Numbers 25:1 - And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
On the borders of their promised land, one hurdle left to navigate, one river left to cross and all but two of those that left Egypt perish so close to their rest!
How, how could that happen? Why did that happen? Did nobody see that coming?
Well, let me tell you...
The Apostle Paul counselled us:
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. [1 Corinthians 10:11-12]
The Messenger of The Lord puts it like this:
As we approach the close of time, as the people of God stand upon the borders of the heavenly Canaan, Satan will, as of old, redouble his efforts to prevent them from entering the goodly land. He lays his snares for every soul. It is not the ignorant and uncultured merely that need to be guarded; he will prepare his temptations for those in the highest positions, in the most holy office; if he can lead them to pollute their souls, he can through them destroy many. [Patriarchs and Prophets 457.3]
In order to see the potency of what I'm going to share next, we've got to go back into sacred history to come forward.
Read Numbers 25:1-18
Did you catch that?
Madness, how did God's people get there?
These surroundings exerted a polluting influence upon the Israelites. Their minds became familiar with the vile thoughts constantly suggested; their life of ease and inaction produced its demoralizing effect; and almost unconsciously to themselves they were departing from God and coming into a condition where they would fall an easy prey to temptation. [Patriarchs and Prophets 453.4]
I like how the writer states that their departure from God was "almost unconsciously" This leaves us and them no excuse. Why? Because as the scriptures declare that The Spirit "convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment" John 16:8
During the time of their encampment beside Jordan, Moses was preparing for the occupation of Canaan. In this work the great leader was fully employed. But to the people this time of suspense was most trying, and before many weeks had elapsed their history was marred by frightful departures from virtue and integrity. [Patriarchs and Prophets 454.1]
In the same way that Moses was preparing to cross his people over the Jordan into the literal Canaan, the literal promised land, our heavenly High Priest is working for us, preparing to cross us over into the heavenly Canaan, the heavenly promised land.
But also, in the same way that Moses’ people became restless and their faith was tried in the wait, so too God’s people now are being tested and tried by the tarrying time just before we experience that glorious crossing over.
At first there was little intercourse between the Israelites and their heathen neighbours, but after a time Midianitish women began to steal into the camp. Their appearance excited no alarm, and so quietly were their plans conducted that the attention of Moses was not called to the matter. It was the object of these women, in their association with the Hebrews, to seduce them into transgression of the law of God, to draw their attention to heathen rites and customs, and lead them into idolatry. These motives were studiously concealed under the garb of friendship, so that they were not suspected, even by the guardians of the people. [Patriarchs and Prophets 454.2]
When studying prophecy or making prophetic application it is important to understand that a woman: Jeremiah 6:2 - Amos 5:1-2 - 2 Corinthians 11:2 - Ephesians 5:22-32 - Revelation 12:1-5 - Revelation 17:1-5.
Read that last quote again replacing the word "women" with "churches."
How did the women get in? Who gave them entrance? How come nobody raised the alarm?
At Balaam's suggestion, a grand festival in honor of their gods was appointed by the king of Moab, and it was secretly arranged that Balaam should induce the Israelites to attend. He was regarded by them as a prophet of God, and hence had little difficulty in accomplishing his purpose. Great numbers of the people joined him in witnessing the festivities. They ventured upon the forbidden ground, and were entangled in the snare of Satan.
[Patriarchs and Prophets 454.3]
Whoa...Did you see that?! The "women" were allowed entrance into the Israelite camp because Balaam, who was attached to Israel, had opened the door for their entrance. An ecumenical worship service was arranged. A festival of praise in honour of the heathen deities was organised but notice that initially Israel only had observer status. However, that would soon change.
Fast forward a few thousand years and here we are again, on the borders of the promised land with midianitish women stealing into the camp, through the door that those connected to Israel opened and left open.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
On Thursday afternoon, at the 61st GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri, PARL hosted a luncheon to “strengthen relationships between PARL directors and engage with public officials and key religious leaders,” said PARL Associate Director Jennifer Woods. Special guests who were present and acknowledged at the luncheon, representing some of the meaningful connections PARL has made with influential representatives across the globe were the Secretary of the Global Christian Forum Dr. Casely Essamuah, Salvation Army Representative Colonel Kenneth Johnson, Baptist World Alliance Representative Rev. Everton Jackson, Adventist Senator Damaris Moura Kuo from Brazil, Adventist member of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Zambia the Honorable Palan Mulonda, Adventist Retired Senator the Honorable Floyd Morris from Jamaica, and Adventist Philippine Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Bienvenido V. Tejano.
Who is Dr. Casely Essamuah?
https://www.bu.edu/cgcm/2020/07/01/casely-essamuah-03-describes-his-work-for-global-christian-unity/
In the most recent issue of focus, the STH alumni magazine, Dr. Casely Essamuah (’03) describes the trajectory of his life and calling thus far. Growing up as a child of a Ghanaian Methodist minister, Essamuah went on to study at Harvard and BUSTH, serve as pastor at Park Street Church and Bay Area Community Church, and finally become secretary of the Global Christian Forum in 2018.
Across the stages of his journey, Essamuah has focused on fostering Christian unity and encouraging churches to move beyond their doctrinal differences. Speaking about a meeting of the Global Christian Forum focused on persecution of Christians in Pakistan, Essamuah reflected on why Christian unity is such a priority in his life. “Persecution does not differentiate between Lutheran or Baptist or Orthodox–everyone is treated the same at the point of death,” he explained. “He who unites us is more significant than that which divides us.”
Why was Dr. Casely there? What was his assignment?
Download the book:
Satan has gained marked advantage in ----- because the people of God have not guarded the outposts. The very men whose labors God has signified that He would accept if they were fully consecrated have been the ones to be deceived, to fail in their duties, and to prove a terrible burden and discouragement, instead of the help and blessing that they should have been. These men who have been trusted to keep the fort have well-nigh betrayed it into the hands of the enemy. They have opened the gates to a wily foe, who has sought to destroy them. [Testimonies Volume 4 211.3]
Men of experience have seen stealthy hands slipping the bolts that Satan might enter; yet they have held their peace with apparent indifference as to the results. Some have been glad to see this, as it seemed an extenuation of their past neglect, which made it a necessity to call for others to fill the posts of responsibility that they had abused or neglected. This lack of watchfulness on the part of these newer incumbents seemed to excuse the former for their own want of faithfulness, as it showed that others were fully as derelict in duty. These persons do not realize that God holds them responsible for every advantage gained by the foe who is admitted to the fort. The desolation and ruin following lie at the door of the unfaithful sentinels, who, by their neglect, become agents in the hands of the adversary to win souls to destruction. Men in responsible positions should seek wisdom and guidance of God, and not trust to their own judgment and knowledge. Like Solomon they should earnestly pray for faith and light, and God will give them freely of His abundant supply. [Testimonies Volume 4 212.1]
No doubt, some who read this blog will accuse me of "turning my weapons inward." I can't change that, but I would want them to know that I take my responsibility of watching and protecting the flock very seriously.
It would be disingenuous of me to only speak about the rapid fulfilment of the prophetic Word in the outside world and not say what I see taking place in my beloved Seventh-day Adventist Church.
There is more than enough encouragement in the Word of God to propel all of us forward in speaking necessary but uncomfortable truths. Equally, there is ample warning in the same Word for swallowing what God has declared should be spoken for fear of what others will think and say about us.
Ezekiel 33:7-9 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
We have reached the time friends that we must know for ourselves why we became
Seventh-day Adventists and more importantly, why we remain Seventh-day Adventists. Strange things are happening within the body but God is still very much in control.
Let me leave you with these promises:
Amos 9:9-11 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.
All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
Zechariah 13:8-9 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
God has promised to take care of His people! Believe Him, even when it feels and looks otherwise.
Maranatha!
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