allan svensson

The people of God's wandering through the desert

The people of Israel's wandering through the desert correspond to the
Assembly's wandering through the world. This world is like as a desert.
The heavenly manna that we have to life of is God's word. Jesus is the
Word. John 1:1-5. He is the living bread that has come down from
heaven. John 6:32-35, 47-49.

When Israel's people want to have water to drink, the Lord said to
Moses that he would take his rod and smite the rock and water came
out of the rock. Exodus 17:1-7. Another time said the Lord that he
would speak unto the rock and the rock would give water. Numbers
20:7-13. But instead of speak to the rock, he smote the rock with his
rod. The Lord was angry with Moses and said, therefore, ye shall
not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Why? Oh, the rock symbolized Jesus Christ, he who is our rock of
salvation. 1 Cor. 10:4. He has once been bruised for our iniquities.
Isaiah 53:5. Now we need only to speak to this Rock and he gives
us of his living water. Please, read John 4:10-14, 7:37-39.

The manna in the desert tasted like wafers made with honey.
Exodus 16:31. As the taste of fresh oil. Numbers 11:8. The
heavenly manna, which is God's word, is also very good. It is
sweeter than honey. Psalm 119:103. The statutes of the Lord
are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is
pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring for ever: the judgements of the Lord are true and
righteous together. More to be desired are they than gold, yea,
than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the
honeycomb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: and
in keeping of them there is great reward. Psalm 19:8-11.

Though the people of Israel were allowed to eat of the good
manna, they grumbled yet. They were rebellious and longing
back to Egypt. So it is also now. Though the heavenly manna,
God's word, is the absolute best spiritual food and taste superb,
there are many who are peevish and rebellious. They are not
at all happy about the Lord's commands. For them the rock of
salvation has been a rock that makes them fall. Rom. 9:33.
1 Peter 2:4-8.

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant,
how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud
and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did
all drink the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual
Rock that followed them : and that Rock was Christ. But with
many of them God was not well pleased: for they were
overthrown in the wildness. Now all these things happened


that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Cor. 10:1-5,
11-12. This is of great immediate interest now. God is not
pleased with many of those who are called Christians, and their
bodies become scattered in the desert of this world.

We can read in Ezekiel 18:24 "But when the righteous turneth
away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth
according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth,
shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not
be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his
sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die." "When I shall say
to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own
righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall
not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed,
he shall die for it." Ezekiel 33:13.

One day many apostates will say to the Lord: "Lord, Lord, have
we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then
will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity!" Matt. 7:21-23. On the day of judgement the
Lord shall not remember their righteousness. It will be like as he
had never knew them.

Like as the Lord on the day of judgement will not remember our
sins, which have been obliterated through the propitiatory sacrifice
of Jesus, so the Lord will neither remember the righteousness that
backsliders once have done. Through their unfaithfulness and
apostasy they lose all their righteousness. It will be like as their
righteousness had never existed. Please, also read Ezekiel
18:21-24, 33:10-20. Rom. 11:17-22 and Hebr. 10:26-31.

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