May God bless you Ophel and me in His will for us.

Originally Posted by A Blessed Man

Very good question, jiggyfly.

Let's look closely at the story. For nowhere in this story is it said that God made Lazarus sick, nor does it say that God (let me grammatically odd) made Lazarus dead. No. Scripture clearly states that Lazarus was ill (v1). In v4 Jesus tells his disciples that this sickness will not lead to Lazarus' death (from this world), but that God will use this situation to bring glory to Himself, and through it Jesus will be glorified.

God is timeless. He knew Lazarus would fall sick, and that he would fall asleep (die). And he chose long ago to use this incident to bring glory. Scripture does not say that God created this situation. It does show that God used this situation for glory.

Look at verse 11:

John 11:11 (ESV)
11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”

Jesus says Lazarus has fallen asleep. Note this word in the Greek is 'koimao', which literally means 'to slumber'. This is why the disciples confusion. Jesus uses this in both verse 11 and 12. Jesus wanted to get across that he was not dead for good.

John 11:14-15 (ESV)
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Lazarus has died. Note that nowhere does Jesus say that he was made this way for Jesus to raise him; rather Lazarus died: God will use this to show His glory.

But Jesus knew he was sick and let him die so Jesus did not heal him but rather let him suffer for 2 days. Now you can side step if you want to but go back and review your post. I showed you scripture and you can deny it all you want but it doesn't change the facts.

Hello all, I think it best at this time to close the thread. Way too much attention is going to Copeland. This is TalkJesus so lets put our focus on Him. God bless everyone.

Originally Posted by Ophel

Praise God! Thank you for this excellent post! It is never God's will that we suffer sickness!

Psalm 103:3 should be a major byword for the believer!
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.

I know of no Scripture that gives a time frame for healing of diseases or guarantees that they will occur on this side of eternity. My son fell victim to liver disease in the spring of 1996. I began a prayer campaign for his healing and his salvation. He came to Christ shortly before he died Aug 7, 2007 on his sick bed in a hospice facility. God chose to not heal him on this side of eternity, but, he has a healed body now!

SLE