The King Who Lost Perspective, and the Failure The Ensued..

[popeye7]

Hello Again Everyone:

Hope you all had a great week as God has blessed us to live through another one... Before I continue there was a mistake on one of the verses I quoted in Revelation within last weeks writing... Wanted to correct it as I wrote it was Revelation chapter 10 when in fact it was chapter 12... You probably caught it already, but just in case you did not...

Being consistent within this spiritual calling can sometimes be very difficult because of having to focus continually on what we do not see... This of, and by itself can be a battle... The influence of our physical world has such a bearing how idea's are formulated, or how viewpoints are made as well as actions taken...

Many base their decisions on how their peer's are believing, or living their lives as well... Many do not want to necessarily go against the tide of what is considered normal especially as it pertains to how they it can be viewed by other's as strange... Especially within what has become traditional forms of worship within nation's over time...

Now these traditions may not necessarily be based on God's Word, and in may instances, go against what our Creator has commanded, and desires for us to exercise in order to ensure growth is attained... One cannot perfect what is already perfect... Changing it only results imperfection... God is the epitome of perfection, and what HE has declared as His Word, Who became His Son, has always been spot on, and unquestionable perfect..

Yet, us human beings have managed to try to prove Him wrong by trying to change, or remove that which is flawless... The results of this have certainly been evident since our introduction of imperfection upon God's earth, and this rebellious state of mind has reached a point as it was during the time of Noah.. This of course was already prophesied to occur by our all knowing, and omnipresent Creator through our Savior the Word, and will reach it's epic conclusion in the not too distant future... Genesis chapter 6 reminds us of just how sinful it had become... Humanity doing what is right in their own eyes, and a progression towards a mindset where even their thoughts were continually bent of wickedness:

"5 The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. 6 The Lord regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy (annihilate) mankind whom I have created from the surface of the earth—not only man, but the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air—because it [deeply] grieves Me [to see mankind’s sin] and I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor and grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Amplified Version)

Matthew chapter 24 reminds us of how sin blinds sound reasoning based on Gods prophetic Word when practiced to the extent it is to this day, and more than likely worsening as we progress towards the end of this age... Unbelief transpires as this mystery of lawlessness blinds the spirit that all of us possess to the reality of God's Word being fulfilled.. A false sense of security develops before this process of our Savior's return transpires...

"37 For the coming of the Son of Man (the Messiah) will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be [unexpected judgment]. (Amplified Version)

Not knowing HIM, nor wanting to adhere to God's warnings through His Word, and prophets because of the love for hedonistic, and degenerate behavior will separate those who repent for their iniquity because of the spiritual ramifications of sin... God becomes the enemy even when one believes that his, or her Creator is accepting of their behavior in their own minds... Because of deception due to sin's defining the many who will have been fooled into believing it is an expression of freedom to do so, these want to preserve the status quo.... Jesus will be their enemy while the man of sin will be their champion, and God...

Knowing the Word of God is not enough.. Having wisdom, while good, is not enough to ensure one overcomes the world, and abhorring what transpires within it as it pertains to what our Creator determines as transgressing His moral Law... King Solomon, while given a wise, and discerning spirit via the Spirit of God, is a prime example how essential that we love God's Way, and Truth based on His commandments...

While I was reading Solomon's account in 1 Kings the realization of falling from God's grace is so very easy when the love for the Almighty is not where it should be as it pertains to all else that has been created by HIM... Satan will coerce through whatever weakness one may have, and is a master at exposing it in whatever fashion is necessary... God allows for temptation in order to show that individual where they stand spiritually, and if necessary hopefully repentance is sought.. But when sin becomes more of a need in someone's life, and the refusal to change does occur, well, as was the case with King Solomon, one will become their own worst enemy...

His Father David loved God, and showed his adoration of I AM throughout the majority of his life... He was not perfect of course... But under David's rule as king of Israel, no other god's were honored by him at all... Nor was this tolerated during David's tenure as king in the slightest... His respectful honor, and healthy fear of God through the love David allowed for his Creator to establish in his heart, and mind is quite evident within the Psalms as well as how most of this man's life was lived... There were of course times that David neglected submitting to the will of Gods Spirit, and this led to disastrous results as most of us have read within scripture...

But David would repent with the utmost of sincerity, and longing to never let God down again in the same fashion.. Which is why God declared this man truly wanted to win HIS heart, and favor through the love HE chose to have for the very Word his Creator declared... David knew WHO his SAVIOR was, and that his very existence depended upon God in every way... This man understood his works would never suffice to bring redemption as well, but through adherence to the very Word his Redeemer represents, showed the appreciation, and love for God through obedience..

King David also understood that reliance upon the Spirit of God was absolutely essential because of the frailty of the flesh, and the inability to endure a physical existence within a world so influenced heavily by iniquity was very clear in his mind... Davids love for God first, and foremost was the key in him successfully overcoming the world... Maintaining his focus upon the spiritual aspect to life despite being of the flesh was key to David's success..

King Solomon on the other hand did show reverence for God during the first half of his 40 year tenure as king of Israel... But over time, his priorities changed, and his respect for God waned... While self fulfillment through the love for his wives more so than the Lord God became quite apparent as scripture points out in 1 Kings chapter 11... This of course affected his ability to rule with equity in accordance to God's standards, as Solomon became quite the despotic leader during the latter portion of monarchial reign..

Why did this change of heart occur?... God knows His creation far greater than we know ourselves... Many times we like to think we know what is best without God's guidance, and sound direction.. That is when our faith in the Almighty generally goes asunder, and our desires become far more important than HIS will for us... In a sense, we take the place of our Father in heaven, and place far too much trust in ourselves... When this occurs it allows for Satan's spiritual influence through temptation far more easier, and one finds themselves justifying behavior that God considers sinful...

In Deuteronomy chapter 17 God gave specific instructions concerning how a king must conduct themselves in order to ensure that his rule does not become a narcissistic one...

"14 “You are about to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you. When you take it over and settle there, you may think, ‘We should select a king to rule over us like the other nations around us.’ 15 If this happens, be sure to select as king the man the Lord your God chooses. You must appoint a fellow Israelite; he may not be a foreigner.
16 “The king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself or send his people to Egypt to buy horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You must never return to Egypt.’ 17 The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the Lord. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself.

18 “When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19 He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. 20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel. (New Living Translation)

So easy to take advantage of one's situation as a king over a nation, and abuse the authority God has granted as a just, and sound ruler... Generally separation from God on a spiritual level is the primary cause for this occurring... Once compromise takes place, it can most certainly have a domino effect on an individuals priorities because the physical aspect to life becomes far more important.. Now notice what transpires once King Solomon establishes himself as leader of Israel, and becomes more comfortable in this role... It becomes more about him rather than His Creator.. 1 Kings chapters 10, and 11 explains what happened to this wise King whose lack of love for God became a major stumbling block:

"14 The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold, 15 besides that from the traveling merchants, from the income of traders, from all the kings of Arabia, and from the governors of the country.

24 Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. 25 Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.
26 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. 27 The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.

28 Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king’s merchants bought them in Keveh at the current price. 29 Now a chariot that was imported from Egypt cost six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse one hundred and fifty; and thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

Chapter 11 of 1 Kings continues, and again shows us word for work how Solomon took for granted God's blessings, and completely ignored the instructions that was given him within Deuteronomy chapter 17:

"11 Now king Solomon [defiantly] loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 from the very nations of whom the Lord said to the Israelites, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for the result will be that they will turn away your hearts to follow their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away [from God]. 4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not completely devoted to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David."

9 So the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not follow other gods; but he did not observe (remember, obey) what the Lord had commanded. 11 Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. 12 However, I will not do it in your lifetime, for the sake of your father David, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son (Rehoboam). 13 However, I will not tear away all the kingdom; I will give one tribe (Judah) to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen. (Amplified Version)

This Satanic behavior was indeed inspired by the cherub who had been given so many talents, as well as great beauty from God as Ezekiel chapter 28 declares in verses 11 through 19... Once iniquity was found to have taken hold of Lucifer's spiritual life, his opposition, and hatred for God grew simply because of refusing to repent... He wanted to be like God, and assume his throne as Isaiah chapter 14 declares how self important we can become when separation from our Creator occurs because of lawlessness defining our inmost being.. One becomes delusional, and irrational in their ability to view reality from what becomes destructive behavior when our Wonderful Redeemer is shunned, and His Way, and Truth forsaken for lies:

12 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit."

Simply put, we cannot afford to allow ourselves to be separated from the very love that the Lord God defines.. As scripture points out HE is the very essence of love, and perfect in all of His Ways... Aspiring to be defined by His holiness as God defines Himself to be within ourselves should be our priority.. Understanding just how weak we are without HIM guiding us, and our complete submission to His sovereign will is imperative for growth in our Beloved Savior as HE shepherds our inmost being.. Paul reminds us of this in 2 Timothy chapter 1:

"6 That is why I remind you to fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment] which is in you through the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]." (Amplified Version)

Romans chapter 8 also encourages us to remember that only we can separate ourselves from God because decisions we make in our lives... Remaining steadfast in the Spirit of God, and understanding that we alone cannot fight the good fight, this spiritual war that takes place within our lives on a moment by moment basis:

"37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. 38 For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Amplified Version)

Love is the most essential key within our calling through ChrIst Jesus, and God is love... Without His presence, and guidance, love is unachievable, and life is lived in a vain... Admitting we are weak, while relinquishing any semblance of pride within ourselves is crucial in successfully overcoming our former carnal spiritual state.. As God's Spirit feeds us the spiritual mammon that His Son represents as the Bread of Life.. Romans chapter 8 continues:

"12 So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]— 13 for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever. 14 For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. 17 And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory. (Amplified Version)

Our Father in heaven wants what is best, and to appreciate eternity that HE so longs to grant us... Working out so great a priceless, and unearned Gift of salvation does take one to be mindful on a continual basis of the thoughts that process through our minds.. While prayerfully bringing one's spirit into complete subjection to the will of the Father of all creation through His Beloved Son...

One more thing I would like to add concerning King Solomon.. Notice that he received 666 talents, or 25 tons of gold yearly to his treasury... This was not a coincidence at all as it pertains to the number of man who Abaddon the destroyer, and the beast who will ascend out of the bottomless pit once released at the blowing of the 5th trumpet of God's angel.. As Revelation chapter 13 prophetically declares:

16 Also he compels all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead [signifying allegiance to the beast], 17 and that no one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let the person who has enough insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the [imperfect] number of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. (Amplified Version)

It is not recorded within scripture that Solomon ever repented for his rebellion against God... In fact one could argue that during the latter stages of his monarchy Solomon became a type of the final anti-Christ who will be revered, and worshiped as God... King Solomon used the gift of wisdom God granted this man for his own personal fame, and gain in the end...

But the reality was Solomon lost everything when his primary reason for living was self fulfillment... So easy to get lost in the beauty of God's creation, and for it to become a form of idolatry... Whether it be with material gain, or relationships that become far more pertinent in one's life that the ONE WHO made it all possible by the very WORD HE spoke in order to allow for all to exist...

His life was a prime example of having it all on a physical level, and allowing for the pride of life to deceive one into believing that individual is above repentance, and becomes like God in their own heart, and mind... The Word of God is declared as far more precious than gold, and of course HE is... Jesus Christ is Life Himself, and without His redeeming presence, there is no life, nor hope for eternity...

King Solomon allowed for physical gold, and hedonism to dictate his spiritual state... This same spirit of rebellion against God, while believing one is far more important that the Creator of all that exists will permeate this man of sin... A delusion that will lead to the beast's demise in the lake of fire... God's Word is Spiritual Gold to those who desire to be refined by the ONE WHO died to ensure who can overcome the flesh in every way, and develop the precious fruit of God's Spirit within ourselves on this journey upon the straight, and narrow path our Father in heaven placed us on...

May we allow for the love for our Wonderful Father through our Beloved Savior define our lives in order to ensure victory is achieved, and race is made complete on a personal level... God bless us all with peace, and good courage.. His love will never fail us...

Steve