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Devotion 1 of 2: Isa 36
Chapter 36 tells the story of how Assyria invaded Judah and almost defeated her, and chapter 37 about how the Lord gave Judah a miraculous victory despite the odds! King Sennacherib of Assyria sent Rabshakeh with his army to mock King Hezekiah of Judah and force him and his people to surrender (v.2-20).
An important lesson is found in Sennacherib’s words in v.14-15 (paraphrased): “Don’t be deceived by Hezekiah and trust in your God because he cannot save you! If you make peace with me, you’ll have safety and prosperity!”
In a similar way, AC will deceive Israel into a peace treaty, but he’ll break the treaty after 3.5 years and try to destroy Israel! Dan 9:27 says (my translation): AC will make a treaty with Israel for 7 years but will break it after 3.5 years by offering an abominable offering in the Jerusalem Temple and making himself god (Matt 24:15). After that he will seek to destroy Israel (Matt 24:16-21)!
Let’s pray for Israel, that many will not fall for AC’s deceit but will resist him and seek for the true Messiah in the end time! Let’s pray for Israel’s restoration as children of God!
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Devotion 2 of 2: 2 Cor 12
I always think about Paul’s NDE (Near Death Experience) (v.2-4) when I read this chapter! I believe Paul died when he was stoned in Acts 14:19-20. But he was resurrected and continued preaching! Acts doesn’t give details of that event, but I believe Paul died, went to heaven, heard incredible things from God and returned to earth! And he waited for 14 years before he wrote 2 Cor to disclose what really happened.
All Bible scholars believe Paul was writing about his own experience. He went to the 3rd heaven, which means where God abides and rules. The 1st heaven is the atmosphere, and the 2nd is the cosmos, where the stars and galaxies exist.
He heard inexpressible words, which he wasn’t allowed to utter. I believe this means Paul received awesome revelations about God, Jesus, heaven, grace, the church, salvation, etc. This is what he wrote in his letters, which no other NT writer knew or wrote about! How could he have known these incredible truths about the kingdom and plan of God? I believe it was by hearing it straight from God during his NDE.
And he wasn’t allowed to talk about it for 14 years! Why? Because people would have questioned his sanity or emotional stability and wouldn’t have read his letters if they had heard stories about him going to heaven!
Let’s appreciate the revelations that Paul received from God! Let’s thank God that he can take even a horrible thing like being stoned and use it for his glory! Amen!
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku