gives tributary to Nebuchadnezzar, the evil reigns of Jehoikim, Jehoichin and Zedekiah, Israel is deported to Babylon, and the siege of Jerusalem.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you...He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” - John 14:15-17.

Regardless of our circumstances and how alone we feel God is always with His people, He never leaves us nor forsakes us. I know it can seem at times that God is no where to be found, but if Christ is in you, God is in you and all you have to do to find Him is look within yourself, He is your Comforter, and no matter where life takes you He is right there with you.

After King Josiah died Jerusalem went right back to their wicked ways, just as God warned them of the destruction that would take place at the result of Manasseh's sins is now coming to pass. Nebuchadnezzar took control of Israel making Jehoikim serve him.

“In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets. Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.” - II Kings 24:1-4.

One day Jesus will return and when He does, the fate of the world will be far more severe than what Jerusalem's was. The entire world will have to face Christ for judgment and we will all be accountable for the things we have done. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. “ - Matthew 12:36,37.

While the Babylonians were taking control in Jerusalem all the Jews were taken captive and were sent to Babylon, all that were left in Jerusalem was a few remnants too poor to be of value to them. Along with the people Nebuchadnezzar's servants took all the possessions remaining in the Temple.

“And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said. And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.” - II Kings 24:12-14.

Now, I do not know which people were more scared, the one's being taken to Babylon or the one's left behind, but I imagine both parties were actually praying to God for their lives during all of this. It's usually when placed in the scariest situations that we truly repent and seek help from God. Of course, these are the times we learn that there really is a God, we really need Him, and how much He loves us. Why? It is during sorrows that God reveals His power and lifts us up. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.

Nebuchadnezzar not only took the Jews captive he also took the last king to reign Jerusalem, Zedekiah and all his family to Babylon. The army of Babylon brought Zedekiah before the king of Babylon, gathered all of his sons, and killed them right before his eyes, then they put out Zedekiah's eyes and hauled him away like an animal.

“And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him. So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him. And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.” - II Kings 25:5-7.

The temple, the palace, and all the other wealthy homes were burned and completely destroyed. All of the glory in Jerusalem, the city of David, the Temple, and everything David and Solomon built to please the Lord was nothing, but ashes and broken down walls. The destruction of the once glorious kingdom of Judah is a grim reminder that all the revivals and reformation in the world will not bring lasting change in the nation, there must be repentance and renewal within the heart of each individual, as well as a nation to see God repent. “Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.” - Jeremiah 26:13.

While God does place judgment upon our nations, He also provides safety to those who have put their faith and trust in His Son. We have to face it, things are going to get worse, a lot worse, but we do not have to face the affliction alone, Our Comforter is right there with us and there is nothing the enemy can do to remove God from His children.

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 10:28-32.

Jesus Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through God's judgment upon Jerusalem. Christ will return to judge all nations. “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.“ - John 5:30.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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