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Satan, the Super Creature |
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Satan, the Super Creature |
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Eli and His Sons
Nabal
Hezekiah
Responsibility for Sin Leading to Death
The Pharisees
Lying to the Holy Spirit
Herod Agrippa I
Dying from Communion
Satan's Power of Death
The Sin Leading to Death
Sin Leading to Death in Children
1 Samuel 2:12Eli's sons were heavy-handed bullies who took the best portions of the sacrifices for themselves (1 Sam 2:12-17). They also committed adultery with the women slaves who served the Levites.
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial (worthlessness); they did not know the LORD.
1 Samuel 2:22Eli's sons, who were married, were committing adultery with the women who served at the doorway of the Tent of the Meeting. The Tent of the Meeting derives its name from a tent that Moses pitched that was separate from the Tabernacle. It was a place people could go to meet the Lord outside the camp (Ex 33:7). Women served there (Ex 38:8), and 32 women slaves were given to the Levites for service in such places after the defeat of the Midianites (Num 31:40).
Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the doorway of the Tent of Meeting.
Eli, who was old (90-95 years old), confronted his sons for their mischief and evil ways (1 Sam 2:23-24). However, the Lord hardened their hearts, and they rejected their father's reprimand. This was the Sin Leading to Death for them. Eli said to them:
1 Samuel 2:25Eli pointed out that when a man sins against man, then God is the Judge who mediates the dispute. However, when a man sins against the Lord, there is no higher mediator. Eli's sons were sinning against the Lord by doing evil in serving in the Temple. However, they rejected their father's reprimand, and God sentenced them to the Sin Leading to Death.
If man sins against man, God judges him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him? But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for the LORD was resolved to slay them."
In this verse, the words, "judges" and "intercede," are both the Hebrew ll^P* (palal). The first is the Pi'el, meaning to judge; to decide or pass sentence (Gen. 48:11, expected), to arbitrate, to settle a dispute as an arbitrator (Ezek. 16:52; Ps 106:30), and in the Hithpa'el to act as mediator. The second use is in the Hi'phil, meaning to intercede. The use of the word twice forms a paronomasia. The meaning is that if a man sins against another, God settles the dispute through the proper authorities (Matt 7:1-2), but if a man sins against God, no one can intercede as mediator or arbitrator.
Eli stated the principle of the Justice of God. When man sins against man, the Justice of God arbitrates. God's Justice is perfect. God will judge the guilty party. Sins of man against man include: Mental attitude sins, sins of the tongue, and overt sins. The point here is that the Justice of God is fair and no one gets away with anything. There is hope in this case because the one who is not guilty will be vindicated.
However, when a man sins against the LORD, the Justice of God will judge the man. A man who sins against the LORD is guilty, and the perfect Justice of God will judge the guilty man. There is no hope if a man creates an injustice by sinning against God. He will surely be judged. Eli is saying: If a man picks on the LORD, he will surely be judged, and no man is qualified to intercede in the case of where God has been wronged. Eli has pointed out that the sins of his sons are against the LORD. They are violations of the Commandments of the Mosaic Law. They will surely be judged.
Eli's sons were sinning against the Lord. God knew their heart. He knew that they would not change their minds and believe in the Lord; so, He hardened their hearts so they would reject the reprimand of their father. Then the Lord sentenced them for the Sin Leading to Death.
Eli Reprimanded
Then a man of God came to Eli and reprimanded him (1 Sam 2:27-36). He said to Eli:
1 Samuel 2:29Eli was judged for not judging his sons. He should have fired his sons, but he gave them a verbal reprimand and left them to continue doing evil before the Lord. Therefore, Eli had chosen family ties above the Lord.
"Why do you tread with your feet My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the first of every offering of My people Israel?"
1 Samuel 2:30The Lord pronounced judgment on those who despised Him. Therefore, the house of Eli was cursed. The men in the family would be weak and not live to old age (1 Sam 2:31). The curse upon the men in the family would last forever (1 Sam 2:32). However, some young men would still be allowed to serve as priests (1 Sam 2:33). Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, would die on the same day (1 Sam 2:34). Hophni (Hebrew yn!p=j( (chapheni), which perhaps comes from the Hebrew /p#j{ (chophen) for the hollow of the hand, would mean handful or grabber. And Phinehas is the Hebrew sj*n=yP! (pinechas ) from the Egyptian Pe-nehasi = the negro. Eli is the Hebrew yl!u@ (`eli ), meaning elevated (the High Priest). Eli was the Judge of Israel.
"Therefore the LORD God of Israel declares, 'I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father should walk before Me forever'; but now the LORD declares, 'Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be lightly esteemed.' "
Later, the Lord appeared to young Samuel in a vision and said that He was about bring the Judgment that He had predicted on the house of Eli (1 Sam 3:11-12).
1 Samuel 3:13Eli's house would be judged because he knew his sons were bringing a Divine curse against themselves, and he did not restrain them.
"I tell him (Eli) that I am about to Judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew because his sons were bringing a curse against themselves, and he did not restrain them."
1 Samuel 3:14
"Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever."
Death of Eli and His Sons
After Samuel grew up and became a prophet whom the Lord honored, Israel went into battle against the Philistines (1 Sam 4:1). However, the Philistines defeated the Army of Israel and killed 4,000 men (1 Sam 4:2). Therefore, the leaders of Israel sent word to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield as a good luck charm (1 Sam 4:3). Hophni and Phinehas were there with the Ark, and they brought it to the Camp of Israel (1 Sam 4:4, 5).
When Israel went into battle against the Philistines this time they were routed. Thirty thousand men of Israel were slain and the army fled in disarray (1 Sam 4:10). The Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines, and Hophni and Phinehas were killed.
Now Eli was sitting beside the gate of the city awaiting word of the battle. He was 98 and unable to see. His eyes stared in one direction (1 Sam 4:15). A man ran from the battle line and brought back the bad news. He told Eli what happened.
1 Samuel 4:17-18When Eli heard the bad news about his sons and that the Ark of the Covenant was captured, he fell over backwards and broke his neck. He was corpulent. Breaking the neck is a coup de grâce. Thus, Eli and his two sons all died from the Sin Leading to Death the same day.
17 Then the one who brought the news answered and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has also been a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured." 18 And it came about when he mentioned the ark of God that Eli fell off the seat backward beside the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for he was old and heavy. Thus, he judged Israel forty years.
When Phinehas' wife heard the bad news, she went into labor and gave birth to a son.
1 Samuel 4:19Before she died, she named the boy Ichabod (1 Sam 4:20).
Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was pregnant and about to give birth; and when she heard the news that the Ark of God was captured and that her father-in-law and her husband had died, she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her.
1 Samuel 4:21-22Ichabod is the Hebrew db)k*-ya!! ('i-kabod ), which means no glory.
And she called the boy Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel," because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 Then she said again, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God was taken."
Thus, Phinehas' wife was also a casualty of the family curse. With the capture of the Ark of the Covenant, the glory of the Lord (Shekinah Glory) had departed from Israel. Ichabod was a war child, who was left as a memorial of the war that was lost with the Philistines.
1 Samuel 25:2Maon is west of the Dead Sea in the mountains of Judah, and Carmel is the present Karmil northwest of it. Carmel is not the famous mountain in northern Israel, but is located 7.5 miles South South-East of Hebron.
Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich, and he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. And it came about while he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
1 Samuel 25:3Nabal means fool. The noun is used extensively in the Old Testament (Job 30:8; Psa 14:1; 53:1; Prov 17:7, 21). The adjective, nebalah, means shameful licentiousness and sensuality (Judg 19:23-24; 20:6). Nabal's wife, Abigail, was his complete opposite. Whereas, Nabal was harsh and ill-behaved, Abigail was intelligent, beautiful, and a Spiritually mature believer. Abigail means 'whose father is exultation.' She made her father very happy.
(now the man's name was Nabal, and his wife's name was Abigail. The woman was of good understanding (intelligent) and beautiful figure, but the man was harsh and ill-behaved. He was a Calebite),
David had a band of 600 men who had protected the sheep herders of Nabal when they were pasturing their flocks in the Negev. This was before David had become King. When David heard that Nabal was shearing sheep, he decided to send some of his men up for a visit in hopes of receiving some gifts from the festive occasion. Since he had no contract for services with Nabal, his plan was to simply ask in grace for anything that Nabal would give. This amounted to a quid pro quo. So, he selected 10 young men and told them precisely what to say (1 Sam 25:4-5).
1 Samuel 25:6They were to greet Nabal with a wish for a good life and Shaloms. The Hebrew Shalom means peace, well-being, health, prosperity. They expressed Shalom to Nabal, his house, and all that he had.
and thus you shall say, 'Have a good life, Shalom (peace and well-being) to you, and Shalom to your house, and to all that you have, Shalom.'
1 Samuel 25:7When Nabal's shepherds had been in the desert, David's men had befriended them and provided them with security night and day from the Bedouin Arabs.
'Now I have heard that you have shearers; now your shepherds have been with us, and we have not mistreated them, nor have they missed anything all the time they were in Carmel.'
1 Samuel 25:8David's men were to say they had come on a festive day, literally "a good day" but meaning "a festive day." This was the time of sheep shearing, which was a time of feasting. David's men were to ask for whatever Nabal could spare. "Your son David" is a request for the goodwill of a father from Nabal.
'Ask your young men and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come on a festive day. Please give whatever you find at hand (whatever you can) to your servants and to your son David.'
David's men went to Nabal and gave the request per David's instructions. Then they waited for Nabal's response (1 Sam 25:9).
1 Samuel 25:10-11Nabal, however, rejected the opportunity for grace. He blew up. And he entered into self-justification and used double-talk to insinuate that David was a servant who had run away from his master. Nabal answered with Satanic viewpoint. He was under Satanic influence.
10 But Nabal answered David's servants and said, "Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who are breaking away from their master. 11 "Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?"
David's men returned to camp and told David what Nabal had said (1 Sam 25:12). Then David hit the ceiling. David reacted bitterly, and called up 400 men to go with him to kill Nabal and his servants (1 Sam 25:13). David was wrong. He was behaving with Simeon criminality. Satan had also laid a trap for David. David did not have a contract with Nabal. He asked Nabal in grace for a quid pro quo. When Nabal rejected grace, David should have dropped the matter.
1 Samuel 25:14One of Nabal's shepherds told Abigail how Nabal treated David's men. He said David's men came to salute Nabal. "Salute" is the Hebrew barak, in the Pi'el, meaning to salute or greet, with an invocation of blessing. It is stronger than Shalom. However, Nabal "raged at them." "Raged" is the Hebrew fyu! (`it), meaning to scream, to press upon, to rush violently upon any person or thing. Thus, he stormed at them.
But one of the young men (of those who had been in the wilderness) told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, "Behold, David sent messengers from the wilderness to salute our master, and he raged at them."
1 Samuel 25:15-16David's men were a wall of security against the Bedouins in the desert.
15 "Yet the men were very good to us, and we were not mistreated, nor did we miss anything as long as we went about with them, while we were in the fields. 16 They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the time we were with them pasturing the sheep."
1 Samuel 25:17Nabal's shepherd understood the gravity of the situation. He implored Abigail to act at once because evil (meaning something bad) was determined against Nabal and his household. He called Nabal a "son of Belial," where Belial means worthlessness, moral corruption, and abysmal destruction. Belial is also a title of Satan (2 Cor 6:15).
"Now therefore, know this and consider what you should do, for evil is determined against our master and against all his household; and he is such a son of Belial (worthlessness) that one cannot speak to him."
Abigail Intercedes
Abigail took action immediately.
1 Samuel 25:18Abigail loaded supplies on donkeys and sent them to David. She sent her young men up front, and she followed after; but she did not tell Nabal (1 Sam 25:19). This wasn't a matter of disobeying her husband's authority. He was full of the devil in the Cosmic System, and they were all about to be killed. She needed to do the right thing, to which Nabal would never have consented.
Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread and two skins of wine and five sheep already dressed and five seahs (5 pecks and 5 pints) of roasted grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys.
Abigail met David as she came to a "hidden part of the mountain" (1 Sam 25:20). This was probably a hollow, which both of them came down into.
1 Samuel 25:21-22David's reason for being so upset was that he had done a good deed for Nabal, but Nabal had returned evil. He was determined to kill all the males in Nabal's house. David referred to a male as "one who pisses against a wall" to differentiate a male from a female. This phrase means all the males and is used for the destruction of entire families (1 Kings 14:10; 16:11; 21:21; 2 Kings 9:8).
21 Now David had said, "Surely in vain I have guarded all that belongs to this man in the wilderness, so that there was not missed anything of all that belonged to him; and he has returned me evil for good. 22 May God do so to the enemies of David, and more also, if I leave of all who belong to him by morning so much as one who pisses against a wall.
When Abigail saw David she hurriedly dismounted (1 Sam 25:23). She fell on her before him and bowed down to him in the ultimate act of respect and plea for mercy. She understood the gravity of the crisis. This was a matter of life and death.
1 Samuel 25:24 MediatorAbigail offered herself to take the blame for the dispute between David and Nabal. Then she offered to mediate by requesting permission to speak.
She fell at his feet and said, "On me alone, my lord, be the blame; please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and listen to the words of your maidservant.
1 Samuel 25:25Abigail pleaded with David not to "set his heart against this man of Belial, over this Nabal (fool)." This is the art of mediation. She empathized with David by pointing out that Nabal was a man of Belial (worthlessness) and a fool. She implored David not to take Nabal, the fool, seriously. She pointed out that Nabal (fool) was his name and vulgarity was with him. "Vulgarity" is the adjective nebalah, from Nabal, meaning inhospitable churlishness, vulgarity.
"Please do not let my lord set his heart against this man of Belial, over this Nabal (fool), because as his name is so is he. Nabal is his name and vulgarity (nebalah) is with him; but I your maidservant did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent."
1 Sam 25:26Abigail continued, "As the LORD lives." She is going to speak the truth from Divine viewpoint. She recognizes that the Lord has kept David from coming into bloodguilt. He is not guilty of murder. And he has not taken private vengeance. She recognizes that David has not taken revenge but has left it to the Lord (Deut 32:35). She wishes that anyone seeking to harm David be as Nabal, a fool. Her talking points were principles of Bible Doctrine, which David understood.
"Now then, my lord, as the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, since the LORD has restrained you from coming into bloodguilt, and from taking vengeance with your own hand; now then let your enemies and those who seek evil against my lord, be as Nabal (a fool)."
1 Sam 25:27 Abigail Offers the GiftAfter expressing Divine viewpoint on the pertinent issues, Abigail offered the gift she had brought to David and his men.
Now let this gift which your maidservant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord.
1 Samuel 25:28After taking the blame for Nabal's sin, she asked David to forgive her. Then she said, "The LORD will certainly make for my lord an enduring house." This would actually be fulfilled later in the Davidic Covenant, which was given to David (2 Sam 7:8-13). This was both prophetic and a recognition of Grace (Psa 127:1).
"Please forgive the transgression of your maidservant; for the LORD will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the LORD, and evil (misfortune) will not be found in you all your days."
She recognized that David was fighting the Lord's battles. David was executing the Spiritual life. And she noted that "evil," meaning misfortune, would not be found in David.
1 Samuel 25:29 Divine ProtectionAbigail noted David's Divine protection. She said that his life would be "bound in the bundle of the living with the Lord." This refers to the practice of binding valuables in a cloth for protection. The life of David would be bound with the Lord, who would protect him. And David's enemies would be like those thrown out of a sling. They would perish like projectiles thrown out of a sling. They would be cast out.
"Should anyone rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, then the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with the LORD your God; but the lives of your enemies He will sling out from the midst of the pouch of a sling."
1 Samuel 25:30Abigail understood the prophecy of David becoming King of Israel. By this statement she recognized the prophetic purpose of David's life. She understood where he was headed. Abigail's understanding of prophecy means that she had learned Bible Doctrine and likely had contact with Samuel or one of his students who knew of the anointing of David.
"And when the LORD does for my lord according to all the Good that He has declared concerning you, and appoints you ruler over Israel,"
1 Samuel 25:31"This" refers to David's treatment of Nabal. If David does the right thing and does not take vengeance on Nabal, it will not be a stumbling block to him or troubled heart (guilty conscience). David will not be guilty of shedding blood without cause.
"This will not be a stumbling block for you or a troubled heart (guilty conscience) to my lord, for shedding blood without cause or for my lord taking vengeance himself. And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your maidservant."
1 Samuel 25:32-33David praised the Lord for sending Abigail to intervene. He recognized Abigail's Spiritual discernment. She kept David from "coming into bloodguilt." David was about to commit murder. And Abigail kept David from taking private vengeance instead of leaving the matter in the Lord's hands.
32 Then David said to Abigail, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me, 33 and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from coming into bloodguilt and from taking vengeance myself by my own hand."
1 Samuel 25:34David recognized that the Lord restrained him from killing Nabal through the intercession of Abigail. She made haste and took action in the crisis before it escalated.
"Nevertheless, as the LORD God of Israel lives, who has restrained me from harming you, unless you had made haste and come to meet me, truly there would not have been left to Nabal until the morning light so much as one who pisses against a wall."
1 Samuel 25:35Nabal's Death
So David received from her hand what she had brought him and said to her, "Go up to your house in peace. See, I have listened to your voice and granted your request (lifted up your face)."
When Abigail returned home, Nabal was holding a feast and was drunk; so she did not tell him anything until morning (1 Sam 25:36).
1 Samuel 25:37 Heart Attack and StrokeThe next morning when Nabal was sober, Abigail told him what she had done. When she told him, Nabal's heart "died within him." He had a heart attack. When his wife told him what she had done, his worldly mind could not comprehend it. He was spiritually on the wrong side of history from having opposed the future King of Israel. He was undoubtedly left in a panic, and God struck him with a heart attack. "And he became as stone" – he had a stroke that left him paralyzed.
But in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him and he became as stone.
1 Samuel 25:38 Nabal Struck Dead"Struck" is the Hebrew nagaph, meaning to strike or smite. The word is used for a fatal stroke (1 Sam 26:10 2 Sam 12:15 2 Chron 13:20; 21:18). Although this word does not always refer to a stroke, it is likely that Nabal died from a second stroke.
About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died.
Thus, Nabal died from the Sin Leading to Death after he had spurned and maligned David. He died ten days after his initial heart attack. The number, 10, corresponds to the Laws of Establishment and the 10 men that David sent to Nabal.
Nabal had maligned God's chosen king. There would be no higher authority in the Land. Nabal's death also ended the Marriage contract between him and Abigail. Marriage lasts until death. Nabal died because Abigail executed the Spiritual life, while Nabal rejected it. She was married to a man under the power of the devil.
1 Samuel 25:39David left the case in the hand of the Supreme Court of Heaven, and the Lord defended him against Nabal. David then proposed to Abigail to be his wife (1 Sam 25:40), and she responded and went to him (1 Sam 25:41, 42).
When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be the LORD, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal and has kept back His servant from evil. The LORD has also returned the evildoing of Nabal on his own head." Then David sent a proposal to Abigail, to take her as his wife.
2 Kings 20:1Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and told him that he was going to die from the Sin Leading to Death. However, Hezekiah remembered the doctrine of the Sin Leading to Death and decided that he didn't want to die that way. So he told the Lord in prayer.
In those days Hezekiah was sick to the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.' "
2 Kings 20:2-3Although the Lord would not honor his prayer, without the intercession of Isaiah, He sent Isaiah back to Hezekiah to follow the recovery procedure for the Sin Leading to Death.
2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, 3 "Now, O LORD, remember, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in doctrine and with a complete heart (with integrity), and have done what is Good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly (greatly).
2 Kings 20:4-6Then Isaiah went back and interceded for Hezekiah. Of course, Isaiah already had the promise from the Lord that Hezekiah would be granted 15 more years in order to execute the Plan of God. Isaiah did not anoint Hezekiah with oil, but he applied a poultice of figs to Hezekiah's boil that was the source of his sickness. Figs cause boils to be drawn to a head. So Isaiah applied the standard medical remedy. This indicates that many times people who are dying the Sin Leading to Death may also require medical help.
4 And it came about before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5 "Return and say to Hezekiah the ruler of My people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, "I have listened to your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. 6 And I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake." ' "
2 Kings 20:7-8When Isaiah told Hezekiah that the Lord would heal him, Hezekiah demanded a sign. He would not simply believe Bible Doctrine and metabolize it. This was Hezekiah's problem for the next 15 years, after which he finally did die the Sin Leading to Death. As a sign, Isaiah told Hezekiah that he would make the shadow of the Sun on the Sundial go either forward or backward, whichever Hezekiah wanted.
7 Isaiah said, "Bring a poultice of figs." And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 8 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD the third day?"
2 Kings 20:9Of course, Hezekiah, being an arrogant ass, demanded that Isaiah make the Sun go backward 10 degrees.
And Isaiah said, "This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that He has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go back ten degrees?"
2 Kings 20:10Isaiah prayed to God and the Sun went backward in the sky 10 degrees, which amounts to 40 minutes, since there are 15 degrees per hour.
So Hezekiah answered, "It is easy for the shadow to decline ten degrees; rather, let the shadow turn backward ten degrees."
2 Kings 20:11
And Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD, and He brought the shadow on the Sundial back ten degrees by which it had gone down on the Sundial of Ahaz.
Ezekiel explained that sons did not die because of the sins of their fathers.
Ezekiel 18:19The son would not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity. If the son practiced Divine Justice and Righteousness and kept the Lord's statutes, he would live. "He shall surely live" is the Qal infinitive absolute plus the Qal imperfect of chajjah, which means "living (Spiritually), he shall live (physically)." He will not die the Sin Leading to Death because he was practicing Divine Justice and Righteousness and keeping the Lord's statutes. The point is that the person who is executing the Spiritual life will not die the Sin Leading to Death.
Yet you say, 'Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity?' When the son has practiced Justice and Righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live.
This case is different from the case of the person who has already received the sentence of the Sin Leading to Death, like Hezekiah. After the sentence has been decreed, it is too late to Rebound and practice Divine Righteousness and Justice. The person must be actively living the Spiritual life before it is too late.
Ezekiel 18:20 Responsibility for the Sin Leading to DeathThe responsibility for the Sin Leading to Death lies with the individual and not the person's father. And the father will not be responsible for the son dying the Sin Leading to Death. The Righteousness of the righteous person will deliver him from the Sin Leading to Death, but the wickedness of the wicked person will result in the Sin Leading to Death.
The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the Righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.
Ezekiel 18:21If a reversionist (wicked man) turns from his sins by Rebound and obeys Bible Doctrine and practices Divine Justice and Righteousness, he will live and not die the Sin Leading to Death. The secret is that he must decide to Rebound and recover the Spiritual life before he is given the sentence of the Sin Leading to Death.
But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices Justice and Righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
Ezekiel 18:22The transgressions of the person who is living the Spiritual life and practicing Divine Righteousness will not be remembered. When he Rebounds, his sins will be forgiven. His sins will not accumulate until he is sentenced to the Sin Leading to Death.
All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his Righteousness which he has practiced, he will live.
The Lord does not take pleasure in sentencing anyone to the Sin Leading to Death (Ezek 18:23).
Ezekiel 18:24 Turning AwayWhen a person who is executing the Spiritual life decides to sin and go into Reversionism (fail to Rebound), he will die the Sin Leading to Death. If he continues in Reversionism and fails to Rebound, he will eventually die the Sin Leading to Death. Such a person bears sole responsibility for dying from the Sin Leading to Death (Ezek 18:26).
But when a righteous man turns away from his Righteousness, commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that a wicked man does, will he live? All his Righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die.
Ezekiel 18:27-28 Rebound of the ReversionistConversely, if a Reversionist (wicked man) Rebounds and turns away from Reversionism and practices Divine Righteousness and Justice, he will save his life. He will live and not die the Sin Leading to Death.
27 Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices Justice and Righteousness, he will save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
Ezekiel 18:30 ReboundEach individual must bear the responsibility for his own conduct. Therefore, the person who has gone astray should Rebound. The Hebrew shub means to return, i. e. Rebound. It means to return to the Spiritual life from living in sin. It does not mean to repent. There is no penance involved in Rebound. Rebound requires acknowledging a person's sins to God (1 Jn 1:9). It is changing the mind about sin. If there is no Rebound and restoration to fellowship with God, sin will become a stumbling block that leads to death.
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct," declares the LORD God. "Rebound and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you."
Ezekiel 18:31Cast away transgressions means to Rebound, isolate the transgressions, and forget them. The result of Rebound will be a new heart (right lobe of the soul) which is free from sin and not under the influence of the Old Sin Nature. When the heart is pure, the human spirit will be free and not enslaved to the Old Sin Nature. There is no need to die from sin because there is a Grace solution for it.
Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel?
Ezekiel 18:32The Lord does not take pleasure in anyone dying the Sin Leading to Death. Those who Rebound will continue to live. Here again, Rebound is the Hebrew shub. This time it is in the Hiph'il imperative, which is the causative stem. This would literally be translated, "restore (to fellowship)." However, it still means to Rebound. Rebound is the beginning of the recovery process and restoration to fellowship with God. But Rebound must be practiced before it is too late. The Reversionist is one who neglects Rebound. Therefore, he will die the Sin Leading to Death.
"For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the LORD God. "Therefore, Rebound and live."
John 8:21Jesus told the Pharisees that He was going away, meaning that He would die. They would seek Him. They would strive for Eternal Life, but they would not receive it. He told them that they would die in their sins. The Greek has the word, sin, in the singular, but the Aramaic has it in the plural. It was probably plural because the phrase is repeated in verse 24, where the plural is used. Regardless, dying in their sins refers to dying from the Sin Leading to Death. They would die and go to Hell. They would not be able to go to Heaven with Jesus.
Then He (Jesus) said again to them, "I go away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sins; where I am going, you are not able to come."
John 8:22The Jewish unbelievers did not understand that Jesus was going to Heaven and they couldn't follow. They thought He must be contemplating suicide. The unbeliever cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God because they are foolishness to him (1 Cor 2:14).
So the Jews were saying, "Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, because He says, 'Where I am going, you are not able to come'?"
John 8:23 Heavenly vs. Worldly OriginJesus told the unbelieving Jews that they were from below (from this world), and He was from above (Heaven). He told them that they were from this world, meaning the Earth and Cosmos Diabolicus, Satan's Cosmic System. Jesus, however, was definitely not from this world. The word, "not," is the strong, strategic Greek negative 'ou, meaning definitely, or absolutely, not. The Divine nature of Jesus Christ is co-equal with God in Heaven.
And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are from this world, I am definitely not from this world."
John 8:24 Salvation by Faith in Jesus Christ AloneJesus told the Jewish unbelievers again that they would die in their sins, meaning die from the Sin Leading to Death. The only way of Salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus told them they must "believe that I AM." "I AM" refers to Jesus Christ as the self-existing one, corresponding to the tetragrammaton. This also means I am He, I am the one, or I am who I said I am (Jn 8:28). The Aramaic simply has the doubling of the Aramaic an*a^ ('ana), for "I". The point is that they must believe in Jesus Christ. They must believe in Jesus as their Savior. They must believe that Jesus is who He says He is.
"Therefore, I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins."
John 8:25Their unregenerate minds still could not comprehend Jesus as the Son of God, Light of the world, and Savior of mankind. So, they asked Jesus, "Who are You?" Jesus answered them in an Aramaic idiom, which is difficult to translate in the Greek or English. The gist of it is, "What have I been saying to you from the beginning?"1 or "Primarily (I am) what I am telling you."2 He had been telling them who He was all along because that is the Gospel. Salvation is by believing in Jesus Christ.
So they were saying to Him, "Who are You?" Jesus said to them, "What have I been saying to you from the beginning?"
Acts 5:1-2 Ananias and SapphiraAnanias, with his wife Sapphira's knowledge, sold a piece of property but kept back some of the money. Then Ananias brought a portion of the money and laid it at the Apostles' feet as if it were all the proceeds from the sale. Thus, Ananias was deceitful, and his wife was complicit.
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife being also implicated, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet.
Ananias is from the Hebrew hy*n+n^j^ (chananejah), or Hananiah, meaning "(the LORD) has been gracious" (Dan 1:6). Sapphira is the Aramaic ar*yP!v^ (shappira'), meaning beautiful.
Acts 5:3 Lying to the Holy SpiritSatan had inspired Ananias to do this, and Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, saw through it. So, when Ananias brought the money, Peter challenged him to prevent Satan from gaining a foothold in the early Church. He asked Ananias why Satan had filled his heart. Rather than being filled with the Holy Spirit, Ananias was filled with the spirit of Satan. This was not Satanic possession but Satanic, or demonic, influence. Ananias was under Satanic, or demonic, influence. Satan could have handled this directly, or indirectly through a demon.
But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and kept for yourself some of the money from the land?"
Then Peter asked Ananias why he had lied to the Holy Spirit. When Ananias brought the money to the Church, he was giving it to God. However, he was lying about the amount of the money. Thus, he was lying to God and the Holy Spirit. Also, Ananias, in his hypocrisy, was pretending to be honest and telling the truth. But he had sinned, and he had not confessed this sin to God. Here again, he was lying to God (1 Jn 1:9, 10).
Ananias was either tempted from approbation lust to sin or Satan tempted him. This was arrogant ambition, the sin of Satan (Isa 14:14). The Jerusalem congregation was large with perhaps a thousand members. Ananias decided that he would lie about the price of the property. This was a sin, and he lost the filling of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he lied to the Holy Spirit. The spirit of Satan then filled his heart. Satan was attacking Peter and the Jerusalem Church through Ananias.
Peter then condemned Ananias.
Acts 5:4Peter pointed out that Ananias made the decision to sell the property. No one forced him. And once the property was sold, the proceeds belonged to Ananias. He was free to do with the money as he chose. However, Ananias contrived this plot in his heart. The plot was a sin. Ananias was lying about giving all the proceeds to the Church. By bringing the money to the Church, he was lying to God.
Did not it (the land) belong to you while it remained unsold? And after it was sold, was it (the money) not at your disposal? Who made you contrive this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.
Acts 5:5 Dying Punishment of the BelieverWhen Ananias heard Peter's condemnation, "he fell down and expired." "Expired" is the Greek ejkyuvcw (ekpsucho), from (ejk, out) + (yuvcw, grow cold, go out, be extinguished of fire) = breathe one's last, die; cool off, faint; thus, to exhale one's last breath; exhale without another inhale. Ananias died from the Sin Leading to Death for lying to the Holy Spirit.
When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and expired.
Then great fear came upon all who heard these things.
Then some of the younger men came in, wrapped Ananias in a shroud, and took him out and buried him (Acts 5:6). About three hours later, his wife came in.
Acts 5:7 Sapphira Comes InHere, the number 3, stands for the Judgment of the Holy Spirit.
Now, there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
Acts 5:8Sapphira also lied about the price of the land. She quoted the same amount as her husband.
And Peter responded face-to-face with her, "Tell me, whether you all sold the land for so much?" And she replied, "Yes, for so much."
Acts 5:9 Peter Condemns SapphiraPeter asked why they had agreed together to put the Holy Spirit to the test. Note, this is harmonious rapport in Political Babylon. It is compatibility of Old Sin Natures. This bold lie against God was putting Him to the test (Ex 17:2; Deut 6:16; Psa 78:18; 1 Cor 10:9).
Then Peter said face-to-face to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out."
Acts 5:10 Dying PunishmentImmediately, Sapphira fell down and expired. The young men who had buried her husband discovered her dead and took her out and buried her. She was buried "face-to-face with (beside) her husband," which is the Greek pros + andros. The two graves side-by-side symbolized a witness of the Sin Leading to Death. They were buried on their sides, or beside each other. They were a corporate testimony. As in 1 Jn 5:16, they were face-to-face with death (Greek pros + thanatos).
And immediately she fell against his feet and expired; and the young men, having come in, discovered her dead; and they carried her out and buried her face-to-face with (beside) her husband.
Acts 5:11 Great FearThe fear of God came upon the Jerusalem Church because of these things. Fear gripped the church and all who heard because of God's Judgment of hypocrites with the Sin Leading to Death (1 Tim 5:20).
And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard about these things.
Acts 12:22However, Agrippa did not give God the glory, and this became for him the Sin Leading to Death. He was then struck by an Elect Angel with a mortal illness.
And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not a man!"
Acts 12:23 Death of Herod Agrippa IAccording to Josephus,3 Agrippa looked up and an owl was sitting on a rope over his head. He considered this a bad omen. During his imprisonment by Tiberius an owl was interpreted as signifying his speedy release with the warning that if he should see it again, he would die within five days. He was struck with intense pain in his belly and carried into the palace. The people went into mourning and prayed for him intensely, but he died five days later.4
But immediately an angel from the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory; and being eaten with worms, he expired.
Herod Agrippa's death came shortly after his persecution of Peter. The Lord protects his servants, especially Apostles, and those who persecute them receive double discipline (Isa 54:17). Herod Agrippa's own arrogance brought him down. When he listened to flattery and did not give God the glory, he was struck down by an Elect Angel. The silver of his robe was a symbol of Judgment, and the owl was a sign of Baal. Herod Agrippa was speaking under the power of Satan from the Cosmic System, when the Elect Angel struck him down.
Thus, the Elect Angels can administer the sentence of the Sin Leading to Death. The Archangel Michael is responsible for death (Jude 1:9).
1 Corinthians 11:20The custom in the early Church was to gather in a house for a communal meal, which was called the Lord's supper or a love feast (Jude 1:12). Afterward, they held a Church service and celebrated the Eucharist.
Therefore, when you come together at the same place, is it not to eat the Lord's supper?
1 Corinthians 11:21At the communal supper, some of the Corinthians were eating their own food first before sharing it with others, since they brought better food. And some were sharing only with their cronies. Consequently, some were left hungry because they got little or no food, while others got drunk. Those who were drunk were in no shape to celebrate the Eucharist.
For in eating the supper each one takes his own private supper first, and one is hungry and another is drunk.
Paul pointed out that they could eat in their own houses before Church service and thus avoid practicing such despicable behavior (1 Cor 11:22).
1 Corinthians 11:26Those who celebrated the Eucharist were proclaiming the Lord's death non-verbally by their actions. This was an affirmation of the Gospel. It was worship through actions rather than words.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
1 Corinthians 11:27Those who took communion with unconfessed sin were doing so in an unworthy manner. Consequently, they would be sinning against the Lord and His death on the Cross. They would be making a mockery of the Gospel and the Eucharist.
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:28 Requirement to ReboundBefore taking communion, a person must "examine himself," which means Rebound. This is the Greek dokimavzw (dokimazo), which means to put to the test, examine; to verify, validate. It means to perform a self evaluation to ensure that all known sins have been confessed before taking communion.
But a person must examine himself (Rebound); so in this way, let him eat from the bread and drink from the cup.
1 Corinthians 11:29 Divine JudgmentBefore taking communion a person must evaluate his body correctly. The body is the source of sin, since the Old Sin Nature resides in the body. If a person does not Rebound before partaking of the communion elements, he will eat and drink Judgment from God upon himself.
For the one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks Judgment upon himself if he does not evaluate the body correctly.
1 Corinthians 11:30Three categories of Divine punishment await those who neglect to Rebound before taking communion.
For this reason, many among you are weak and sick, and a large number are asleep (dead).
1 Corinthians 11:31 Self-EvaluationThose who Rebound before taking communion will not receive Divine punishment.
But if we properly evaluated ourselves (Rebound), we would not be judged.
Romans 6:23Lust tempts a person to sin. Sin occurs (is born) when a person uses his volition to sin. The result of sin is spiritual death (Rom 7:11).
For the wages of sin is (spiritual) death, but the free gift from God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.James 1:15
Then after lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; but on the other hand after sin is finished, it brings forth death.
Hebrews 2:14 Power Over DeathJesus Christ became the same true humanity that we are. He was true humanity and undiminished Deity combined in Hypostatic Union. He needed a human body in order to die as a substitute for the sins of the world. Deity cannot die.
Therefore, since the children share in common blood and flesh, He Himself (Jesus) also in the same way partook of the same, in order that through death He might render powerless the one having the power of death, that is, the devil.
Jesus Christ died on the Cross to "render powerless the one having the power of death." "Render powerless" is the Greek katargevw (katargeo), from (kata, down) + (argeo, be idle) = to make ineffective, powerless, abolish, wipe out. Satan has the power to administer the Sin Leading to Death, with God's permission.
Through His Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ overcame the power of death (1 Cor 15:20, 54-57). He was still alive when He finished bearing the sins of the world (Jn 19:30). He died physically like a man, but the grave could not hold Him. He was resurrected the third day. This nullified Satan's power of death (2 Tim 1:10; Rev 20:14; 21:4). Death is not the end for the believer. He will be resurrected and come out of the grave just as Christ did.
Case of Incest in the Corinthian Church
The Apostle Paul had the authority to deliver a person over to Satan for the administration of the Sin Leading to Death. He did this in the case of the Corinthian believer who was living in incest.
1 Corinthians 5:1 IncestA man in the Corinthian Church was committing a shocking sin. He was living in incest with his father's wife. Not even the lawless Gentiles would do such a thing. It was gross immorality and a sign of abnormal thinking characteristic of the advanced stages of Reversionism. Fornication and adultery are sins of immorality, but sins like homosexuality, lesbianism, and incest are abnormal sexual sins (Rom 1:26-27). Committing the abnormal sexual sins is a sign of degeneracy and insanity as well as demon influence.
There is actually reported among you illicit sex, and illicit sex of such a kind that does not exist among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife.
1 Corinthians 5:2 ArrogancePaul recognized the gravity of the problem of incest in the congregation. Those who accepted it were puffed up with arrogance. They should have mourned instead, separated from the person (1 Cor 5:9; 2 Thess 3:6), and seen the need for this person to be removed from the congregation.
And you are puffed up with arrogance. Ought you not rather to have mourned in order that the one who has done this deed might be removed from your midst?
1 Corinthians 5:3 Paul Passes JudgmentAlthough Paul wasn't present in the Corinthian congregation, he was present in spirit. As an Apostle with authority over the Corinthian Church, Paul judged the person committing incest.
For you see, I, on the one hand as absent in the body but present in spirit, have already judged as though I were present the one who has so committed this.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5 Judgment of Sin Leading to DeathAt the next Church service, the man committing incest was to be delivered over to Satan for the destruction of his body (the flesh). Upon physical death, the person would go to Heaven. His spirit would be preserved in the Day of the Lord (the Resurrection of the Church, (1 Cor 1:8, 2 Cor 1:14). He would receive his Resurrection body. Thus, Apostles had the authority to deliver a person to Satan for administration of the Sin Leading to Death.
4 When you are gathered together in the name of our Lord Jesus and in my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh in order that the spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord.
The man committing incest, however, changed his mind about his sin and Rebounded. Therefore, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians that the congregation should forgive him and welcome him back into the fold (2 Cor 2:5-11).
Case of Hymenaeus and Alexander
Failure to keep the Faith and a Good conscience is failure to live the Christian life.
1 Timothy 1:19Failure to execute the Spiritual life corresponds to suffering shipwreck. The Reversionist suffers shipwreck in his Christian life.
keeping the Faith and a Good conscience, which some have rejected, concerning which doctrine, they (losers) have suffered shipwreck.
1 Timothy 1:20Hymenaeus and Alexander were examples of Reversionists, whom Paul delivered over to Satan so they would be taught not to blaspheme. Since they had rejected the Spiritual life and were living in the Cosmic System, they were given to Satan so that he could administer the Sin Leading to Death. This would be painful suffering since Satan hates Christians.
Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
Proverbs 15:24 Paths of LifeFor the person who is wise from understanding of Bible Doctrine, the path of life leads upward to Heaven. "Wise is the Hebrew lk^c* (sakal), which means to have understanding of Bible Doctrine. The Spiritual life ascends to Heaven, and the person avoids Sheol (Hell) below. Going down to Sheol refers to dying the Sin Leading to Death.
The path of life leads upward for the wise
That he may avoid Sheol (Hell) below.
Proverbs 14:27The "fear of the LORD" means respect for the LORD. It is the Spiritual life. It includes responding to the teaching of Bible Doctrine, which strengthens the Spiritual life and avoids "the snares of death," the Sin Leading to Death.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
That one may avoid the snares of death.
The person dying the Sin Leading to Death either doesn't want to be saved or does not want to acknowledge his sins in order to have fellowship with God. He has repeatedly refused to respond to Divine discipline. He has rejected warning and intensified discipline. So God has decided to take him off of life support and end his life on this Earth.
The Sin Leading to Death is the result of living in Reversionism. It is the end of a process, not just one atrocious sin. And it is God, who decides to judge a person with the Sin Leading to Death. God is absolutely fair and Righteous, and He Loves every human being. Everyone's sins have been paid for on the Cross, but not everyone's sins have been forgiven. Forgiveness of sins comes at Salvation. And when the believer sins after Salvation, forgiveness comes after Rebound.
Thus, a person dies the Sin Leading to Death because his sins are not forgiven. He has rejected the Divine solution. Therefore, God has elected to let him die in his sins. He had the opportunity to choose life or death, but he, in effect, chose death by rejecting the Divine solution.
1 John 5:16The "Sin Leading to Death" is the translation of the Greek hamartia (sin) + pros (to, toward) + thanatos (death). The implication is that physical death is the result of sin. This phrase can be translated in three ways:
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask (pray) and He (God) will give for him life to those who are committing sin not leading to death. There is a Sin Leading to Death; I do not say that he should make a request (intercede) for that (sin).
So, how does one know when a person is dying the Sin Leading to Death? The answer is the Holy Spirit will reveal it to a mature believer. The pastor who knows the person will have this revealed to him. There are different signs. For example, some of the indications of the Sin Leading to Death are the number 39, the Angel Michael, stages of Reversionism, and terminal illness.
1 Jn 5:17There are many types of sins. "All unrighteousness is sin." Unrighteousness is lack of conformity to the Righteousness of God. It is violating the Lord's commandments. "There is a sin not leading to death." Therefore, Rebound and intercessory prayer are in order.
All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.
The person who is dying from the Sin Leading to Death may be sick. Intercessory prayer is in order for sick people unless they are under the Sin Leading to Death. James wrote about intercessory prayer for the sick in the precanon period. Some things have changed, and some are still applicable. James was probably written in 48-49 AD. It was the first book written in the New Testament, and it contains some elements left over from Judaism that are not applicable in the Church Age.
James 5:14 Precanon Jewish Healing CeremonyAt the time this was written, the spiritual Gift of Healing was still operational, and a common way to be healed was through prayer. The Gift of Healing has been replaced by the Gift of Helps, which does not include the miraculous powers of healing. It is still legitimate to pray for the sick, but calling the pastor is not necessary. The Gift of Helps includes the visitation of the sick and helping the poor, needy (1 Cor 12:28). It includes the Gift of Encouragement and the Gift of Showing Mercy - helping the persecuted and those who are desperate (Rom 12:8).
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call to himself the pastor-elders of the church; and, having anointed him with oil in the name of the Lord, pray for him.
However, in the case of a person dying the Sin Leading to Death, the person's relationship with his Right Pastor is a problem. The person is dying because he has rejected Bible Doctrine taught by his Right Pastor. There are cases where the Lord will give a person dying the Sin Leading to Death more time. If the Lord grants the person more time, the pastor can pray for him; otherwise, the pastor cannot.
The reference to "anointing with oil" was part of a Jewish exorcism ceremony and is not applicable in the Church Age. The sick person may be oppressed by Satan or demons, but exorcism is not the correct procedure for dealing with demons in Grace.5
James 5:15 Restoration to HealthIntercessory prayer offered on the basis of faith from Divine viewpoint will be answered positively by the Lord, who will restore the sick person to health. "And if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven." It is usually the case that sickness of the body is also related to sins. In other cases, the sickness may be related to testing.
and the prayer offered from faith will restore (to health) the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him."
The Sin Leading to Death cannot be forgiven except by special dispensation of God. God must agree to give the person more time. The Lord looks on the heart. He must decide whether to forgive the Sin Leading to Death.
James 5:16 Prayer for HealingPublic confession of sin was practiced, although it is not recommended (Mt 3:6; Mk 1:5; Acts 19:18). Public confession of sin may be a form of giving a testimony, but it is fraught with pitfalls. It assumes that the people in the audience are friends. Most churches have gossips, who delight in violating other people's privacy. Confessing sins to a gossip is a prescription for disaster. Confession of sins is a private matter between the believer and the Lord. Sin here is in the singular. Sin in the singular refers to the principle of sin, which includes Reversionism or general classes of sins. It does not refer to individual sins.
Therefore, confess your sin to one another, and pray on behalf of one another that you may be healed. The prayer of the Righteous person has much power when it operates.
"And pray on behalf of one another that you may be healed." This is the principle of intercessory prayer by the Pastor-Teacher.
"The prayer of the Righteous person has much power when it operates." "The Righteous person" refers to the Pastor-Teacher. "When it operates" refers to the operation, the process of healing from prayer (Psa 34:15-17; 1 Pet 3:12).
Summary of Post Canon Recovery from Sickness:
1. Spiritual
a. Demons (Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9)
b. No exorcism - Spiritual Warfare (Eph 6:12-17).
c. Prayer is ineffective against demons; Grace is effective (2 Cor 12:7-10).
d. Intercessory Prayer (Eph 6:18-19; 1 Ti 2:1)
e. Recovery from Reversionism (Heb 12:12-13)
2. Soul
a. Sins - Rebound (1 Jn 1:9)
Directed to God - no confession of sins to people.
b. Sin Leading to Death - Rebound and intercession are non-operational (1 Jn 5:16).
(1) God may grant more time (ref. Hezekiah, Isa 38, 2 Ki 20).
The Pastor must intercede; but no visitation or anointing is required.
(2) God will not grant more time - Pastor must not intercede.
3. Body/physical
a. Divine discipline produces sickness (Heb 12:6; Rev 2:22).
b. God heals and restores to health (Jas 5:15).
Babies are born spiritually dead with Old Sin Natures. When they reach the age of accountability, they are responsible for their choice to accept or reject Salvation. A child that dies before reaching the age of accountability will go to Heaven (2 Sam 12:23); whereas, a child who dies as an unbeliever after reaching the age of accountability will go to Hell. Children can become evil and go into Reversionism, and they can die the Sin Leading to Death. The children who mocked Elisha died the Sin Leading to Death.
Since children are not mature in their thinking. They do not always know the difference between right and wrong. They are dependent upon adults for guidance, instruction, help, and protection. The Lord and Elect Angels also look after them.
Children learn to love from their earliest relationship with their mother, and their relationship with their father completes their respect for authority. However, the spiritual life of children indicates their destiny. Those who respond to Salvation and instruction in Bible Doctrine will follow the path to Heaven, while those who reject Salvation or instruction in Bible Doctrine will go down the path to the Sin Leading to Death (Prov 15:24).
Proverbs 13:14It is imperative that children be trained in Bible Doctrine. Bible Doctrine makes a person spiritually wise. "Wise" is the Hebrew <k*j* (chakam), which means to be wise from understanding Bible Doctrine. Those who are edified with Bible Doctrine will escape the snares of death, i. e. the Sin Leading to Death.
The doctrine of the wise is a fountain of life,
To escape the snares of death.
Children are vulnerable to sin. They are under attack from their Old Sin Nature and the Cosmic System. They are attacked by Satan and his demons just as adults. Satan courts them with the power of Baal. Parents who do not understand the spiritual attacks on children are losers, and their children will suffer as a result. Parents must intercede in prayer for their children. They can pray for them to be forgiven of their sins, or in the case of an unbeliever child, to be delivered from evil. These prayers if offered in the filling of the Holy Spirit will deliver the child's soul from the power of Satan and his demons.
Parents who love their children will teach them right from wrong. This requires discipline in love.
Proverbs 23:13Whipping a child is a way of enforcing discipline. A properly delivered spanking will not cause lasting injury or death.
Do not withhold discipline from a child
Although you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 23:14The whipping of the child is punishment for his guilt. When he takes his punishment, his guilt will be removed. After the punishment, he will no longer be guilty but will be under parental authority. The punishment will end the child's trip down the wrong road in life and rescue his soul from the Sin Leading to Death and the grave (Sheol).
If you beat him with the rod,
You will rescue his soul from Sheol.
Author: Larry Wood, Released - July 26, 2013 - Revised Dec. 4, 2014
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