2 Different Generations; 2 Different Focuses:
As we saw in the prophetic picture of Israel, when they feared for their lives, and did not want to obey the command of the Lord and take the kingdom [Num 13-14], so also this generation of believers will all die in this deal {two singular exceptions, as pictured in Caleb and Joshua}. All their efforts will not gain them entrance into the kingdom on earth; at best that privilege will only belong to their children, just as is written in the prophecy which the Hebrews played out so long ago [Heb 3:7-4:11]. Truly, for this older generation, this will end up being another "wilderness death march:" except for two men, none passed over to the kingdom on earth.
It can be argued where exactly the line between those two generations is drawn; but in the end only God makes that decision, not any man. And for sure it will be according to what is written, unless God overrides that from His throne. Rest assured, though, this line will not be drawn where most believe it should be [Matt 8:11-12]. It is false teaching to say that we can know for certain that we have the ‘right’ to enter the kingdom, especially in view of God’s own command that we would surely die [Gen 2:17], which is itself a lengthy discussion.
This is not the place to argue this fact; that is dealt with throughout the study series. No question this will bring hot and heavy debates from many directions. But, no matter how you may argue this issue, this decision will not be changed; and it is an official decision from the Lord; and it also is what is written, in many ways, in many places n the Bible. But, due to the deceitfulness of Satan, we no longer believe what is written, even when shown what it actually says, what God is trying to communicate with His people. And as we will discover, that true communication was always intended or us this day, anyway [thoroughly discussed in the studies].
Even so, there are some things for this generation to consider; a best case scenario, if you will; that is if you can get past the disbelief stage. There are two major examples in Scriptures for us to consider, left there by design of our God of mercy and kindness: the final days of Samson, and the thief saved at the cross. These passages were written for us this day, to study out, and seriously consider, to know which way to go, in this moment of dark confusion [Ps 119:110; Gen 35:3]. But, added to these, our kind Lord God is also placing another very important motivation on the table for us to think about: for the sake of our next generation, our children, and their children after them, that they may enter. And, this is the only offer He is placing on the table. We can hope in the grace and mercy of our God, pertaining to things of our future. But, just as we do not know exactly what will be the eternal outcome of all those Israelites who rebelled and died in the wilderness, so this generation will not get any hard answers, nor promises either [like Levitical promise of priesthood, things have been changed, due to our insurrection (see Ezek 44:13)]. And in all cases {except those two}, we all will die in the deal, all those not of the next generation, either way; that is what is written; and that is what it will be.
With Samson [see Judges 16:21-31], we see a perfect picture of our true condition [deeply studied out in the RW study series]. He ended up in full captivity, and was even grinding the grain for the enemy. He was also completely blind, the enemy having put out His eyes. But, his hair also began to grow, a very important detail to note, for all those who will take God up on His kind offer. He also had to submit to a young lad taking him by the hand, and leading him to where he needed to be. All these details are significant, in God’s pure language art form [Zeph 3:9], and are learned and discussed in the study series. Yet, we need little training indeed to face some of the more obvious facts of this powerful prophecy: he who had formerly been so mighty in the power of the Holy Spirit had become totally weak and captive, and that even to his death, he never did escape that captivity. He also was absolutely blind, which likewise never got fixed before his death. And he needed that lad to take his hand and lead him in the way to go. But, with all that against him, his end still defeated more of the enemies of God than did all the rest of his life.
His motives (personal vengeance, instead of the glory of God) were not all that pure. This may be due to how angry the people of God will be when they wake up to the truth of all Satan has done. Maybe it is possible to take warning from Scriptures, and to do better this time; this often seems to be God’s way. Maybe even greater victories can be brought for the name of the Lord if we can make some adjustments, and such a purer thought process just might get a better, overriding decision from the throne. But, simply doing what is right, because it is better, is motive enough. Even so, the very big bottom line also includes this fact: mighty Samson died in the deal.
The thief on the cross [Luke 23:39-43] also dies in the end; he never escaped that cross. He did get the most special of promises, to be with the Lord in Paradise, even that same day. But notice this incredibly important detail: that man stopped arguing about that sure death he was facing, and changed his focus to truth, righteousness, and a better confession. Earlier he had been just like the other thief, bitterly trying to get the Lord to get him off that painful cross [Matt 27:44]. But, something changed his mind; most likely it was with the help of the Holy Spirit.
No man can really say just how much our own cooperation counts in the movements of the Holy Spirit. As in my own case, it seems at times that God can even come to a person when he is doing everything the wrong way, in spite of him. And, I am convinced we cannot truly earn God’s graces. Even so, I am just as convinced that our efforts, no matter how feeble, can really matter to God. And, with Samson’s example, set out for our eyes this day to see, and take note of, his hair began to grow; that is fully symbolic of him moving back towards a serious, set apart [sanctified] lifestyle to God [Nom 6; Matt 2:23]. Not unlike the thief, we see a change of heart. Samson had been living a lifestyle a little less than holy in some ways. And maybe as a result, he had defiled himself, eating the sweet temptation [Satan’s deceptive doctrines] out of a dead body [Judges 14:7-9]. So, this change of heart, in both of these cases, we can see involves a better confession [a change in doctrines, away from the lies from Satan, who slipped in on us, and brought us into this condemnation, just like he did to Adam and Eve].
All this can be endlessly argued [Num 14:39-45]; but this is not the right time for that. And, as we saw in the case of the prophetic scene at the crosses, some will make this change, but some will not [the other thief never did change in heart]. That is actually what the study series is all about; to make straight the way of the Lord. Be sure of this: God knew just what He was saying when He chose those words [Is 40:3-8]; we are a whole lot more messed up than we can see, because we have been spiritually blinded, just like Samson.
But, for those who choose to do things God’s way, I would suspect things will eventually work out much better. Just what all that will be, I do not judge. But, we must stop teaching Satan’s lies, just to satisfy the "itching ears" of those who do not really want to face God’s truth [2 Tim 4:3-4]. This generation, wherever that line is drawn by God, will die in their sacrifice for the sake of their children, laying down their lives unto the Lord, that the next generation may be able to enter; silently they will give up all, and no longer fear even death. But God does not promise to any one of us in particular, that this day we will be with Him in Paradise. What He will decide is whatever He will choose [Rom 9:15]. Yet, though it is true that God is just [Ex 34:7], even His disciplines work for the good off those who love Him [Rom 8:28; Prov 3:11-12; Prov 13:24]; and the readers also might find more reason for hope in our God of unfathomable kindness, Who continuously searches for new ways of mercy, in Paul’s statement, in Romans 11:11.
This entire deal this day will come down to a question of faith: do we have true faith in Jesus, Who is the Word of God; therefore, do we have true faith in what is written?
In all cases, it will be to His glory and honor, and not for ourselves, a whole new concept for both generations, in this day of selfishness [2 Tim 3]. He will do it all in this powerful display, in His mighty Resurrected Word of God. The next generation will learn that their forefathers did not esteem the regal nature of God’s Word, and this phenomenal wonder from God, that He would allow mankind to be ministers of His Word, a privilege beyond compare. They did not desire [Is 53:2] this manna from heaven for the incredible miracle that it as. They quickly tired in heart and soul of it’s simple, daily provision [Num 11:6]. Those forefathers instead chose the doctrines of another, believing the lie of Satan, that his ways would be more satisfying, more fulfilling; they did not realize, in their error {for they were so naive}, that those ways would only end in death [Prov 16:25], having been deceived by Satan’s lies, that they would not surely die {Gen 3:1-6, 13}. This younger generation will come to understand those errors in judgment, and learn from those mistakes, choosing a better way for themselves, with the help of God’s Spirit, promised for this day.
So, the focus of parents will be self-sacrifice, for the sake and hope of their children, that they may be able to enter. Some will most likely attempt to fight this fact; that too was written, long ago [Num 14:39-45]. But, rest assured of what is written, and just how impossible it is to break what is written [John 10:35; Gal 6:7; Heb 10:38]: Rachel’s bones were not gathered together with the rest of the family’s. Saul and his son, Jonathan, both died in that last battle. Peter really did deny the Lord three times. And, Samson did not make it out alive, himself dying in that last, sacrificial effort.
The focus of the next generation will be self-discipline [Prov 22:6]. The vast majority of that process will be detoxing of the poisons of the doctrines of demons, and replacing them with the doctrines of truth [Matt 12:43-50; John 17:17; Eph 5:26]. The parents of this generation have foregone discipline, and thus the children are spoiled, often self-centered instead of selfless, assertive and outspoken, instead of meek. This coming, next generation will hope to be in the courts of the King, and thus must come a long ways from where they currently are [Daniel 1:5]. They have been taken captive; but their generation must return to the Lord with all their hearts:
Jer 24:7
7 Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart. NKJV™
They must fight to overcome what was done to them by Satan’s evil scheme, in which he has tried to make them unacceptable to God:
Prov 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. NKJV™
This one Scripture will be a major fight for this youthful generation, as they try to regain the disciplines that were missing from their upbringing [Prov 22:15; Prov 23:13-14 Prov 29:15; Prov 3:11-12; Ps 23:4]
God’s intent is for them to pick up where their forefathers let down; they will become the Church to come {John 21:15-19}, as their parental generation lays down their lives to help make it so.
Much of God’s ways and precepts will be completely new to many of this next generation, especially the young women, where much of Satan’s attack was focused [1 Tim 2:11-12; Esther 1:18; Gen 3:1-6]. Fortunately for them, our Heavenly Father has often stepped in, taking upon Himself some of the necessary discipline training which the parents were not giving. One of the most important methods I have seen Him use is to do various things in our flesh, to help us [Gen 30:39]. Birth marks, smallness of stature, maybe even bad eyes, weakness and diseases, or other things our society does not value, may help the individuals to be more modest, less egocentric [Gen 30:32]. The thing is to be in His heavenly family in the end. Leah was not as beautiful, the unloved one [Gen 29:17, 31]; but she was buried in the cave, gathered with the blessed lineage [Gen 49:31]. Rachel had all the looks; but she did not make it [Gen 48:7].
This study series will help them to learn how to understand God’s heavenly language, so that they can properly deal with His Word, and clearly see how to truly live it out. But, the Word of God is powerful, and they must overcome some barriers that have been built by the deceitfulness of Satan. This next generation was raised without proper restraint, due to Satan’s false doctrines, all forewarned in Scriptures [Matt 24:12; 2 Tim 3:1-7]. It has produced offspring so bad that the fruit cannot even be eaten, and must be thrown out, because they are so bad, were in not for the regenerative power of the Resurrected Word of God. So, they first must come out of the source of these false doctrines [Is 52:11-53:1; Jer 24:8-10]. They must come to believe in the Word of God above all other doctrines, taking all other thoughts captive [2 Cor 10:3-6]. They will "baptize" themselves in these immersion studies, washing away all the filth of Satan’s lies, in the brilliant dawning of God’s Word, now coming to fulness of life, in the Spirit of Jesus, raised from the dead.
It is true that it is written that Rachel does not make it to the gathering place, that symbolic cave Abraham bought. It is true that Rachel will not find it easy to deal with the losses, throughout these long years [Jer 31:15]. But the Word of God holds hope and mercy at virtually every turn: our God can be extremely firm at times; but His mercies are new every morning [Lam 3:22-42]. So, though Rachel is a very serious statement from our very serious God, remember this: her two sons (which would be considered the next generation, would they not?), are both sons of incredible hope [ see also Gen 49:22-26]:
Gen 35:18
18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. NKJV™
According to the scholar notes in my simplified version of the Bible, Ben-Oni literally means Son of my sorrow. But, Benjamin literally means Son of the Right Hand. This is a phenomenal statement from our God, Who alone is the Author of these Scriptures [Ex 31:18]. Every jot and tittle is perfectly chosen; there are no mistakes [even though man often thinks there are]; every Word in the Bible is true; and Jesus [Who also is that Word] is the Son of God [also Matt 5:18; Gen 25:23].
|