God YHWH calls to us: Get ready!
We are in the last month of the biblical calendar. In that month the Israelites mourned for their leader Moses. Joshua had taken over the leadership a few days ago and should then set off at the beginning of the new biblical year to conquer Canaan, the promised land. God had carefully planned and discussed everything with Moses and Joshua. We, too, are in a time of conquest.
The Land Conquest
All over the world, men and women chosen by God have been preparing for this time. They have been living apart for the last few years and have been personally trained by God. They are pioneers and together with God the Father, Yeshua (Jesus) His Son, the Holy Spirit of God will advance the conquest of the earth. Now they breathe a sigh of relief, because they finally know that the waiting, the perseverance, the training... is over. Together with our Lord Jesus, they will begin to take the kingdom of God on earth.
As we know, Satan was already defeated on the cross of Calvary at Passover* 1993* years ago. It was then that Jesus, the Anointed Son of God, regained authority over the earth from Satan's hands, but now it is time for Satan to finally release the earth as well; his time is finally up. As we can guess, Satan, our enemy, will not vacate the country voluntarily and without a fight, and so we face some difficult battles, which we will master together with God's help. Last year many followers of Jesus were sent out as spies. So I was able to travel through Germany with my family last year and open spiritual doors. (Psalm 24)
This year, however, YHWH our Almighty God begins the conquest of the land. He chose his son Jesus (Yeshua) to do this. He will go before us just as Joshua did then. (The names Joshua and Yeshua both mean YAHWEH saves). Just as the people of God followed the ark of the covenant back then, so today the church of Jesus will follow the cross of Calvary. Bravely and with fresh courage, we can join in the hymn “Jesus, go ahead” *.
Crossing the Jordan
When my husband and I crossed the Wupper last year (see blogpoast), I had to think of the great events that had happened on the Jordan back then. Joshua was then leading an entire nation into a new destiny. The people of Israel had wandered through the desert for forty years and at that time finally had hope again and the goal – the land of Canaan lay before them. They had to discard old strategies and behaviors and learn new ones. What worked in the desert no longer worked in the new country. This is also a lesson for us today: We must be willing to allow NEW things and rely completely on the guidance of our God.
At that time the people of Israel experienced a miracle, because they were able to cross the Jordan without danger. On the day the Israelites crossed the Jordan, they celebrated the first Passover in the Promised Land. Instead of the daily manna, the "bread of angels" (Psalm 78:25), they were allowed to enjoy the fruits of the land (Joshua 5:12). On December 2, 2022, ABBA YHWH informed me that the time to break the fast had begun. The time without Jesus here on earth (time of fasting) will come to an end very soon. Jesus Christ will take us as our shepherd and lead us, his hearing sheep, safely into his new kingdom on earth. We must be ready for this. We will have to learn new things and we will have to fight.
New Strategies
The Israelites had to radically change their military strategy. We must do the same. We used to stand up and fight back against Satan and his demons, but now we must go on the offensive and conquer new territories. Now it is time to take the land that is ours through Jesus' victory on the cross. Now it is time to build up the thousand-year reign. When Joshua led the people of Israel across the Jordan, YHWH commanded them to keep their eyes fixed on the Ark of the Covenant and to follow its lead—for “thus shall ye know which way ye shall go; for you have not yet walked the way” (Joshua 3:4b). We follow the instructions of Jesus and follow his new way. He alone is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through him. (John 14:6)
Desert Times
We are now in a very similar situation to that of the Israelites. The people of Israel wavered between hope and unbelief. They were often discouraged and exhausted. They rebelled, disobeyed God's commandments, and did their own thing.
Many followers of Jesus (Christians and Messianic Jews) today live in exactly the same mode of postponed hope. There are very many believers today who live in a spiritual desert. Hope for Jesus' return has slowly but surely diminished and their unbelief has grown. They go through their lives with this unbelief, just as the Israelites did in the desert. We remember that after the victory on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus, hope was huge. Everyone shouted “Maranatha” (the Lord come), expecting that Jesus would come in their time. 1993 years have passed since Jesus' ascension, i.e. almost 2000 years (50x40 years) and we are still waiting. The desert time was a time of relearning and changing. They had to learn that there was only one god and not many gods like in Egypt. They had to learn to be obedient to God and to keep the commandments.
This is how our desert times are to be understood today. In these times God is changing, educating and forming us. He prepares us. We are learning, just like the children of Israel, to entrust ourselves completely to God. He preserves and provides for us and is faithful to us in all things. I have learned that God wants to give us many more gifts - especially gifts. However, far too often we are willing to settle for less than God intended for us.
Today, as Joshua, Caleb, and the second generation of Israel did, God YHWH is calling us to cross the Jordan River and embrace the promises and future He has in store for us, His children.
Are we ready for this? How can we prepare? What can we personally do?
1. Read the book of Joshua. 2. Turn to God and repent. 3. Follow the ten commandments* in Exodus 20 exactly. 4. Read the Word of God regularly 5. Having fellowship with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, i.e. communicating with one another, interceding, listening to God's voice and partaking of the Lord's Supper regularly (daily).
I'm closing for today, but today I'm announcing the second part, which will address five of the biblical principles in the story of Joshua. They show us what we can expect in this NEW TIME, in this time of revival or reformation.
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Explanations:
*1993 Years:
According to most calculations, the crucifixion and ascension of Jesus took place in AD 30. 2023 – 30 = 1993.
* Jesus go ahead
Count Zinzendorf, the founder and first leader of the Moravian Church in Moravia, wrote the following hymn. I translated it for better understanding. https://www.evangeliums.net/lieder/lied_jesu_geh_voran_auf_der_lebensbahn.html
1) Jesus, go ahead on the path of life! And we don't want to tarry, faithfully hurrying after you; lead us by the hand to the fatherland.
2) Should it be hard for us, let us stand firm and never complain about burdens even in the hardest days; for through tribulation here is the way to you.
3) If our own pain touches any of our hearts, we care about a strange suffering, o give patience to both of them; direct our minds to the end.
4) Order our walk, Jesus, for life. If you lead us through rough ways, also give us the necessary care; open your door for us after the run.
* Passover (Pesach)
This year Passover falls between April 4/5 and April 12/13, 2023. Good Friday falls on April 7th and Easter on April 9th and 10th, 2023.
*Ten Commandments:
Although Jesus grouped the Ten Commandments into two, if we look closely at the words of Revelation 22:14, we will see the importance of all Ten Commandments. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (King James Version) Other translations speak of clean robes and clothes. Well, we can only wash our clothes (spiritual) with the help of the Ten Commandments (or how do we want to recognize our wrong doings?) and Jesus' blood.