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The Bible study focused on Isaiah's prophecies to God's people, examining how the prophet warned the kingdom of Judah about sin and rebellion while foretelling the coming Messiah 700 years before Jesus's birth. The lesson connected Old Testament prophecies directly to New Testament fulfillment, emphasizing that despite Israel's apostasy, God's faithfulness would bring about His promises. 

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Major Themes Explored:

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Isaiah as the Messianic Prophet

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Isaiah is known as the "Eagle Eye Prophet" because God enabled him to see through the corridors of time and prophesy about Christ centuries before His arrival. The book contains the most significant messianic prophecies in Scripture, earning it the designation as the "fifth gospel" due to its extensive messianic messages. 

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Key messianic prophecies discussed:

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• Virgin birth prophecy (Isaiah 7:14): "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel" (meaning "God is with us"). 

• Wonderful Counselor prophecy (Isaiah 9:6-7): The child who will be called "Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" with an eternal kingdom of justice and righteousness. 

• Messiah from David's lineage (Isaiah 11:1-2): A shoot from the stump of Jesse (King David's father) upon whom the Spirit of the Lord—wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord—will rest. 

• The suffering servant (Isaiah 53:3-5, 10-11): Describes one despised, rejected, and acquainted with grief who bears our sins and sorrows, whose wounds bring healing through substitutionary suffering. 

• Mission proclamation (Isaiah 61:1-2): The Spirit of the Lord anointing the servant to bring good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and proclaim freedom to captives. 

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Isaiah's Background and Ministry Context

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Personal background:

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• Isaiah was an Israelite priest who lived and worked in Jerusalem during the final decades of the southern kingdom of Judah. 

• He came from an influential, possibly royal, upper-class family and was highly educated with gifts as a poet and prophet. 

• He had direct access to royalty and gave prophetic counsel to kings concerning Judah's foreign affairs, earning him the designation as the "royal prophet". 

• Isaiah was married to a woman gifted as a prophetess (though her name is not given in the King James Bible). ​

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Kings served under:

Isaiah ministered during the reigns of four kings of Judah: 

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• King Uzziah (also called Azariah): Generally good but had a tragic end when he slipped off the beaten path (2 Kings 15:1-7; 2 Chronicles 26). 

• King Jotham: A good king (2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chronicles 27). 

• King Ahaz: An evil king and troublemaker (2 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 28). 

• King Hezekiah: A good king (2 Kings 18-20; 2 Chronicles 29-32). 

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Isaiah's famous vision occurred "in the year that King Uzziah died" when he "saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple" (Isaiah 6). 

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Isaiah's Prophetic Family as Living Messages

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God used Isaiah's entire family as "living, breathing prophecies" and a "unified, prophetic billboard" to deliver tangible messages.

 

His two sons had symbolic names:​

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• Shear-Jashub (Isaiah 7:3): Name means "a remnant shall return," prophesying that even though both kingdoms would go into exile, a remnant would return. 

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• Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (Isaiah 8:3): Name means "quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil," prophesying how the Assyrians would quickly plunder the Northern Kingdom. 

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Isaiah stated: "Here am I, the children whom the Lord has given me. We are for signs and wonders in Israel" (Isaiah 8:18). This demonstrated that God intimately involved entire families in His redemptive plan. 

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Modern Application:

Just as Isaiah's family members had meaningful roles in God's kingdom, all believers—whether bishops, pastors, missionaries, evangelists, deacons, or lay members—are family in Christ with important jobs to do. 

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Sanctification Required for Ministry

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Before Isaiah could engage in any ministry, he had to be sanctified and purged (Isaiah 6). When Isaiah saw the Lord's holiness, he cried out: "Woe is me. I'm undone. I'm a man of unclean lips." God then purged his mouth so he could be in good standing before becoming God's mouthpiece to the people.

 

Key principle:

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Isaiah did not prophesy his own ideas but received visions from God inspired by the Holy Spirit because he had a personal relationship and fellowship with God through daily devotion. 

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Devotional practices included:

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• Prayer and praise 

• Worship 

• Songs ​

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Application for believers:

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Every believer should learn to communicate with God personally, not just corporately. This requires discipline, intentionality, and commitment to guard consecration time with God. As one participant noted, "It takes discipline. People have to be intentional and deliberate" in setting aside worship time, because "you can't get time back."

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The Stumbling Block: God's Word Rejected:

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A significant discussion centered on Isaiah 8:14, which describes God as both a sanctuary to those who trust Him and a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to those who reject Him. 

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Deep theological analysis revealed:

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• Isaiah 8:14 uses a covenant lawsuit employing Merism: Yahweh is simultaneously a mikdash (sanctuary) for the faithful remnant and a stumbling stone for the apostate polity. 

• "Both houses" refers to the bifurcated monarchy after the kingdom split—northern Israel and southern Judah. 

• The doorway metaphor: "If you trust the builder, the doorframe is safety. You lean on it. If you don't, you run full speed and smack into it." 

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Why the stumbling occurred:

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• God wanted to be Israel's sanctuary and safe place, but both North and South kept looking for safety in armies, idols, and politics instead of Him. The same God who could shelter them became what they tripped over—He didn't change, their posture did. 

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• New Testament connection: Jesus Christ became the same stumbling block because people couldn't receive His message. In the Old Testament, the stumbling block was rejecting the law and sanctification; in the New Testament, it was rejecting the New Covenant. 

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• Core definition: The stumbling block is **"a hindrance of progress"**—the inability to receive God's unadulterated word. Instead of progressing and growing in God, people wanted to stay in the flesh, maintain idols, and keep the appearance of religion without justice, righteousness, and truth. 

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Consequences:

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Because they didn't listen to prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, they went into exile for 70 years until they could learn their lesson. 

 

Contemporary Application:

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Many stumble at God's Word itself simply because "they just don't like what God says."

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Modern stumbling blocks include:

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• Trusting in politics instead of God, thinking whoever gets in office will be the savior

• Trusting in alliances with people who seem helpful or give nice words 

• Trusting in human wisdom because "we think we're 21 plus and we can make up our own mind" instead of acknowledging God in all our ways 

Key insight: "What you refuse to trust will eventually become your stumbling block." 

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God's Call to Repentance and Promise of Restoration

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Despite Israel's rebellion, God's message balanced judgment with hope:​

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The indictment (Isaiah 1:4-6):

God mourned over a sinful, rebellious nation that had abandoned Him: "Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity and a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters. They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger." They were covered with wounds and bruises from head to toe, spiritually sick yet unaware. 

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Israel's specific sins:

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• Idolatry as adultery: They adopted worship of Canaanite gods, building idol shrines throughout the land, described using metaphors of prostitution, promiscuity, and unfaithfulness. 

• Corrupt leadership: Priests, kings, and other prophets had become corrupt, abandoning the Torah and covenant. 

• Social injustice: The most vulnerable—widows, orphans, and immigrants—were being exploited in clear violation of Torah laws, and leaders didn't care. 

• Temple hypocrisy: In the famous Temple Sermon (Jeremiah 7), Israelites came to worship as if everything was fine while simultaneously worshiping other gods outside and even practicing child sacrifice. ​

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Judah's specific sins:

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• Temple Presumption: They trusted in the physical presence of the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, believing God would never allow His holy dwelling place to be destroyed. 

• False Prophets: The people listened to false prophets and corrupt leaders who promised "peace" and security, ignoring the warnings of true prophets like Jeremiah who told them the consequences of their idolatry and injustice. 

• Historical Deliverance: They heavily relied on the memory of past divine interventions, such as the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian siege under King Hezekiah, assuming God would always rescue them regardless of how they behaved.

• Superficial Religion: They maintained a façade of religious rituals and sacrifices, believing that going through the motions of worship would outweigh their moral and social sins. 

 

The invitation to repentance (Isaiah 1:16-19):

God called the people to "wash, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." 

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Then came one of Scripture's most beautiful invitations:

"Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though your sin be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." 

The requirement: Obedience to God's Word is essential to receive His promises. 

 

The promise of hope:

Despite Israel's apostasy, God would not let their sin get the final word. Isaiah developed Moses' prediction that after Israel broke the covenant and went into exile, God would not abandon His people but would renew His covenant and transform their hearts. 

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The New Covenant promise (Jeremiah 30-33, referenced in lesson):

God would one day inscribe the laws of the Torah not on tablets but on the hearts of His people, healing their rebellion so they could truly love and follow Him. Israel would return to the land, the Messiah from David's line would come, and all nations would recognize Israel's God as the true God. God's faithfulness: His own faithfulness would bring about the fulfillment of His promises, no matter what. 

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Isaiah's Literary Forms and Prophetic Style:

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Isaiah's prophecies are characterized by vivid imagery, poetic language, and profound theological insights. 

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Literary forms in Isaiah:

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• Hymns: Isaiah 12:1-6; Isaiah 42:10-12 49

• Laments: Isaiah 64:1-12; Isaiah 1:2-9 49

• Elegies (songs of sorrow): Isaiah 14:4-21; Isaiah 3:25-26 49

• Woe poems: Isaiah 5:8-23; Isaiah 10:1-4 49

• Servant songs: Isaiah 42:1-4; Isaiah 49:1-6; Isaiah 54:4-11; Isaiah 52:13 49

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Isaiah's Dual Vocation and Scope:

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Isaiah was given a dual vocation: He would be a prophet to Israel but also to the nations. His words would both "uproot and tear down" but also "plant and build up"—meaning he would accuse Israel and warn of judgment while also providing messages of hope for the future. 

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Light to the Gentiles:

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Isaiah prophesied about the conversion of the Gentiles seeing the light of God (Isaiah 60:1-3), making him highly evangelistic and a prophet of redemption. This was significant because it showed God's infinite mercy and compassion in extending salvation beyond the Jewish people. 

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Connection to New Testament and Modern Times:

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INTRODUCTION OF LESSON:

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Who Isaiah Was and Why His Message Matters

 

Isaiah 8:14 - "And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling..."

Why here? -This introduces the Messiah and shows that God's people would either accept or reject Him.

 

Isaiah 11:1-2 - "There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse..."

Why here? - This introduces Jesus as the promised Messiah from David's family line.

 

Isaiah 42:1-4 - God's chosen Servant who brings justice.

Why here? - It introduces God's plan for redemption through His Servant.

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New Testament Connections for the Introduction

Matthew 1:1 - Jesus comes from the line of David

Matthew 3:16-17 - The Spirit rests upon Jesus

John 1:11-12 - Some received Him; some rejected Him

Romans 15:12 - Paul quotes Isaiah 11 concerning Jesus

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DISCUSSION OF LESSON:

Theme: Isaiah's Messianic Prophecies and Redemption

This is the heart of the lesson:

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Isaiah 7:14 (Central Verse) - "Behold, a virgin shall conceive..."

New Testament Fulfillment - Matthew 1:22-23 - "Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled..."

 

This is a direct fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14

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Isaiah 9:6-7 - "Unto us a child is born..."

New Testament Fulfillment - Luke 2:11 - "For unto you is born this day..."

Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus inherits David's throne

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Isaiah 53:3-5 - "He was wounded for our transgressions..."

New Testament Fulfillment - Matthew 27 - Jesus suffers

1 Peter 2:24 - "By whose stripes ye were healed"

Acts 8:32-35 - Philip explains Isaiah 53 is speaking about Jesus

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Isaiah 53:10-11 - God's suffering servant dies and sees the results of His sacrifice

New Testament Fulfillment - Romans 5:8

Christ died for sinners - Hebrews 9:28 - Christ offered Himself once for all

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Isaiah was not merely predicting events - He was revealing - Christ's birth - Christ's character

Christ's suffering - Christ's death - Christ's resurrection - Christ's kingdom

700 years before Jesus was born.

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CONCLUSION OF LESSON:

Theme: Hope, Restoration, and God's Future Kingdom

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Isaiah 61:1-2 - "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me..."

New Testament Fulfillment - Luke 4:16-21

 

Jesus reads Isaiah 61 in the synagogue and says: - "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears"

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This is one of the strongest fulfillment passages in the Bible

 

Isaiah 1:18 - "Though your sins be as scarlet..." - Referenced in the lesson discussion

New Testament Connection - 2 Corinthians 5:17 - New creation in Christ

​1 John 1:9 - Forgiveness and cleansing

 

Isaiah's Future Hope - The lesson concludes that Isaiah did not leave the people hopeless with God's promise for a Messiah

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He balanced:

• Judgment / Hope 

• Sin / Forgiveness

• Rebellion / Restoration

• Captivity / Deliverance

• Warning / Redemption

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New Testament Conclusion Scriptures:

Revelation 21:1-4 - God's final restoration

Titus 2:13 - The blessed hope

Romans 15:13 - The God of hope

Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an anchor of the soul

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APPLICATION:

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INTRODUCTION: How does it apply to us? Ask: In what areas of life am I like ancient Israel — recognizing God with my lips but living as if He doesn't own me? Isaiah's introduction calls us to honest self-examination. God's love doesn't exempt us from accountability; it makes the call to return even more urgent. The invitation of Isaiah 1:18 — "Come, let us reason together" — is still open today.

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DISCUSION: How does it apply to us? God is not looking for perfect people — He is looking for available ones. Isaiah's education, gifts, and royal connections did not make him a prophet; his relationship with God did. Ask: Am I building a devotional life deep enough that God can trust me with vision? And for families: Is my household a place where God's word is welcomed and carried? The goal is homes that point to the gospel, just as Isaiah's family did.

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CONCLUSION: How does it apply to us? No matter how dark your present season looks, Isaiah's conclusion is your conclusion too — God is not finished. He is moving toward restoration. The question is not whether God has a future for you; the question is whether you will trust Him enough to walk into it. Close in prayer asking God to give each person in the room the "eagle eyes" of Isaiah — to see beyond their current circumstances into what God has already written about their future.

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Handel's Messiah:

Most of the music and songs in Handel's famous oratorio come from 21 Isaiah's scriptures, particularly: 

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Part I: Prophecy and Nativity

These songs center on the promise of redemption, John the Baptist’s ministry, and the birth of Christ, drawing heavily from Isaiah 40, 7, 60, and 9.

 

Key movements include: 

• "Comfort ye..." / "Every valley..." (Isa. 40:1-4)

• "And the glory of the Lord" (Isa. 40:5)

• "Behold, a virgin shall conceive" (Isa. 7:14)

• "O thou that tellest..." (Isa. 40:9, 60:1)

• "For behold, darkness..." / "The people that walked" (Isa. 60:2-3, 9:2)

• "For unto us a Child is born" (Isa. 9:6) 

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Part II: The Passion and Redemption

The majority of the Isaiah texts in this act detail the suffering of Christ and God's plan for salvation, primarily using Isaiah 53 and 52.

 

Key movements include: 

• "He was despised" (Isa. 53:3)

• "Surely He hath borne..." / "And with His stripes..." (Isa. 53:4-5)

• "All we like sheep" (Isa. 53:6)

• "How beautiful are the feet" (Isa. 52:7) 

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Jewish reception of Isaiah's prophecies:

The lesson noted that many Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah, though there are exceptions:

• Messianic Jews and Jews for Jesus do profess Christ as the Messiah and preach Jesus Christ crucified. 

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• Prominent examples include Rabbi Kurt Schneider who has a show called "Discovering the Jewish Jesus" that correlates Old Testament prophecies to New Testament fulfillment. 

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• Michael Evans from Jerusalem sends weekly letters about Jews accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. However, Hasidic and Orthodox Jews strictly adhere to the Old Testament and do not read or accept the New Testament, thus not connecting Isaiah's prophecies with Jesus. 

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• Prophetic fulfillment timeline: According to biblical prophecy, after the tribulation, the Jewish people will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but God is still "holding out the scepter for them" now.

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• Unavoidable messianic evidence: The lesson emphasized that all the scriptures read "are screaming about Jesus" and cannot be neglected or covered up because believers know what transpires in the New Testament.