*****
Saturday, February 29, 2020
* The kingdom is removed from Saul
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
Saul's downfall was disobedience to the Word of God.
In this section of scripture we see Saul coming to Samuel and declaring that he, Saul, had done all the Word of the Lord, when that was not true.
There are people today who think they are speaking truth but they are so twisted and deluded they cannot realize it is not truth they speak.
Some people today just don't care about truth. They do not seek truth in secular matters or in spiritual matters. I am acquainted with a church going woman who loves her own wisdom. In a secular matter, she showed me that she doesn't care about truth. She just hears a story and decides for herself without checking facts and without considering what anyone in a position to know truth would say about the secular matter. Why would I converse with such a person? I just removed myself from her when I clearly saw this situation. I care about truth in both secular and in spiritual matters.
***
The commandment of the Lord and the downfall of king Saul:
God removed the kingdom from Saul because Saul would not fully obey that which God told him to do.
Here is the assignment from God that brought Saul's downfall.
I Samuel 15:1-7 Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over HIS people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.
And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
When destruction comes to the wicked, you do not want to be among them lest you, too, be destroyed.
And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
***
8-9 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
What was the Word of the Lord to Saul? God told Saul to destroy all, even the animals. They did not do this.
For us this is a warning about the company we keep.
Also it cautions us concerning the handling of the Word given us by God.
When we were writing our first book on Amazon, I had a word from God and I have been very careful to do that word on all the books. This was a concept for me to follow in writing: "No matter how small the matter is, if you see something, correct it." I proof read each writing many times. It is amazing how small things can happen. They seem unimportant. But because of this Word from God, no matter how tired I am, or how busy I am, I stop and make the correction, even when it comes to underlining a word, or making bold print, or changing the letter color to make that word stand out in the paragraph, I deal with it.
When God brings something to our mind, it is critical for us that we not let it slip.
For us this is a warning about the company we keep.
Also it cautions us concerning the handling of the Word given us by God.
When we were writing our first book on Amazon, I had a word from God and I have been very careful to do that word on all the books. This was a concept for me to follow in writing: "No matter how small the matter is, if you see something, correct it." I proof read each writing many times. It is amazing how small things can happen. They seem unimportant. But because of this Word from God, no matter how tired I am, or how busy I am, I stop and make the correction, even when it comes to underlining a word, or making bold print, or changing the letter color to make that word stand out in the paragraph, I deal with it.
When God brings something to our mind, it is critical for us that we not let it slip.
***
I Samuel 15:10-11 Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth ME that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following ME, and hath not performed MY commandments.
(Very shortly Saul will greet Samuel and say: I have performed the commandment of the Lord. I Samuel 15:13)
(Very shortly Saul will greet Samuel and say: I have performed the commandment of the Lord. I Samuel 15:13)
And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.
And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.
And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord.
But God had told Samuel that Saul did not obey HIM. (I Samuel 15:10-11)
When there are conflicting statements, we must pay attention and always choose what God has said to us.
Samuel's response to Saul illuminates everything and judges in a way which cannot be denied, for the disobedient will try to deny their disobedience, saying they didn't say that or they didn't do that.
When there are conflicting statements, we must pay attention and always choose what God has said to us.
Samuel's response to Saul illuminates everything and judges in a way which cannot be denied, for the disobedient will try to deny their disobedience, saying they didn't say that or they didn't do that.
And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
***
I Samuel 15:15 And Saul said, They (the people) have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
But Saul was in charge. Saul was the one to whom the Word of the Lord was given through the prophet Samuel. It was Saul's responsibility to see that the Word of God was carried out in each phase of the assignment.
But Saul was in charge. Saul was the one to whom the Word of the Lord was given through the prophet Samuel. It was Saul's responsibility to see that the Word of God was carried out in each phase of the assignment.
And Saul can't see that he spared the king, Agag, and that he, Saul, disobeyed God by keeping the best of the livestock alive. He blames the people. We saw, in the previous chapter, Saul blaming several people for his own sin. He even blamed the prophet Samuel.
In that situation before, instead of waiting until Samuel arrived, Saul offered his own burnt offering. Saul was not appointed by God to do this.
Here is that story:
I Samuel 13:11-14 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
Saul blames: the people, the prophet Samuel, and the Philistines. Saul never blames himself though he, Saul, is responsible.
Saul said: Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which HE commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought HIM a man after HIS own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over HIS people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
Twice we have see Saul fail to follow instructions and to change the commandment of God.
It will be years before Saul is visibly removed from being king, but in the sight of God, Saul is already removed and trouble lies ahead for Saul and for others also for Saul ends up trying to kill David through these coming years.
I'm sure that if we change God's instruction or if we are slothful in doing that which God has told us to do, we can be removed.
It is important to know that small things matter. If God has brought us a word on something, we must be carefully to do that word.
Deuteronomy 8:3 And HE (God) humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
Saul said: Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which HE commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought HIM a man after HIS own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over HIS people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
Twice we have see Saul fail to follow instructions and to change the commandment of God.
It will be years before Saul is visibly removed from being king, but in the sight of God, Saul is already removed and trouble lies ahead for Saul and for others also for Saul ends up trying to kill David through these coming years.
I'm sure that if we change God's instruction or if we are slothful in doing that which God has told us to do, we can be removed.
It is important to know that small things matter. If God has brought us a word on something, we must be carefully to do that word.
Deuteronomy 8:3 And HE (God) humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
Matthew 4:4 But HE (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;
Each of us are responsible for every word God has given us and we will be judged by the way we handle every word given us by God.
***
Now it is over for Saul. God has removed the kingdom and has given that kingdom to David, who is yet to be anointed by the prophet Samuel. Although Saul continues to try to rule the kingdom ... and also later Saul will try to kill David because God is going to give Saul an evil spirit from the Lord and God will remove the Holy Spirit from Saul and will give that Holy Spirit to David. Although in spirit that kingdom Saul is already removed from being king. Saul will try to lead the children of Israel up till he has been killed in battle. And Saul will persecute David with the intent to kill David until that time.
Samuel says to Saul:
I Samuel 15:16-20 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night.
And he (Saul) said unto him, Say on.
And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel? And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?
Saul begins to argue with the prophet:
And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
What did God tell Saul when HE sent him out?
I Samuel 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. (God did not tell Saul to capture king Agag and to bring him back to the camp of Israel. God told Saul to slay Agag.)
***
Saul says:
I Samuel 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.
(Now Saul is saying it is the people's fault... then Saul says that the people kept the good animals for a good cause, to sacrifice to God. But even if the people did try to do that it was Saul's responsibility to stop the people for Saul is the one who had the commandment and who was appointed leader by God.)
To reason away the Word given you by God is a deadly act for you. A woman in our church group did this and she is no longer with us today. It is that serious. If we will not follow that Word when God gives us that word, God could remove us.
Look again at Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;
***
I Samuel 15:22-23 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, HE hath also rejected thee from being king.
***
24-32 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord.
And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for HE (God) is not a man, that HE should repent.
Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord.
And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for HE (God) is not a man, that HE should repent.
***
Several years ago, I met a young man who could quote more scripture than anyone I have ever met before or since. At first, I thought he might be called by God to the church as a pastor. But then he began showing something. He added to the Word of God. When I saw that, I cut him loose from me immediately though he begged me to let him continue with me, saying he could learn. But I saw it as too late. So I separated myself from him.
If we disobey God and handle the Word of God sloppily we deceive ourselves if we think we will improve in time. We've already had that time to show we will obey and handle the Word correctly.
We do ourselves and others a favor if we just stop that relationship when we see such a person and when we have to bring correction over and over for it pulls us down with them and it will not benefit them either.
I allowed a woman to trouble me for 39 years. I was always having to correct her. And it never worked. I'm free from her today.
You think they will get better by your correction. And if you choose to be around such you have to correct them. But they do not get better. You are brought down.
We put ourselves with those persons who demonstrate to us that they love the Word from God so much that they will handle that Word correctly, humbling themselves and allowing the Word to rule over them. We can live in peace with that person.
***
I Samuel 15:30 Then he (Saul) said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the Lord.
***
I Samuel 15:32-35 Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately.
And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.
Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that HE had made Saul king over Israel.
***
Disobedience in the New Testament church:
I have dealt with many people in the church when they turned away from the Word of God.
God describes this as "a strong delusion" that they would believe a lie.
These people become so twisted in their reasoning that I have often found it difficult to keep myself straight, but God has always gotten through to me in the straight line, directly to the real truth, from their many twisted words.
The devil is the father of lies, and they become the children of the devil, as they cannot hold to the truth of that which they said or that which they did when I confront them.
John 8:43-45 Jesus says: Why do ye not understand MY speech? even because ye cannot hear MY word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
And because I tell you the truth, says Jesus, ye believe ME not.
***
I've seen church people turned over to a reprobate mind:
Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
***
Multiple times I have heard pastors tell lies from the pulpits. I have gone to each of these men in private and have asked them specifically about that which they said at that service to the congregation.
In one case, I spoke to an elder who attended the same church service that I did where the pastor added to the Word of God in a lustful way. Later this elder told me he asked the pastor why he said what he said. The pastor said he didn't know why he said that. Later the pastor hired a homosexual for choir director and this elder told me he left that church. But this elder didn't seem to even hear pastor adding his lascivious story to the scriptures. What I recall is after pastor spoke that, I looked at the faces of the men in the congregation and I saw lustful smiles on those faces of many of the men. Regardless, that which pastor did was very evil. It is the end time church evil.
In one case, I spoke to an elder who attended the same church service that I did where the pastor added to the Word of God in a lustful way. Later this elder told me he asked the pastor why he said what he said. The pastor said he didn't know why he said that. Later the pastor hired a homosexual for choir director and this elder told me he left that church. But this elder didn't seem to even hear pastor adding his lascivious story to the scriptures. What I recall is after pastor spoke that, I looked at the faces of the men in the congregation and I saw lustful smiles on those faces of many of the men. Regardless, that which pastor did was very evil. It is the end time church evil.
Twice when I asked these pastors where that which they said was in the Bible, they have told me they couldn't remember.
Then when I told them to please look it up in the Bible and have their secretaries call me and tell me where it is in Bible, both said the same thing: "All right ... it's not in the Bible."
Neither time did pastor say he was sorry nor did either pastor show any shame for the way he had dealt with scripture.
Neither time did pastor say he was sorry nor did either pastor show any shame for the way he had dealt with scripture.
Later God showed me this was antichrist in the ministry. (opposite to God)
II Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (of the Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
These men rule over God, changing the scriptures to their own liking, pleasing church goers in their sins, making everyone feel approved, while they live ungodly lives as they live in the church.
It helped me when I saw it was antichrist and that it was ordained by God to happen and it had to happen in the church before Jesus returns.
Jude vv. 4-7 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, HE hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Jude vv. 4-7 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, HE hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Concerning these antichrist pastors:
I stopped being angry with them and I even stopped grieving over them. It simply had to happen as the apostle Paul said.
We, who belong to God, must go forward in peace, without spot, and blameless as Peter said to do. (II Peter 3:14)
We must do that which we have to do to keep ourselves in the love of the Word of God and usually that means separating from those who do not love the Word of God, showing that by their handling of the Word, and they do not have a love of the truth that they might be saved. For without that love of the truth, they will not be saved.
II Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
So we must find another person, if possible, who is a believer and associate with that person. Leaving the unbelievers in the churches alone for they are set to be destroyed since they fail to have a love of the truth. For if they love the truth of the scriptures, they would not be able to sit there where pastors and congregations flagrantly disobey portions of scripture.
***
Here are a few simple truths from scripture from which you can examine yourselves and your church groups.
Jesus teaches: Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
* The man who divorces a faithful wife will be the cause of her adultery which she will commit after divorce if she remarries.
* The faithful wife will commit adultery if she remarries after her husband divorces her.
* The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
I've never heard any church group teach these things.
I've never heard any church group teach these things.
***
The commandment of the Lord for the New Testament church:
I Corinthians 7:10-11 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
***
Mark 10:11-12 Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
***
One day I was watching TV and the man the Catholics call "The Pope" appeared on screen and he said, "I don't see anything against homosexuals."
I literally screamed at the TV, "What about the Bible?"
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Some say they were born homosexual.
God showed me the following:
Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
***
Some today in churches call drunkenness a disease instead of calling it a sin.
I Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (homosexuals), nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
***
Today many women live as unpaid prostitutes. They are shameless in their sins. And many in the world applaud them. Some, even in church groups, stand up for the rights of these women to live in sex outside of marriage.
They are flaunted on television screens today, which would not have happened in the 1940's. By this we see how we grow rapidly toward the coming wrath of God where God judges this world and the disobedient churches.
***
The world seeks respectability by attending the same churches that we flee from because of their disobedience to portions of scripture.
The world wants approval to sin.
We want freedom from sin.
We just can't sit there among them.
*****
Hymn: Blessed Assurance
(Click forward arrow > to play music:)
1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit,
washed in His blood.
Chorus:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
(Click pause symbol, " ... at beginning of hymn, to stop music)
*****
Scriptures pertaining to this hymn:
v. 2 Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.v. 2 Angels descending, bring from above
Work of Angels: Bible examples
Angels come down from heaven as commanded by God to do various works of God according to the will of God.
* An angel of the Lord told Zacharias that
his wife Elisabeth would bear a son and they were to call his name John.
Luke 1:11-15 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luke 1:11-15 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
***
Luke 1:39-44
Mary, who is carrying Jesus in her womb, visits her cousin,
Elizabeth, who is carrying John the Baptist in her womb ... The baby,
John the Baptist, is filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb
as soon as Mary with the baby Jesus enter the room ...
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
***
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before HIM (before Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
***
* The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary to tell her she would have a son and to call His name Jesus.
Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:
And HE shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of HIS kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:
And HE shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of HIS kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
And the angel departed from her.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
And the angel departed from her.
***
* An angel told Joseph not to fear to take Mary for his wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
* An angel told Joseph not to fear to take Mary for his wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for HE shall save His people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name Jesus.
***
* An angel of the Lord told the
shepherds that the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born and they could
find Him in a manger in Bethlehem.
Luke 2:8-15 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
***
* An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him to take Mary and Jesus and flee into Egypt and to remain in Egypt until the angel gave him word to return.
Matthew 2:13-14 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.
When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt
***
* Later an angel told Joseph to return into the land of Israel for the ruler who wanted to kill the baby Jesus was now dead.
Matthew 2:19-21 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
And he arose, and took the young child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
***
* When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan 40-days, angels ministered to Him.
Mark 1:12-13 And immediately the spirit driveth Him (Jesus) into the wilderness.
And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him.
***
* An angel of God moved the great stone which sealed the tomb of Jesus.
Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
***
* An angel of God came down from heaven to free Peter from prison.
Acts 12:1-11 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
***
* An angel delivered a message to the apostle Paul, telling Paul no harm would come to him and those on the ship.
Acts 27:18-25 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
***
Genesis 28:10-12 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Angels descend, carrying messages from God and doing works of God.
Then angels go back to heaven where God assigns them as He wills.
***
Psalm 103:20 Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word.
***
(Comments by Joan Boney ...) The night of January 10, 1980, I was asleep and awakened by a very loud trumpet-like voice which blew 3 words into my ear as follows: "Hartford, Seattle, KWJS" ... I believe this to have been an angel of God speaking to me. By this and through prayer, I came to believe God was leading me to go on radio. Within about 5 days of this word, I was broadcasting exhortations week-days on KWJS radio. Within a year I was on radio stations from NYC (Hartford) to Seattle.
***
Psalm 104:4 Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire:
***
Exodus 23:20-25 God says: Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for MY name (the Word) is in him.
But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
For Mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.
Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and HE shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
***
Notice how angels deliver messages from God to individuals.
Angels also do great works. It was an angel who moved the large stone from the front of the tomb of Jesus.
***
It is not so much delighting in the fact that an angel appeared to you but rather delighting and following that word which the angel of God delivered to you.
Share the Word.
Focus on the Word.
*****
Instruction in Righteousness: Acts 24
And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him (accuse Paul), saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.5 For we have found this man (Paul) a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
***
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
***
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
***
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
*****
Friday, February 28, 2020
* Fighting the enemies of the children of Israel
Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
I Samuel 13:1-4 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan (Saul's son) in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it.
And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
(Wasn't it Jonathan who smote the garrison of the Philistines rather than Saul?)
***
5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
This is a mighty army to have 30,000 chariots. I lived, at one time, in a town that had a population of 36,000. It is amazing to think of what this number of chariots would look like and also the 6,000 horsemen, and people like sand on sea shore there were so many.
6-9 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.
As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings.
And he (Saul) offered the burnt offering.
This that Saul did was a great sin. Also it shows a character flaw in Saul that would help to bring about Saul's destruction in the end. Saul exalted Himself above God when he did this for Saul was not appointed by God to offer burnt offerings.
This is similar to the story where Moses was in the mountain receiving information from God and the people grew tired of waiting and commanded Aaron to make them a god that would go before them for they didn't know what had become of this man Moses. So Aaron commanded that they give them the golden earrings and Aaron fashioned the gold into a calf and the people set the calf before them as a god.
***
10-13 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
And Samuel said, What hast thou done?
And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
(So many excuses against everyone but himself)
Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.(So many excuses against everyone but himself)
And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which HE commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
***
The Holy Spirit reminds me of something that happened in our church group: There was a woman in our group. God said to her, "Now is the time to get a dog." The woman foolishly handled this word for she waited from November to the following April and still had no dog. ("Now" to me means immediately, but several months passed as she hunted "the perfect dog.")
Finally she found online a dog that suited her and she bought that dog.
The dog was being delivered to her in Texas where she lived.
A pet-carrier would come by commercial plane with the dog. He would arrive in her city around mid-night.
When I heard the plan I was disturbed, for this woman often got lost in the town, even in daylight, and the airport was about 15-miles North of the town and was on country roads, and she would be going out there alone at midnight?
I prayed about this and had the following word delivered to me which I delivered to this woman. "Rent a chauffer driven car to take you to the airport to pick up the dog." (I rejoiced knowing this was from God and the perfect solution.)
At first, this woman also rejoiced. She contacted the local car rental and found it didn't cost much to do this and she could easily afford to do this. It was all settled.
Then this woman, in her wisdom, changed the instruction!
I was horrified when she told me she could drive herself, so she planned to do that, and then she would drive that man, who brought the animal that night, to his hotel, and she had hired a chauffeured car to pick this man up at his hotel the next morning and take this man to the airport.
I was probably as livid about this as Samuel was when he saw what Saul had done.
Some people cannot follow instructions.
After this woman saw how angry I was over her plan, she went back to the plan of hiring the chauffer to take her to airport that night at mid-night. (God's plan.)
***
Sometimes your change from God's plan brings serious consequences.
Samuel said to Saul:
14-15 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought HIM a man after HIS own heart (David), and the Lord hath commanded him (David) to be captain over HIS people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
14-15 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought HIM a man after HIS own heart (David), and the Lord hath commanded him (David) to be captain over HIS people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
***
16-22 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
(There were 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen so there were plenty in the army of the Philistines to divide into 3 companies for different cities.)
Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. (Only Saul and Jonathan had sword and spear.)
23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
***
Jonathan and his armorbearer slay the Philistines:
And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.
Here is an important example:
In the following story, we see God send one angel and that angel killed 185,000 men all by himself!
II Kings 19:34-35 God says: For I will defend this city, to save it, for Mine own sake, and for MY servant David's sake. And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. (185,000 dead bodies slain by one angel of God)
***
I Samuel 14:7 And his (Jonathan's) armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
***
8-24 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.
And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
So the Lord saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
***
Saul declares a commandment that was not from God:
This is a very serious problem. For the ruler set up that which the people had to obey, but it was not a commandment of God.
We see this continually in today's church. Men in charge of the churches make up rules for the church which are not rules of God, as set forth in the Holy Bible, and the people worship those rules of men doing that which men tell them to do.
* The observance of Lent is not a commandment of God. In fact it is a sin to do this thing, making yourself as god by your own works.
There are many other idols set up also in today's churches: Idols in the church are defined as things coming from the ideas of men, from the hands of men, and not from the Spirit of God.
Unless it is in the New Testament telling the church to do this thing, then it is as an "idol" and the people who do such, practice "idolatry", which is forbidden by God, and will bring damnation on those who practice these things, unless they see the Word of God on the matter and stop doing these things and turn from these things and repent.
Unless you have the love of the truth of the Bible in you, giving up your idols in your religious acts, you will damn yourself by that which you do in the name of your religion.
II Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
***
I Samuel 14:24-26 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
***
27-30 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
31-32 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. (a sin to eat the blood)
(So their king, Saul, set up something in his commandment that caused the people to sin against God's word.)
Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
31-32 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. (a sin to eat the blood)
(So their king, Saul, set up something in his commandment that caused the people to sin against God's word.)
33-35 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the Lord, in that they eat with the blood.
And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the Lord in eating with the blood.
And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
And Saul built an altar unto the Lord: the same was the first altar that he built unto the Lord.
***
36-37 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them.
And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee.
Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt THOU deliver them into the hand of Israel? But HE (God) answered him not that day.
Notice it was the priest who thought of asking God about Saul's plan. But when they asked God, God would not answer Saul.
***
38-45 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
For, as the Lord liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.
But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
(Since God did not answer him, Saul reasoned that someone had committed a sin in Israel.)
Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.
And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.
Therefore Saul said unto the Lord God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. (to see who has committed the sin) And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.
And Jonathan was taken.
(But Saul also had sinned in commanding the men not to eat and causing them to become so faint that they couldn't break Saul's oath but they broke the commandment of God and ate the meat raw with the blood which was forbidden by God.)
Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done.
And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day.
So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
(Saul has gotten to the point that he cannot tell good from evil.)
***
46-48 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
***
49-52 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal (who became one of the wives of David):
The men of the Old Testament often had multiple wives and multiple concubines. The women had only one husband, unless her husband died and then she could marry again, such as Abigail who married David. (I Samuel 25)
And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him. (as Samuel told the people their king would do)
*****
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