Salvation: Entering In

Last time we looked at the first cup that is given during the Passover meal.  Today I would like to develop that a little further.  The first "I will" is that of taking us out.  We are being rescued from an impossible situation.  There is nothing we ourselves can do to remove us from the situation we are in. 

Rom 3:22 and the righteousness of Elohim is through belief in יהושע Messiah to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference,

Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the esteem of Elohim,

Rom 3:24 being declared right, without paying, by His favour through the redemption which is in Messiah יהושע,

Rom 3:25 whom Elohim set forth as an atonement, through belief in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His tolerance Elohim had passed over the sins that had taken place before,

Rom 3:26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He is righteous and declares righteous the one who has belief in יהושע.

 

I want to point out the phrase in verse 25.  This reference points us back to the original Passover, the one back in Exodus.  With that in mind I have a post from Kyle I would like to share with you that touches on this subject of salvation and entering into His rest.

 

 

 

Sunday, January 12, 2014 11:07 AM, Kyle Humphrey wrote:

Enjoy, and may each of us claim like our brother King David:  “Oh how I love your Torah as I wait for your Salvation”

 

 

 

 

“The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock.”

 

(Numbers 32:1)

 

“But we will arm ourselves for battle and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place.”

 

(Numbers 32:17)

 

                                                                                                                                                               &nb sp;        01 / 11 / 14                                   

(Comments in parentheses and emphasis within Scriptures are mine.)

 

MY FIRST THOUGHTS:

 

The account of the Reubenites and Gadites requesting NOT to go into the Promised Land, but to accept the land just outside of it, is very eye opening. 

 

We know that the history of the exile from Egypt, the journey through the desert, and even the Promised Land, itself, are all a picture of our walk here on earth and ultimately OUR final destination to be in the Kingdom of God.  So when I read Scripture, I ask, “What can I glean from this to make my walk more in line with those who made it to the Promised Land?”  So it is with this thought that I write today. 

 

What does the desire of the Reubenites and Gadites NOT to go into the Promised Land compare to today?  Why would they NOT want to go in and who do they represent in our day?

 

First: We first have to realize that there are those who are the greatest in the Kingdom and those who are the least in the Kingdom (Matthew 5:19 … which also explains WHY they are put into each category.)

 

Second: We have the picture of the Kingdom of God in the tabernacle.  There were those who were “part of the family” of Israel, yet never got near the presence of God.  They simply brought their offerings into the court of the tabernacle and then presented them to the priests and walked out of the court to live their lives as usual.

 

Third: We see today that the typical “church going Christian” would defend Israel and her land … but ultimately does not feel a personal connection to the land.  They have no desire to live there.  We read about the fight over “Jesus’ birth place” and the dispute over that Gaza strip.  “Hey, that is not yours to take, that is our ‘Jewish brothers’ land’ and so we will help defend it.”

 

The story is set with those thoughts in my mind:

 

We have two of the tribes (Reubenites and Gadites) not wanting to go into the promised land, but will defend their other brothers to get the land that they were promised and desired.  We start out in Numbers 32:1 which reveals one of the reasons they do not want to go in:

 

The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock.

 

Their wealth!  In short, they thought that the size of their wealth was more important than receiving the promise of YHVH.  We then read that they were willing to fight for their brothers (32:17) who WANTED to enter the Promised Land and obey God!  (32:6-15 is clear that this is disobedience NOT to go in, but they are still okay with that)

 

I believe this is a picture of many people who call themselves Christians.  We know that not many will enter the kingdom of God:

 

Mat 7:21…"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

 

We know that God’s purpose was for His children to get to the Promised Land and to dwell among them.  Recall that it was Levi’s descendants who fought for the Lord and lived by faith, and were ultimately made priests because of their faith.  That is OUR goal, to be priests with our High Priest (Yeshua), is it not?  Recall the Messiah’s words about those who teach and practice the Law … THEY will be called great in the coming Kingdom, or Promised Land (The others?  Least … or maybe like the picture of the tabernacle, just enough to get in, but not very far.).  Don’t forget the picture of what the priests of Israel did … they were expected to teach and practice the Law!  I think of the words of the Messiah again about those who will be able to enter the “Land”:

 

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Master, Master, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” (Lawlessness is a life lived without the Law … neither practicing it nor teaching it)  (Matthew 7:22-23)

 

So we see this picture in the account of the Reubenites and Gadites. 

 

They, like the rich man who asked Yeshua how to gain eternal life, loved their lives so much that they were not willing to do what it takes to truly know God and His will and do it.  They loved their lives so much, that they would forgo the chance to be greatest in the kingdom, and accept being least.  I am sure if they TRULY understood what they were choosing … they would have let go of their flocks, their lives, and their beliefs in exchange for God’s perspective.

 

“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  (Matthew 19:24)

 

“Yeshua (Jesus) said to him, ‘If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’”  (Matthew 19:21)

 

“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”  (1 Timothy 6:10)

 

“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.’”  (Luke 9:23-24)

 

Their wish was to save their lives and livestock (what they had) and they were content with knowing “just enough” about God and getting “close enough” to the throne of God.  The same is true today. Many are satisfied with the blood of Christ and offering His “sin offering” on the altar in the court yard, yet they miss out on the ultimate gift:  To be priests (those who teach and practice the Laws as given through Moses) and enter the promised Land and come nearer to YHVH.  Many times, it is wealth and the pursuit of it or some other worldly thing that keeps them from letting go of the normal beliefs about who God is. 

 

I was always taught that being “close enough” only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades … I guess it still stands!

 

“Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”  (Revelation 20:6)

 

We ALL must ask, “Are searching diligently and with all our strength to know ouir Father?”  If not, what is stopping you from truly entering?  THAT is what is going to ultimately keep you, along with the Reubenites and Gadites, from entering the Land and coming nearer to YHVH.  I pray that you have given up everything in this life to know Him.  Note that both the least and the greatest are fighting for the Promised Land!  But the least (Reubenites and Gadites) are fighting to help the greatest (the priests) get in!  Which side are you on?