King James Bible Study:Book of Life
For: Saturday May 14, 2011
Chapters: I Chronicles 8-10
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-may-14
Details of Today's Reading: The sons of Benjamin, Saul, and Jonathan, the record of the Israelites, the duties of certain Levites, Saul’s overthrow and death, the triumph of the Philistines, and Saul’s sin that lead to his death.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” - Revelation 20:11-15.

One day Jesus will return and when He does He will sit upon His throne and every person will stand before Him to be judged. What is Jesus looking for in the Book of Life? The names of every person who has asked Him to save them before they physically died. Anyone's name not found in the Book will be cast into the lake of fire.


What about the people of the Old Testament? They also lived by the same faith, only their hope was in His coming. The people of the Old Testament knew just much about Jesus as we do, even His coming back to judge the world (found in Daniel), they too will be judged. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” - Romans 2:9-13.

After Nebuchadnezzar took the remaining Jews to Babylon for seventy years they lived amongst the Babylonians and really had no idea where they came from. The Chronicle books were written to give an account of the history of the Israelites so they could find out what tribe they actually came from and see how they were actually taken into captivity.

“So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims. And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh;” - I Chronicles 9:1-3.


Names are very important to God, He wants to make sure everyone knows where they come from and how special they are to Him,especially those who will be a part of His Kingdom. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” - I Peter 2:9,10.

The Nethinims were Temple servants, they were like janitors, a job that seems rather insignificant, but it was so important to God that He recorded them in the Bible. Their loyalty to God made them willing to work and to serve Him wherever they were need. God takes care to list the names and duties of all the Levites.

“And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief; Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi. And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry. And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him... And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale. Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices... And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath. And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.” - I Chronicles 9:17-20, 28,29,32,33.

The Levites set an example for all of us who serve God in the smallest ways from cleaning bathrooms to taking care of children, to being an usher, singer, or teacher, every little thing we do to serve God shows Him our loyalty to Him and just how important He means to us. The smallest task done wholeheartedly means more to God than anything. Our whole desire should be to hear God say, “She have done what she could.” “And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.“ - Mark 14:6-8.

Chapter ten begins with the end of King Saul, the first king of Israel's, reign through his death, God reminds us of the reasons why he was stripped of the crown and died such a painful death.

“And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers. Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it...So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” - I Chronicles 10:2-4,13,14.

If you read the Book of II Samuel it explains this in more detail, Saul, after Samuel died went to a fortune teller to bring up Samuel's spirit. While the woman really did not have the ability to summon a spirit, God allowed it for the purpose of showing Saul his fate, Samuel's response, “Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me:” - II Samuel 28:19a. While Saul's wickedness cost him the throne and some suffering for his sin it still did not cost him his life.

This is a reminder to all who are saved, once saved always saved, even if you turn your back on God in the latter part of your earthly life it does not forfeit your name in the Book of Life. It is your faith and trust in Jesus Christ that saved you, not your works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:8-10. While our works do not get us to heaven, they do determine the rewards we will receive in heaven. I always say, “If I am scrubbing floors in heaven at least it's better than burning in hell.” but imagine the gifts we receive simply by living the morally, godly lives that God would rather see us living. Praise God for His mercy and grace!

God Bless You, I am praying for you, enjoy your weekend,
Christina

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