Nugget 27
Egypt to Canaan (Part 3)
March 1987
God calling a people out of a nation specifically to serve Him and live out His Covenant is unique, and so also is a people called of God unto SALVATION. There is a coming out of EGYPT (the world and its ways), passing through the wilderness unto Canaan, into our possession (the fullness of Christ). Do not forget those who came out never entered into their possession. 2nd Peter 1, from about the third verse, shows that God's divine power has given His people all things pertaining to LIFE AND GODLINESS, because He has called us to GLORY AND VIRTUE. It goes on to say that He has given us "exceeding great and precious promises" whereby we "might be partakers of the DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." However, to partake of the Divine Nature, one has to press on from glory to glory. "Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (agape love)." If these things abound, we shall not be barren, but fruitful. If they are lacking, then we are blind and making no progress in our walk with Christ. We are exhorted, therefore, to be DILIGENT to make our CALLING AND ELECTION sure, that we may never fail. "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
There are distractions and temptations every step of the way, but "HE THAT ENDURETH TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED." The precious blood of Jesus, however, that makes atonement (AT-ONE-MENT) for the soul, opens up the TRUE AND LIVING WAY; therefore, "THOU ART INEXCUSABLE, O MAN." There is absolutely no hindrance but one's self. SELF, described as that which is born of ADAM, has to die, in order that the Christ life might come forth.
FROM EGYPT, one passes through the gate, the only way into Christ - "I AM THE WAY." God had to make a way through the Red Sea, by His Divine power and providence, to bring an end to the powers of Egypt's bondage. By thus doing, He also created deliverance and the beginning of a new experience for His people.
THE WILDERNESS OF SIN - EGYPT TO SINAI: God is the great supplier, the El Shaddai. Israel's wilderness journey is still the same today for the modern church. Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, and lusted after the flesh pots of Egypt, even as the modern church strives after world acclaim and worldly things. Korah, Dathan and Abiram were leaders in a rebellion against Moses, which, in effect, was a rebellion against God. When compared with our present day situations, it would seem that the church is stymied in its progress, because it has refused to be led by the Holy Ghost.
FORTY YEARS of wandering in the wilderness by the children of Israel should be taken seriously by the modern church, seeing forty is the number of tribulation, testing and death to the old nature. It is also a symbol of the Outer Court of the tabernacle of Moses, with the Brazen Altar where the animals gave up their lives - which is a type of man's death to sin. The Brazen Laver is also there, which is made of the womens' looking glasses, where the priests washed their hands - typifies baptism (death, burial and resurrection). Here is the "death to self" message clearly stated. It is very unfortunate that so many professing Christians have not had a genuine born-again experience, wherein they can say that "one day Jesus saved me by His blood, gave me peace and I am changed," which is the beginning of Salvation; there is no other way. Ephesians 1:12 gives the steps into His glory. Many refuse to die, and because they are alive, of course, they rebel against being buried; (want to keep their own identity and Adamic nature). It is a shame to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that there are so many talking as Christians, and living as something else. If we are buried with Him then we will be raised in NEWNESS OF LIFE.
The wilderness experience for Israel was designed of God to destroy the old and rebellious. None who left Egypt entered Canaan, save Caleb and Joshua. Joshua is a type of the Firstfruit Company, and Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, represents those who are one with Christ. Moses was privileged to see the Promised Land from afar, mainly because he represented the Law, and Law cannot enter into Grace. Moses struck the rock which was Christ, and the Law struck Jesus Christ and nailed Him to a tree.
Hebrews 6:2 speaks of Baptisms (plural), yet Ephesians 4:5 speaks of "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." This is so, because water Baptism leads one to Holy Ghost Baptism (Matthew 3:11), and Holy Ghost Baptism leads to Baptism into Christ. 1st Corinthians 12:13, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into ONE BODY." Submission to the Holy Ghost makes the working of the Divine nature in the soul possible. This brings the mind, emotions, will and desires under the power and authority of the Spirit, which culminates in the final work in the SAVING OF THE SOUL. Romans 7 tells of the union or marriage, not by divorce but by death. The soul nature, which is carnal, must die, that the Spirit might bring forth the Christ nature within. Galatians 4:19 shows that there is a travail in birth, until Christ be formed in the soul of the believer. Christ is already in the spirit of those baptized in the Holy Ghost, but the Blood quickens the soul, that the Holy Ghost may do His final work, so that when HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM.
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