ONE NEW MAN Possessing The Land (Chap 16)

A few pastors had taught on the One New Man, spoken of in Eph 2:14-18. When Israel finally comes to recognize Jesus as their Promised Messiah, the dividing wall of hostility between the nation of Israel and the gentile Church will be broken down and the two will become One New Man. This One New Man will be a powerful end-time testimony and weapon of warfare. The anointing of GOD will be unhindered as brothers dwell together in unity (Ps 133) and together we shall be able to tap every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies spoken of in the book of Ephesians (Eph 1:3).

Eph 2:14-15 “For He is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,” [RSV]

In what way, or ‘how’ can the two function closely even as One Man? And how could their functioning together be used as a witness and an instrument of war. Could the end times Christian Economies be that vehicle by which the two shall operate mightily as the One New Man. Together we will possess the land.

Heb 11:39 “And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since GOD had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect” [RSV]

Possessing the Promised Land is the prosperity and good success that the Lord wants to give His people (Deut 8:7-10). And GOD gave us the formulae for it in Jos 1:8. It should be interesting to note that it is Joshua who had to make his own way prosperous and have good success by meditating on the law of the Lord day and night and be careful to do according to all that is written in it. And GOD’s Word says to ‘Walk out of Babylon’ (Is 48:20; Is 52:11-12) and ‘Enter and possess the Land’. But waiting for the transfer of wealth to come is what the Church had been doing for decades. Doing just what we know how to do, like raising a family, holding a job, climbing the corporate ladder or running a small or a medium size business and being very much a part of the world, looks like not going to make the transfer of wealth happen.

Firstly, it is believed that prophesized transfer of wealth will not come if we will not walk out of Babylon. Many Christians want to see the transfer of wealth happen while in Babylon. If we gather wealth by the world’s ways, these will be subject to the wrath of GOD’s end time judgment. Yes, it was a fearsome thing to do for the Israelites then to walk out of their Egyptian masters in defiance. And the wilderness, the very idea of it is daunting although it turned out to be a time of supernatural providence and romance. But it is in entering and possessing the Promised Land that we will begin to enjoy the prosperity and success that is ours in the Lord Jesus. Taking Jer 29:11 in its context, GOD was talking to His people about their returning from places of exile (Jer 29:10-14). This coming back to your land, is a very fearsome, dangerous and difficult journey. Practically, this is so for many Jews returning to the land of their fathers, in obedience to the end time call of GOD. And so, GOD promised in Is 43:2 - "When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." For those of us making this spiritual journey, we will also literally be passing through waters (uncertainties) and going through flames (troubles). There is every risk of perishing yet the Lord GOD says, 'Fear Not'. If you will make the journey, He will undertake it.

When we go into the land we are not to follow their abominable ways for which the Lord is driving them out. There are altars and pillars to tear down; and images, cravings and high places to destroy (Deut 12:1-4). In more current terms, these would mean that certain structures and systems must be torn down and revamped. And the church should be careful of agreements, pacts or alliances that we make with the people of this world.

Deut 12:2-4 “You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, upon the high mountains and upon the hills and under every green tree; you shall tear down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; you shall hewn down graven images of their gods, and destroy their name out of that place.” [RSV]

When Israel shall accept Jesus as her promised Messiah as a nation, GOD will begin to bring to fulfillment the many prophecies concerning Israel’s end time glory and prosperity (Jer 33:6-9). And I believe that it is only when Jews and Christians begin to possess the nations as One New Man that the abundance of the sea and the wealth of the nations will begin to flow into the GOD's kingdom (Is 60:5-6), for the fulfillment of GOD's end time purposes.

Rom 11:15 “For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the whole world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?” [RSV]