My title question stems from the Bible Book called “Song of Solomon,” a beautiful Old Testament love story.

I see in that Book a young woman called the “Shulamite” lady (Song of Solomon 6:13). And also a young man, the one whom she loves so dearly, King Solomon himself (Song of Solomon 3:11). I am presenting the old-fashioned, traditional view here.

As their love relationship grows, she is (rightly so) thrilled that “He is hers!” Her first words in Song of Solomon 2:16 are, “He is mine.” (Technically, “My Beloved is mine.”) His love, his protection, his wealth (he being royalty, remember), his prestige, his very name!

And so, in the Christian life, of which Shunamite and Solomon are typical … we believers are initially thrilled that Jesus is ours, our personal Saviour and Lord and Provider and Protector! And truthfully, so much more …!

But the future Bride must grow in her relationship with her Lover. And that leads us to Song of Solomon 6:3, where she says, “I am His!”(Again to be specific, “I am my Beloved’s.”)

She soon realizes that a healthy marriage is not just about what she can derive from it! But it’s also about what she can contribute to it! “I am His,” to help and serve and minister and encourage any way possible!

(Do notice that the Old Testament Biblical Presumption concerning Marriage involves a woman and a man! And the New Testament clearly agrees.)

Is the communion you have with Jesus based only on what He does for you, “He is mine?” (Which might be where all relationships begin!)

Or have you grown and matured to the point that you now can earnestly say, “I am His?” I have yielded my all to Him? I want to “do” for Him? To invest my life for His sake?

If you have come to that point, “I AM HIS,” the distractions of earth will lose a lot of their “pull.” And you will concentrate more and more on the fact that you no longer belong to yourself! You belong to Him!

Oh, what maturity!

Oh, what unselfishness!

Oh, what joy!

Oh, what purpose!

“I am His!”

Now, let’s take a quick inventory.

Which primarily describes your thoughts about the Lord?

He is mine!

I am His!

You and the Holy Spirit can best answer that important question!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I know at least one Commentary on the Song of Solomon that builds its whole premise around the motif of “spiritual growth!” Stages of ever deepening love the Shulamite (symbolizing the Church) reaches regarding her Solomon (picturing our Lord Jesus Christ)!

Jesus once spoke of Solomon and his “glory!” See Matthew 6:29 if you want to read His exact words. If you want to study the context.

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“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”

Why do these “believers” depart from the faith? What “influence” has aided their self-destruction?

Our verse gives the answer, sad (and accurate) as it is!

“Giving heed,” the verb (a present participle indicating ongoing, habitual action) is spelled “prosecho” in Greek. It means “to hold onto” something! In the active voice as here, “to hold on” deliberately, persistently!

“Seducing spirits” are nothing but “demons!” The adjective is “planos,” suggesting “wondering about, roving, vagabonds,” but also “leaders into darkness,” deceivers in that sense.

But these evil “spirits” (in Greek “pneuma”) do not simply pull one toward darkness … “planos” becomes the English word “planet” … they give a so-called rationale for their error!

False doctrine!

Here Paul calls this pack of lies “doctrines of devils” (“didaskalia” in Greek means “teachings”) of devils, of demons!

Too many Seminaries in this country now impart these deadly thoughts to future so-called clergy!

Doctrines of devils, de-throning Father God! (“Our Father in Heaven”)

Doctrines of devils, denying God the Son, our dear Lord Jesus Christ!

Doctrines of devils, introducing new so-called “gods and goddesses!”

Also presenting new (with sin no longer an issue) ways of behavior! The Bible calls such “abominations!” (I call them “perversions.”)

Doctrines of devils!

Marginalizing the Bible, blaspheming the Saviour, and all the while making Hell all the hotter for its duped followers!

Why is this verse in Scripture?

To warn us true Believers!

To prepare us for the onslaught of defections!

To give us resolve, determination to stay true to the Lord and His Word!

Let’s be faithful! Jesus is worthy!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Here it is, this amazing Verse … “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”

Let’s study this little Bible “nugget” today. It certainly describes the current “religious” scene across the globe!

Notice that our (King James Version) translators have capitalized the noun “Spirit.” While not uniformly so, here that means for sure that the Holy Spirit is in view.

So, the Third Person of the Trinity is talking! And equally so, we Christians had best be listening!

The verb unit here is captivating. “Speaketh expressly” consists of two Greek verbs. (Well, more accurately … a verb and an adverb, an adverb which is fundamentally based on a verb!) As here: leg’o rhetos’. The verb roots are leg’o and rhe’o. And both verbs mean “to talk, to speak!” A double Speech by the Spirit of God! “Lego” means to speak with “purposeful thought” (our English word logic) behind one’s utterances. “Rheo” means to know what one is going to communicate so firmly, so deeply, that the words just “flow out” of one’s heart, one’s mouth!

Wow!

THIS VERSE MUST BE VERY IMPORTANT!

“Latter times” is a construction that paints “time” (in Greek “kairos”) as a “opportunity” to serve the Lord. An “open door.” A “window of possibility” in a way. The adjective “latter” occurs only here in this form in the entire New Testament. It suggests the “later” days, prior to our Lord’s Second Coming.

But what will happen in these last days?

The Holy Spirit is forewarning us, forearming us too!

“Some shall depart from the faith.”

The verb “shall depart” is a blend of a preposition and a verb … “apo” (meaning away from, out of) and “histemi” meaning “to stand.” To step away from the old-fashioned things we have been taught! (It is related to our word “apostasy!”)

That’s happening already!

I see more and more folks who are drifting (some slowly, some not so slowly) from the moorings of Biblical Christianity!

And “the faith” is usually a technical term meaning “the Word of God!” Indeed, all “apostasy” begins with a questioning of the Bible. Doubting some portion of Scripture. (Today the Bible is marginalized or outright denied by many a so-called religious group!)

Mercy!

Why are we being told all this?

I suspect to keep us strong in the Lord, to help us not be discouraged when these people depart, leave us.

I also believe this Verse is written here to keep us from following in their deadly paths! To make our goal something like Paul’s … “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” From 2nd Timothy 4:7.

Maybe for this reason too. To help us be faithful to studying the Word of God. To help us cherish the Scriptures as God’s direct Word to men and women of any age.

Now, next lesson, we going to continue looking at this Text, 1 Timothy 4:1.

There is more to say!

—Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Here it is in the King James Version of Scripture … “Whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.”

I suppose it’s a fact every farmer and gardener and maybe even homeowner should know. Snakes like such out of the way places. Hedges, walls, anywhere to hide.

But Ecclesiastes 10:8 is saying more than meets the eye. It almost looks like Solomon here is warning us about tampering with our hedges!

A “hedge” to an ancient mind meant any type of barrier or line of safety … to keep predators out and to keep loved ones in!

And in the spiritual realm, hedges and walls and barriers and lines of separation are absolute necessities!

The devil, in Job 1:10, even accused the Lord of building a “hedge of protection” around Job the faithful man of God.

Oh, how we need hedges today!

For our marriages!

Our families!

Our very own lives!

“Godly parameters,” one writer calls them.

Could it be that the devil, symbolized by the serpent of our Verse today, longs for us to cut down our hedges?

To compromise our standards, convictions, worldview?

Knowing full well, the devil does, that if we “break” those hedges … we expose ourselves to the venom of Satan!

Build some hedges today!

Let them grow!

And never, never break them down!

Out Text again … “Whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.”

Let the wise be warned!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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I have heard this before, but in reading earlier today I was able to verify it as fact. Now, with excitement, I share the “news” with you.

Many a shepherd has lived in Israel through the years. Among them were found some of her most outstanding Prophets and Kings … Amos and David coming to mind.

During the days of the “Second Temple,” when Jesus was physically walking the earth, the innumerable flocks of sheep had to be tended in the “wilderness.” (Shepherds as a class were not held in high regard! They were constantly around their flocks, around birth and death … blood and wounds and sicknesses!)

Those smelly sheep must stay out of town, out of “sight” so to speak. Again, in the “wilderness.” (Don’t worry. There is plenty of green grass there, and still waters too, even if danger potentially lurks behind every tree. Truly “the valley of the shadow of death!”)

But there is one exception to the “wilderness” rule. And it focuses on the area around Bethlehem. The lambs that were destined for the Temple Mount, to be sacrificed on the altar there … were birthed and raised near Jerusalem, of course. Yes, near Bethlehem!

A lamb born there was headed for death! Specifically so! Sacrificially so! In accordance with the Law of Moses!

And I am sure you are by now ahead of me in the lesson … Jesus Christ, the Darling Lamb of God, was born right there, in the area we call Bethlehem! He was born to die! To sacrifice Himself and shed His sinless Blood so we sinners might be saved!

What thousands of little lambs were in type and symbol, Jesus became literally on an old, rugged Cross!

John the Baptist introduced Jesus well … “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

Jesus’ very Life was dedicated to winning the lost … us old sinners … to God! He said so Himself … “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Are you saved?

Do you know this wonderful Man, the Son of God, the Saviour?

If not, you can change that right now!

Again, let’s listen as Jesus tells us how … “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

Paul explains as well … “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

One man prayed this, certainly from his heart, and God saved him … “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13

Jesus, not a lamb … but THE LAMB!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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