Doves,

Last night as I was heading to bed, I had to get back and write about a “Tale of Two Cities”.  It seemed important.

After getting a confirmation from Jim Bramlett who had not even seen my post, it seemed it was again very significant.

Tonight when I went to church, Pastor Billy Joe had a very strong message talking about the very same thing.  He spent time talking about several of the men of faith who are mentioned in Hebrews 11.  He spent time, talking about Jacob prophesying over Ephraim and Manasseh, and also of Joseph.

Then he spoke of Moses had the opportunity to have all the riches of Egypt, but he refused the Egyptian kingdom and all its wealth and gold, but rather chose a Kingdom by faith. 

Heb 11:21-27  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff.  (22)  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.  (23)  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw [he was] a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.  (24)  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;  (25)  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;  (26)  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.  (27)  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

God’s kingdom is not restricted by location.  God’s kingdom can come in any form or shape.  God can speak through a bush, a donkey.  God can cause ungodly men to dream dreams that accomplish His purpose.  Pharaoh dreamt.  Nebuchadnezzar dreamt. Even Caiaphas the high priest who had Jesus crucified prophesied.

God places His Kingdom in vessels of clay.  The tabernacle was made on the outside with badgers’ skins which was an unclean animal.  The King of Kings was born in a stable among the beasts of the field.

When Satan tempted him with having all the kingdom’s given to him, he refused.  His Kingdom was not of this world.

Satan wants to set up his kingdom in Jerusalem thinking that he owns the crown jewel if he has Jerusalem.  Oh no… he has nothing.  Jerusalem above is free, and is not in bondage with her children.  The Jerusalem you see isn’t it Sodom and Egypt?

Here is the deal.  The land is promised to the “seed” of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob which is Jesus Christ.  At Christ’s return, anything not belonging will be gathered OUT of His Kingdom.

If you trust your sight, you will be deceived for a wolf comes in sheep’s clothing.  If you trust the Good Shepherd who keeps watch over His flock by night, you will know His Voice and will be kept safe under the shadow of his wings.  His rod and staff will comfort you.  Though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will fear no evil because He is Immanuel….GOD WITH US.

Isa 42:16  And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

I am going to say something that may raise some eyebrows if I haven’t already.  Jerusalem is where Immanuel is.

Understand, what I am saying has nothing to do with replacement theology.  The physical land as well as the physical descendants of Jacob have been given promises by God that only God can keep.  Sometimes you fight and fight to try and keep something God has promised to you.  Why?  If God promised it, then it is up to God to keep His promise.  I have found that it is impossible for me to try and keep God’s promises for Him.  Let the promise be planted as a seed, and it will become a tree bearing much fruit.  What labor do you have in the growth of a tree that is planted by rivers of water?  None.

It is time to enter into our rest, because Christ has completed the work at the cross.

Blessings,

Wade

wbalzer@newjerusalem.org