“Light from on high”
– Luk 1:78 (AMP)
Taking the Promised Land
The spiritual analogies in the Bible fascinate me, no end! It seems the entire Old Testament history was a prophetic view of the spiritual truths the Gospel would present. So Adam”s created fleshly body, predicted God creating an earthly body for the “Second Adam”, Jesus Christ. Noah’s three-tiered ark pictured the Trinity’s involvement in saving the human race from eternal destruction. Isaac’s extraordinary birth foretold the virgin birth of the Messiah. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son, was a picture of God the Father, who was not only willing, but actually gave His Son as a sacrifice to a sinful world. Moses leading Israel out of slavery and the rulership of Pharaoh, spoke of Christ breaking the dominion of satan and setting us free from the bondage of sin. The different stages of the Tabernacle-setup taught us our worshipful approach to God. Joshua’s leadership indicated the final spiritual battles led by the “Captain of the host” in the church’s quest to overcome evil.
It is at this point I briefly want to tarry: taking the promised land. Canaan was the habitation of different nations, among them the descendants of the Anakites, who were some non-earthly beings that the Bible refers to as “giants”, or “Nephilim”. Satan’s purpose was to prevent the pure human seed-line needed for the Messiah to be born in that land. God’s command was, destroy the evil occupants, and inherit the land in preparation for the Messiah’s arrival.
The spiritual analogy should be clear: God wants His Church to overcome evil and establish a holy nation, in preparation for the return of the Messiah. Now, we are not talking about a physical nation or a physical location, no, we are talking about a spiritual take-over in the heavenlies. It is time for the Church to rise to the occasion, and defeat the forces of darkness. The analogy I want to conclude with is, John the Baptist’s assignment: “prepare the way” for the Messiah. John’s message was that “the axe is at the root”, meaning every ungodly planting must be brought down. God’s message to the Israelites was clear: they had to utterly destroy all the ungodly nations in Canaan. The call of God to us at this hour should be equally clearly: rise up, cleanse yourselves, and bring down spiritual strongholds, evil spiritual rulers and prophetically prepare the way for the eminent return of Jesus.
The question is: will we be fearful (like the Israelites in Moses’ time), or will we take courage like the men in Joshua’s time and boldly march out against evil in the spiritual realm? God forbid we take the 40-year detour, but rather walk straight into our Divine destiny!
Special note:
This may be the last Newsletter for October, as we will be involved in the Ethiopian outreach. Please pray for the team and for the people coming to Gambela. The pastor’s conference in Gambela will be from Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October, and the regional Crusade from Friday 20 October to Sunday 22 October. The team will be away from Friday 13 October to Thursday 26 October.
Blessings to all!
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UPCOMING Events:
Ethiopian Outreach (Gambela) 16-22 Oct 2017 (team leaves 13 Oct, returns 26 Oct)
REGISTRATIONS: (at the Info Desk at Church)
New member applications: Estelle – 0824902274
Water Baptisms: Dunia – 0612241522
Child Dedications: George – 0823207014 (ask for a dedication form)