Month 9:22, Week 3:7 (Shibi'i/Sukkot), Year:Day 5939:259 AM
2Exodus 2/40, 4th Sh'mittah - Year 49/50
Global Judgment - Day #T-40
Gregorian Calendar Thursday 3 December 2015
Second Exodus Lineup
III. The Actors Gathered and Ready
Continued from Part 2
Introduction
Shabbat shalom mishpachah and welcome back to this third session in which we are examining the the qualifications and spiritual character dispositions of the end-time Moses-men who will be leading the 12 tribes of Messianic Israel back to the Primised Land to greet the returning King Messiah Yah'shua (Jesus) and set-up with Him the Torah-based international millennial government. These twelve Moses-men are also to be the 12 end-time Apostles operating in the anointing of the original 12 Apostles. Their training and identity will therefore be of the utmost importance especially as there will be so many pretenders. One of the purposes of this teaching series is to enable to you discern between the true and the false.
Accessibility to the Corridors of Power
Because of his upbringing in the Royal Court of Egypt, it is easy to understand Moses' easy access to the Pharaoh when he returned from Midian and demanded the freedom of his people. It is even more understandable when you consider that the particular Pharaoh was Rameses II. We may well expect that the end-time Moses-men will have access to the corridors of power to make any petitions for the release of believers wanting to depart from their respective locations for the Promised Land. In all dictatorships, movement is, however, usually restricted, and we may very well expect that toward the end of the Antichrist's reign when the actual movement to Palestine will begin. Some familiarity with the corridors of power may then be expected. Of course, we have no way of knowing what the local conditions of each of the 12 tribal gatherings will be like and it would be a mistake to expect a carbon-copy repetition of events in Egypt or even between tribes. Nevertheless, based on what we know of human nature and the stubbornness of the tyrant, you can be sure that the latter-day 'pharaoh's' will not yield to anything but supernatural brute force.
The 10 Plagues of Egypt and the Latter-Day Equivalents
Tyrants, then, will need to be 'persuaded' by supernatural displays of divine power. Moses was given authority to call forth 10 plagues which were custom-designed by Heaven to challenge every Egyptian god - Hapi, Heket, Geb, Khepri, Hathor, Isis, Nut, Set, Ra and finally Pharaoh himself. Whatever the 'gods' of New World Order (NWO) are, and especially if they vary according to the locality of the ten tribes, then you may reasonably expect plagues or punishments that strip naked the presumed omnipotence and pretended authority of these occult deities, some of which may well be living nephilim themselves claiming to be divine incarnations. Expect therefore an exact symbolism to be played out in order to crush the rulers' stubbornness, humiliate Satan and glorify Yahweh, as well as to bolster the emunah (faith) of the tribes!
The Many Miracles of the First Exodus
Moses, as we all know, led Israel through the desert, miraculously providing water, quails and manna, defeating the Amalekites - and with Jethro's assistance, establishing a judiciary and an effective, functioning theocratic rule that served the nation well prior to landing in Canaan on the other side of 40 years. There are many other miracles too including clothes and shoes that never wear out and healing from serpent bites. And as we know, the people constantly complained whilst Moses was always vindicated by Yahweh (Ex.15:22-18:27).
A Reversal of Order in the Second Exodus
At 12 different 'Sinai's' the 12 Moses-men will meet face-to-face with Yahweh just as Moses did over an 11-month period (Ex.19:24) and be accompanied by faithful elders in order to have a covenant meal with Him. Whether there will be golden-calf-type rebellions I cannot say - my impression is all of that kind of idolatry, with the concomittant punishment and 'wandering', will be during that part of the 40 years before departure, so the chronology will be reversed. In other words, it is now and in the immediate years ahead that will see the rebelliousness of the Body burned out of it by trial and tribulation and then the great physical journeying to the Promised Land will take place. I do not believe there will be a departure along the Egyptian line, followed by a rebellion followed by a 40 year 'wilderness' journey in 12 desolate places. I believe that that wandering in 'desolation' comes now and in the days ahead as the believers of the Outer Court are buffetted and tried while the sin is burned out them. They - the penultimate generation - will 'perish', barring a few Joshua's and Caleb's, and their children - the last generation - will be the ones who set out on 12 extraordinary and dramatic adventures across the globe as they converge on what is today the Israeli Republic (which will be long gone by then).
Meeting With Yahweh Face-to-Face
Moses' meeting with Yahweh at Mt.Sinai, though witnessed by some elders, was not witnessed by the rest of the people. However, his face shone so brightly for so long that there was no doubt in the minds of the nation as a whole that he had met with the Almighty (Ex.19:3; 24:18). Each of the Moses-men will have a similar encounter and it may very well be that instead of 12 different locations that they are all supernaturally transported to one place for this meeting, and if so, it will almost certainly be to the location of the Prince of Ephraim who is earthly head of the earthly tribes. Certainly we cannot predict the details of what will happen, but only generally, so that that generation may enjoy some rather special surprises and blessings!
Controversies With Moses
Will the leadership of the Moses-men be questioned by those close to them as Moses was critcised by Miriam and Aaron? Quite possibly. As I mentioned last week, polygamy - or some aspect of it - was one of the causes of Moses' brother's and sister's complaint and that is almost certainly going to be an issue that rises again amongst those raised in the Roman monogamy-only mindset. It's certainly the basis of a huge conroversy still and it will take the removal of the current generation to be finally quit of yet another Roman heresy. However, the larger issue for Aaron and Miriam was toqef or authority which they felt should be shared more equally.
Western Culture, the Major Headache
Our own depraved society is beset with liberalism, feminism and coheadship to the point where it is becoming increasingly difficult - in the West at least - to find a true biblical family anywhere. The Egyptians, like today's feminists and Wiccans, were very much taken by the matriarchal model, Satan's reversal of patriarchy, much in the same way that modern Judaism traces 'Jewishness' through the mother rather than through the father. Stamping out this modern mindset will take a whole generation as it did in Moses' day because Messianic Israel will not be able to move in the Covenant of Miracles until it is walking 100% in true tavnith (pattern). Dealing with this vestige of our post-Christian culture will probably be the major headache of the end-time Moses-men. It has certainly been the great obstacle faced by this ministry since Day #1 of its inception.
Multiple Marriage and the Isaiah 3 & 4 Prophecy
Polygamy is a subject that we don't talk about much because of the passions it generates in a carnal and idolatrous generation and indeed it is a practice we discourage generally for the same reason. It will not really come into its own until the Final Gathering and Messianic Israel finds itself faced with a 'dilemma' as the prophecy of the third and fourth chapters of Isaiah begins to be fulfilled in another and final prophetic cycle:
"Yahweh says,
'The women of Zion are haughty,
walking along with outstretched necks,
flirting with their eyes,
tripping along with mincing steps,
with ornaments jingling on their ankles.
Therefore Yahweh will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion;
Yahweh will make their scalps bald...
Instead of fragrance there will be a stench;
instead of a sash, a rope;
instead of well-dressed hair, baldness;
instead of fine clothing, sackcloth;
instead of beauty, branding.
Your men will fall by the sword,
your warriors in battle.
The gates of Zion will lament and mourn;
destitute, she will sit on the ground.
In that day seven women
will take hold of one man
and say, 'We will eat our own food
and provide our own clothes;
only let us be called by your name.
Take away our disgrace!'"
(Isa 3:16-17,24-26-4:1, NIV)
Seven Women Shall take Hold of One Man
Decimation of the Male Population to Reoccur
We have long prophesied that overall women will outnumber men to the tune of seven-to-one. The main cause of the shortage of men is given here to be war and even though women serve in many nations' military forces they are yet, and will almost certainly remain, a small minority. There is great mourning on the part of the women in this prophecy of Isaiah because of the loss of so many men (not to mention their own sinning) and we see them in this passage sitting in the traditional mourning ritual bewailing the loss of their menfolk. We can expect this again, not just because men will be killed but because unbelieving or carnal men will abandon their more spiritual wives.
When Women Initiate Large Families
But there is another dimension - men are not as 'naturally' spiritual as women and when it comes to repentance and salvation you will see female converts greatly outnumbering male converts. The assemblies of Messianic Israel may expect therefore to find a surplus of women that will force them to either remain single, marry unbelievers, turn to harlotry or to marry in the same fashion as Abraham, Jacob, Moses and David. And according to this prophecy it is the women who will initiate the request to become plural wives and not the men and be willing to make the sacrifices to do so in terms of material self-provision. It is therefore a mark of the Remnant that the women seek out such relationships and not the men so that there is a greater likelihood that the Ruach (Spirit) will be followed and not the carnal disposition of lusty men.
Strong Leaders to Deal With Impassioned Issues
That is not to say, of course, that this will be the only main issue that the Moses-men will have to face and deal with. As we saw last week, racism and social status may have played their part in the quarrel of Miriam and Aaron with Moses in their complaint against the Cushite woman. The Remnant consists of one race of all skin colours, the Race of Adam, and is very egalitarian. So there will likely be many social issues to be resolved. The end-time Moses-men will have carnal men, who are not called into polygamy, demanding it and trying to force their reluctant wives and being rightly refused, called women selfishly refusing it because they don't want to share or because they are afraid they will be loved less, and theologians arguing over various traditions and scriptural interpretations. All these matters the Moses-men must resolve with firmness and in emet (truth) - there can be no hesitation or doubt on their part or it will give Satan a wedge into the Messianic Community to wreck its destruction. You need strong leaders to deal with such matters.
Really Hard Problems to Resolve
These, ironically, may well turn out to be the 'easiest' issues to resolve. What of transgendered people, nephilim hybrids and even part-human, part machines? What of Siamese-twins? (What if one is a believer and the other is not?) What of all the mutant people that will emerge from Fukushima nuclear contamination and genetically modified human beings? What of people who have had head transplants - who are they really?
The Remnant and Unity of the Faith
The Moses-men - and in particular the Prince of Ephraim - must have the answers to all of these questions because one of the defining traits of the Remnant will be, and must be, unity of the faith. This means there must also be full anointings and proper organisation of the local assemblies so that the remnant is practiced and mature (Eph.4:9-13). The apostolic Moses-men must therefore be nevi'im (prophets) with clear access to Heaven like Peter, James, John and Paul. This is one of the reasons why this ministry seeks revelation on so many different subjects, and discourses at length on them, so that there is a very clear understanding and witness.
The Moses-Men Must Be Upheld When Their Strength Fails Them
Spiritual Prepping
Moses received Torah on Mt.Sinai - the end-time Moses-men, and especially the Prince of Ephraim, must be able to explain it fully, leaving no loopholes for the enemy to sow doubt and confusion. Presenting a unified doctrine and theology is one of the most important aspects of spiritual 'prepping' that the leaders of Messianic Israel can do, aside from the rather important job of actually living it out.
A Unitary New Covenant Torah is Coming
So as Moses presented the people of Old Covenant Israel with a Unified Law or Torah [1], so the end-time Moses-men must likewise be able to present a Unified New Covenant Torah to the Remnant and to all who will come before their witness. This will not consist of 12 different revelations but a unified system for all the tribes, even before they have started to move and gather to the Cities of Refuge so that when the time comes when communications between them are cut off, they will already have the foundation of emet (truth) firmly in place. It is my understanding too, from what I have been shown, that these 12 Moses-men will be able to exercise the gift of transmaterialisation (or 'Azotus Travel' as I call it) and so keep in contact that way too.
Understanding the Pattern of the Tabernacle
A proper understanding of the spiritual tavnith (pattern) instructions given by Yahweh to Moses on the Tabernacle [2] is also essential for the preparation of the Remnant as we discovered in the Great 2015 Dedication so that Elohim (God) is approached and worshipped in the correct way. And Torah, as you know, is woefully neglected by almost all Evangelical Christians and as a result this has led to the appeartance of all kinds of false doctrines and heresies in the churches which would otherwise have been nipped in the bud at inception. The Tabernacle in particular, which Yahweh went to great efforts to design and in such meticulous detail, tells us so much about Messiah Yah'shua (Jesus) and His relationship to the Elect.
Small Print Torah in Bibles
It is all the more sad, therefore, that some English Bible editions (like the NEB) put the Torah in smaller print compared to the rest of the Scriptures to encourage people not to get 'bogged down' in 'boring' and 'irrelevent' material, as they suppose, to the New Covenant. They could not be more wrong. For those keen to plunge into a guided study, then there are a number of excellent works which will catalyse your search [3].
What Yahweh's Men Feel About Idolatry
A characteristic of the Moses-men is that, like Moses, idolatry enfuriates them (Ex.32:19) because they know exactly how their Heavenly Father feels about it. They must endure criticism for being too harsh or 'legalistic' about it too. The golden calf incident was no triviality but cost lives, reminding us that that kind of depravity is never far away from what man is capable of, even believers, when he takes his eyes off Yah'shua (Jesus). Idolatry comes in many shapes and forms, including the opposite of rebellion against divinely-appointed leaders, namely, their idolisation. The true Moses-men are not arrogant, nor do they enjoy their position of toqef (authority) for its own sake, but want everyone to become like them - nevi'im (prophets):
"I wish that all Yahweh's people were prophets and that Yahweh would put His Ruach (Spirit) on them!" (Num.11:29, NIV).
Curse of the Adamic Nature
Yet he also knows that there is danger on the other side of the spectrum too where ungifted, unanointed and unordained men and women claim to be nevi'im (prophets) when they are not, or start exercising the gift prematurely and without the proper maturation, testing and self-retraints. Thus the Moses-men, like Moses himself, must deal with idolaters, cessationists (those who don't believe in the prophetic offices or gifts any longer) and charismatics who presumptuously exercise it, usually in a spirit of unbridled and unrestrained lawlessness. What a well of mischief is the Adamic nature! All this the Moses-man must deal with, resist, and correct.
The Moses-Men Must Interceed For the Doomed
Because of Israel's idolatry with the golden calf, Moses had to plead for mercy to persuade Yahweh to overturn His judgment against such a stiffnecked and rebellious people, for they were doomed to destruction (Ex.32:11; 33:12). In this time we are in now, in the approximately 40 years that lie ahead of us, the Moses-men must deal with such people and intercede for them. I have seen visions of people destroyed, including my own kin, and I have had to beg for their lives. Yahweh is just but He is also merciful for "He hears the prayer of the righteous" (Prov.15:29, NIV), "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16, NIV), "for the eyes of Yahweh are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer" (1 Peter 3:12a, NIV). This is not something to be casual about because "the face of Yahweh is against those who do evil" (1 Peter 3:12b, NIV). Therefore the the Moses-men, the apostles, the pastors, the elders, and indeed all the righteous have their work cut-out it would seem!
The Up and Down Story of Aaron
It was after this intercession that Moses was called into the mount, met Yahweh face-to-face (Ex.34:2) and returned to the Camp of Israel with His face blazing with light (Ex.34:29; 2 Cor.3:7,13). It is important to remember the context of that, namely, the rebellion. And though he has been in the picture quite a bit - as Moses' spokesman before Pharaoh as well as complicit in the sin of the golden calf - it is here that Aaron - forgiven - asssumes his rôle as the consecrated Cohen Gadol or High Priest of Israel (Lev.8:9).
The Complex Relationship Between the Chief Players
As with Moses, there is a progression of character-refinement in the assistants of the Navi (Prophet) but Yahweh holds back His calling for this very fallible of men until this moment. Moses is not the only prominent figure in the First Exodus and is dependent on his helpers from the very beginning. There is a complex interplay between the personalities of any gathering of believers and one of the reasons we need to understand the divine tavnith (pattern) of Elohim's (God's) Kingdom is we must understand the mechanics of spiritual processes. By being submitted, in the proper tavnith (pattern) to Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Caleb - and indeed all Israel - was the recipient blessings coming from fulfilled promises:
"Anyone who receives a [true] navi (prophet) because he is a[n anointed] navi (prophet) will receive a navi's (prophet's) reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward" (Matt.10:41, NIV).
Know the Men of Yahweh
The success of Israel's survival depended on this relationship, not because "Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth" (Num.12:3, NIV) - though this would be a good reason to be in fellowship with anyone of such callibre - but because Yahweh's Hand and Toqef (Authority) was upon him by virtue of his calling.
Submission in Righteousness in Tavnith Matters
I mentioned this to you recently when it comes to the order of the local assembly and its pastor too - it's important because until the lessons of submission in righteousness to earthly authority is learned, it is unlikely the same will be learned in respect of Heaven - and that, you will agree, will be essential during this Last Exodus. That's why parents are so important in the development of a child and why a bad relationship with a father will damage a child's perception and trust of his Heavenly Father.
Fullfillment and Submission
The excuse that we have had brushes with bad authority figures in the Church or Messianic Assembly is not acceptable even if the emotional reflex is understandable. I myself have had one such experience when I belonged to a very authoritarian church and was hounded day and night when I left it. That experience nearly destroyed all my trust in authority structures in general. But deep down we have this need to be submitted to righteous toqef (authority) and can't find fulfillment until we have had that experience. Surrender to righteousness is blessed which is why surrender to ungodliness is hell.
Aaron Tries the Coheadship Move
Aaron tried the co-headship gambit together with Miriam and was severly rebuked along with his sister - his failure with the golden calf finally made him realise that he could not trust himself, in spite of his emunah (faith). Did Moses err? For sure, as we know when he and Aaron took credit for the second water-out-of-the-rock miracle in a moment of anger and carelessness. It cost him his entry into the Promised Land but did not negate his ministry. The Aaron's and Miriam's have to learn submission so that they can find simcha (joy) in their callings. A reason Joshua and Caleb went on to be the primary distinguished leaders of the second generation is precisely because they were submitted and loyal, never rebelling and not giving a bad report as the other 10 spies had done because of their lack of emunah (faith).
The Lessons of Aaron
Humbled by his weakness, Aaron, after his golden calf fiasco, never gave Moses or Yahweh trouble thereafter that we know about. Most of us need humbling like this one way or another, few from the penultimate generation will go on to serve with the last generation as few from the first generation in Moses' day went on to serve in the second. My own negative experience with fellow believers in ministry has bred in me a very different attitude to the one I began with. I was at first optimistic and naïve, like most young in the spirit, at the beginning, both about others and myself. I never realised the depths of human depravity on account of the flesh, even amongst those who claimed to be saved, and I have since come to trust little of what is called 'human' which in reality is the carnal man. Both Moses and Aaron had to learn this lesson, Aaron the hard way. We can thank Yahweh for His grace for Aaron deserved to be executed along with the other rebels. His redeeming quality was that his rebellion was not pre-meditated, for few of that disposition ever make it save it be with much weeping and humbling. He was simply weak.
Lessons from the Census and Organisation
In the chronology of the First Exodus and our quest for indicators for the Second we pass into the numbering or census of the people (Num.1:26) which, perhaps surprisingly for those who see little merit in such projects, furnishes us with all kinds of useful information. Firstly, we learn that the age of majority was, and is, according to Torah, 20 years of age. A man is not a full man until he is 20, not 21 as my generation was led to believe, or 18 or even 16 as some would wish us to believe today. The second thing of importance from the census is that it reminds us of the importance or order and organisation when believers multiply into large bodies. Small cells and house groups are small enough to manage with little in the way of any organisation. Two or three families meeting together require little or no organisation but once the numbers start increasing you have to have structure or you will descend into chaos. And if you are as diligent as Moses was, you will burn yourself out if you are not careful. Moses was blessed to have an astute father-in-law in Jethro to advise him to delegate toqef (authority) in the administering of justice and others affairs of the nation.
Why the Rebellious Generation Was Needed
Moses-men need also to be administrators. They can't avoid not being so, even with the delegation of toqef (authority). This is true both because a single human being is limited in the amount of managing he can do and also because of the painful fact that the unrefined and untested Congregation of Israel is always full of immature hot-heads and rebels. In Moses' day they never fully repented but they were needed to bring forth the next generation. We cannot do without them, a heavy burden though they may be at times.
Why We Need the Rebellious Penultimate Generation
The penultimate generation will be no different. Can you imagine the pot pourri this band is going to be? Think of all the traditions, religions and no religion that they will have converted from with all the baggage of false doctrines and social customs still clinging in one form or another. There will, unfortunately, be Korah's a lot more vehement and menacing in their challenge to the toqef (authority) of the Moses-men, who will incite those weak in the emunah (faith) to complain about the simple, if not hard, condition of the exodeers compared to the comparitive creature-comforts of the slave-class remaining in the NWO cities. There will be show-downs and the Moses-men and Aaron-men must possess the emunah (faith), toqef (authority) and power to demonstrate who is being led by who in the invisible realm. And yes, the rebels will die by the hand of Yahweh to ensure such a satanic virus does not spread to destroy the exodus of any of the tribes. This is a journey the Enemy will not be allowed to sabbotage because it is a journey in which the Children of Elohim (God) of the Last Generation are being assembeld for the Reception Committee for Yah'shua's (Jesus') return! They're the earthbound remnant of the Bride of Messiah. They're the apple of His eye (Dt.32:10; Zech.2:8).
The Young Joshua's Story
The Joshua's and Caleb's of our story, the only survivors of the first generation (Num.26:65) in Moses' day, come to prominence in two incidences, though they are true and faithful throughout the narrative - in the spying mission to Canaan (Num.13) and in the decisive battle against the Amalekites at Rephidim (Ex.17:8-15). And it's worth remembering that when Joshua was chosen as Moses' personal assistant, he was a young man still. He was put in charge of a detachment from the as-yet-unorganised tribes to repel the raiding Amalekites (Ex.17). While Moses was alone before Yahweh at Sinai, Joshua kept watch. In the Tent of Meeting he also learned to wait on Yahweh. And in the years following, something of Moses' patience and meekness was doubtless added to his valour [4]. Finally, in the plains by Jordan he was formally consecrated as Moses' successor to the military leadership, coordinate with Eleazar's priesthood [5]. He was then probably about 70 years old with Caleb a remarkably vigorous 85 when he began to occupy what would become the Judean hills (Josh.25:13-15).
Father-Son Partnerships in the Exoduses
The relationship between Moses and Joshua is both familial and prophetic - as of father to son - representing the Heavenly Father, Yahweh, and the Heavenly Son, Yah'shua (Jesus = Joshua). They are parables of higher heavenly realities, their relationship depicting the ideal father-son partnership. The Moses-men, as spiritual fathers, are likewise to be familial figures, and as family heads delegate toqef (authority) to their spiritual sons who eventually succeed them as heads of the tribal households. Their relationship depicts the relationship between the Old and New Covenants, all toqef (authority) being given to the sons until such a time as that stewardship ends and the toqef (authority) is returned to the fathers. We see the same with Yahweh and Yah'shua (Jesus):
"The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he 'has put everything under his feet.' Now when it says that 'everything' has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include Elohim (God) Himself, who put everything under Messiah. When He has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to Him (Yahweh the Father) who put everything under Him, so that Elohim (God) may be all in all" (1 Cor.15:26-28, NIV).
The Father and Son Relationship is a Key to Divine Tavnith
The Passing of Spiritual Keys in the Father-Son Hierarchy
This is why, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses appeared with Yah'shua (Jesus) and Elijah to the apostles Peter, James and John, and not with Joshua who was the apprentice-son to whom was given the keys temporarily until they could be returned to he (Moses, the Father-Overcomer of the First Generation) who had given them. This completing-the-circle is important to understand in heavenly family relationships, as sons pass their keys and authorities back up the spiritual line through the generations to Yah'shua (Jesus) and thence - finally - to the Father, Yahweh-Elohim. Thus the 12 end-time apostles, at the great consummation, will pass their keys to the original 12 who will return them to Messiah and thence to the Father.
The Rights of Sons
Moses, though a spiritual father to Joshua, is a spiritual son to the Heavenly Father and that intimate relationship is made manifest in the familiar conversation between them. Sons can ask for things of their fathers that those who are not sons cannot. Moses, as we have seen, is interceeding much and the Father is moved by the prayers of His son where the prayers of the rebels are unheard. It is often forgotten that the Assembly of Israel was bent on murdering Moses and Aaron!
"But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of Yahweh appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites. Yahweh said to Moses, 'How long will these people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they'" (Num.14:10-12, NIV).
A Tenfold Murderous Spirit and the Plea of Moses
This attitude was in the hearts if the children of Israel on ten separate occasions and the tenth time literally broke the patience of the Most High. His grace to them was exhausted. Only the plea of His son Moses prevented the deserved execution:
"Moses said to Yahweh, 'Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By Your power You brought these people up from among them. And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, O Yahweh, are with these people and that You, O Yahweh, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stays over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. If you put these people to death all at one time, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, 'Yahweh was not able to bring these people into the land He promised them on oath; so He slaughtered them in the desert.'
"Now may Yahweh's strength be displayed, just as you have declared: 'Yahweh is slow to anger, abounding in ahavah (love) and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.' In accordance with Your great ahavah (love), forgive the sin of these people, just as You have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.'
"Yahweh replied, 'I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of Yahweh fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw My glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed Me and tested Me ten times -- not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated Me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it'" (Num.14:13-24, NIV).
The Generations That Must Perish
There are so many important things to comment on here. First, though the people were forgiven of the death sentence they richly deserved, they were punished inasmuch as they did not enter the Promised Land. Translated eschatalogically, this means they did not inherit the first resurrection but the second which is reserved for disobedient believers. The same will be true of the vast bulk of the penultimate generation in our day, sad to say, who though they accompany the Remnant are not the Remnant itself. They perish along the way and never make it to the final goal. They die metaphorically east of the Jordan down in the wilderness of Midian from whence Moses triumphantly arose refined and prepared for his great calling.
The Two Clouds and the Two Pillars of Fire
Also remember that Yahweh forgives the tenfold rebellion on account of the glory He sent with Israel for His own Name's sake, because of the witness to the unbelieving nations. Moses specifically mentions the "pillar of cloud by day and [the] pillar of fire by night" which were supernatural signs of Yahweh's presence. Do you remember the prophecy I cited earlier in connection with the seven women seeking one man? Let me remind you what the fourth chapter of Isaiah goes on to say as the navi (prophet) speaks of the future and to the Second Exodus:
"In that day the Branch of Yahweh will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called qadosh (holy, set-apart), all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. Yahweh will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. Then Yahweh will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain" (Isa.4:2-6, NIV).
The Various Jerusalems
There are many great and wonderful and deep things hidden up in this chapter that pertain to the Final Gathering and Second Exodus. Note especially that the same protection is accorded the Second Exodus as the First. The "survivors in Israel" point to Messianic Israel, and "those who are left in Zion" to the Remnant. The "Jerusalem" which they "remain" in is not, of course, the literal physical one (which today is Hagar and Mount Sinai of the Old Covenant and slavery - Gal.4:25) but the spirit of the [New] "Jerusalem that is above [and] is free" (Gal.4:26, NIV) which the Remnant of the Second Exodus will physically meet when it descends out of heaven and occupies the place presently taken up by the modern City of Hagar. In the wider sense, this "Jerusalem", on which judgment is being poured now - and will be poured in the days immediately ahead - is the Bodu of Messiah on the earth, both the Remnant in the Sanctuary and the rebellious majority in the Outer Court.
The Nature of National Punishments
Yahweh forgave the tenfold rebellion of Israel in the wilderness even as He had punished the historical tenfold rebellion of the enslaving pagan Egypt with ten plagues. However, He is obliged as an Elohim (God) of Justice to bring His own people to account, even as He did rebellious Israel and Judah later after the settlement, postponing the final judgment of the latter until after Messiah came both for the sake of righteous King David and so that His Davar (Word) in the form of the messianic prophecies might not be rendered void. Judah was kept 'alive' in the Covenant Land, not for their sake, but for the sake of the righteous Elect and for the sake of the Father's Qadosh (Holy, Set-Apart) Name so that His Davar (Word) would be seen to be immutable and trustworthy.
The Mysterious Causes of Deliverance Events
So we may not always be 'getting away' with sin because of grace being extended to us necessarily but because of grace being extended to others on a higher spiritual platform on account of their righteous prayers. Think about that occasionally. Or it may be because we are required to raise up another generation more righteous than ourselves. The reason things are done are not always immediately apparent to the finite mind so we should be careful in our analysis of why Yahweh does things in certain ways rather than others.
Korah, Death in the Wilderness and the Brazen Serpent
The incident of the spies in Canaan (Num.13) and Moses' intercession for the rebellion (Num.14:13) is followed close on its heels by the sedition of Korah (Num.16). Entry is denied into the Promised Land follows because of the peoples' unbelief (Num.20:12; 29:12; Dt.1:35; 3:23) and the first generation of Israel is then ignominiously led into the wilderness to die once the second generation is of age (Num.20:21). Finally, I make mention of the incident of the brazen serpent (Num.21:9; Jn.3:14), further evidence of that generation's cursedness.
Chronology of the Last Exodus
Remember that the parallels of all of these things happen NOW before the actual physical translocation part of the Second Exodus. These things will not be happening during the Second Exodus because it will consist only of the Last generation plus the handful of Jushua's and Caleb's of the first who truly overcame from the penultimate generation. The years ahead - before the dramatic journeying, first, to the Twelve Cities of Refuge right before the Great Tribulation, and then to the Promised Land to meet the returning Messiah in the air with the qodeshim (holy, set-apart ones) from before - are the gruelling journey in the wilderness for the penultimate generation of Christians and Messianics. This needs to be remembered to make sense of the prophecies and events that are unfolding now and will unfold later.
Clear Boundaries Seen When the Wheat and Tares Mature
The spiritual boundary between the Remnant and all the rest is not hazy and indistinct - it is extremely thick and clear and will become more and more visible to the spiritually blinded as both come into maturity as wheat and tares. We are seeing the very first signs of that already. And remember, the wheat when it is ripe is bowed in humility like Moses himself, heavy with their burden of fruit, whereas the ripened tares are erect, proud and arrogant, light and bearing no heavenly fruit at all.
The Wheat and Tares are Clearly Distinguishable When Ripened
The Death of Moses
Moses, having recounted Israel's history and then gives his charge to Joshua (Dt.3:25; 31:7,23) before dying in Moab on the very border of the Promised Land (Dt.34:5). There is a dispute over his body between Michael and the devil (Jude 9) and the next we hear of him is at the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt.17:3; Mk.9:4; Lk.9:30) where he appears in a glorified state with Yah'shua (Jesus). We remember him as a man of meekness and humility (Num.12:3), a man of dignity (Dt.34:10) and a man of faithfulness (Num.12:7).
"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Yah'shua (Jesus), the apostle and cohen gadol (high priest) whom we confess. He was faithful to the One (Yahweh) who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all Elohim's (God's) house" (Heb.3:1-2, NIV).
Piety Needed for Multiple Offices
What a complex and vivid character was Moses, as shall all the end-time Moses-men be, along with the Aaron-men, the Joshua-men and the Caleb-men. Moses and the Moses-men are, and shall be - indeed, must be - the epitome of pious humility (Num.12:3) because he, and they, must function in so many offices at the same time - as navi (prophet), cohen (priest), shofet (judge) and melek (king). Not many others in Scripture are likened to this great patriarch of the First Exodus - Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, Josiah and Yah'shua (Jesus).
The Secret of Moses' Greatness
What was the secret of Moses' greatness? Not his undoubted internal greatness as much as his unparalleled intimacy with Yahweh (Ex.33:34; Num.12:6-8; Dt.34:10). He was a father of his people, twice foregoing the supreme honour of begetting a new nation (Ex.32:10; Num.14:12) and is instead condemned to die in the wilderness for his people's sins (Dt.1:37; 3:27; 4:21), buried in an unknown and unvisited grave (Dt.34:6). He was even described as an elohim (god) to Aaron and Pharaoh (Ex.4:16; 7:1), and by one interpretation, his face shines with divine splendour (Dt.34:29-35). And yet he is a flawed character. Throughout his career his emunah (faith) waivers; he is given to mood swings, is inconsistently obedient to Yahweh, and is a somewhat reluctant leader.
The Unenviable Task
What can we say, then, about the 12 Moses-men to come, one of whom is the Ephraimite Prince? That these are all men who are being, and will be, raised in the furnace of affliction, for they are the sons of Moses, to be made in his image to carry out Yahweh's Exodus a second and last time. Their's will not be an easy path, it will be a lonely, exhausting and exasperating one, requiring a super-abundance of patience in affliction both from Israel's enemies without and from Israel himself within! What an unenviable task!
Yahweh's End-Time Leaders Must Be Raised in the Furnace of Affliction
Guides to the Last Generation
You who are of the Last Generation and the Remnant thereof may expect a tough but infinitely rewarding training in the years to come. There will not be many from this penultimate generation to look up to, probably no more than 50 souls even though you of the last generation be in your thousands hidden amongst the tens of thousands who shall bring you and fall along the wayside through no fault of your own. They will accuse you and be envious of you but you will know the emet (truth) and walk in its freedom, refusing to own their complaints and accusations, for you will go to the 48 for your guidance - the 12 Moses-men, the 12 Aaron-men, the 12 Joshua-men and the 12 Caleb-men.
Caleb the Wholehearted Follower of Yahweh
I have left Caleb to the very end, having spoken at length about Moses, Aaron and Joshua. Caleb is not what he seems to be for though he is numbered amongst the Judahites of the family Hezron of the clan of Perez (1 Chr.2:9,18,42), by blood he was not even an Israelite, let alone a Judahite! Some of you know what I am talking about for he was an adopted Judahite. Caleb was a descendant of the despised tribe of ESAU, a Kenizzite (Num.32:11-13; Gen.36:10-12) [6]. His name means 'bold' and 'hearty' and we know he was of immense physical strength, enjoying good health into old age. Yahweh spoke very highly of him as one having "a different spirit [who] follows Me wholeheartedly". You see, Yahweh doesn't care a fig about your race or skin colour, and Caleb is a part of the story to snub the proud, boastful and arrogant racial supremacy claims of those who may appear to be Israelies but who are not, whether by blood or by character. Caleb is there to upset the racist apple-cart and agenda, both in the First Exodus and the Second, by making Messianic Judah a house of all nations.
Caleb and Joshua the Faithful
Conclusion
I hope that this study has been helpful as the Remnant looks forward to what is to come. Obviously more could be said and will be said in the days ahead. We need both the correct map for the immediate journey ahead and to start putting our doctrinal stakes into the ground by declaring, by covenant and by sacrifice, that this is Yahweh's House and this is the place I want to belong and build up the remainder of my days. Next week I want to focus on the women of the Remnant and the important rôle they will play and with that study we will conclude this series. May Yahweh bless you until then. Amen.
Continued in Part 4
Endnotes
[1] Exodus 19:25; 20-23; 34:10; 35:1; Leviticus 1; Numbers 5-6,15,27-30,36; Deuteronomy 13-26
[2] Exodus 25-31,35,40; Numbers 4,8-10,18-19
[3] B.R.Hicks, Precious Gem in the Tabernacle (Jeffersonville, Indiana: 1961); Kevin J. Conner, The Tabernacle of Moses: The Riches of Redemption's Story as Revealed in the Tabernacle, Vol.1 of the Divine Habitation Trilogy (City Christian Publishing, Portland, Oregon: 1976); Alex W. Ness, Pattern for Living: The Tabernacle, Priesthood, Offerings and Feasts (Christian Center Publications, Downsview, Ontario, Canada: 1979) and many articles on the NCCG.ORG website
[4] Exodus 24:13; 32:17; 33:11; Numbers 11:28
[5] Numbers 27:18ff.; 34:17; cp. Deuteronomy 3, 31 where Joshua's leadership is naturally emphasised
[6] See, Asenath: Seventh Matriarch of Israel
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