By John Thiel, Hebrew Wilderness Wanderings Conference, Study 5, mp3

We have travelled with the children of Israel from Egypt in this series ‘Hebrew Wilderness Wanderings,. We have learnt many lessons as they came through the Red Sea to Mount Sinai and then through to the borders of the Promised Land and while God wanted them to move straight in there, their unbelief prevented them.  So they had to return to the wilderness for forty years wandering back and forth aimlessly. Now at last after the forty years and all those who came out of Egypt except for Joshua and Caleb, they were at least commanded to go forwarded.

They travelled on the east side of the Jordan and there was a beautiful green valley there but before they even got there, they had to travel through country which was inhabited. In Numbers 21:21-35 there is a record of how God had directed them to send a message to the king of the Amorites – ‘Let us come through your country but we will not touch your property, we will only stay on the king’s highway.’ The king came back with an army to destroy them.  As they came the Israelites smote them with the edge of the sword and slaughtered the whole army of the Amorites.  They killed the king and gained all of the cities of the Amorites.  Many of the Israelites conquered these places and found homes and cities of the Amorites. Then they continued and another king, the king of Bashan came against them. Again the Lord said to them don’t be afraid of him, you will conquer him.  Again victory, powerful victory. They were slaughtered and were completely annihilated and again another territory for the Israelites to dwell in. There they were flushed with victories and were confident, hooray we are coming into the Promised Land.  They were so encouraged by this victorious experience.

With joyful hearts and renewed faith in God, the victorious armies of Israel had returned from Bashan. They had already gained possession of a valuable territory, and they were confident of the immediate conquest of Canaan. Only the river Jordan lay between them and the Promised Land. Just across the river was a rich plain, covered with verdure, watered with streams from copious fountains, and shaded by luxuriant palm trees. On the western border of the plain rose the towers and palaces of Jericho, so embosomed in its palm-tree groves that it was called “the city of palm trees.” {PP 453.1}

On the eastern side of Jordan, between the river and the high tableland which they had been traversing, was also a plain, several miles in width and extending some distance along the river. This sheltered valley had the climate of the tropics; here flourished the shittim, or acacia, tree, giving to the plain the name, “Vale of Shittim.” It was here that the Israelites encamped, and in the acacia groves by the riverside they found an agreeable retreat. {PP 453.2}

Imagine how they felt. Forty years in the wilderness and now luxury and wonderful fresh country side. Waters flowing, food plenty and a very pleasant climate. What is to be learnt now?

Laodicea – Rich and Increased With Goods

1 Corinthians 10:11 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.

What is the Christian church period that is right on the border of Canaan?  What is the attitude of Laodicea? Rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing. It’s exactly how they were in the wilderness. The Lord had given them the victory and the Lord had given them the riches of the Amorites. They were living on this beautiful tropical plain. They were standing, their wilderness wanderings over.

But amid these attractive surroundings they were to encounter an evil more deadly than mighty hosts of armed men or the wild beasts of the wilderness. That country, so rich in natural advantages, had been defiled by the inhabitants. In the public worship of Baal, the leading deity, the most degrading and iniquitous scenes were constantly enacted. On every side were places noted for idolatry and licentiousness, the very names being suggestive of the vileness and corruption of the people. {PP 453.3}

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. {PP 453.4}

Recall the polluting influence at the beginning with Egypt? Here it is again. We are to learn a very important lesson that we need to be aware of right here in the period of Laodicea. We are to observe that we might understand our present danger.

Numbers 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan [by] Jericho. 2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they [were] many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all [that are] round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor [was] king of the Moabites at that time. 5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: 6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they [are] too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, [that] we may smite them, and [that] I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest [is] blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.

The king of Moab knew that if he was going to attack the Israelites his fate was going to be the same as the Amorites and Bashan. We need some strategy here he thought. He sent for a man of God. Balaam was a man of God. He wanted Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam was attracted by the proposal that the king of the Moabites was going to give him a reward but Balaam also knew as a man of God he could not curse Israel. He parlayed with Gods counsel. God as he really is of a permissive and perfect will and he said okay Balaam if you want to go, go. Balaam rode with his donkey but the donkey was stopped and started talking. He was so intent in what he wanted to do that he wanted to kill the donkey but God stopped him. He then came for the king’s reward and was supposed to be cursing the Israelites but said;

Numbers 23:8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy, [whom] the LORD hath not defied? 9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth [part] of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!

He came to curse and he was constrained to speak like this. When he was standing there to curse Israel, what did he see?

Numbers 24:1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding [in his tents] according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

What Did Balaam See?

He was standing high up on the cliff and looked down and saw perfect order.  Everyone in their right tribal area of the camp. A people that were orderly, hygienic, and beautiful. What could he say?

Numbers 24:5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, [and] thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters.

He was overwhelmed. He couldn’t help but glorify the Lord about these people.

Balaam confessed that he came with the purpose of cursing Israel, but the words he uttered were directly contrary to the sentiments of his heart. He was constrained to pronounce blessings, while his soul was filled with curses. {PP 447.1}

His heart was there to curse but when God takes over things are said that are opposite to what the heart says. You can also reverse that.  You might have a heart that is to the glory of God but your flesh can make you say things that your heart doesn’t say.  Here was the confusion of it all, a curse, but no curse.

As Balaam looked upon the encampment of Israel he beheld with astonishment the evidence of their prosperity. They had been represented to him as a rude, disorganized multitude, infesting the country in roving bands that were a pest and terror to the surrounding nations; but their appearance was the reverse of all this. He saw the vast extent and perfect arrangement of their camp, everything bearing the marks of thorough discipline and order. {PP 447.2}

Are we like that? It is very important to be orderly. It is very important to give God the glory by the order and discipline of Gods church.

He was shown the favor with which God regarded Israel, and their distinctive character as His chosen people. They were not to stand upon a level with other nations, but to be exalted above them all. “The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.” At the time when these words were spoken the Israelites had no permanent settlement, and their peculiar character, their manners and customs, were not familiar to Balaam. But how strikingly was this prophecy fulfilled in the afterhistory of Israel! Through all the years of their captivity, through all the ages since they were dispersed among the nations, they have remained a distinct people. So the people of God–the true Israel–though scattered throughout all nations, are on earth but sojourners, whose citizenship is in heaven. {PP 447.2}

Their customs, manners and peculiar character to Balaam was something new. Are you among that people? Is it really true that we are distinct from all the other nations? In our customs, manner and discipline? This is what God’s church is meant to display. Balaam wanting an earthly reward seeing it was going to slip out of his fingers so he thought of another strategy. He couldn’t curse Israel and Balac got mad with him and he sent him on his way. As he went back on his way home, notice what he decided to do;

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

This is the church in the time of Pergamos. The Christian church when the Roman Empire had become converted so called. Balaam taught Balac how to create a stumbling block to Israel.

Disappointed in his hopes of wealth and promotion, in disfavor with the king, and conscious that he had incurred the displeasure of God, Balaam returned from his self-chosen mission. After he had reached his home the controlling power of the Spirit of God left him, and his covetousness, which had been merely held in check, prevailed. He was ready to resort to any means to gain the reward promised by Balak. Balaam knew that the prosperity of Israel depended upon their obedience to God, and that there was no way to cause their overthrow but by seducing them into sin. {PP 451.3}

He was a man of God and he knew that. He was reaching for the wealth that the king was to reward him with.

He now decided to secure Balak’s favor by advising the Moabites of the course to be pursued to bring a curse upon Israel. {PP 451.3}

He immediately returned to the land of Moab and laid his plans before the king. The Moabites themselves were convinced that so long as Israel remained true to God, He would be their shield. The plan proposed by Balaam was to separate them from God by enticing them into idolatry. If they could be led to engage in the licentious worship of Baal and Ashtaroth, their omnipotent Protector would become their enemy, and they would soon fall a prey to the fierce, warlike nations around them. This plan was readily accepted by the king, and Balaam himself remained to assist in carrying it into effect. {PP 451.4}

Strategy

Isn’t this a shattering story? As per Revelation it happened to the Christian church in the time of Pergamos. Balaam was in the Christian church that put a stumbling block before them and the church became paganised.

Numbers 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.

That’s what Balaam wanted. They were in their beautiful setting flushed with victory in repose.

At first there was little intercourse between the Israelites and their heathen neighbors, 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. {PP 454.2}

Tip Toe Through the Tulips?

That is how the Christian church in Pergamos fell. That is how we are going to fall if we don’t watch out. Even the Israel on the borders of today has fallen. We want to understand how this is to be learnt. Beware those who stand that they don’t fall.

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. Beguiled with music and dancing, and allured by the beauty of heathen vestals, they cast off their fealty to Jehovah. As they united in mirth and feasting, indulgence in wine beclouded their senses and broke down the barriers of self-control. Passion had full sway; and having defiled their consciences by lewdness, they were persuaded to bow down to idols. They offered sacrifice upon heathen altars and participated in the most degrading rites. {PP 454.3}

Satan had them.

The same Satan is now working to the same end to weaken and destroy the people of God as they are on the borders of the heavenly Canaan. Bible Echo October 1 1889.

The Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14 Came to a Stalemate

The three angel’s messages of Revelation 14 came to a stalemate at the hands of the church and that is the reason why the message of Revelation 18:1-4 had to come. The third angel’s message people had fallen under Satan’s work and caused the message to become tame and voiceless as they were being cursed and stumbled by Satan today. Therefore there had to be another angel in Revelation 18 and another voice from heaven because the people of God were being scattered among Babylon through these last day comforts that we live in today especially in the western world. How comfortable we are? We are not living in tents. Imagine living in tents. We are living in luxurious surroundings just like the children of Israel as they had come from the wilderness.

Although still living in tents it was such a contrast to where they were.

Revelation 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Balaam’s style of influence has brought about a condition in those who claimed to be Gods people so that the world and the church were intermingling together. Paganism was combined with Christian ideals. Is that true today? Do any here acknowledge Christmas? What is it? It’s a pagan rite. It’s exactly the same what the children of Israel did. They combined their religion with pagans.  They enjoyed pagan ways, the abundance of her delicacies. We are surrounded by it. Sunday, Easter, those religious holidays, it’s all paganism and the church as Israel has been captured.

Satan is using every means to make crime and debasing vice popular. We cannot walk the streets of our cities without encountering flaring notices of crime presented in some novel, or to be acted at some theatre. The mind is educated to familiarity with sin. {PP 459.2}

An Abomination to God

What do we see today? TV in the home and all that vice is played out in the eyes of the people. Are you familiar with it? You don’t even blink your eyes with the things that are normal to society today but are an abomination to God.

What is an abomination to God in Deuteronomy?

Deuteronomy 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

It is an abomination to God or a woman wearing man’s clothing. My mother was confronted by an older lady when she was young and was told see that woman there with trousers on? The day when women wear trousers is the day when Jesus will come back. Today people don’t say that. They don’t know Jesus is coming very soon.

The course pursued by the base and vile is kept before the people in the periodicals of the day, and everything that can excite passion is brought before them in exciting stories. They hear and read so much of debasing crime that the once tender conscience, which would have recoiled with horror from such scenes, becomes hardened, and they dwell upon these things with greedy interest. {PP 459.2}

Many of the amusements popular in the world today, even with those who claim to be Christians, tend to the same end as did those of the heathen. There are indeed few among them that Satan does not turn to account in destroying souls. Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul. {PP 459.3}

Apostasy in the Churches

Do you wander why society of today and so called Christians are in such disarray? The church is on the borders of the Promised Land and apostasy has taken place.

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, {PP 454.3}

Swoony Christianity

Is there something in the words of Jesus that he said would happen in the last days exactly like this? Here are the modern Israelites, Moses the faithful servant and Balaam.

Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of,b51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

That’s what happened to Balaam. He was cut asunder but he thought he was doing something wonderful to get a reward. This is the message for our day because Jesus said as it was in the days of Noah watch for you don’t know what hour your Lord does come. Don’t go to sleep. Don’t fall into this swoony Christianity. Oh it’s so lovely and death is around the corner. I see this and I wish I could shake Christians but if I do that they want to run further away.

We’re Right in Satan’s Clasps

When you see someone ready to jump over the cliff, do you say oh don’t jump, come here please? Do you expect soft talk when death is around the corner? All I can do is read to you and I pray the Holy Spirit will capture each one of us out of Satan’s sophistries. Didn’t Balaam prophesy? He was a prophet, he was moved by the Holy Spirit and the people understood him to be just that.

What do we see in the Christian world today? The ministers take the people into God forbidden places which are total pagan enjoyment. God said in my presence there is joy forever more. Then why should we find pleasure in the things of the people of the world? But people say can’t we have fun? Well don’t you have fun with God? Don’t we have pleasure with them? Do we have to have fun with what the world provides? By the pleasures of the world Satan will seek to draw souls.

Do you recall how you are going to be saved? The direct intimacy with Jesus to identify me in the most horrifying circumstances. What does Satan do? It’s okay if you hold the theology of it but don’t get too close in your walk with Jesus. How does he do it? The pleasures of the world that he uses to divert my mind from the presence of my saviour. Don’t tell me you can take Jesus into the pleasures of this world.  I wish I could shake people don’t do this and that and many reforming people have done that.

The Pleasures of Jesus

There are many things that are not harmless in themselves but people regard that as pleasurable and Jesus as less pleasurable. We are called upon diligently to heed the words of the apostle John;

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the worldm17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

Today right on the borders of the Promised Land we see apostasy around us.

Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.

Do you hate the music of the world, the pleasures of the world? Do you let them cleave to you? It relates to the flesh and people like to make their flesh feel a bit more comfortable. They like to swing along with the music because it’s satisfying to the impulses. Today there are rock and sensual love songs put with spiritual words. Oh how I hate that. They put Jesus on the level of courtship sentimentalism. They ask – but isn’t the relationship of husband and wife the relationship of Christ and the church? Can’t we sing those songs? Are you conditioned by the familiarity of the things we live in today?

Don’t Look

If you are compelled to walk amongst it, what is written? If you are Gods servants and you have to walk amongst it, it is written what you will do;

Isaiah 42:19 Who [is] blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger [that] I sent? who [is] blind as [he that is] perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant?m20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.

I drive down the road and there comes a Jezebel, don’t look. I had to learn this as a youth. I would pray to the Lord I’ve just polluted my mind please help me. God said, why do you look? It’s wonderful when he talks to you.  This is what we have to do in every situation. There is plenty to see. When I did what the Lord said I was no longer disturbed.

What kind of blindness is this? It is a blindness that will not allow our eyes to contemplate evil. It will not allow our eyes to rest upon iniquity. It will not grasp the things of sight and lose eternity out of its reckoning. . . . We want to see aright, we want to see as God sees; for Satan is constantly trying to convert the things our eyes rest upon in order that we may see through his medium. . . . {OHC 334.2}

You don’t look and stay looking at it. It’s a law of the mind that if you look at something long enough, you will become so conditioned that you it’s feel alright and you will play around with it. It’s a horrifying reality what happened to the children of Israel on the borders of the Promised Land is happening to us. Do you want to see the king in his glory? Do you want to get into the eternal Promised Land? Then this is our counsel;

Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure. 17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

If you have lost sight of Jesus it creates fear inside of you. To behold the Promised Land and will see the king in his glory. What must they do? Shut their eyes. The very thing Balaam induced the people to do the opposite of. Let the appeal of Israel’s failure arouse our diligence. Do we understand our attachment to Jesus? What are we to be? What has Jesus done to me? Or have I lost sight of it?

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

The ministers of the churches today who have become corrupted will see these Christians as real freaks. Come have fun, we are supposed to be happy people. You don’t have to stir the emotions of the people and you don’t have to preach in a way to get the people passionate. Jesus makes you solemnly and peacefully passionate. It is a totally peculiar way that has been lost sight of today.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

What do we see in the Christian churches of today?

How important that we maintain our separate distinction from the world. But it is a fearful fact that we as a people are losing our simplicity and the marks of our peculiarity. We cannot honor God while mixed up with the world, following their fashions and customs. {5MR 433.2}

God has his heavenly culture that we are to be part of. When you come out of the different cultures of the world, you adopt the culture of heaven and leaving the culture of the world behind you. This is what is meant as a peculiar people.  The people of the nations will look and say it’s not a Mormon, not a Muslim, that’s a true Christian. This happened to us.  A sister was in a shop and there was a man and he was behaving odd looking at them and he said are you a Christian?  Yes, why?  He said you look different.  As a consequence he came to check us out but he didn’t like why we looked the way we did but some stayed as they got stuck with the attractions of Jesus.

A Sad Story of Today’s Generation of Christians

Many who call themselves Christians are mere human moralists. They have refused the gift which alone could enable them to honor Christ by representing Him to the world. The work of the Holy Spirit is to them a strange work. They are not doers of the word. The heavenly principles that distinguish those who are one with Christ from those who are one with the world have become almost indistinguishable. {COL 315.3}

Can you see the difference between a Christian and a worldling today? The only thing that might be different is a bit of a kindness but the index of the heart is different.

The professed followers of Christ are no longer a separate and peculiar people. The line of demarcation is indistinct. The people are subordinating themselves to the world, to its practices, its customs, and its selfishness. The church has gone over to the world in transgression of the law, when the world should have come over to the church in obedience to the law. Daily the church is being converted to the world. {COL 315.3}

This was written in the beginning of the twentieth century. Where are we today? Are we on the borders of the Promised Land? Are we affected by the apostasy on the borders?  Take this very diligently and seriously.

1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as [were] some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Is this the way it is in the world today?  They go to work to earn their money, they sit down to eat and then go up to their sports.  Sports is the play thing of the world today.  Christians are called upon not to do that.

1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

That is exactly what happened to them on the border.  Let the word of God deepen and impress us so that we will ask very diligently and seriously, Lord erase from me the condition that I have been conditioned with. We have been brought up in a far worse situation than the people when inspiration wrote that. We think it’s normal when it is way off the mark. Let us be diligent to learn of the lesson of Israel as we are on the borders and we will do exactly what is written. Repent and turn away from the things that have conditioned us.

Amen.