Isaiah 6:1-13
1. In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
4. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
5. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
6. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
7. And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
8. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
9. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
I wonder if Isaiah knew that the Lord meant that Isaiah would witness, but the people would not believe him and it would become their reproach?
11. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
12. And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
13. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
This is from Matthew Henry: "Isaiah must preach to them, and they will hear him indeed, but that is all; they will not heed him; they will no understand him; they will not take any pains, nor use that application of mind which is necessary to the understanding of him; they are prejudiced against that which is the true intent and meaning of what he says, and therefore they will not understand him, or pretend they do not. They see indeed (for the vision is made plain on tables, so that he who runs may read it); but they perceive not their own concern in it; it is to them as a tale that is told. Note, There are many who hear the sound of God's word, but do not feel the power of it. "
This is where we are now. We have the Bible, people can see it and read it, but most people do not perceive their own concern in it.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Salted with fire
Mark 9:43-50
43. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
49. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
The commentaries have trouble with this verse, and they all try to change it a little, to say in effect that the unsaved are salted with fire, but it doesn’t say that. In fact, scriptures say that we will be tried as though by fire. Many times you told me that our works will go through the fire and the hay and stubble will be consumed.
43. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
49. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
The commentaries have trouble with this verse, and they all try to change it a little, to say in effect that the unsaved are salted with fire, but it doesn’t say that. In fact, scriptures say that we will be tried as though by fire. Many times you told me that our works will go through the fire and the hay and stubble will be consumed.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
The first commandment
Mark 12:29-34
29. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
I like this passage. And it is both easy to keep and a struggle to keep. We need to keep the Lord always first. He is easy to love. And yet, we are distracted by things here on earth and if we do not have daily study and / or communion with God, how can we claim that we are loving Him with all our mind and with all our strength? But, I still like the passage. And I strive to keep it. And I like knowing that if I just keep this one, everything else will take care of itself. This one commandment will lead us into all righteousness.
29. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
I like this passage. And it is both easy to keep and a struggle to keep. We need to keep the Lord always first. He is easy to love. And yet, we are distracted by things here on earth and if we do not have daily study and / or communion with God, how can we claim that we are loving Him with all our mind and with all our strength? But, I still like the passage. And I strive to keep it. And I like knowing that if I just keep this one, everything else will take care of itself. This one commandment will lead us into all righteousness.
Free to serve
Mark 12:20-25
20. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
21. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
22. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
23. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
24. And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
25. For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
I am really grateful for this story. In heaven there will be no contention about the roles of men and women. We will be as the angels and we will ALL be free to worship and to serve. There will be no restrictions because of gender.
I guess that means that in God’s eyes we are already free from all that. After all, He IS in heaven.
20. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
21. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
22. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
23. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
24. And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
25. For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
I am really grateful for this story. In heaven there will be no contention about the roles of men and women. We will be as the angels and we will ALL be free to worship and to serve. There will be no restrictions because of gender.
I guess that means that in God’s eyes we are already free from all that. After all, He IS in heaven.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Know all things?
1 John 2:18-24
18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (This is an awesome and scary verse and we do not use it like we should. Or rather I do not use it. Why not? The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. Why don’t I rely on Him to do that? Why do I doubt myself if I know that the Holy Spirit leads me and teaches me? Just how many of my thoughts are directed by Him and how many are idle ramblings of my own? How do I separate them?)
21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
(The word “IF” at the beginning of this sentence implies that what we have heard and believed may NOT remain in us. And if it doesn’t then we may NOT continue in the Son. How can we chain it to our hearts so that we never falter? What if at some future date we are drawn away and give it up? How can we lock ourselves in so we never allow ourselves to slip from the right way?)
1 John 2:27-29
27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (This is an awesome and scary verse and we do not use it like we should. Or rather I do not use it. Why not? The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. Why don’t I rely on Him to do that? Why do I doubt myself if I know that the Holy Spirit leads me and teaches me? Just how many of my thoughts are directed by Him and how many are idle ramblings of my own? How do I separate them?)
21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
(The word “IF” at the beginning of this sentence implies that what we have heard and believed may NOT remain in us. And if it doesn’t then we may NOT continue in the Son. How can we chain it to our hearts so that we never falter? What if at some future date we are drawn away and give it up? How can we lock ourselves in so we never allow ourselves to slip from the right way?)
1 John 2:27-29
27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
28. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Legacy
12. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
This is not an attitude for the aged. Not a one of us knows when he will be called home. There is no guarantee of tomorrow and we are continually reminded that there is no age limit on death. Every one of us should know that we will shortly put off this tabernacle, maybe today, maybe tomorrow. Are we ready?
15. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
And what will people remember when we are gone? Will they remember Christ, or some stupid joke we once told, or some dumb prank we once played? Will they remember that we were committed to Christ, or will they remember that we were Sunday morning Christians? When they remember the things we used to say, will it encourage them in the Word? Or will it be old wives tales? I think of the many sayings I remember from my Grandma, and I didn’t know her very much. I don’t believe any of them were about Jesus, or sin, or heaven. Except that she said if you don’t have anything good to say about someone, keep your mouth shut.
16. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.18. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
13. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14. Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
This is not an attitude for the aged. Not a one of us knows when he will be called home. There is no guarantee of tomorrow and we are continually reminded that there is no age limit on death. Every one of us should know that we will shortly put off this tabernacle, maybe today, maybe tomorrow. Are we ready?
15. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
And what will people remember when we are gone? Will they remember Christ, or some stupid joke we once told, or some dumb prank we once played? Will they remember that we were committed to Christ, or will they remember that we were Sunday morning Christians? When they remember the things we used to say, will it encourage them in the Word? Or will it be old wives tales? I think of the many sayings I remember from my Grandma, and I didn’t know her very much. I don’t believe any of them were about Jesus, or sin, or heaven. Except that she said if you don’t have anything good to say about someone, keep your mouth shut.
16. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.18. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
Bearing Fruit
5. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7. And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is how to make salvation fruitful, or how to make salvation work for the Glory of God and the increase of His kingdom. It is not that we have to actually DO anything. We have to add virtue to our faith, and add knowledge by studying and prayer. We have to develop temperance and patience. These things together form in us Godliness and brotherly kindness. And above all we need charity, or else we are become as sounding brass. Taken together these things make us helpful to others and witnesses for the kingdom of God. Or, in biblical terms, it makes us fruitful.
9. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
6. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7. And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is how to make salvation fruitful, or how to make salvation work for the Glory of God and the increase of His kingdom. It is not that we have to actually DO anything. We have to add virtue to our faith, and add knowledge by studying and prayer. We have to develop temperance and patience. These things together form in us Godliness and brotherly kindness. And above all we need charity, or else we are become as sounding brass. Taken together these things make us helpful to others and witnesses for the kingdom of God. Or, in biblical terms, it makes us fruitful.
9. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Monday, June 4, 2007
What does God want?
Psalms 4:2-5
2. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
This reminds me of Curt’s sermon yesterday. Among other things, he said today’s concept of God is that God wants all his people to flourish and above all to be happy, and that He will satisfy their every desire. And while that is not entirely untrue, the thing that God wants is for us to be HOLY. He wants us to live sanctified lives. He wants us to want to serve Him.
It is not about what we want. It is about what God wants. And He wants Holiness!
2. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
4. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
This reminds me of Curt’s sermon yesterday. Among other things, he said today’s concept of God is that God wants all his people to flourish and above all to be happy, and that He will satisfy their every desire. And while that is not entirely untrue, the thing that God wants is for us to be HOLY. He wants us to live sanctified lives. He wants us to want to serve Him.
It is not about what we want. It is about what God wants. And He wants Holiness!
Inheritance
Psalms 2:6-8
6. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Here is a promise between the Father and the Son. The promise secures our future. Verse 8 says “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen”. Jesus did ask. (John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.)
Jesus has asked that we be one in Him. We can ask of Him and He will give us the Heathen for an inheritance. What have you inherited here on earth that will be in heaven with you? Only the souls you have asked for and received.
6. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Here is a promise between the Father and the Son. The promise secures our future. Verse 8 says “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen”. Jesus did ask. (John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.)
Jesus has asked that we be one in Him. We can ask of Him and He will give us the Heathen for an inheritance. What have you inherited here on earth that will be in heaven with you? Only the souls you have asked for and received.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Proverbs 3:18-26
(18) She (Wisdom) is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
(19) The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
It says we should seek wisdom, and by way of explaining why wisdom is to be desired, it says “because by wisdom the Lord has founded the earth”. If we seek wisdom, what could WE do? (John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.)
(20) By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
(21) My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
(22) So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
(23) Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
(24) When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
(25) Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. (We are seeing this desolation all around us, in storms, in earthquakes, mudslides wars, violence and plenty of other evils. It is a little hard not to be afraid. And I know that every place there are disasters, there are a few of God’s people present, and they suffer along with the rest. Yet, there is a greater desolation coming. A desolation of the wicked, and we will have no part in it. Whatever evil befalls us here; we know our end in Christ.)
(26) For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
(18) She (Wisdom) is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
(19) The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
It says we should seek wisdom, and by way of explaining why wisdom is to be desired, it says “because by wisdom the Lord has founded the earth”. If we seek wisdom, what could WE do? (John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.)
(20) By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
(21) My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
(22) So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
(23) Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
(24) When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
(25) Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. (We are seeing this desolation all around us, in storms, in earthquakes, mudslides wars, violence and plenty of other evils. It is a little hard not to be afraid. And I know that every place there are disasters, there are a few of God’s people present, and they suffer along with the rest. Yet, there is a greater desolation coming. A desolation of the wicked, and we will have no part in it. Whatever evil befalls us here; we know our end in Christ.)
(26) For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Who is near?
Psalms 119:150-151
(150) They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
(151) Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Notice in these verses that the ungodly draw near and the Lord is near. We have both drawing near to us. And they are both trying to get us. And we are GOING to succumb to one or the other. We are not our own.
(150) They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
(151) Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Notice in these verses that the ungodly draw near and the Lord is near. We have both drawing near to us. And they are both trying to get us. And we are GOING to succumb to one or the other. We are not our own.
If God appears to us
1Kings 11:9-11
(9) And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
(10) And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.
(11) Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
It seems that if we get a special message from the Lord, we also get extra guilt. The Lord was angry with Solomon because He had appeared to him twice, and still Solomon did that which the Lord warned him against. So, if Solomon had not received special messages from the Lord, would there have been less guilt? Does this mean that people, who receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, also receive the extra responsibility for their lives, like Solomon?
(9) And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
(10) And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.
(11) Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
It seems that if we get a special message from the Lord, we also get extra guilt. The Lord was angry with Solomon because He had appeared to him twice, and still Solomon did that which the Lord warned him against. So, if Solomon had not received special messages from the Lord, would there have been less guilt? Does this mean that people, who receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, also receive the extra responsibility for their lives, like Solomon?
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