Reply-To: "End Time Issues" From: "End Time Issues" To: "James @ Prophetic Network" Bcc: "Wayne Perrel" , "Shelley Senner" , "Sergio da Silva" , "Scott Ledbetter" , "Sandra Trombas" , "S John Butt" , "Roy Saunders" , "Rose Bowen" , "Rob Burchell" , "Rita " , "Richard Marshall" , , "R. Tyler" , "Prv24_6_Counsel" , "Professor Christina Landman" , "Prof J E Botha" , "Paul Grutter" , "Patrick James" , "Norman Fouche" , "Norman Bosman" , "Nigel Andrews" , "Neville Homann" , "Min. Marvin Jones" , "Michael West" , "Mervyn Mooi" , "Matthias Simenti AOG Malawi" , "Mark de Connick" , "Mark" , "Marietjie Nell" , "Margaretha Tierney" , "Mannie Pereira" <4him@ebenezer.co.za>, "Malcolm Bosman" , "Lee Anne Lee" , "Leatitia Hayes" , "Larry Smith" , , "Justin Lippiatt" , "Joy Magazine" , "Jorge Maia" , "John Paige" , "John Edmeston" , "Johan Sturm" , "Johan Roos" , "Johan Pretorius \(Home\)" , "Jof Nelson" , "Jeffrey White" , "Jane Stuart" , "James Mc Clintock" , "Israel C.S. Lim" , "Ish Hariparsad" , "Isaac Aluochier \(S of Y\)" , "Ingrid Robertson" , "Indira Pillay" , "Ian Thain" , "Henry Ragusin \(h\)" , "Harold Stewart" , "Gordon Ross" , , "Glenn Coopman" , "Gill Jervois" <065ruth@cosmos.wits.ac.za>, "Frik De Jager" , "Eustace Harris" , "Eugene Pretorius" , "Ettienne Du Preez" , "Eric Foxcroft" , "Elisabeth Boshoff" , "Elaine Swords" , "Desiree Grutter" , "Deon Minnaar" , "Debbie Stopforth" , "David Jordaan" , "Daniel Showalter" , "Christian Polygamy" , "Chenaniah" , "Carol Orfer" , "Candice Auble" , "C J Bothma" , "Blossom" , "Bill Fry" , "Barclay Goff" , "Annith Botha" , "Angelo Kehayas" , "Andrew Timm" , "Andrew Brodie" , "Andre Sharpe" , =?Windows-1252?Q?Andr=E9_de_Vries_\=28SIMS\=29?= , "Andre and Lois Coetzee" , "Alexander Venter" , "Akhish Baidya" , "AJ Coetzee" , "Agrippa Damba \(Uctel\)" , "Trudy Buchholtz" Subject: Some Scriptures Relating to "The People" Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 06:11:18 +0200 Organization: End Time Issue Ministries MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_005C_01C07B95.5016F800" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4133.2400 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4133.2400 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_005C_01C07B95.5016F800 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Greetings Following is a discussion on some aspects of how we should evaluate how = our interaction with people is to influence our relationship with God = and our overall conduct. God bless James Robertson (Administrative and contact information at the end of this email) ------------------------------------------------- Our Ref : 8RXTNETI/INTERPRT/People.WP/JAR/jar v 0.01 11 January 2001 SOME SCRIPTURES ON "THE PEOPLE" 1 Samuel 15:21-23 21 "But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the = things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the = LORD your God in Gilgal." 22 Then Samuel said: "Has 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 heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as = iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, = he also has rejected you from being king." (NKJ) by James Robertson ------------------------------------------------- To all who call themselves by the name of Christ and truly seek to serve = Him with all their hearts, all their souls, all their minds and all = their strength. Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, 1. INTRODUCTION Following the recent message "The Wrath of God for the Church : Why = Judgment is Coming on The Church Today", I have encountered a number of = situations where decisions have been taken in ministry situations based = on "the people". In several instances, discussion of certain topics has been suspended = because people were offended. In another instance, a message was = rejected on the grounds that "the people" would not accept it because = the person giving the message was not regarded as having established = credibility with "the people". In response to these situations I have been impressed by the Spirit of = Yahweh1 to set out some scriptures regarding this. 2. IS Yahweh CONCERNED ABOUT OFFENDING PEOPLE? The first question we need to answer is whether Yahweh is concerned = about what people think in the sense of seeking to avoid offending them? Consider Isaiah 8:13-15: 13 The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and = let Him be your dread. 14 He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of = offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the = inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken, be = snared and taken." (NKJ) Romans 9:33: 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock = of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (NKJ) 1 Peter 2:7-8: 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are = disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief = cornerstone," 8 and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being = disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. (NKJ) Yahweh refers to Himself and to Jesus (Yahshua) as a stone of stumbling = and a rock of offense. In other words, He warns people that He will = offend them and that they will stumble at His Words IF they do not love = Him and put Him first in their lives! So we must immediately conclude that if someone is offended by = something, that is not necessarily grounds to conclude it is not of = Yahweh. 3. DOES Yahweh CONSIDER THE OPINION OF PEOPLE TO BE SIGNIFICANT? Please consider carefully 1 Samuel 15:1-23: 1 Samuel also said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you king over = His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of = the LORD. 2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'I will punish Amalek for what he did to = Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. 3 'Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and = do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing = child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'" 4 So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, two = hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah. 5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley. 6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart, get down from among the = Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all = the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites = departed from among the Amalekites. 7 And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, = which is east of Egypt. 8 He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed = all the people with the edge of the sword. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the = oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling = to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that = they utterly destroyed. 10 Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, 11 "I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned = back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." And it = grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night. 12 So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told = Samuel, saying, "Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument = for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to = Gilgal." 13 Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of = the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD." 14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, = and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" 15 And Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the = people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the = LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed." 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, "Be quiet! And I will tell you what the = LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak on." 17 So Samuel said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not = head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over = Israel? 18 "Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, 'Go, and utterly = destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they = are consumed.' 19 "Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop = down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?" 20 And Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, = and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag = king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 "But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the = things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the = LORD your God in Gilgal." 22 Then Samuel said: "Has 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 heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as = iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, = he also has rejected you from being king." (NKJ) Here Saul repeatedly seeks to justify his disobedience by blaming "the = people". Yahweh responds by calling Saul's action REBELLION which He = likens to witchcraft and STUBBORNNESS which He likens to iniquity and = idolatry. Yahweh then rejects Saul from being king. Clearly, any person who does not do what the Word of God or the Spirit = of God tells them to do, will be likely to experience the same judgment. 4. SOME "NEW TESTAMENT" EXAMPLES Some might suggest that Jesus in some way ushered in a new dispensation = of grace where people who rejected Yahweh's Word might be less harshly = treated. Consider the following scriptures: Matthew 10:14 (Jesus speaking) 14 "And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you = depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. (NKJ) Mark 6:11 (Jesus speaking) 11 "And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from = there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. = Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and = Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" (NKJ) Luke 9:5 (Jesus speaking) 5 "And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake = off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them." (NKJ) Acts 13:50-51 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief = men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and = expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to = Iconium. (NKJ) Acts 18:5-6 5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by = the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and = said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now = on I will go to the Gentiles." (NKJ) In all these cases the reference is to an initial reception. Yahweh will = allow some time for people to receive those He sends to them but, after = a while, they will shake the dust from off their feet or shake out their = garments as a sign that they have given the message that they were = required to give and the blood of those who have rejected the message = will be on their own heads or hands (Ezekial 3 and Ezekial 33). 5. ONCE ONE HAS BEEN WARNED, THE BLOOD IS ON THEIR HANDS Ezekial 3:18-21 18 "When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him = no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save = his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood = I will require at your hand. 19 "Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his = wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but = you have delivered your soul. 20 "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits = iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because = you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his = righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I = will require at your hand. 21 "Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should = not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took = warning; also you will have delivered your soul." (NKJ) The above is confirmed in Ezekial 33. Those who know the truth are = required to communicate that truth to others. If they do not, the blood = of the person who sins will be upon the hands of the person who failed = to communicate the message. If they do communicate the message and it is = rejected, then the blood of the person who sins will be upon their own = hands. Clearly there is a requirement for each person who has truth to share = that truth with others in order to turn the others from their sin. = However, if that person does not turn, there is no further obligation on = the person who is given the message. People who fail to communicate a = message because of fear of the people are guilty of witchcraft and = idolatry! At the same time, there is no onus to ensure the person repents or to = force them to repent. The onus is to give the message clearly, concisely = and unambiguously in a manner that gives them a reasonable prospect of = receiving, and then the job is done! 6. THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DISCERN CORRECTLY Matthew 10:40-41 40 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him = who sent Me. 41 "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a = prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a = righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. (NKJ) By implication, if someone comes to you in the name of a prophet and he = is a prophet and you reject him, then you reject the One who sent him. = In other words, you reject Yahweh. In such a case you will be judged = accordingly. Each of us must accept the responsibility to discern the truth and to = discern those who are sent by Yahweh. We cannot rely on a person who = applies the label "pastor" or something similar to themselves. We must = MAKE THE CHOICE OURSELVES! The same applies if someone claims that something is "in the Word of = God". We must discern for ourselves. We can be guided by the opinions of = others but, in the end, we must make our own decision and we must expect = to be judged for that decision. 7. CAUSING OTHERS TO STUMBLE Luke 17:1-2 1 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses = should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, = and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these = little ones. (NKJ) At the same time, WE are commanded NOT to cause others to stumble. There = is a BIG difference between presenting the truths of the Word of God or = presenting a Word from God through a prophet in a manner which causes = offense and therefore causes another to stumble and presenting that same = word in a manner which is acceptable. If we permit pride or our own feelings to interfere with doing what = Yahweh has told us to do, we will potentially find ourselves with much = blood on our hands on the day of judgment. It is vital to draw a clear distinction between causing others to = stumble because of our attitude or own sin and those same people = stumbling because of the truths in God's Word. If they stumble because of our conduct, the blood is on our hands, if = they stumble at the Word of God, the blood is on their hands. 8. THE TERROR OF Yahweh 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each = one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has = done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we = are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your = consciences. (NKJ) We must all know the terror of Yahweh on the day of Judgment and we must = all have a Holy and reverent fear of the Judgment Seat. If we do, we = will be less likely to be moved by what people say and do and more = likely to speak the truth without fear or favour. 9. Yahweh IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS Acts 10:34 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God = is no respecter of persons: (KJV) Yahweh is NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. This does NOT mean that He treats = persons in a disrespectful fashion, it means that He does not alter His = conduct to accommodate our whims and fancies. We are required to be the = same. 10. CONCLUSION There is NO onus on any person to make decisions based on "the people", = TO THE CONTRARY, those WHO DO, are practising witchcraft and idolatry. = All decisions MUST be based on the Word of God and the Spirit of God and = each must accept that they must one day stand before the Judgment Seat = of Christ -- ALONE! We dare no longer use the reactions and opinions of = people to determine and regulate our conduct. The opinion of Yahweh on = the Day of Judgment IS THE ONLY OPINION THAT MATTERS. May Yahweh1 bless you and keep you; Yahweh1 make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; Yahweh1 lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. JAMES ROBERTSON Email: james@end-time-issues.org.za Cell: 083-251-6644; Phone: +27 +11 791-2327; Fax: +27 +11 791-5004. NOTE (1) : The word "Yahweh1" is used in this document to reflect the = fact that the correct translation of the Hebrew word generally = translated "The Lord" in the King James Version and many others is, in = fact, "Yahweh". Yahweh is the proper name for our God and occurs 6,828 = times in the Old Testament. Vines states: "LORD=20 The divine name YHWH appears only in the Bible. Its precise meaning is = much debated. God chose it as His personal name by which He related = specifically to His chosen or covenant people." (from Vine's Expository = Dictionary of Biblical Words, (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson = Publishers) By way of analogy, my proper name is "James" and I have the designation = of "husband" to my wife, it would not be indicative of a meaningful = marriage relationship if my wife were to constantly refer to me as = "husband" rather than "James". In the same way, it is not indicative of = a meaningful relationship with our God to refer to Him as "Lord" rather = than "Yahweh" when He has given us His name to use and uses it = throughout scripture. For more information refer to the book "The Sacred Name" published by = Qadesh La Yahweh Press, available on the internet at: http://www.yahweh.org/publications/pdf1/sacrednm.pdf Furthermore, the word "Baal" can reasonably be translated "the Lord". Brown-Driver-Brigg's defines 1167 ba` al- an owner, a husband, a lord=20 a) an owner=20 b) a husband=20 c) citizens, inhabitants=20 d) rulers, lords=20 e) (noun of relationship used to characterize, that is, master of = dreams)=20 f) lord (used of foreign gods) Strong's defines 1167 ba` al (bah'-al); from 1166; a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often = used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense):=20 Strong's defines 1168 Ba` al (bah'-al); the same as 1167; Baal, a Phoenician deity: -Baal, (plural) Baalim. Brown-Driver-Brigg's defines 1168 Ba` al- Baal =3D "lord";=20 as a proper noun, masculine:=20 1) the supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites=20 ...... We therefore see that the words "the lord" are more correctly a = translation of "baal" than they are of Yahweh. Accordingly, there are = strong grounds to seek to minimize the use of the term The Lord to refer = to Yahweh. END TIME ISSUE MINISTRIES james@end-time-issues.org.za (0027)-(0)-11-791-2327 (0027)-(0)-83-251-6644 P O Box 898, Randpark Ridge, 2156, Republic of South Africa EMAIL ADMINISTRATION Please feel free to forward this mail to others as seems appropriate to = you. If you do not want to receive further mail on this and related topics, = please reply to this mail with the words "Please remove me from your = mailing list" in the subject line. If this is forwarded to you and you want to receive future mailings, = please reply to this mail with the words "Please add me to your mailing = list" in the subject line. FORMATTED COPY AVAILABLE: The body of this message is available as a formatted document in either = Microsoft Word or Word Perfect format. If you would like a formatted = copy, please mail us with the words "Please supply a formatted copy in = MS Word / Word Perfect format" - state which format you require - in the = subject line. ------=_NextPart_000_005C_01C07B95.5016F800 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Greetings

Following is a discussion on some aspects of how we = should=20 evaluate how our interaction with people is to influence our = relationship with=20 God and our overall conduct.

God bless

 

James Robertson

(Administrative and contact information at the end of = this=20 email)

────────&= #9472;─────────^= 72;──────────= ────────── = 472;─────────

Our Ref : 8RXTNETI/INTERPRT/People.WP/JAR/jar v 0.01 = 11 January=20 2001

 

SOME SCRIPTURES ON

"THE PEOPLE"

 

1 Samuel 15:21-23

21 "But the people took of the = plunder,=20 sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly = destroyed,=20 to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."

22 Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in = burnt=20 offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, = to obey=20 is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and = stubbornness=20 is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the = LORD, he=20 also has rejected you from being king." (NKJ)

 

by

James Robertson

─────────γ= 2;──────────&= #9472;─────────^= 72;──────────= ────────

 

To all who call themselves by the name of Christ and = truly seek=20 to serve Him with all their hearts, all their souls, all their minds and = all=20 their strength.

 

Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ of=20 Nazareth,

 

1. INTRODUCTION

Following the recent message "The Wrath of God for = the Church :=20 Why Judgment is Coming on The Church Today", I have encountered a number = of=20 situations where decisions have been taken in ministry situations based = on "the=20 people".

In several instances, discussion of certain topics = has been=20 suspended because people were offended. In another instance, a message = was=20 rejected on the grounds that "the people" would not accept it because = the person=20 giving the message was not regarded as having established credibility = with "the=20 people".

In response to these situations I have been impressed = by the=20 Spirit of Yahweh1 to set out some scriptures regarding = this.

 

2. IS Yahweh CONCERNED ABOUT OFFENDING=20 PEOPLE?

The first question we need to answer is whether = Yahweh is=20 concerned about what people think in the sense of seeking to avoid = offending=20 them?

Consider Isaiah 8:13-15:

13 The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him = be your=20 fear, and let Him be your dread.

14 He will be as a sanctuary, but a = stone of=20 stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, = as a=20 trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

15 And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall = and be=20 broken, be snared and taken." (NKJ)

Romans 9:33:

33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a = stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever = believes on=20 Him will not be put to shame." (NKJ)

1 Peter 2:7-8:

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but = to those=20 who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become = the chief=20 cornerstone,"

8 and "A stone of stumbling and a = rock of=20 offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, = to=20 which they also were appointed. (NKJ)

Yahweh refers to Himself and to Jesus (Yahshua) as a = stone of=20 stumbling and a rock of offense. In other words, He warns people that He = will=20 offend them and that they will stumble at His Words IF they do not love = Him and=20 put Him first in their lives!

So we must immediately conclude that if someone is = offended by=20 something, that is not necessarily grounds to conclude it is not of = Yahweh.

 

3. DOES Yahweh CONSIDER THE OPINION OF = PEOPLE TO BE=20 SIGNIFICANT?

Please consider carefully 1 Samuel = 15:1-23:

1 Samuel also said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to = anoint you=20 king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the = words of=20 the LORD.

2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'I will punish Amalek = for what=20 he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from = Egypt.

3 'Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all = that they=20 have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and = nursing=20 child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'"

4 So Saul gathered the people together and numbered = them in=20 Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of = Judah.

5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait = in the=20 valley.

6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart, get = down from=20 among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed = kindness to=20 all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the = Kenites=20 departed from among the Amalekites.

7 And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all = the way to=20 Shur, which is east of Egypt.

8 He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and = utterly=20 destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

9 But Saul and the = people spared=20 Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and = all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly = destroy them.=20 But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.

10 Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, = saying,

11 "I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, = for he=20 has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My = commandments." And=20 it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night.

12 So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet = Saul, it=20 was told Samuel, saying, "Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a = monument=20 for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to = Gilgal."

13 Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, = "Blessed are=20 you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD."

14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of = the sheep in=20 my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"

15 And Saul said, "They have brought them from the = Amalekites;=20 for the people spared the best of the sheep = and the=20 oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly=20 destroyed."

16 Then Samuel said to Saul, "Be quiet! And I will = tell you=20 what the LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak = on."

17 So Samuel said, "When you were little in your own = eyes, were=20 you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you = king over=20 Israel?

18 "Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, = 'Go, and=20 utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them = until they=20 are consumed.'

19 "Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? = Why did=20 you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?"

20 And Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the = voice of the=20 LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought = back Agag=20 king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

21 "But the people took = of the=20 plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been = utterly=20 destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."

22 Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight = in burnt=20 offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, = to obey=20 is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of = witchcraft,=20 and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected = the word=20 of the LORD, he also has rejected you from being king." = (NKJ)

Here Saul repeatedly seeks to justify his = disobedience by=20 blaming "the people". Yahweh responds by calling Saul's action = REBELLION=20 which He likens to witchcraft and STUBBORNNESS which He likens to = iniquity and idolatry. Yahweh then rejects Saul from being king.

Clearly, any person who does not do what the Word of = God or the=20 Spirit of God tells them to do, will be likely to experience the same=20 judgment.

 

4. SOME "NEW TESTAMENT" EXAMPLES

Some might suggest that Jesus in some way ushered in = a new=20 dispensation of grace where people who rejected Yahweh's Word might be = less=20 harshly treated. Consider the following scriptures:

Matthew 10:14 (Jesus speaking)

14 "And whoever will not receive you nor hear your = words, when=20 you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.=20 (NKJ)

Mark 6:11 (Jesus speaking)

11 "And whoever will not receive = you nor hear=20 you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a = testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more = tolerable for=20 Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"=20 (NKJ)

Luke 9:5 (Jesus speaking)

5 "And whoever will not receive you, when you go out = of that=20 city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against = them."=20 (NKJ)

Acts 13:50-51

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent = women and=20 the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and = Barnabas, and=20 expelled them from their region.

51 But they shook off the dust from their feet = against them,=20 and came to Iconium. (NKJ)

Acts 18:5-6

5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, = Paul was=20 compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the = Christ.

6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook = his=20 garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your = own=20 heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the = Gentiles."=20 (NKJ)

In all these cases the reference is to an initial = reception.=20 Yahweh will allow some time for people to receive those He sends to them = but,=20 after a while, they will shake the dust from off their feet or shake out = their=20 garments as a sign that they have given the message that they were = required to=20 give and the blood of those who have rejected the message will be on = their own=20 heads or hands (Ezekial 3 and Ezekial 33).

 

5. ONCE ONE HAS BEEN WARNED, THE BLOOD IS = ON THEIR=20 HANDS

Ezekial 3:18-21

18 "When I say to the wicked, 'You = shall surely=20 die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his = wicked=20 way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; = but his=20 blood I will require at your hand.

19 "Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn = from his=20 wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but = you have=20 delivered your soul.

20 "Again, when a righteous man = turns from his=20 righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before = him, he=20 shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his = sin, and=20 his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his = blood I=20 will require at your hand.

21 "Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that = the=20 righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live = because he=20 took warning; also you will have delivered your soul." (NKJ)

The above is confirmed in Ezekial 33. Those who know = the truth=20 are required to communicate that truth to others. If they do not, the = blood of=20 the person who sins will be upon the hands of the person who failed to=20 communicate the message. If they do communicate the message and it is = rejected,=20 then the blood of the person who sins will be upon their own hands.

Clearly there is a requirement for each person who = has truth to=20 share that truth with others in order to turn the others from their sin. = However, if that person does not turn, there is no further obligation on = the=20 person who is given the message. People who fail to = communicate=20 a message because of fear of the people are guilty of witchcraft and=20 idolatry!

At the same time, there is no onus to ensure the = person repents=20 or to force them to repent. The onus is to give the message clearly, = concisely=20 and unambiguously in a manner that gives them a reasonable prospect of=20 receiving, and then the job is done!

 

6. THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DISCERN = CORRECTLY

Matthew 10:40-41

40 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who = receives Me=20 receives Him who sent Me.

41 "He who receives a prophet in the name of a = prophet shall=20 receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the = name of a=20 righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. (NKJ)

By implication, if someone comes to you in the name = of a=20 prophet and he is a prophet and you reject him, then you reject the One = who sent=20 him. In other words, you reject Yahweh. In such a case you will be = judged=20 accordingly.

Each of us must accept the responsibility to discern = the truth=20 and to discern those who are sent by Yahweh. We cannot rely on a person = who=20 applies the label "pastor" or something similar to themselves. We must = MAKE THE=20 CHOICE OURSELVES!

The same applies if someone claims that something is = "in the=20 Word of God". We must discern for ourselves. We can be guided by the = opinions of=20 others but, in the end, we must make our own decision and we must expect = to be=20 judged for that decision.

 

7. CAUSING OTHERS TO STUMBLE

Luke 17:1-2

1 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible = that no=20 offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

2 "It would be better for him if a millstone were = hung around=20 his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend = one of=20 these little ones. (NKJ)

At the same time, WE are commanded NOT to cause = others to=20 stumble. There is a BIG difference between presenting the truths of the = Word of=20 God or presenting a Word from God through a prophet in a manner which = causes=20 offense and therefore causes another to stumble and presenting that same = word in=20 a manner which is acceptable.

If we permit pride or our own feelings to interfere = with doing=20 what Yahweh has told us to do, we will potentially find ourselves with = much=20 blood on our hands on the day of judgment.

It is vital to draw a clear distinction between = causing others=20 to stumble because of our attitude or own sin and those same people = stumbling=20 because of the truths in God's Word.

If they stumble because of our conduct, the blood is = on our=20 hands, if they stumble at the Word of God, the blood is on their=20 hands.

 

8. THE TERROR OF Yahweh

2 Corinthians 5:10-11

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of = Christ,=20 that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what = he has=20 done, whether good or bad.

11 Knowing, therefore, the terror = of the=20 Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I = also trust=20 are well known in your consciences. (NKJ)

We must all know the terror of Yahweh on the day of = Judgment=20 and we must all have a Holy and reverent fear of the Judgment Seat. If = we do, we=20 will be less likely to be moved by what people say and do and more = likely to=20 speak the truth without fear or favour.

 

9. Yahweh IS NO RESPECTER OF = PERSONS

Acts 10:34

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth = I perceive=20 that God is no respecter of persons: (KJV)

Yahweh is NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. This does NOT mean = that He=20 treats persons in a disrespectful fashion, it means that He does not = alter His=20 conduct to accommodate our whims and fancies. We are required to be the=20 same.

 

10. CONCLUSION

There is NO onus on any person to make decisions = based on "the=20 people", TO THE CONTRARY, those WHO DO, are practising witchcraft and = idolatry.=20 All decisions MUST be based on the Word of God and the Spirit of God and = each=20 must accept that they must one day stand before the Judgment Seat of = Christ --=20 ALONE! We dare no longer use the reactions and opinions of people to = determine=20 and regulate our conduct. The opinion of Yahweh on the Day of Judgment = IS THE=20 ONLY OPINION THAT MATTERS.

May Yahweh1 bless you and keep you;

Yahweh1 make His face shine upon you, and = be=20 gracious to you;

Yahweh1 lift up His countenance upon you, = and give=20 you peace.

 

 

 

 

JAMES ROBERTSON

Email: james@end-time-issues.org.za

Cell: 083-251-6644; Phone: +27 +11 791-2327; Fax: +27 = +11=20 791-5004.

 

NOTE (1) : The word "Yahweh1" is used = in this=20 document to reflect the fact that the correct translation of the Hebrew = word=20 generally translated "The Lord" in the King James Version and many = others is, in=20 fact, "Yahweh". Yahweh is the proper name for our God and occurs 6,828 = times in=20 the Old Testament. Vines states:

"LORD

The divine name YHWH appears only in the Bible. Its = precise=20 meaning is much debated. God chose it as His personal name by which = He=20 related specifically to His chosen or covenant people." (from Vine's = Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas = Nelson=20 Publishers)

By way of analogy, my proper name is "James" and I = have the=20 designation of "husband" to my wife, it would not be indicative of a = meaningful=20 marriage relationship if my wife were to constantly refer to me as = "husband"=20 rather than "James". In the same way, it is not indicative of a = meaningful=20 relationship with our God to refer to Him as "Lord" rather than "Yahweh" = when He=20 has given us His name to use and uses it throughout scripture.

For more information refer to the book "The Sacred = Name"=20 published by Qadesh La Yahweh Press, available on the internet at:

http://www.yahweh.org/publications/pdf1/sacrednm.pdf

 

Furthermore, the word "Baal" can reasonably be = translated "the=20 Lord".

Brown-Driver-Brigg's defines 1167 ba` al-

an owner, a husband, a lord

a) an owner

b) a husband

c) citizens, inhabitants

d) rulers, lords

e) (noun of relationship used to characterize, that = is, master=20 of dreams)

f) lord (used of foreign gods)

Strong's defines 1167 ba` al (bah'-al);

from 1166; a master; hence, a husband, or = (figuratively) owner=20 (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense): =

Strong's defines 1168 Ba` al (bah'-al);

the same as 1167; Baal, a Phoenician deity: -Baal, = (plural)=20 Baalim.

Brown-Driver-Brigg's defines 1168 Ba` al-

Baal =3D "lord";

as a proper noun, masculine:

1) the supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or = Canaanites=20

......

We therefore see that the words "the lord" are more = correctly a=20 translation of "baal" than they are of Yahweh. Accordingly, there are = strong=20 grounds to seek to minimize the use of the term The Lord to refer to = Yahweh.

 

END TIME ISSUE MINISTRIES

james@end-time-issues.org.za=
(0027)-(0)-11-791-2327
(0027)-(0)-83-251-6644
P=20 O Box 898, Randpark Ridge, 2156, Republic of South Africa


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