The Bible Standard - Re-Discover the Truth.

We read and thought yesterday about the anxieties of King Hezekiah over the Assyrian invasion and the potential fall of Jerusalem.  The king appealed to Isaiah to seek the help of the LORD.  Later he went into the Temple and “prayed before the LORD” [2 Kings 19 v.15] himself.  There is a progression in his approach to God – do we have the same experience as we seek to get closer to our Creator and His Son our Saviour?  It is natural that we should if we are truly spiritually minded.. 

Today in ch. 20 we read of Hezekiah’s illness, one that he is told, will be fatal;  Isaiah comes with this message, “Set your house in order for you shall not recover” [v.1]    He makes an impassioned prayer to the LORD, “I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” [v.3]

 His prayer is heard and answered – “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you” [v.5]  God hears and sees all things in the lives of those who truly seek to serve him. 

We should each meditate on whether we could utter such an impassioned prayer if we found ourselves in a life threatening situation –  when we feel we still have work we can do in serving our Lord.  It may not be a health situation as with Hezekiah.  Our world, especially in some parts, increasingly threatens us; potentially there could be extreme difficulties.  In our prayers could we say we have serve him with “our whole heart.”? 

This week we will read in Ezekiel how the prophet is told of God’s impending judgements, “Thus says the Lord GOD: None of my words will be delayed any longer…” [12 v.28]  The time is coming, we do not know how soon, when God will be saying the same about our godless world.  

In Luke today we read the challenging words of Jesus, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I tell you” [6 v.46]  Let us not be guilty of reading God’s word but then failing to put into practice what we read.  We can talk and preach about it – and exhort each other – but this must not be only an outward show.  We are all building the “house” of our life: Jesus said, “the one who hears (reads) my words … I will show you what he is like:  he is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock …” [v.48] A lot of sweat and tears are involved in such earnest building: so in our building, can our Lord say to you, and me, “I have seen your tears.”

Today’s chapter 19 of 2nd Kings brings Isaiah onto the scene.  King Hezekiah in his great distress at the conquests of the Assyrians and now their presence outside the walls of Jerusalem sends his secretary and senior priests to the prophet, with a message saying, “It may be that the LORD your God heard all the words of the Rabshakeh,”  adding, “therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left” [v.4]

Isaiah’s response is very positive; “Say to your Master, ‘Thus says the LORD: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumour and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.'” [v.6,7]  This happens, but as the Assyrians depart they say, “Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. ‘Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered?” [v.10,11]  History is full of human boasting like this, but “The word of the LORD” comes to Isaiah over this (v.21-28) that the LORD is “aware of their raging against me”[v.27] Within a generation or two the Assyrians fade into history and Nineveh is a heap of ruins to this day –  the Babylonians then become the main enemy, but in time Babylon too becomes a heap of ruins, as it is today.   

Then Isaiah conveys a remarkable long term prophecy. “ … the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD will do this.” [v.30,31]  We witness the resilience of the “surviving remnant” today.  We can read in Isaiah’s book, the prophecy the LORD gives him, how “in that day the Lord will extent his hand a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people … and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” [11 v.11,12]   We are witnessing that event and are in awe of the climax when God “shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.” [v.4]   Soon, in Luke’s gospel, we will come to Jesus’ awesome words predicting this. How awesome the fate of the great Assyrian army, because they reviled God! (185,000 died – v.35) How awesome the fate awaiting at least some who do so today!  Let us do the opposite.  And what is the opposite?.

[Actual, provable Bible Truth] Walking with God is not a single moment of decision but a lifelong journey of faith. Salvation is a process—from being a servant of sin to becoming a son of God—and it is completed only at the return of Christ, when the faithful are granted immortality. This is the powerful, scriptural reality that transforms everyday life into a pilgrimage towards the Kingdom.

This thought-provoking and expositional video, Chapter 22 of our series on the Philadelphiaians, delves deep into the nature of discipleship. It explores what it truly means to "walk with God," using the lives of Enoch and Noah as our foundation. We unpack the profound truth that the disciple is a sojourner, a traveler following the narrow way, with the Bible as our infallible compass.

The journey is marked by both wonderful peace and purposeful testing. We explore how the "peace of God which passes all understanding" coexists with the "tribulation" that shapes our character for eternity. This outstanding presentation reveals that our trials are not punishments but the divine refining fire, preparing us for the Kingdom.

Through constant prayer, daily reading of the whole Bible, and a humble submission to God's will, we find the strength to endure. The video also highlights the inseparable link between the Old and New Testaments, showing the unity of God's plan from Genesis to Revelation. It is a reassuring and challenging call to examine our own walk and to hold fast to the hope set before us.

**Chapters:**

00:00 - Introduction: The Journey of Salvation

01:50 - The Process: From Servant to Son

02:48 - The Pilgrim Aspect: Walking with God

03:08 - Scriptural Examples: Enoch and Noah

05:45 - Guidance: The Path and the Signposts

07:43 - The Bible: Our Traveller's Compass

10:13 - The Whole Council of God

13:49 - God's Personal Care and Protection

17:05 - The Conditions for Blessing

20:20 - Peace, Joy, and Abiding Assurance

23:16 - The Refining Fire: Trials and Character

27:54 - The Divine Order of Progression

30:57 - God's Faithfulness in Temptation

32:05 - The Power of Prayer

35:41 - Conclusion: Our Anchor of Hope

**Bible Verse Category:**

📖 Romans 2:7 & 16

📖 1 Corinthians 1:18

📖 Genesis 5:22-24, 6:9, 17:1

📖 Micah 6:8

📖 Psalm 23:4, 119:105

📖 2 Timothy 3:15-17

📖 John 14:21-23, 10:27-29

📖 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 6:16-18

📖 Hebrews 12:5-11, 13:5-6

📖 James 1:2-4, 12

📖 Romans 8:28, 35-37

📖 Hebrews 6:18-20

Tags: Christadelphian, Walking with God, Bible Study, Discipleship, Salvation, Biblical Truth, Faith Journey, Christian Living, Bible Reading, Prayer, Tribulation, Kingdom of God, Scriptural Exposition, Bible Verses, Philadelphiaians, Christian Doctrine, Hope, Faith

We are a Christadelphian team, Brothers and sisters of Christ, and we're passionate about delivering powerful, Scripture-based content to strengthen and inspire your faith journey. If this presentation resonated with you, help spread the encouragement—share it with a friend today!

How hard it is to hear or find any “good news” these days!  All nations and kingdoms appear to be in disarray especially in the Middle East, only Israel stands firm.  The nations think that their destiny is entirely in their own hands, but God’s purpose is being worked out and dedicated Bible students diligently watch events trying to see more clearly how the various prophecies apply. 

We read in 2 Kings 18 of the faith of the good king Zedekiah in Jerusalem, standing firm against the boasting of the invading Assyrians (which is called Iraq is today). We will read tomorrow of how the prophet Isaiah comes on the scene and, through God’s spirit, sees and says what God will cause to happen because Hezekiah is a spiritually minded king.

In contrast, the prophet Ezekiel (ch.8) is caused to be carried in vision to Jerusalem and made aware of the abominations taking place in the Temple; for him, it is the opposite kind of news of what will soon happen!  Ezekiel is told that God is so angry that, when trouble comes, “though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.” [v.18]

In Luke’s gospel (ch.4) we read how Jesus travels to many places and heals many, and “the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” [v.42,43]  Those who really listened were few, most were fascinated by seeing miracles or being miraculously fed but the really important work of Christ was proclaiming, “The good news of the kingdom of God.”  

 This was not as many have imagined over the centuries up until today – a ’sky kingdom’ but, as in the ‘Lords’ prayer, ‘Thy will be done on earth” – What wonders “Isaiah … saw … it shall come to pass in the latter days … the house (temple) of the LORD shall be established … and all nations shall flow to it …” [Isaiah 2 v.1,2] Jesus came to bring this wondrous message of God’s ultimate purpose for the earth – to happen when he returns.  Let us ever more surely make this our hope and expectation and share it with anyone who will listen.   

A @Christadelphians Video:Pleased to present in collaboration with the Bible Unlocked team, this thought-provoking presentation from the sixth season of Bible Unlocked Live, A foundational series, “Why You Should Believe the Bible,” revealing how faith is built on a rock-solid foundation of evidence and reason. They hold a webinar each week....Find out more @ https://www.bibleunlocked.com/ [Inspiring] Why does a loving God allow suffering? It’s one of the most profound and emotionally challenging questions of the human experience. In this thought-provoking and insightful exposition, we delve into the Bible’s honest and comprehensive answer to this age-old dilemma. We explore with Caleb Osborn how Scripture does not shy away from this topic; instead, entire books like Job, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations are dedicated to wrestling with pain and loss. We examine the origin of suffering in Genesis, its three key purposes in our lives today, and the profound truth that God is not distant from our pain. Most importantly, we look forward to the wonderful hope of Revelation, where God promises to wipe away every tear and eliminate suffering forever.This is an outstanding and revealing study that provides real comfort and a scriptural framework for understanding our trials.*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction: The Challenge of Suffering02:10 - The Bible Doesn't Shy Away from the Question04:00 - The Origin of Suffering (Genesis 3)07:00 - Purpose #1: To Expose the Effects of Sin09:30 - Purpose #2: To Highlight Our Need for God12:00 - Purpose #3: To Develop Faithful Character14:20 - God’s Empathy: He is Afflicted with Us16:00 - Jesus: Our High Priest Who Understands18:30 - The End of the Story: No More Curse20:40 - Q&A: Sin, Suffering, and Repentance24:00 - Q&A: Jesus Felt Forsaken (Psalm 22)27:00 - Q&A: The Hope of the Kingdom29:00 - Conclusion*Bible Verses Referenced:*📖 Genesis 3:16-19📖 Romans 6:21📖 Psalm 107:10-13📖 Romans 8:20-22📖 Romans 5:3-5📖 Hebrews 12:11📖 1 Peter 1:6-7📖 Isaiah 63:9📖 Hebrews 4:15📖 Revelation 21:3-4📖 Revelation 22:3📖 Luke 13:1-5📖 Psalm 22:1, 24📖 Hebrews 2:9-10*Tags:*Bible study, why does God allow suffering, problem of evil, Christadelphians, Bible teaching, book of Job, Genesis 3, Romans 8, Christian apologetics, faith under trial, hope in suffering, purpose of pain, God's love, Kingdom of God, Bible explanation, scripture studyWe are a Christadelphian team, Brothers and sisters of Christ, and we're passionate about delivering powerful, Scripture-based content to strengthen and inspire your faith journey. If this presentation resonated with you, help spread the encouragement—share it with a friend today!

The world is a spiritual wilderness today.  We read today of when John the Baptist appeared on the scene and that he was a “voice crying in the wilderness” [Luke 3 v.4] – it was a spiritual wilderness then too, there had been no prophet from God for about 400 years – since the days of Malachi.   

Today there has been no message from God that people have taken serious notice of since the Bible was translated and printed and became available in all major languages, this was at least 400 years ago. People “listened” to God’s “voice” then and the world underwent a spiritual reformation; but deafness set in again more and more with each generation until today, nearly all are totally ‘deaf.’

We saw significant parallels in our Ezekiel reading (ch.7) today.  The 10 northern tribes that made up the kingdom of Israel, as distinct from Judah in the south, had become so wicked that they were all in the process of being taken away into captivity: the southern kingdom was soon to follow.  However, God’s words through Ezekiel, could be his words to the great majority today.  It seems no one was listening to Ezekiel – and it’s the same today, so few are seriously listening.

“Behold the day! Behold it comes!  Your doom has come” [v.10] wrote Ezekiel, adding, “Violence has grown up into a rod of wickedness” [v.11]  He continues, “The time has come; the day has arrived.  Let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn, for wrath is upon all …” [v.12] “When anguish comes they will seek peace, but there shall be none.  Disaster comes upon disaster….” [v.25,26]  

Thankfully, wonderfully, there is an end coming to the disasters that will surely multiply in today’s world’. Those who know God’s word and have established a relationship with him, will know where to “seek peace” and that “the prince of peace” will return “and the government shall be upon his shoulder” [Isa. 9 v.6] and “the wilderness” will be no more – but only those who have heard (by reading and thinking and believing) “the voice crying in the wilderness” will experience the everlasting wonders that “that day” will bring.  Are you listening? What effect is it having on your heart?

A @Christadelphians Video: [Prophecy being fulfilled!] In this thought-provoking and revealing episode of the Watchman Report, we examine Canada’s Bill C-9—a law that, on the surface, addresses rising anti-Semitism, yet in reality places believers in a more precarious position. Could this be another sign that secular society is moving further from God, Christ, and the Bible? We provide an insightful and expositional analysis of this legislation, exploring how the removal of the religious defence for "wilful promotion of hatred" could potentially criminalise the very expression of biblical truth. This is an outstanding and wonderful resource for those seeking to understand how current events align with scriptural prophecy.*Summary*Join us as we dissect the Canadian government's Bill C-9, which came into effect in July 2026. While it includes positive steps to combat anti-Semitism, we reveal the alarming removal of the "good faith" religious defence. We discuss the ambiguity of new definitions like "detestation" and "vilification," and ask the crucial question: does this law threaten the believer's ability to publicly declare the whole counsel of God? We break down the biblical standard on hate, demonstrating that God hates wickedness while still loving the sinner, and we challenge the government's narrowing of what constitutes acceptable speech. This is essential viewing for every Bible student.*Chapters*00:00 - Introduction & The Watchman Report Mandate00:46 - Examining Bill C-9: The Good and the Bad01:39 - New Hate Crime Offences Listed02:19 - The Removal of the Religious Defence03:10 - The Government’s New Definition of Hatred04:23 - Applying the Law: Leviticus 20:1305:46 - The "Hallmarks of Hate" Examined07:19 - The Scriptural Teaching on Hate08:36 - Government Position & The Believer's Response09:48 - Conclusion & Call to Action*📖 Bible Verse Category*- 📖 Leviticus 20:13 – The scripture dealing with abomination.- 📖 Psalm 5:5 & 11:5 – God hates wickedness and the wicked.- 📖 Psalm 139:21-22 – The believer’s hatred of evil.- 📖 Matthew 5:44-45 – Loving our enemies.- 📖 John 3:16 – God’s love for the world.**Tags**Bible Prophecy, Bill C-9, Canada, Religious Freedom, Hate Speech Laws, Christadelphian, Watchman Report, Biblical Standard, Prophecy Fulfilled, Secularism, Christian Persecution, End Times, God’s Law, Truth, Bible StudyWe are a Christadelphian team, Brothers and sisters of Christ, and we're passionate about delivering powerful, Scripture-based content to strengthen and inspire your faith journey. If this presentation resonated with you, help spread the encouragement—share it with a friend today!

What a depressing account we have today in 2 Kings 15!  It lists a succession of godless kings in the northern kingdom of Israel and makes us think of the world in which we live!  If we listen to or watch the news – there is a complete lack of good news on every hand – so it seems that people ‘bury’ their minds in the sports news. 

Similarly, in Ezekiel 5, we read the acted parables the prophet has to perform to indicate how “fire will come out into all the house of Israel” [v.4] and the LORD’s comment in v.13, “Thus shall my anger spend itself, and I will vent my fury upon them …”  And we meditate with awe and fear in our minds on the ways the Creator will vent his fury more and more on the utterly godless world of the 21st Century.

In contrast, it is uplifting to read the 80 verses of the first chapter of Luke.  The author says that “it seemed good to me … having followed all things closely for some time past to write an orderly account … that you may have certainty …” [v.3,4]   Through Luke’s writings, we, in these last days, “may have certainty” too!  

After compiling his gospel Luke put together an orderly account of the Acts of the Apostles after their Lord ascended to heaven. This contained so many historical references that the sceptics of the 19th and 20th Centuries were sure they would uncover flaws in Luke’s records as more and more ancient details came to light through archaeological and other discoveries – but none have come to light!  What Luke has recorded includes major planks for the foundations of our faith.

Today’s chapter includes the testimony of Mary before Jesus was born, she was inspired to say how her “spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” and that “his mercy is for those who fear him” [v.47,50].  May we truly rejoice and “fear him” – that is – be in awe of him.  

We especially pray that we may experience his mercy and gain strength from him as our godless world disintegrates more and more in coming days, months and years – if years yet remain?  We are going to have a need to even more earnestly take to heart the words of the Master, “and when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place …” [Luke 21 v.9]     May we all fully realise and know in our hearts that “his mercy is for those who fear him – but who learn – not to fear the world! 

Today we completed reading Paul’s second letter to the believers at Corinth; he is still anxious about them, his letter expresses many concerns.   Let us recognise that correcting faults in our life in Christ is a personal responsibility. The concept of endless ‘grace abounding’ that exists among many who see themselves as Christians is dangerous.  Let us carefully note the points Paul makes as he brings his letter to a conclusion. 

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith” [13 v.5].  And so also must we.  Let us fully realize that Christ, by his spirit, is present among believers and sees their actions, knows their minds and that this knowledge will be the ‘foundation’ for his right judgment on the day of judgment.  Paul is developing the points he made in his first letter when he said,  “Let a person examine himself … and so eat … and drink” [1 Cor. 11 v.28] when he or she comes to the table of remembrance to have fellowship.  

This self-examination is not only when we come together to the table of the Lord;  in v.3 of this last chapter Paul stresses,  “Christ is … not weak … but is powerful among you.”  Christ sees their thoughts and actions (and, of course, ours). Paul stresses the need to, “Test yourselves.  or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless you fail to meet the test.” [v.5]   Let us realize the sense he is “in us – and that we meet all the tests the ungodly world around us, puts on us.?

When we were baptised we entered into a wonderful spiritual relationship with him, we were no longer our own; Paul expressed his own feeling to the Galatians, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” [2 v.20]. Let us realize the reality of this,  our Saviour is watching over us, this is both wonderful and awesome.  

Paul completes his message to the Corinthians by writing; “finally brothers (& sisters) Rejoice … comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” [v.11] It is the same today, our “peace” and teamwork together, means we will also fully have divine fellowship: remember Jesus said, “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” [Matt 18 v.20] How wonderful! It is beyond our human comprehension. Let us appreciate the full meaning of the final verse of Paul’s letter, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” Let us try ever harder to sense that “fellowship” as we “EXAMINE” and “TEST OURSELVES” every day.

Our world is full of distractions; these seem to increase every year!  This is especially so for the young; at every twist and turn of daily life they encounter “voices” “words” and messages clamouring for their attention.  These “voices” might come via iPads, mobile phones or whenever they turn on their Laptop.  

The words of Paul to the Corinthians we read today can be applied to the present situation.  The church in Corinth had been established for some years and the believers were being distracted by some who were full of their own self-importance and were creating problems.  We read, “I Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” [10 v.1]. This was the Christ-like attitude Paul had toward the genuine heart-motivated believers there, but it was a challenge to have it toward those who envied his popularity and sought to undermine his work for the Lord; we remember how our Lord responded to those who were envious of his popularity.   Paul was putting into practice what Christ had said, “Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden … Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart…” [Matt. 11 v.28,29] 

We see how Paul expresses his distress at the attitude of many in Corinth who were not doing this. It is the same today: God’s words get wilfully distorted.  Paul writes, “I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough” [11 v.3,4] 

Tragically the ‘Christian’ world has seen so many different gospels over the centuries, it is only the regular and prayerful reading of God’s word, so wonderfully preserved, that provides the foundation for us to truly walk in Christ’s footsteps – and, at the same time, to be motivated to develop the spirit of “meekness and gentleness.” This should apply equally as much when we seek to “destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God”[10 v.5]  May we find that, on at least some occasions, “the soft answer” [Prov. 15 v.1] can penetrate the hard hearts we encounter.

Finally, note how this chapter ends; “it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” May the Lord commend you on that day for being faithful to his word, and in turning from this world’s distractions to daily read and meditate on his word knowing they provide an essential foundation for all you think and do..