The Book of Acts ~ Study Forty-Two

"No King But Jesus"

Acts 12:19b-25 (NLT)  Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.

   Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”

   Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

   Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.

   When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.

Caesarea by the Sea Remants of Herod's Palace

King Herod was very confident in his power over Israel. He left Jerusalem for his beautiful seaside palace at Caesarea by the sea. A delegations from Tyre and Sidon were sent to make peace with him because he was angry with them. Here's an interesting bit of history (read below):

* Herod was at the very zenith of his power. Not only had Rome granted him rule over as great a territory as his grandfather Herod the Great ruled, but he could force self-governing cities adjacent to his domain into submission. On the appointed day to conclude the peace, which was during games in honor of Caesar, as Josephus reports it, "clad in a garment woven completely of silver so that its texture was indeed wondrous, he entered the theatre at daybreak. There the silver, illumined by the touch of the first rays of the sun, was wondrously radiant and by its glitter inspired fear and awe in those who gazed intently upon it" (Jewish Antiquities 19.343-44 [whole account 343-59]; note that the theater seats faced west). No wonder that as Herod addressed the assembly, which included the populace of Caesarea as well as the delegation from Tyre and Sidon (Bruce 1990:288 says the populace of Caesarea), they cried out, This is the voice of a god, and not of a man. (From the IVP NT Commentary)

Apparently Herod didn't take the commandment "your shall have no other gods before me" seriously for he worshiped himself and loved the worship of others. This didn't set too well with God and he had an angel strike him down with worms. Read the excerpt I have for you below and see what this illness was:

* Herod does not refuse their homage. Immediately an angel of the Lord strikes him down and he is eaten by worms. He experiences pain in the heart and stomach--peritonitis from a perforated appendix, combined with intestinal roundworms, ten to sixteen inches long. (Bunches of these can obstruct the intestines, causing severe pain, copious vomiting and finally death.) This excruciating condition continues for five days until he dies.

Isaiah 42:8 (NLT) “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols."

God means it when He says that He will not share His praise. Herod had a hand in killing Jesus and murdering James and now he was taking on the praise of man that should have been intended for God. God had had enough. He had allowed Herod to be in power over His people and now He took Him out. Chopping off his head would have been easier for Herod but God allowed worms, in the form of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix, to do Herod in. Believe it, it wasn't easy on Herod.

"Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers." Do you see the parallel between Herod type of death and the spread of the Gospel? Herod, who many were afraid of and bowed down to, was taken out by God with a spreading disease of worms and infection that caused enormous pain. Contrast Herod's disease to the Good News of Jesus, that he had tried to destroy, was now spreading and getting larger everyday.

God is in control. Even though at times it appears that we aren't winning any victories and are losing strength, God is always in control and victorious. His "glory" (kabod = weightiness) is proclaimed and is victorious over the evil in the world. There is no other like Him. Even though we will die and maybe not see everything He is doing in our lifetime, we will experience the fullness of His victory and His power in the eternal life He has given us. God's permanent Kingdom will come and His will shall be done ~ there is no doubt.

Do you feel defeated? Does it seem like you are always losing and the bad get worse and the evil get more evil? Who is your strength? Who do you depend on the get you through this life victoriously? Pay homage only to Jesus because the popular and powerful of this world will fade but our King does reign and rules forever.

Isaiah 65:17 (NLT) “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore."

I am writing this lesson it is on 9/11/10, nine years after the attack on our country by terrorists. It seems like the evil is spreading and has won. The devil would like us to believe that we are defeated, but the truth is this, Jesus has overcome the world even though we see horrible crimes being committed in the name of someone's god. (Not the One True God) Remember that this world will pass away but Jesus will restore it to a glory that only He can give. When He comes and sets His Kingdom up here on the new earth there will be no more evil, no more sorrow and no more pain. 

Keep your eyes on Jesus. Pray for our nation to keep our eyes on Him. Pray for our leaders, our troops, our law enforcement, our firefighters, and our healthcare givers . It is my prayer that God will not remove His hand from America and will continue to guide and protect her. God Bless America!

John 18:37 (NIV) You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

Come soon King Jesus!