End Times Witnessing: How a king missed heaven call?

Even kings can miss the heaven call. How does a king do this? Let us look at the sad but real and relevant life example of King Saul. Watchman’s comments are in brackets.


1 Samuel 15

1. (The Lord sent Prophet Samuel and gave a specific command to King Saul. He was called to be king over Israel. He was assigned a job, i.e. to go and smite the Amalek, and eliminate all. The Lord even gave the reason of this command.)

1SAMUEL TOLD Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now listen and heed the words of the Lord. 2Thus says the Lord of hosts, I have considered and will punish what Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him in the way when [Israel] came out of Egypt. 3Now go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy all they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.

2. (Saul chose to obey some of the commands and disobey some.)

4So Saul assembled the men and numbered them at Telaim–200,000 men on foot and 10,000 men of Judah. 5And Saul came to the city of Amalek and laid wait in the valley. 6Saul warned the Kenites, Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. 7Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt. 8And he took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, though he utterly destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword. 9Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, oxen, fatlings, lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them; but all that was undesirable or worthless they destroyed utterly.

3. (The Lord told Prophet Samuel about this and the Lord’s decision to remove and replace Saul as king. Samuel faithfully obeyed the Lord’s command even though he was personally and emotionally affected by this decision.)

10Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, 11I regret making Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not performed My commands. And Samuel was grieved and angry [with Saul], and he cried to the Lord all night.

4. (Saul missed the heavenly call because he just did not know God in Spirit and in Truth. He was just like any other human being, living by his old nature (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life; including his carnal mind) and the usual sensual way of life in the world. He thought his reason for not following the exact commands of the Lord was reasonable! This sounds just like any unbeliever’s ‘perfect’ argument for not believing in Jesus being the ONLY Savior, and ONLY Way to heaven! Their argument is that ‘my way’ or ‘any human way’ with the purpose of sacrificing to God is just as good as believing in Jesus!)

12When Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, he was told, Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up for himself a monument or trophy [of his victory] and passed on and went down to Gilgal. 13And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, Blessed are you of the Lord. I have performed what the Lord ordered. 14And Samuel said, What then means this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 15Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but the rest we have utterly destroyed.

5. (But Samuel had to tell Saul to shut up. He then faithfully gave him the message from God. He pointed out Saul’sole unforgivable sin was disobedience to God. Samuel thus witnessed for the holy and righteous God!)

16Then Samuel said to Saul, Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me tonight. Saul said to him, Say on. 17Samuel said, When you were small in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed you king over Israel? 18And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, Go, utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites; and fight against them until they are consumed. 19Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord, but swooped down upon the plunder and did evil in the Lord’s sight?

6. (But Saul further revealed his ignorance of God. He even stooped to using a lame excuse. Indeed for a mighty warrior and successful commander of the army of hundreds of thousands, how can he be afraid of his people and not enforce strict discipline?)

20Saul said to Samuel, Yes, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag king of Amalek and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21But the people took from the spoil sheep and oxen, the chief of the things to be utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.

7. (No wonder Samuel felt grieved and angry with Saul when he first heard from the Lord how Saul had disobeyed God, by rejecting the word of the Lord. He just could not understand how a man made king over God’s chosen nation could be so ignorant about God. Who does Saul think God is? Like any other so called ‘gods’? Samuel witnessed that for our God, “To obey is better than sacrifice”. He also gave the reason that, “for rebellion is as the sin of wichcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry”. )

22Samuel said, Has the Lord as great a 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. 23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim (household good luck images). Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.

8. (Saul finally heard that the Lord meant serious business. He was not going to be king any longer! What happened in this earthly life was all he cared for in this conversation. He wasn’t bothered with Who God is. Even so, he cared for men’s opinion more than God’s opinion of him! Indeed a tragic case of a king missing heaven!)

24And Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 25Now, I pray you, pardon my sin and go back with me, that I may worship the Lord. 26And Samuel said to Saul, I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel. 27And as Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of Samuel’s mantle, and it tore. 8And Samuel said to him, The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you. 29And also the Strength of Israel will not lie or repent; for He is not a man, that He should repent. 30Saul said, I have sinned; yet honor me now, I pray you, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the Lord your God. 31So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

9. (Saul did not make it finally. )

35And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death, though Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord repented that He had made Saul king over Israel.

10. (Conclusion: Saul is a natural man who lives by flesh and not by the Spirit (by faith). He does not know God. He is just not interested in God! Sad. That is exactly why many do not enter through the narrow gate today! On the other hand we see how faithful Samuel has witnessed for God and God’s Way. Samuel is a man who lives by the Spirit and obeys the Word of God. He has human feelings but he does not allow his emotion and mind interfere with the spiritual matters pertaining God, because he knows God in Spirit and in Truth.)

The narrow way to heaven:


(The narrow gate is Jesus. The difficult way is by faith and by the Spirit of God. it takes a miracle to enter heaven. The miracle is, no longer trusting our usual natural way of thinking and physical experience.)

Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destructions, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

End Times Witnessing: Watchman saw crown, crown, crown, crown!

After midnight, as he was doing the Jericho march, the watchman saw one crown, then another, then a third one, and finally the fourth one! He was awed. The first one came with a message in his spirit: “I AM THE KING!” As he marched on, he saw the second crown. When he saw the third one, he lifted up his hands and the Jesus Banner and worshipped in his spirit. He thought he would not see anymore, but by the 6th round he saw the last crown!

Indeed, He is the King of kings, Lord of lords! Crown Him with many crowns!!!!
He is the Great Redeemer.

Word to all who seek the Great Redeemer after death: you cannot have the Redeemer to guide you at the funeral unless you already have Jesus as your Saviour and Lord before you leave this earth. Once you breathe your last breath on earth it will be too late…

CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS (hymn)
Lyrics: Matthew Bridges, 1800-1894, and Godfrey Thring, 1823-1903
Music: George J. Elvey, 1816-1893
Listen to Crown Him with Many Crowns: http://www.surfinthespirit.com/music/audio/crownhim.mid
Lyrics:

Crown him with many crowns,

the Lamb upon his throne,

Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns

all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing

of him who died for thee,

and hail him as thy matchless King

through all eternity.


Crown him the Lord of life,

who triumphed o’er the grave,

and rose victorious in the strife

for those he came to save.

His glories now we sing,

who died, and rose on high,

who died, eternal life to bring,

and lives that death may die.


Crown him the Lord of peace,

whose power a scepter sways

from pole to pole, that wars may cease,

and all be prayer and praise.

His reign shall know no end,

and round his pierced feet

fair flowers of paradise extend B their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown him the Lord of love;

behold his hands and side,

those wounds, yet visible above,

in beauty glorified.

All hail, Redeemer, hail!

For thou hast died for me;

thy praise and glory shall not fail

throughout eternity.


BIBLE VERSES ON REDEEMER KING
1.Job 19:1

[ Job Trusts in His Redeemer ] Then Job answered and said:

Job 19:1-3 (in Context) Job 19 (Whole Chapter)

2.Job 19:25

For I know that my Redeemer lives,And He shall stand at last on the earth;

Job 19:24-26 (in Context) Job 19 (Whole Chapter)

3.Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heartBe acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:13-14 (in Context) Psalm 19 (Whole Chapter)

4.Psalm 78:35

Then they remembered that God was their rock,And the Most High God their Redeemer.

Psalm 78:34-36 (in Context) Psalm 78 (Whole Chapter)

5.Proverbs 23:11

For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.

Proverbs 23:10-12 (in Context) Proverbs 23 (Whole Chapter)

6.Isaiah 41:14

“ Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you,” says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 41:13-15 (in Context) Isaiah 41 (Whole Chapter)

7.Isaiah 43:1

[ The Redeemer of Israel ] But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,And He who formed you, O Israel: “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

Isaiah 43:1-3 (in Context) Isaiah 43 (Whole Chapter)

8.Isaiah 43:14

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “ For your sake I will send to Babylon, And bring them all down as fugitives— The Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships.

Isaiah 43:13-15 (in Context) Isaiah 43 (Whole Chapter)

9.Isaiah 44:6

[ There Is No Other God ] “ Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘ I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

Isaiah 44:5-7 (in Context) Isaiah 44 (Whole Chapter)

10.Isaiah 44:24

[ Judah Will Be Restored ] Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: “ I am the LORD, who makes all things,Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;

Isaiah 44:23-25 (in Context) Isaiah 44 (Whole Chapter)

11.Isaiah 47:4

As for our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is His name, The Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 47:3-5 (in Context) Isaiah 47 (Whole Chapter)

12.Isaiah 48:17

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “ I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.

Isaiah 48:16-18 (in Context) Isaiah 48 (Whole Chapter)

13.Isaiah 49:7

Thus says the LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, To Him whom man despises, To Him whom the nation abhors, To the Servant of rulers: “ Kings shall see and arise, Princes also shall worship, Because of the LORD who is faithful, The Holy One of Israel; And He has chosen You.”

Isaiah 49:6-8 (in Context) Isaiah 49 (Whole Chapter)

14.Isaiah 49:26

I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, And they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know That I, the LORD, am your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Isaiah 49:25-26 (in Context) Isaiah 49 (Whole Chapter)

15.Isaiah 54:5

For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.

Isaiah 54:4-6 (in Context) Isaiah 54 (Whole Chapter)

16.Isaiah 54:8

With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” Says the LORD, your Redeemer.

Isaiah 54:7-9 (in Context) Isaiah 54 (Whole Chapter)

17.Isaiah 59:16

[ The Redeemer of Zion ] Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

Isaiah 59:15-17 (in Context) Isaiah 59 (Whole Chapter)

18.Isaiah 59:20

“ The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the LORD.

Isaiah 59:19-21 (in Context) Isaiah 59 (Whole Chapter)

19.Isaiah 60:16

You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles, And milk the breast of kings; You shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Isaiah 60:15-17 (in Context) Isaiah 60 (Whole Chapter)

20.Isaiah 63:16

Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham was ignorant of us, And Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.

Isaiah 63:15-17 (in Context) Isaiah 63 (Whole Chapter)

21.Jeremiah 50:34

Their Redeemer is strong; The LORD of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case, That He may give rest to the land, And disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:33-35 (in Context) Jeremiah 50 (Whole Chapter)

22.Luke 2:36

[ Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer ] Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

Luke 2:35-37 (in Context) Luke 2 (Whole Chapter)