By John Thiel, Hebrew Wilderness Wanderings Conference, Epilogue, mp3
As we were travelling with the children of Israel in this series we were most startled when we realised what it really meant to cross the river Jordan and who was it that crosses the river Jordan in reality. Who makes it thorough the terrible surging floods of the destructive forces about us? When we went into the type there were a few questions. What we are studying in the story of the Hebrews is not just for the sake of a story it is specifically identified.
1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 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.
As you go through the story of the children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land it was written for a specific reason. We tell our children the bible stories and the children grow up and it has been reported by those who have had children’s bible stories all the way along that they are just stories and the people haven’t learnt that they are actually moral issues revealed in a story. These things really did happen but God conducted them for the purpose of the church upon whom the ends of the world have come. If we are going to take that seriously we will therefore do what we have done during this series and go carefully into every little lesson that can be learnt so that we may be aware. It’s exactly as the Hebrew temple and the Hebrew story gives us the complete description of the gospel and the gospel church.
In the last 11 studies we were overwhelmed with the complexity of lessons that come from it. There is nothing that is untouched in this and the part that wasn’t untouched for us in the time as we live right on the border of the Promised Land and we are called upon to go across Jordan. The question was posed from whom with this resistless flood be held back? Remember the river Jordan was in full flood when the children of Israel wanted to cross it. There was nowhere that they could cross it.
The river had flooded all its banks and the story as you recall goes that the priests took the ark and walked towards the river and not until their feet went into the river did it suddenly part. There was a heap of water on one side from which the water was flowing and the other flowed away and there was the bare river bed which they could walk through. The question was asked, for whom will the resistless flood of the last days be backed up so that they the people will not be destroyed by these destructive forces? Remember what the river Jordan was? The plagues, the destructive forces of Revelation 16. For whom will they be held back? We highlighted it that the priests that carried the ark as they walked into it was for them that it departed and then the others could cross with them. We did a careful research on that. Who are the people in the last days for whom the destructive forces will be held back for? From whom? We also will be suffering some of those cold fearful events but they will not destroy us. We will cry to the Lord while the rest of the world is being destroyed by the plagues. God’s people will be protected but they will be brought through straight places. There are a people in the last days who will be protected.
The Heavenly Sanctuary
Revelation 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
The people who are intelligent in reference to the heavenly sanctuary, are here worshipping in the sanctuary.
Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
The people that were worshipping in the temple of God were conscious of it being opened and the revelation of the ark of the testament was there. What did the priests have with them as they went into the middle of the Jordan? The ark of the testament which was a figure for us as we come up against the crossing of the Jordan to enter into the Promised Land, the heavenly Canaan. It is the people who have the ark who will move forward and the destructive forces will not touch them. The heavenly sanctuary is identified.
Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
That is what this world is going to meet. You can see it already happening and it is going to get worse. The plagues are going to be poured out. John sees a people who are going to gain the victory.
Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.
What was the song of Moses? Wasn’t it when they had the victory over the Egyptians? Here we are directly connected with the Hebrew wilderness wanderings. These people who are gaining the victory over the horrendous scenes of the last days when the mark of the beast is being enforced and the time of Jacobs trouble takes place which we have studied, as they are affected so strongly they are getting the victory over it. The river Jordan is being held back for them. They are conquering against it and the song of Moses is what they sing.
Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. 5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
The people who are worshipping there, the people of the ark of the covenant are the people who will sing that song of Moses. They will sing the song of victory. They will enter the Promised Land against the attacks of the river Jordan that could come up against them. Where will we be protected in this terrible time, this symbolic river Jordan? To be protected from that, from being drowned by it, from being overwhelmed by the flood.
Psalms 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Here you see a multiple application. The rock. The rock that followed them. That is the Hebrew story. He will set us upon a rock, he will hide us in the cleft of the rock. He will hide us in the secret of his tabernacle. The people that worship him in the heavenly sanctuary will be protected. They will be the people of the ark of the covenant. They have nothing to fear even though it is a fearful thing. Imagine that huge wall that kept coming from the other direction. As you go through these last days all these heaped up destructive forces against Gods people, the threats they are going to be imprisoned and killed and they can’t buy and sell because of the sabbath keeping all this is a threat and it makes you fearful. But God says it doesn’t matter. If you stand faithful with the Ark of the Covenant, you will be protected. You will be hidden in the secret of his tabernacle.
Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 92 Unless thy law [had been] my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. 93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. 94 I [am] thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. 95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: [but] I will consider thy testimonies.
The ark of the testimony I will consider it. Although the wicked want to destroy me, although the flood of the enemy comes in like a flood the spirit of God will raise up a standard against him. If there is a standard against him and a heap of enemies coming to get you, they all get held back. What was the story of the Egyptians as they came to chase the Hebrews to the red sea? What happened? The cloud came in between and the whole army came to a halt and they couldn’t go any further. These are the figurative realties which point us to our experience now.
The People Who Will Be Protected
What is the Revelation? What is a revelation of? People worship Jesus and they love him but when they come to the book of revelation they get confused as there are so many theories going around yet it says in Revelation;
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John: 3 Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.
The story of the Hebrews was written for those upon whom the ends of the world have come. When Jesus came it was the end of the world (first advent). When Jesus went back to heaven he sent the book of Revelation to John. He says now is the time of the end. Now the story of the Hebrews in symbol is going to take place in reality. Blessed are the people who read the book of Revelation as it is the revelation of Jesus Christ. We who are living right on the borders of the heavenly Canaan, what does Revelation reveal to us as the rock that followed them and us? Here are the very messages that will be applicable to the people who ware living at the end of the world when all these destructive forces are going to threaten to destroy them. Jesus our Lord and saviour is going to save us out of that as he did in holding back that flooding Jordan.
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
The hour of God’s judgment is come. That is a direct reference to the work of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary finishing the judgment upon the world. Jesus moved from the holy place in the heavenly sanctuary to the most holy place. What was in the most holy place? The ark of the covenant. The hour of his judgment is come is announced when Jesus did that in the time prophecy, the 2300 days commencing in 457BC to 1844. Then Jesus moved into the most holy place.
The Flood of the Jordan
The messages that are coming to this planet say it’s going to happen. God is going to deal with the corrupt Babylon and he is going to protect his people. This is exactly what it says. Babylon is fallen. Here you can see now what God is saying to protect the people from the flood of the Jordan;
Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast (PAPACY) and his image (APOSTATE PROTESTANTISM), and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Who is the beast? The beast mentioned here is identified as Revelation 13. It is the papacy. The image of the beast is apostate America that has perverted Protestantism. What is the mark? Sunday worship. What will happen? These people who are following these false pagan insurgencies of true Christianity, the warning of God is if you follow that you will be destroyed. Come out and be the people of the ark, keep the true commandments and the true Sabbath.
The People Who Don’t Do That
Revelation 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
The outpouring the plagues, the swelling of the Jordan river will swallow them if they don’t follow what is written here. This is Jesus speaking. It is the revelation of Jesus for the last days.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
It identifies those who went with the Ark of the Covenant to hold back the river, those that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. What happens as a consequence of these people?
Revelation 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
What’s this? It’s the coming of Jesus isn’t it? Can you see the people who are holding back as they are holding on to the commandments of God, the ark of the covenant? Those people will be protected from this surging destruction while the others will be destroyed at his coming. This is now where the twelve tribes of Israel come into focus. Remember what angels represent? Do you see angels preaching in heaven to the earth? What do they represent?
You must remember that this angel represents the people that have this message to give to the world. Are you among that people? {RH, August 18, 1885 par. 14}
The Ark of the Covenant, the people that have a message to proclaim about the law of God and the beauty of that law, these are the people preaching these messages. As they are upholding these messages they will be the protected ones. Anyone who will respond to these messages will be protected from the surges and the floods of destruction.
The Other Angel
Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 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.
The destruction of all nations is about to take place.
Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Does God want you to be destroyed by the surging flood? He wants us to come through into the Promised Land. Here is the counsel. Come away and be the people of the covenant. Be the people for whom the river will be opened up so they can go across to the Promised Land. Here is the reality that the Hebrew story was a type of. The more you study the Hebrew type the more you discover wow, this is real to us as it’s written in reality to us. It was the twelve tribes of Israel that were travelling.
Who Are The Twelve Tribes Of Israel Today?
Who are they? Who were they? Do you remember? Do we need a proof text? Who are the children of Israel? Remember Galatians.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Who is the true Hebrew? The people who are in Christ. If you read Galatians 4, you actually see that the Jews were not really the true Hebrews.
Galatians 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he [who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman [was] by promise.
Here is the story of Ishmael and Isaac. Notice how under inspiration identifies the Jews not with Isaac but with Ishmael?
Galatians 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
The real Jerusalem, not the earthly one, the heavenly Jerusalem has to do with the true Israel. The Jerusalem on earth at the moment, who does apostle Paul say they are? Are they Hebrews? They might be according to the flesh but it says here they are of Agar. They are not the true Hebrews. The true Hebrew is the one who has receive Jesus Christ as his personal saviour.
Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
That’s why in James 1:1 it says he is writing to whom? The twelve tribes of Israel. He is writing to the Christian church, the twelve tribes of Israel. The Hebrews that travelled through the wilderness was an allegory of the people who have accepted Jesus Christ and are walking with him whether they be Jew or Gentile, Greek or whatever and have accepted Jesus, they become the true Israel of God. That true Israel of God is identified as the twelve tribes. Now we come to the heavenly Canaan. Those who are the true Israel are about to cross the river Jordan. Who among them in today’s time are going to cross? Remember the three angel’s messages that are warning the people? There are the babylonish churches that have twisted the scriptures who claim to be Christians and are identified as Babylon who have receive the mark of the beast which is Sunday. As these churches are claiming to be Christians, they are claiming to be Hebrews. Who are the Hebrews that are going to be protected from the surges of destruction as they get ready to enter in?
The Surges of Jordan in Type Held Back
Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Then of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand and all the tribes having twelve thousand from each tribe. Can you think of a bible text though Israel be as the sand of the sea, who will be saved? As we live today among millions of Christians, what is written? Out of the twelve tribes, who will go into the Promised Land that are living today? That have been sealed in their forehead with the seal of God. What is the seal of God? The acceptance of the Ten Commandments identifiable in contrast to everyone else because they keep the Sabbath which is if you break one you break them all don’t you? The majority of Christianity breaks the Sabbath and therefore they haven’t got the seal of God in their forehead because the Sabbath is a sign between me and you throughout your generations that I am the Lord that does sanctify you. It is a sign, the seal of God.Out of all the tribes of Christendom, Hebrews, 144,000 are the people of the ark. Can you see the picture? They are the people who are holding the ark with the Ten Commandments in it symbolically speaking as in the Hebrew story and the surging destructive forces are being held back or them.
Thinned Out
The picture of the Hebrews travelling from Egypt to the Promised Land is precisely identifiable in the New Testament because they all went out but who arrived and went in that had left Egypt? There was Caleb and Joshua. The children that were born, as the tribes were travelling across to the Promised Land, what was happening to them all the time? They were being thinned out. So many people were destroyed along the way because they had become idol worshippers and just before the borders what happened? In the story of the Hebrews? Balaam deceived the people and brought the Midianite women and the customs and practices and corruptions of the world into the camp.
How many people were destroyed? That was the last destruction. Prior the mixed multitudes were being destroyed as they were traveling along as they made the golden calf around mount Sinai and thousands were destroyed then. Then they wanted flesh as they were tired of the manna and thousands were killed by eating too much flesh as the Lord gave it to them. Then Korah, Dathan and Abiram and the rebellion and the earth opened up and swallowed them. All these people who were insubordinate to the leading of Jesus who was with them, the rock who followed them, they were all being thinned out. By the time they came to the Promised Land there was 23000 that were again slain by the plague.
Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Have a look at some of these scriptures. The word of God doesn’t give us sentimentalism, it gives us truth. It gives us obedience to God that must be represented if we are going to be the angels that are holding the message before the people, the people who carry the ark.
Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
Here you see a company of Christians who are maligned who tremble at God’s word. Who seek to obey every word that comes from of his mouth and others say you are going over the top, you are going to extremes. They are their brethren and what do they do? They cast them out but God will come to the ones that have been cast out and not to the ones that have cast them out thinking the Lord be glorified we got rid of these sects.
Zephaniah 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. 13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid.
Who are they? They are a poor and afflicted people. They are the remnant of Israel. They are the ones who have been left after all the others in the Hebrew symbolism were all destroyed by wickedness.
Amos 5:1 Hear ye this word which I take up against you, [even] a lamentation, O house of Israel.
Remember though Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant shall be saved?
Amos 5:2 The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; [there is] none to raise her up.
Take that into its terms of Christianity today. Those churches that thought they were the virgin of Jesus, they have fallen.
Amos 5:3 For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out [by] a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth [by] an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.
A remnant, 144,000. Of all the tribes, only twelve thousand out of each one. These are the people who will come through the destructive forces of the plagues. They will come through the time of Jacobs’s trouble as it says he shall be saved out of it. They will be the ones who will cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. When Jesus comes he will then resurrect all the others who are going to cross together with them. The priests with the ark were standing in the middle of the river which was held back.
As they livingly go into the figure of things, the people who are represented by them, the little remnant are joined by all the people who‘ve been resurrected at the coming of Jesus and they go into the Promised Land. The priests with the ark were standing and the others had to keep a half a mile width around these priests and come around and cross the river. The type of this is clearly visible as the remnant of Israel, the 144,000 that are alive as the river Jordan is being held back and as they cross, the people who have passed away are joining them and now they go to together with Jesus to the heavenly Canaan. The symbol, the figure describes the reality. We are called upon to listen to the words of the apostle that we must learn the lessons from the Hebrews and then look to the reality of Revelation of the twelve tribes for whom the winds of strife are being held back in today’s circumstances.
The Laodicean Period
The people who are living at the time of the final scene are being spoken to here by Jesus Christ. The period of Laodicea is the period of the church that is at the border as Jesus is about to come;
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
In the beginning of the Laodicean period he is writing to the ministry, the angel of the church and he says you think you are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing. The Israelites were living in the verdure of the Promised Land, they were close to the border, they had already possessed some of the Canaanite houses and they were already there in the valley of Shittim and there was the typical pointer to the Laodicean period. You are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing. You are so cushy and comfortable and he says I call upon you to repent because of their apostasy. That is what it was, apostasy at the Jordan. Just as they were to go across there was an apostasy and 2300 were slain. Therefore Jesus says seeing you are not listening to me, I stand at the door and knock, if any of you will open the hearts door I will come into you.
The Grand Finale
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
A little remnant is left. A little company who have opened their heart to Jesus but that wasn’t all, they become overcomers and these people will sit on the throne with Jesus. The others who have lived and died in the faith, the great multitude Revelation 7 talks about the 144,000 and also great multitude but these 144,000 are typified by the Israelites who had the ark and were standing in the middle of the river so that as they plagues were falling, they were being protected from them and then comes Jesus directly after the plagues and all the faithful ones are resurrected and they all go into the Promised Land.
1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our (FIGURES) examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
That’s what killed them.
1 Corinthians 10:7 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.
What were the Hebrews doing? The world was coming in and as they were dancing around the golden calf they said this is the God that brought us out of Egypt. What was the golden calf? Apostasy in today’s circumstances.
1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Before that they were slain at Mount Sinai and now they were slain on the borders so with many God was not pleased and this is a figure as we have just studied.
False Theologians
1 Corinthians 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Thousands were slain by the serpents biting them. Who are the serpents? Satan and his seed. Remember who they are? Who did Jesus call serpent’s seed? The Pharisees . Those theologian of his day and there are theologians all the way through who are not holding the pure doctrine of Jesus but holding the doctrine of the devil. Satan changes himself into an angel of light.
1 Corinthians 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for (TYPES) ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Aren’t these words alive to us now? They are not just an Old Testament interesting story are they. They are depicting our experience today. The people who are now living who are going into the Promised Land, who are loyal to the Lord, who are the only faithful to the Lord as others have dropped off as they have murmured and complained. The symbolism is to help us understand that the people who are living now are the ones we are focusing on as we come to the borders. It is those like Caleb and Joshua – that kind of class of people who are loyal and true to the commandments of God.
Called, Chosen and Faithful
Revelation 17:14 …and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.
Who are the chosen? Those who are called, chosen and faithful. It is the faithful ones that will finally come through. You can be called and chosen but not faithful. The Lord wants us to be the faithful who enter the Promised Land. We have some very important work to do to be in tune. May God grant us to heed and be diligent in reference to this scripture.
Amen.
Further reading: http://sabbathsermons.com/category/hebrew-wilderness-wanderings/
