How long will you wait?

In the previous lesson I mentioned that the seven thunders spoke "How long will you wait?" Here is the lesson that followed that dream back in March 24th, 2006:

There is a parallel to the warfare we are experiencing. This parallel is found in the wars appointed to the children of Israel upon entering the promised land. Moses received a covenant from the Lord which told the Israelites not to let any of their enemies remain. They were not to co-habitate with the Canaanites nor make a treaty with them (Ex 34:10-16). God instructed the Israelites to break down all their altars, and He would drive the enemies out of the land. If the Israelites did not obey the Lord in doing this, their enemies would become a snare to them, eventually leading the Israelites to prostitute themselves to the gods of their enemies.


One of the consequences of co-habitating with our present enemies is that we begin to look for the good in them. This leads us dangerously close to calling what is evil good (Is 5:20). We can form a belief system which looks for evil circumstances to form us into the image of Christ, and eventually to believe this is God’s perfect will for our lives. If so, why did the sacrifice of Jesus bring us authority over our enemies? Though God does work all things to our good, He does not intend us to believe that all things are His perfect plan.

The Israelites had great success in routing their enemies at first. But when Joshua was preparing to die, he asked the remaining tribes who had not pursued their enemies “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land . . . the Lord has given you?”(Josh 18:3). He encouraged them, saying that their strength was such that “One of you routs a thousand because the Lord your God fights for you” (Josh 23:10). However, he also warned them that the Lord would not rout their enemies, but would leave them in the land, if the Israelites did not obey Him and fight. This eventually happened, and God stopped driving their enemies out. They had made covenants with their enemies (Jud 2:1-3), which resulted in thorns in their sides, and snares.

This story from the book of Joshua parallels the Church taking the kingdoms of the world, which include darkness, infirmity, and calamity. We are to make them the kingdoms of our Lord. God put the works of His hands under Man’s feet (Ps 8:6). Jesus gave us authority over sickness, demons, and more. The issue that He seems to be addressing is compromise; how long will we wait until we take possession of the land?

Jesus is about the business of putting every kingdom in heaven and on earth under His feet (1 Cor 15:27). Lest some think He does this off by Himself somewhere, let us consider the authorities and the gifts He has given us, and that they are for much more than forming us into His image. We are His body, His hands and feet on the earth. He still works through His people.

In Rev 11:15-17 we read about that triumphant moment when the kingdoms of this earth become the kingdoms of the Lord. He has put everything in subjection to Himself so that He may present it all to the Father. This is when the temple in heaven is opened and we see the arc of the covenant (vs 19). The original covenant of subduing the enemies of God and Man (Ex 34:10) is met in the final victory of Jesus and His Church.

Perhaps we have compromised in accepting things which satan has handed us, promising us that they will make us a better Christian. God left the enemies of Israel in the promised land to test them and see if they would obey Him. We have had a long season of testing, even seeing some of our dear saints die. I believe that the Lord will fight with us for our inheritance if we will stand against our enemies, not only in our lives, but for the lives of our brethren. I want to encourage you to develop your spiritual gifts in service to Him, and to stand, having done all. My hope is that His hand will move with healings, deliverances and miracles in our meetings. It is becoming more than hope . . . it is my expectation. Amen.