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HOW DID IT GO FROM THIS:

“And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice,” 2 Chronicles 9:3-8.

TO THIS???

“And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 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.”

1 Kings 11:9-11.

Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived for his wisdom was given him of God.

“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee,” 1 Kings 3:5-12.

Yet Solomon ended his days as a fool! He had acted most foolishly indeed in his latter years. In truth, when we consider the mighty blessings and exceeding great privileges he enjoyed from God’s hand, Solomon became the most foolish man that ever lived! His epitaph, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 9:29, divides his life into two sections — first and last! (more…)

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see,” Revelation 6:1.

The word ‘see’ features large in this chapter.

When this ‘seeing’ takes place is at the ‘opening of the book’ mentioned in the previous chapter.

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon,” Revelation 5:1-3.

The “book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals” is the full record of God’s purpose for His covenant people Israel and also of the fate of their enemies who are confederate against them in the ages past, but who will band together as never before in the closing years of this age. Its fulfilment has long been anticipated by the people of God for it has been the subject of the visions of all the prophets which they shared with God’s people.

It is “written within and on the backside” for it is the ‘full’ details of God’s eternally determined intention for His people and His land.

The Lord has fully resolved that there will be an overthrowing of man’s evil rebellion against Him and an enthroning of His Son as KING, even as it is stated in Psalm 2.

“Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel,” verses 6-9.

The future vain attempt by depraved and foolish men is set forth in the opening of the Psalm 2. (more…)