Jonathan Edwards

Such backsliding is serious: just like the Ephesian church believers, a gradual decline to live for Christ takes place. Like the Laodicea Church, a luke warmness and accepting of heterodox doctrines takes place. Very much like the sinking of the Titanic; people don't want to accept reality. Sadly in many churches: study of the Holy Bible is sadly neglected as well as daily prayer and receiving the Sacraments.

The foreign wives and concubines. It was strictly against the HOLY BIBLE to do this. Pagan temples were eventually built; absolutely disgusting pagan rituals were conducted: infant sacrifices were made to pagan deities. Giving up of lands in the tribe of Asher. This also was against the Torah. Forced labor of Gentiles living within the environs of Israel was prohibited (Deuteronomy 20:10-18: Canaanites needed to be removed from Israelite lands. DEUTERONOMY 17: 14-20: Solomon disregarded the injunctions: he amassed horses, acquiring more wives and compromising treatises with Egypt Solomon fell due to disobedience to God's laws. Solomon fell into a serious state of presumption. Very similar to King Ahab: despite the pleas of the Prophet Isaiah, Ahab persisted In idol worship.

Trade routes to far away nations. Fortifications of Jerusalem and pertinent locales. The visit of the Queen of Sheba: very important in the propagating of the Faith, the Books of Proverbs and Ecclesiatics. Solomon is a prime example that we cannot fall into a state of presumptuous mind; we must work out our salvation daily in trembling and fear. Solomon did establish successful relationships with surrounding nations for a time. Sadly, it didn't last. The word is predestination. God wanted to honor David, and the previous OT oaths and Covenants needed to be fulfilled. Psalm 89 describes this in precise detail. The Magnificent in Luke's Gospel is another beautiful commentary and explanation of God's benevolence to Solomon. The closing verses of Romans 10 describe the omnipotence of God in the affairs of mankind.

Yes, Solomon ended up in this state. I wonder if any of the priests in the Temple reprimanded Solomon for these transgressions. Pagan wives and concubines and the idol temples. Something amiss was going on. Disrespectful behavior towards his wife indeed. Disregard for God's laws in regards to marriage to non Jews, and compromising the Jewish faith. Volumes could be written on the bad decisions on King Solomon. Womanizers cause many problems. Solomon caused a great deal of heart aches for many people. It's a familiar story today. Supposedly devout Christian men and women go off the rails: leaving trails of misery for those surviving family members. No wonder why Ezra was adamant about intermarriage of the Levites with those of pagan backgrounds. He demanded separation,; Ezra wouldn't tolerate such things. Sexual innuendos and excess are foreign to the HOLY BIBLE and the Christian faith. Careful study of the Holy Bible, one would find that mortification of the flesh, daily Bible and prayer time are absolutely essential for a higher Christian life. Time and time again, Apostle Paul wrote about the terrible consequences of sexual sins. He was adamant how terrible these sins were; unbecoming for the Christian believer who body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

The word is detachment. Apostle Paul wanted the believers to always look to the Lord Jesus who has gone on before us. Money and riches are not intrinsically evil; we are not of Manichean religion. If we have the basics of life: food and clothing, we are indeed blessed ! Paul didn't want the Ephesian church believers to be occupied with ephemeral matters: one's spiritual life was of utmost importance. He didn't want the Church to imitate the ostentatious pagan temples. Christian Church could and would end up like the temple of Diana, an opulent temple of idols and immoral deviant practices. Guidelines: live simple and frugally. Work hard unto the Lord and give with a happy heart to support the needs of the Church. No fanfare, no hype. Tithing is very important in providing the needs of the poor in the church, including free will offerings. Doing it all humbly with an attitude of love. Arrogance is a terrible vice. Many get caught up little by little in the morass of financial cares. The headaches and frustrations can hamper those who want to maintain a deep prayer life. Like Solomon of old, a steady decline of backsliding starts. Prelast sets in: a false sense of presumptuous frame of mind. The Bible makes it very clear that we need to work out our salvation in trembling and fear; obedience is not an option. Mortification of the flesh is very much part of the daily walk of the believer.

We have opportunities to lend to God. God Himself becomes a "debtor" for everything given to the poor. God will pay it again either in this life or in the next. There are a number of commands in Torah that underscore the importance of taking care of the poor, widows and orphans, including those who migrated into Israel. The Old Testament prophets also stressed the necessity of being kind to the poor. Having mercy on the unfortunate has always been a Hallmark of Judaism and Christianity. We must use prudence in the distribution of our monies. We don't want to be Inadvertently supporting illegal drug habits or reinforcing aberrant behaviors. Best way is give of our substance to various groups that highly monitor their clients. Yo carelessly give monetary a donations on a street corner is not the best option unless if the indigent would accept directly a food package or clothes.

The wisdom of God TO US..(1 COR 1:24,30). Christ is Wisdom sent from heaven. Christ is not just a holy prophet, religious teacher, or ascetic; He is the Son of Man sent from on High. Careful study of ROMANS 10:19; DEUTERONOMY 32:21 underscores this truth: God is the prime mover. Apostle Paul wrote eloquently about the eternal Christ. There was no doubt in his mind that Christ is the Logos. The plan of salvation was ordained by God. Not the workings of mere man: God alone truly is magnified. There are five things that God has chosen contained in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. Diligent Bible study is essential. Daily personal prayer time also is a must to have the Mind of Christ. No short cuts. Studying the Book of Proverbs has also been a great help to me.

The main temple was built a house unto the name of the Lord in accordance with his father King David's wishes. Buildings to glorify King Solomon: Palace of the Forest of Lebanon, Colonnade, Throne Hall of Justice and Pharaoh's daughter house. National & Jerusalem security: Jerusalem wall, Millo, cities: Gezer, Hazor, Meggido, Hamath, Beth-Heron, Baalath and Tadmor. Tithing and offerings to assist the needy and build up the Church of God (Isaiah 58). Our hearts must be whole-hearted for God, singleminded and full of sincerity.

The Lord LOVED Solomon. In turn, Solomon loved the Lord. He was walking in the statutes of David his father. Solomon started out good at first: he was faithfull but as time went on, his faith started to wan. Marrying pagan wives and allowing concubines and pagan idol worship did not help matters. Solomon went into a state of prelast; carelessness in matters of spiritual living. Presumptuous thinking clouded his mind. A false sense of security must have gripped his mind and heart; neglect of prayer life, and pride. Though Solomon knew so much, a presumptuous mind misled him down the road of backsliding. We are loved by God ! Apostle Paul wrote eloquently about the Wonder love of God throughout his Epistles. Epistle to the Hebrews is a masterpiece describes our heavenly call; we are beckoned to enter the Holiest of Holies. We are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. However; we must work out our salvation in trembling and in fear; we cannot fall into a state of inertia. We need to walk in the statutes of God: mortification of the flesh, daily Bible study and adherence to the commandments of God are indispensable. We cannot compromise our walk with God: we like Solomon must maintain a childlike faith in God, we don't know how to go out or come in. The HOLY Spirit is our Comforter and Teacher who will lead us into all truth

1. ACKNOWLEDGE OF SINS: There is an explicit statement that God's ordinances and statutes have been disregarded. Admittedly sining and doing wrong. 2. ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS: Here is an act of holy contrition. There is a plea for forgiveness; there is a firm resolution to avoid the near occasions of sins. 3. ASKING FOR GOD'S MERCIES: Emphasis is on God's mercies not His justice. The mercies of David are illustrated through the Book of Isaiah. Despite the rebellions of Israel, God has such a deep love for Israel. God has our names "tattooed" in His hand; though our mothers forget us, God doesn't forget us. For revival, there has to be heartfelt acknowledgement of sins, contrition, pleas for forgiveness, and asking for God's mercies. We remember that mercy is one of the characteristics of Yahweh as revealed to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The Ark of the Covenant and Temple liturgical rituals are beautiful descriptions of the mercy of God. All the above are necessary for the healing of the individual, city, local churches and for nations. We see that Ezra wrought a thorough REFORMATION when he demanded the Levites and the Israelites to forsake their mixed marriages and foreign gods. Ezra and the Prophet Ezekiel had the Deuteronomonic code underneath their belts. Serious Bible REFORMATION means serious repentance and forsaking sins. Great preacher Tozer lamented that churches were not preaching serious repentance and forsaking of sins; very similar to great Lutheran preacher Dietrich Bonhoeffer. "Cheap grace" preaching misled so many Christains: people want a superficial Christianity without mortification of the flesh, and suffering, including heartfelt acknowledgement of offending Almighty God. Truly we need a New Pentecost ! Too many churches have lost the sense of the HOLINESS of God. Just like the two sons of Aaron: offering a strange fire in the Temple. Another time the Ark of the Covenant was placed on a cart: totally repugnant to God's Word. Even when someone try to steady the cart when one of the oxen stumbled; God's wrath was manifested. .

Narrow and straight road of holiness. Solomon was charged to follow the statues, ordinances, testimonies of the Torah. He wasn't to called to be wavering like the idol worshipper during the incident of Prophet Elijah and the backslidden. No pagan temples, no more walking with those of pagan religions. Solomon started to be unequally yoked in marriage. Ungodly political alliances wrecked havoc for Israel: Kings Ahab, Omri and Ahab were responsible for the prevelent idol worship that came into Israel Ungodly friends, neighbors and even family members who have been born again. They cannot understand the Full Gospel due to a shroud over their eyes. The spirit of compromise amongst Church associates can cause a Bible student to back slide. Backsliding is the opposite of integrity. This is what the Prophet Ezekiel preached against: backsliding. Ezekiel underscores this is many of his sermons and visions. Truly it is a serious matter to fall in the hands of the angry God. Ezekiel chapters 8-10 touch on this matter of secret sins and hidden abomination. The Shekinah glory of God left the Temple, little by little due to the persistent idol and ungodly agendas in the Temple.

Manifest presence of God. Yahweh manifesting His Presence akin to a pillar of fire or cloud by day. In the Pentecostal movement, there are accounts of such events. During times of revival, or during healing services, eyewitnesses have report such occurences. Evangelist Kathryn Kuhlman often talked about this phenomena: her services were quite low-key devoid of hype and drama. God's approval of such a Temple. Such a holy presence, a sure sign of God's ordination. No such occurrence when the Ark of the Covenant was placed on an ox cart; the wrath of God was manifested. Two sons of Aaron offered an unholy fire; the wrath of God was meted out. Truly it is dire to fall into the hands of an angry God. When we study the Bible, when we pray as a church and as we go to evangelistic outreaches: the Shekinah glory of God rests upon us. However; we work out our salvation in trembling and in fear. Galatians 5:16....we walk in the Spirit, the Shekinah glory of God rests upon us.

Eventually would come the Babylonian captivity. Prophet EZEKIEL sermons and visions underscores this very important fact. Prophet Jeremiah saw the devastating blitzkrieg of Jerusalem. Prophet Ezekiel had various visions of the Shekinah glory of God in a pagan land. Ezekiel and the Hebrew Diaspora would be comforted in the land of Babylon: the presence of the Lord would be with them despite the surrounding pagan religions. God would be present amongst His people; He would abode in their hearts when they would gather to hear the Word of God and pray. In the land of Babylon, they did not have synagogues nor a central temple to offer sacrifices in accordance with the Torah. The Temple is the People of God. Prophet Ezekiel stated YAHWEH SHAMMAH. Chapter 48:35. That will be the name of the City in the vision of Ezekiel. The Millennial Temple in the Book of Ezekiel doesn't have the Ark of the Covenant: the various sacrifices and temple procedures differ from the Levitical sacrifices and laws. Ezekiel underscores the presence of God amongst the people. Purpose of the Temple is a point of contact, a gathering place for the People of God the ecclesia, the called out ones, to worship the Lord and to be instructed. Nothing wrong in itself! A church building should be conducive for busy people to recharge. A nice Church building is a tool to instruct and train people, including being conducive for corporate worship.

Yes indeed...true sacrificial nature in worship does demand a great deal. True worship is not about mere music performances or giving a sermon; it demands our hearts as well as our emotions. Outdoor evangelistic preaching and ministry is worship; not a time for socializing and talking about politics. Worship in accordance with the Law of Moses was definitely a serious matter; the High priests and Levitical priests had to follow rather strict protocols. Those that carelessly touch the Ark of the Covenant automatically died. Even two of Aaron's sons died because they offered a foreign fire. Worship engaged the reason and the will of the worshipper; a far cry from the bizarre heathen practices of the mystery religions. Apostle Paul mentioned that we are to give with a JOYFUL spirit. Giving in this manner hasn't been part of my life. Most of the time I would give or do apostolic work as a matter of Ministerial obligations.

The Epistle to the Hebrews elucidates this theme tremendously. We have a better Covenant on better promises. Old Testament sacrifices were repeated constantly: they only covered sins. In the New covenant: based on the eternal priesthood of Christ, Christ is both the Priest and the Victim. Christ is in the order of Melchizedek, His priesthood and the one final sacrifice on the Cross was so effectual, all sins are wiped away. Psalm 103 echoes the joys of the new believers: our sins are not just forgiven but are thrown into the depths of the sea. The five classes of Levitical sacrifices were types of the Redemption wrought by Jesus Christ. The OT sacrifices were beckoning people to look for the New Covenant.