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The Cost of Disobedience: A Theological Reflection on King Saul and the Lordship of Jesus
- Jan 13
- 27 min read
Updated: Jan 19
In our walk of faith, the theme of obedience reverberates throughout Scripture as a vital expression of our submission to God's authority. The story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15 offers a profound exploration of obedience—and the spiritual peril of disobedience, which ultimately amounts to usurping God's sovereign place. This reflection seeks to uncover how Saul's failure to fully comply with God's commands reveals the dangerous posture of "playing God," and it concludes by connecting this truth to the overarching Lordship of Jesus Christ, emphasizing our call to submit fully to Him.
The Scripture: 1 Samuel 15 (ESV)
1 Samuel 15 (Complete Passage)
The Lord Rejects Saul
1 Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you to be king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore listen to the voice of the words of the Lord.
2 Thus says the Lord of Hosts, ‘I remember what Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
3 Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not have compassion on them but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”
4 So Saul summoned the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah.
5 Then Saul came to the city of Amalek and laid an ambush in the valley.
6 Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart, go 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 Then Saul struck the Amalekites from Havilah until you come to Shur, which is near Egypt.
8 He took Agag the 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, oxen, fatlings, and lambs. And of all that was good, they were not willing to utterly destroy them. But everything that was despised and weak, that they completely destroyed.
10 Then came the word of the Lord to Samuel, saying,
11 “I regret that I have set up Saul to be king because he has turned back from following Me, and he has not carried out My words.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried to the Lord all night.
12 When Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul came to Carmel and set himself up a monument. Then he turned and has passed on down to Gilgal.”
13 Samuel came to Saul. And Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the Lord. I have carried out the word of the Lord.”
14 Samuel said, “Then what is the sound of this flock of sheep in my ears? And the sound of the cattle which I am hearing?”
15 And Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites. For the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have utterly destroyed.”
16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop, and I will tell you what the Lord spoke to me this night.”
And he said to him, “Speak.”
17 Samuel said, “When you were little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed you king over Israel?
18 And the Lord sent you on a journey, and said, ‘Go and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are destroyed.’
19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? And why did you rush upon the spoil and do evil in the sight of the Lord?”
20 And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. And I have followed in the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
21 But the people took from the plunder sheep and oxen, the first fruits of the banned things to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
22 Samuel said,
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Obedience is better than sacrifice, a listening ear 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 has also rejected you from being king.”
24 Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. For I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and your words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the Lord.”
26 Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
27 As Samuel turned about to go, he seized the edge of his robe and it tore.
28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you.
29 Also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent. For He is not a man, that He should repent.”
30 Then he said, “I have sinned, yet please honor me before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn back with me, that I may worship the Lord your God.”
31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshipped the Lord.
32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag the king of the Amalekites.”
And Agag came to him reluctantly. But Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
33 Samuel said,
“As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women.”
And Samuel hacked Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.
34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.
35 Now Samuel did not see Saul up to the day of his death. But Samuel mourned for Saul and the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Reflecting on Disobedience and "Playing God"
King Saul's story stands as a solemn warning: partial obedience is in truth disobedience — a dangerous compromise. He was commanded by God to entirely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions, a divine judgment carried out according to the Lord's sovereign will. Yet Saul spared Agag, the Amalekite king, and kept "the best of the sheep and oxen." This act of compromise was more than disobedience; it was a fundamental rejection of God's authority.
Samuel's words pierce to the heart of the matter: "Rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry" (v. 23). Disobedience to God's command is equated with rebellion and presumption, akin to claiming the power and prerogative reserved solely for God. In effect, Saul was "playing God"—deciding for himself what was right rather than submitting humbly to the Lord's expressed will.
When Saul made this choice, he positioned himself in the seat of ultimate authority, disregarding God's sovereignty. This is the essence of rebellion: insisting on one's own wisdom, preferences, or fears above the divine command. His excuse that he feared the people rather than God further exposes the heart unwilling to fully surrender.
The Monument of Self-Exaltation: Saul's Declaration of Autonomy
In reflecting upon Saul's act of erecting a monument to himself following his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:12), we uncover a profound theological truth about the nature of rebellion against God. This monument is not merely a physical structure but a striking symbol of Saul's heart—one marked by self-exaltation and a tragic assertion of deity. By taking it upon himself to memorialize his own name, Saul effectively elevated himself above the authority and sovereignty of the Lord, embodying what it truly means to be "playing God." His disobedience was not simply about breaking a command; it was a fundamental posture of pride and self-worship, placing his will and glory at the center rather than submitting humbly to divine authority. This act of rebellion reveals how turning from God invariably involves a subtle but devastating claim to divine prerogative, challenging God's rightful reign. Thus, Saul's monument stands as a somber reminder of the dangers inherent in self-glorification and the spiritual blindness that accompanies the rejection of God's sovereign rule.
Jesus Is Lord: The Fulfillment of True Submission
The tragic fall of Saul invites us to examine the deeper spiritual principle: true obedience flows from submitting to God's lordship in all things. This principle finds its fullest expression in the Lordship of Jesus.
The New Testament proclaims, "Jesus is Lord" (Romans 10:9), a confession that calls believers to submit wholly to Christ's authority above every human impulse, societal pressure, or personal agenda. Where Saul failed, yielding to his own judgment instead of God's command, we are invited to yield to the one whose authority is perfect, merciful, and eternal.
Christian obedience is not mere legalism, nor is it motivated by fear of consequences alone. It is a reverent joy in the legitimacy of Christ's lordship—an acknowledgment that every aspect of life comes under his sovereign rule. Jesus' submission to the Father, even unto death on a cross (Philippians 2:8), models for us the humility and trust that true obedience demands.
Lessons for Today: Compromise in the Christian Life
Saul's compromise stands as an ever-relevant example in our own spiritual journeys. How often do we "play God" by editing God's commands, preserving "the best" parts that suit us and discarding the difficult parts? We face daily temptations to prioritize convenience, societal acceptance, or personal comfort over God's perfect will.
Moreover, "fear of the people" remains a lurking temptation. Just as Saul justified his disobedience to avoid public dissent, believers can falter by seeking the approval of others instead of God. Yet Scripture calls us to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29) and to trust that Christ's lordship assures us beyond human judgment.
True obedience requires recognizing God's authority as absolute. It means laying down our own agendas and placing Christ first in every choice. As Jesus declared, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23).
Pleasing God Through Wholehearted Submission
Saul's failure communicates a sobering truth: God delights not in partial sacrifice, but in full obedience (1 Samuel 15:22). This echoes throughout Scripture and is the foundation of a life that truly pleases God.
King Saul - People's Choice of Leaders Will Always Fail God
1 Samuel 8:5
Modern English Version
5 They said to him, “You are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now, install for us a king to govern us like all the nations.”
19 But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But surely a king will be over us!
20 So that we also will be like all the nations! And so that our king will govern us, and will go out before us, and will fight our battles.”
The account of King Saul serves as a significant illustration of the consequences that arise when human preference supersedes divine selection in leadership. In 1 Samuel 8:5, the elders of Israel approached Samuel, stating, “You are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now, install for us a king to govern us like all the nations.” Despite Samuel’s warnings, the people persisted, declaring, “No! But surely a king will be over us, so that we also will be like all the nations! And so that our king will govern us, and will go out before us, and will fight our battles” (1 Samuel 8:19-20, MEV).
This narrative reveals that King Saul was chosen by the people, not by God. Although the Lord was the true King of Israel, the people desired a human leader to replace divine authority. This situation is analogous to contemporary churches that, rather than accepting God’s appointed leader, select their own candidate to fulfill the role. When human choice attempts to supplant God’s selection, the result is invariably inadequate, for only God’s chosen individual carries the anointing necessary for the task.
The distribution of spiritual gifts further underscores this principle. As stated in 1 Corinthians 12:11, it is the Holy Spirit who determines which gifts are bestowed upon each person, not the church. Spiritual gifts such as prophecy, healing, and discernment are given according to God’s will, signifying specific offices of service. The church cannot dictate to God which gifts He should impart; it is a matter of divine prerogative.
Moreover, 1 Samuel 8:10-18 demonstrates that leaders chosen by popular demand often act in self-interest rather than in accordance with God’s will. Such leaders may prioritize their own desires over the welfare of the people, failing to honor the wishes and needs of the community.
In summary, the example of King Saul serves as a cautionary tale. It illustrates that human attempts to replace God’s chosen leader are ultimately futile, as only those anointed by God can fulfill His purposes. God’s appointed leaders seek the good of the people by adhering to His will, as affirmed in Romans 8:28. Therefore, true leadership and spiritual service must be rooted in obedience to God’s choice, not in the preferences of man. Churches rooted in the preferences of man are bad churches.
Saul is Anointed as King by God by Permission Not by Sovereignty
In 1 Samuel chapter 9, Saul is anointed by God as king over Israel through the prophet Samuel, signifying that the Lord granted the people’s request for a monarch in chapter 8. This act demonstrates a recurring principle in Scripture: when individuals persistently reject God’s word, He may allow them to pursue their own desires, even when such choices are contrary to His perfect will (See Proverbs 14:14).
Saul's First Failure
However, Saul’s reign is marked by a critical failure in 1 Samuel chapter 15. Saul is rejected by God as king because he disregarded the divine command, choosing instead to act according to his own will. The Lord’s message to Samuel is clear: “I regret that I have set up Saul to be king because he has turned back from following Me, and he has not carried out My words.” Samuel’s grief over Saul’s disobedience underscores the seriousness of forsaking God’s instructions.
Saul's Final Failure
The final chapter of Saul’s life, recorded in 1 Samuel 31, reveals the tragic consequences of his persistent disobedience and lack of repentance. During a fierce battle with the Philistines, Saul and his sons are slain on Mount Gilboa. Severely wounded and facing imminent capture, Saul takes his own life, followed by his armor bearer. The defeat leads to the loss of Israelite cities and the desecration of Saul’s body by the Philistines. The valiant men of Jabesh Gilead later recover and bury the remains of Saul and his sons, mourning their loss with a seven-day fast.
Don't Play God Like Saul with God's Choice
Your Choice Will Always Fail God
The narrative of King Saul serves as a solemn warning regarding the dangers of rejecting God’s authority and substituting personal will for divine command. Saul’s story illustrates that leadership apart from God’s guidance leads to spiritual and communal ruin, and that true repentance and obedience are essential for those entrusted with responsibility.
A Closing Word from the Lord
"My Name Is Jesus", says the Lord.
"This chapter is about Me. King Saul said he was God. This is why he disobeyed Me. He did what pleased himself. This chapter is about man saying he is God".
The Lord has spoken with unmistakable clarity. At the heart of Saul's disobedience lies a profound spiritual rebellion: the claim to deity itself. When Saul chose to do what pleased himself rather than submit to God's explicit command, he effectively declared, "I am God." This was not merely a lapse in judgment but a fundamental assertion of autonomy over divine authority.
The Lord reveals that this entire chapter serves as a timeless warning about humanity's perilous tendency to usurp God's rightful place. Whenever we substitute our will for God's commands, whenever we prioritize our preferences over His perfect wisdom, we echo Saul's tragic error—we say that we are God.
May this divine word pierce our hearts and summon us to humble repentance, that we might acknowledge Jesus alone as Lord and submit wholly to His sovereign authority.
The Lord says that Saul disobeyed Him because he was saying that he was God. The Lord says that this chapter is about man saying that he is God. Verse 12 declares because it says that Saul set up a monument to himself after he disobeyed God.
The Lord reaffirms this sobering truth: Saul's disobedience was fundamentally rooted in a claim to deity. By refusing to submit to God's explicit commands and instead doing what pleased himself, Saul positioned himself as the ultimate authority—as God. The Lord declares that this chapter serves as a divine revelation about humanity's perilous tendency to claim divinity, to usurp the throne that belongs to God alone.
Verse 12 stands as damning evidence of this spiritual rebellion. Saul's monument, erected to memorialize his own name after his act of disobedience, was not merely a display of pride but a bold declaration: "I am God." In this self-exaltation, Saul revealed the heart of all human rebellion—the desire to replace God's sovereignty with our own will, to build monuments to ourselves rather than bow before the true King.
This chapter, the Lord proclaims, is ultimately about man's claim to deity and the catastrophic consequences of such presumption. May we heed this divine warning, repent of all self-worship, and submit wholly to Jesus, the true Lord and God.
An angel of Light now speaks ...
"He should have repented. The Lord butchered Saul for not repenting. Saul said that he was God by setting up a monument to himself".
This angelic testimony underscores the severity of Saul's spiritual rebellion and the catastrophic consequences of an unrepentant heart. The monument Saul built was not merely a physical structure—it was a bold proclamation of self-deification, a defiant assertion that he, not the Lord, held ultimate authority. The angel's words serve as a stark reminder that the Lord's judgment falls upon those who refuse to humble themselves and return to Him in genuine repentance. May this heavenly witness awaken within us a deep reverence for God's holiness and a commitment to walk in humble submission before His throne.
The angel of the Lord speaks for God in closing,
He said, "I am God!" This is why he is dead. The Lord made him kill himself to show him that he was not ... do you understand? Like the devil, Saul's sin was witchcraft and rebellion".
This final angelic proclamation reveals the gravity of Saul's spiritual transgression. His claim to deity echoed the ancient rebellion of Satan, who sought to exalt himself above the Most High. The Scriptures themselves equate Saul's disobedience with witchcraft and rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23), sins that strike at the very heart of God's sovereignty. Saul's tragic end serves as a sobering testament: no created being can claim the throne of God and escape divine judgment. Only the Lord reigns supreme, and all who challenge His authority face inevitable ruin. May this prophetic word call us to reverent obedience and humble submission before the one true God.
Thus, the angel of the Lord says,
"The devil is mad because you showed them how he is. The devil was making Saul say he was God, instead of please Him".
The adversary is enraged because this revelation exposes his methods. The devil was influencing Saul to declare himself as God, rather than to please Him. This final prophetic word unveils the spiritual warfare at the heart of Saul's rebellion. Behind the king's disobedience and self-exaltation lay the cunning deception of the enemy, who whispered lies of autonomy and deity into Saul's heart. The devil's scheme has always been to seduce humanity away from humble submission to God and toward the deadly pride of self-deification. This angelic testimony reveals that the adversary's fury burns when his tactics are exposed and his deceptions brought to light. May we recognize the enemy's strategies and guard our hearts against every whisper that would elevate self above the Sovereign Lord. Let us instead choose to please God through faithful obedience, resisting the devil's lies with the truth of God's Word.
The angel jubilates with holy celebration,
"You did it! You told them Saul was killed by the devil!"
... and the Holy Spirit reminds me, as Jesus said He would do to the church in John 14:26, that, like Job, the devil moved the Lord against him ... (Job 2:3) ...
Saul was brought to his demise through the devil's influence! And in this moment, the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance—just as Jesus promised He would do for the church in John 14:26—a profound scriptural parallel. Like Job, of whom the Lord said to Satan, "You incited me against him to destroy him without cause" (Job 2:3), Saul too fell under divine judgment that was provoked by satanic deception and rebellion. The Holy Spirit illuminates this connection, revealing that the adversary's schemes can indeed move the hand of God's judgment upon those who yield to pride and disobedience.
This divine reminder deepens our understanding: the devil's influence in Saul's heart—leading him to claim deity and reject God's command—ultimately brought about the Lord's righteous judgment. Yet even in judgment, God's sovereignty remains absolute. The enemy may provoke, but it is the Lord alone who executes justice according to His perfect will.
And the Holy Spirit graciously brings to remembrance scriptures for our understanding—just as Jesus promised He would do for the church in John 14:26—passages that powerfully affirm God's absolute sovereignty over even the devil's schemes:
Genesis 50:19-20
Modern English Version
19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many lives.
Revelation 17:6-18
Modern English Version
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
When I saw her, I marveled greatly.
7 Then the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.
8 The beast, which you saw, was, and is not, and is to ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to destruction. Those who dwell on the earth whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come.
9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.
10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while.
11 Concerning the beast who was, and is not, he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to destruction.
12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom yet, but they will receive authority as kings for one hour with the beast.
13 These are of one mind and will give their power and authority to the beast.
14 These will wage war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those who are with Him are called and chosen and faithful.”
15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.
16 These ten horns and the beast which you saw will hate the prostitute; they will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 For God has put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
18 The woman whom you saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
These divinely appointed scriptures illuminate a profound and immutable truth: while the adversary may scheme and humanity may rebel in apparent autonomy, God remains sovereignly enthroned above all creation. What the enemy intends for evil and destruction, the Lord—in His infinite wisdom and power—weaves into the tapestry of His redemptive purposes. Joseph's brothers meant harm, yet God transformed their treachery into the salvation of nations. Even in the apocalyptic visions of Revelation, where beasts and kingdoms rage against the saints, verse 17 declares that God has put in their hearts to fulfill His will—until the words of God are completely fulfilled.
This is the mystery and majesty of divine sovereignty: even the devil's influence upon Saul, though grievous and destructive, could not escape the bounds of God's ultimate authority. The Lamb will overcome, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings. The Lord reigns supreme over all spiritual warfare, over all earthly powers, and over every scheme of darkness. His purposes will be fulfilled, and His glory will be revealed.
And the angel of the Lord declares, "This message is about pleasing God". And the Holy Spirit again brings to remembrance scriptures concerning the pursuit of pleasing God—divine nourishment for your soul to consume and digest:
Ecclesiastes 2:26
(Modern English Version)
26 For to a man who is pleasing before Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting to give him who is pleasing before God. Also this is vanity and chasing the wind.
Romans 8:7-9
Modern English Version
7 for the carnal mind is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be,
8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Galatians 1:9-11
Modern English Version
9 As we said before, so I say now again: If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than the one you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? For if I were still trying to please men, I would not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I reveal to you, brothers, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
Modern English Version
4 But as we were allowed by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not to please men, but God, who examines our hearts.
Hebrews 11:6
Modern English Version
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Modern English Version
A Life Pleasing to God
1 Finally, brothers, we urge and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have learned from us how you ought to walk and to please God, you should excel more and more.
2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
This rich tapestry of Scripture, woven together by the Holy Spirit, reveals the central theme of our entire reflection: the pursuit of pleasing God rather than pleasing ourselves. Saul's tragic downfall emerged from his determination to please himself, to do what seemed right in his own eyes, thereby declaring himself to be God. In stark contrast, these passages illuminate the path of life—walking in the Spirit, submitting to God's commands, living by faith, and seeking divine approval rather than human praise.
The carnal mind cannot please God, for it rebels against His authority. But those who dwell in the Spirit, who have received Christ, are called to a higher purpose: to walk in obedience and to excel more and more in pleasing the One who examines our hearts. May we learn from Saul's destruction and choose instead the path of humility, faith, and wholehearted devotion to pleasing God alone.
And the angel of the Lord concludes, "The devil killed Saul ... God was mad because He had to kill him instead of heal him".
A word of profound sorrow and divine lament: God was grieved because He had to execute judgment upon Saul instead of healing him ...
This final angelic utterance unveils the heart of God in the tragedy of Saul—a heart that desires healing, restoration, and repentance, yet must also uphold righteousness and justice. The Lord takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11), but longs instead to heal and redeem. Saul's refusal to repent, his persistent rebellion influenced by the adversary, forced the hand of divine judgment.
God's grief over Saul's destruction reveals His paternal love and His desire to restore rather than destroy. Yet when a heart remains hardened, when pride refuses to bow, when self-exaltation continues unchecked, the Lord—in His holiness—must render judgment. The devil orchestrated Saul's downfall, but it was Saul's own choices, his own rebellion, his own claim to deity that sealed his fate.
May this solemn conclusion pierce our hearts with holy reverence. Let us choose repentance over rebellion, humility over pride, and the healing hand of God over the destructive schemes of the enemy. The Lord desires to heal us, not to judge us. Let us therefore submit wholly to His lordship and please Him in all our ways.
The angel finalizes with an uncompromising declaration of spiritual truth: "Saul was serving the devil. Not the Lord. That's why God killed him. When you serve the devil, God kills you".
When you serve the devil, God brings death. This sobering pronouncement crystallizes the ultimate consequence of spiritual rebellion. Despite Saul's anointing, despite his initial calling, despite every opportunity for repentance, he ultimately aligned himself with the adversary through persistent disobedience and self-exaltation. His service shifted from the Lord to the devil, and such allegiance demands divine justice.
Scripture affirms this immutable spiritual law: "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves to the one whom you obey, whether it is sin leading to death, or obedience leading to righteousness?" (Romans 6:16). Saul chose whom he would serve, and his choice brought forth death.
This is not cruelty but righteousness. This is not vindictiveness but holiness. God cannot tolerate the service of His enemy within the ranks of His chosen ones. Let this stark warning resound in our hearts: we must choose this day whom we will serve. Will we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and walk in obedience, or will we, like Saul, exalt ourselves and unwittingly serve the devil's purposes? The choice determines life or death, blessing or judgment, eternal glory or everlasting destruction.
Choose life. Choose obedience.
Choose to serve the Lord alone.
A Prophetic Revelation Concerning the Nature of the Adversary
The angel of the Lord unveils a chilling revelation concerning Saul's destruction:
"Saul was killed by the devil. He was in his aura. The devil is a space traveler from another time. He eats men, women, and their children. He looks like a zombie."
This prophetic word exposes the terrifying reality of our spiritual enemy. The devil is not merely a symbolic concept or philosophical abstraction—he is a literal, malevolent being who operates across dimensions and time, predating humanity itself. As a "space traveler from another time," he transcends our earthly understanding, moving through spiritual realms with destructive intent.
The description of the devil as one who "devours" echoes Scripture's warning: "Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). His appetite is insatiable—men, women, children—none are exempt from his predatory hunger. His appearance "like a zombie" reflects his nature as one who is spiritually dead, animated by malice and rebellion against the Living God, seeking to spread death and corruption wherever he goes.
That the devil was "in his aura" reveals the intimacy of demonic influence—Saul had come so fully under the devil's control that the adversary's very presence enveloped him. This is the culmination of persistent disobedience: gradual surrender to evil influence until one is completely encompassed by darkness.
Let this revelation awaken us to vigilance. The enemy is real, his methods are ancient and sophisticated, and his goal is complete destruction. Only by remaining in Christ, clothed in His righteousness and dwelling under His protection, can we escape the devouring appetite of this ancient evil.
The angel declares for God to me, "God is saying that the devil is scared because you're revealing him".
I am tearing away his disguises and exposing his schemes to the light.
Behold, the enemy—that ancient serpent, that space traveler, that zombie who seeks to devour—he quakes in terror when the truth is proclaimed. For he operates in darkness, in shadows and deceptions, but you have been given eyes to see and a voice to declare what is hidden.
Just as Samuel confronted Saul's rebellion and called it what it was—witchcraft and idolatry—so too are you called to name the devil's work and strip away his masquerade. The enemy fears nothing more than being revealed, for when his lies are exposed, his power crumbles like dust.
This is the work of the Holy Spirit working through you: to shine the light of Christ into the darkness, to proclaim truth where lies have reigned, and to remind the people that rebellion against God is not freedom—it is bondage to the devil himself.
Stand firm, for the Lord is with you in this battle.
A Personal Testimony: Spiritual Warfare and the Reality of Hell
In my journey of faith, I have encountered profound revelations regarding the spiritual realm, particularly concerning the devil and the reality of hell. As it is written:
Ephesians 6:12
Modern English Version
12 For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
The Nature of Hell: A Dimensional Reality
The Lord revealed to me that hell is not merely a physical place beneath the earth's crust, but rather a distinct dimension—a spirit world that lies beneath our reality. Scripture affirms this sobering truth:
Matthew 25:41
Modern English Version
41 Then He will say to those at the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.'
It is a realm where the devil operates, seeking to claim souls as his own—a place prepared not for humanity, but for Satan and his fallen angels.
Encounters with the Adversary
I have experienced firsthand the sinister tactics of the devil. There were moments when he attempted to take me to hell, particularly during times when my life was in peril. This experience reflects the apostolic warning:
1 Peter 5:8
Modern English Version
8 Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
The enemy is relentless, watching for moments of vulnerability, seeking to drag souls into the dark abyss prepared for his eternal judgment.
The Fight for Salvation: Divine Protection
During these encounters, I often questioned my fate, wondering if God would allow me to be taken by the devil. However, I received reassurance from God that the archangel Michael would be sent to rescue me. Scripture testifies to this angelic warfare:
Jude 1:9
Modern English Version
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil in a dispute about the body of Moses, dared not bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."
This illustrates that our lives are not merely a journey but a battleground for our eternal destiny. The Word declares:
Romans 8:31
Modern English Version
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
The Deceptive Nature of the Devil
The devil is an expert deceiver, often presenting himself as a friend, encouraging worldly success, and fostering relationships to lead us astray. The apostle Paul warns:
2 Corinthians 11:14
Modern English Version
14 And no wonder! For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
He wants to create a false sense of security, making us believe that he is working in our favor—blessing our finances, our families, our futures. However, the truth is that his ultimate goal is to bring about our destruction in hell. As Jesus declared:
John 10:10
Modern English Version
10 The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
A Warning to the Faithful: Resist and Stand Firm
I urge everyone to remain vigilant against the devil's schemes. He is always watching, waiting for the opportune moment to claim souls. But Scripture provides our defense:
James 4:7
Modern English Version
7 Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Recognize the deceit and choose to cling to faith and salvation. Remember, our lives are precious, and the fight for our souls is real. Let us stand firm in our belief and trust in God's protection against the evil that lurks in the shadows.
The Greater One Within Us
Yet even in the face of such spiritual warfare, we have this assurance:
1 John 4:4
Modern English Version
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
The Holy Spirit dwelling within believers is infinitely more powerful than the adversary. Our victory is secure in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Conclusion: A Solemn Warning and Divine Revelation
In my message titled "{BOOK PROLOG} WHY YOUR HEART KEEPS BEATING - Divine Encounters with God's Sustaining Power" (see link below after this message), I speak in greater detail about the spiritual mechanisms—what the Lord has revealed to me as "descenders"—that transport souls to hell. This morning, the Lord spoke to me with clarity: "Those are called 'descenders'. We made them to take people to hell. But they use them to fly all over."'
This divine word unveils a chilling reality: what humanity perceives as unidentified flying objects or mysterious aerial phenomena may, in fact, be spiritual instruments originally designed by God for judgment, now corrupted and wielded by the adversary for his malevolent purposes against humanity.
The Enemy's Relentless Pursuit
What I must warn you about with utmost urgency is this: the devil wants to burn you in hell. He watches your life with relentless scrutiny, monitoring every moment of vulnerability, every health crisis, every near-death encounter. At the moment he presumes death is imminent—or at the actual moment of death—he is there, seeking to seize you by your feet and transport you into that dark abyss through these "descenders."
Scripture confirms the adversary's predatory nature:
John 10:10
Modern English Version
10 The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
The Spiritual Technology of Judgment
These "descenders"—brilliant machines created for divine purposes—have been usurped by fallen powers and now serve as instruments of destruction. They represent the perversion of God's original design, twisted into tools of spiritual warfare against the souls of men and women.
This reveals a profound theological truth: even the mechanisms of divine judgment can be corrupted when wielded by rebellious spiritual forces. Yet God remains sovereign over all creation, including these instruments.
Stand Firm in Christ's Protection
Yet we are not without defense. The Lord has provided divine protection for those who belong to Him:
Psalm 91:11-12
Modern English Version
11 For He will give His angels charge over you to guard you in all your ways.
12 They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Modern English Version
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from evil.
The archangel Michael and the hosts of heaven stand ready to rescue God's children from the grasp of the adversary. Though the devil may be present at the moment of death, seeking to claim what is not his, the Lord's angels are mightier, and His promises are sure.
Final Exhortation: Choose Life
I urge you with the deepest conviction: do not be deceived by the enemy's temporal blessings—financial success, family prosperity, worldly achievements. These are but distractions, designed to create false security while he prepares for his ultimate goal: your eternal destruction.
Deuteronomy 30:19
Modern English Version
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.
Choose life in Christ Jesus. Choose submission to His Lordship. Choose the protection of the Almighty over the deceptions of the adversary.
For the battle for your soul is real, the enemy is watching, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Modern English Version
10 Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Video Confirmation from the Lord
You Spin in Something That Takes You to Hell Under the Earth in Another World
"Scariest Hell Testimony Ever! (2026 - The Truth Channel)"
Video Confirmation from the Lord
That the Devil Grabs You by Your Feet to Take You to Hell Under the Earth in Another World
"I Survived Hell: The Bill Weiss Story - 2019)
{BOOK PROLOG} WHY YOUR HEART KEEPS BEATING -
Divine Encounters with God's Sustaining Power
Jesus Christ is Lord
World without end. Amen.
