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"...the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun,
Moses’ assistant, saying: 'Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore,
arise, cross over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land
which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that
the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to
Moses.'" (Joshua 1:1-3)
INTRODUCTION
Moses' life was divided into three seasons of forty years each;
forty in Egypt, forty in the backside of the desert, and forty in
the wilderness. However, the last phase of wandering never needed to
happen. The Hebrews could have made it out of Egypt to the Promised
Land, under Moses' leadership, in four days and four nights, but
disobedience put them in a circle of judgment where they wandered
for forty years until that generation died off. Only a few
'generals' like Caleb and Joshua were counted worthy to cross over
to the Promised Land.
THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
In many modern Christian movements, every twenty years or so, there
is a time of transition where leadership changes hands. The 'new
guard' brings a challenge to the 'old guard'. Some relevant veterans
of the 'old guard' survive this time frame and go on to the next
passing of the baton some twenty years later. These are the
'generals' whose credibility derives from their longevity, which is
a direct result of their stickability and integrity. In the last few
months, several of these 'generals' have graduated one step further
into eternity. Among them were Bill Bright, Kenneth Hagin and Derek
Prince (see below). These 'passings' are signs of the end of one era
and the beginning of a new one. This is not just restricted to
spiritual leaders, but includes influential people in other realms.
Johnny Cash and Australia's equivalent, Slim Dusty, both cultural
icons in their respective nations, crossed over in the last few
weeks.
THE MORAL WILDERNESS
The last forty years has proven to be a moral and spiritual
wilderness for America, and due to the enormous influence of its
popular culture, for much of the western world also. Culturally, its
almost becoming a foreign land for Christians. Our world view is
increasingly being relegated to the ideological backwaters by a
small but powerful group whose vision is an America without God.
However, the passing of these 'generals' mentioned above should be a
sign to us that we are on the verge of a new era. The wilderness
time is coming to an end and we must be ready to cross over the
Jordon into what has been promised!
TOTALLY POSSESSED
Many, including myself, firmly believe that the only thing that can
bring America out of the wilderness and back from the brink of
decline is a sweeping reformation of righteousness. It is for this
reason that I came here from Australia, to see and be a part of what
is expected in my days (see
http://www.firepowerint.com/prophecies.htm). There's a 'Promised
Land' waiting for America. We can choose to cross over and enter it,
or like some of the Hebrew tribes, stay on the safe side of the
Jordon. But if we are to enter, it will not be a picnic. The land
has to be possessed. Crossing over is not the destination but the
beginning of a new level of challenge. Some with the same heart as
Caleb or Joshua may lead us over the 'Jordan' but it will be a new
generation that will do the possessing with them. God is raising up
a generation who are beginning to understand that unless you have a
cause worth dying for, you don't have a life worth living for! Their
cause is to see Christ glorified in America again.
America is not currently the Promised Land, but
if we cross over the Jordan, conquer our own fears, move in and
re-possess the culture, it will become the land of promise.
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