YE HAVE COMPASSED THIS MOUNTAIN LONG ENOUGH
As the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness to the Promised Land, they spent 40 years. In certain areas they spent a long time and generally got into trouble because of their behaviors. Sometimes, they strayed as to go against God and his prophet. In Deut. 2, they tarried around mount Seir, many days; were content there, but that was not the Promised Land. It is like saying you accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and live your life as you please. Following the tradition of men instead of the word of God. God told the children of Israel in Deut. 2:3, “Ye have compassed this mountain long enough, turn you northwards.” This is something for you to think about, because you may find yourself stuck in the past. You may need to make a turn from drinking milk to eating strong meat. Some remain Christian babies, never growing up because of traditions of men.
In the days of John the Baptist, he preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sin, (Luke 3:3). He had disciples who followed and listened to him. He rebuked the people and their religious leaders. He told them to change their ways and that he was only preparing the way for someone greater than himself. One day Jesus was passing by, and John the Baptist sighted him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” And two of John’s disciples that heard him say that, immediately left John and followed Jesus (John 1:37). Jesus turned around and saw them, and they asked him where he was abiding. He graciously invited them to come and visit with him and they abode with him that day. Who knows what he must have told them. You are never truly the same after you have been with Jesus, except you are of perdition. According to the Bible one of the two men who left John the Baptist and followed Jesus was Andrew. When Andrew left John the Baptist and followed Jesus he never turned back to John. John was more than a prophet, preached sound words and was of good report. He baptized Jesus. But he also testified about Jesus Christ. He said, Jesus will increase and I will decrease. This statement by John, that put a serious conviction in Andrew was, “This is the Lamb of God.” Andrew followed the Lamb of God and never returned to the old revelation, of John; because it was already fulfilled. John will be decreasing. Many do not realize it in their spiritual life today and they get stale.
Today, many people, including many who have proclaimed accepting Jesus Christ, are locked up in incomplete redemption or traditions and doctrines of men. Many denominations believe in salvation but think that healing was not part of the promise, and it was past. They preach salvation but leave out healing for the body. Jesus paid for our sickness and disease by His stripes (Isaiah 53:5 and 1st Peter 2:24) and paid for our sin with his blood. If you are in such a denomination, do like Andrew did, follow the revelation where you have total salvation preached and do not look back. In Acts 19:1-7, you will read about those who held on to the baptism unto repentance by John; and either ignored the teachings of Christ or never were taught about the correct baptism, which is only in Jesus Christ. The baptism of John is water only, but the baptism in Jesus Christ is with Holy Ghost and fire. When Paul preached to them they were re-baptized. They were humble enough to accept the truth of the new revelation in Jesus Christ. Many today are so caught up with their denomination and will not tolerate any other teaching.
A precious brother once told me in the early seventies when the Holy Ghost baptism was introduced to many young Christians; that he would live and die a Wesleyan Methodist. He did not move on with the talk of Holy Ghost baptism. Many Christian when taught correctly about baptism went and re-baptized. In Matt 28, Jesus told his disciple to go into the world preaching the gospel and baptizing the people in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. All the apostles baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38), (Acts 8:16), (Acts 10:48) and (Acts 19:5). The Roman Catholic Church introduced the confusion of baptism in three Gods or trinity doctrine; and all the Protestants and some Pentecostals copied it. The followers of John the Baptist in Ephesus, were re-baptized when they listened to Paul. The NAME for baptism is the NAME, the Son of man came with. That is the NAME of the Father. In John 5:43, Jesus said, “I am come in my Father’s NAME.” That NAME is JESUS CHRIST. Jesus said, baptizing them in the NAME not NAMES. And that NAME is Jesus Christ. The apostles who were given the instruction face to face, heard and understood the instruction and baptized in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST in obedience.
Jesus Christ met Paul on the way to Damascus, and he heard the voice and NAME of God, “I AM JESUS CHRIST WHOM THOU PERSECUTEST.” Paul never disobeyed God, he baptized and re-baptized some people in the NAME of Jesus Christ the way the Lord instructed the apostles. Then came religious masters who were not there when Jesus spoke to the apostles about baptism, yet they tell you that the apostles were wrong and trinity style was the correct one. Jesus never introduced himself to them as he did to Paul and they think Paul made a mistake in baptism. If you find yourself baptizing people or you were not baptized in the way the apostles did it; then that baptism needs to be repeated correctly like the apostles did. Follow the Lord Jesus Christ like Andrew did and leave the old revelation of your denomination if it is not in line with the apostles. Except if you have a word from God, that the apostles were wrong. If in doubt go to our Father and ask him. We are all children of God and not grand-children.
Many today are still clinging to the revelations that brought forth the Methodist, Episcopal, Pentecostal, Baptist, Evangelicals, Roman Catholic churches; even the Scripture Union: But forget that at this end of time the evils and short comings of all the seven church ages (Rev. 2 and 3) must be avoided but aspire for the rewards. At this time the goal of all Jesus Christ professing persons, groups and families should be like Andrew, go for the eternal and never return to the past, man modified tradition with religious coatings. The revelation and goal for the Christian is salvation of the lost, deliverance for those trapped by satan and the soon coming of the Lord in the air. It will be sudden, in an hour you think not. Do like Andrew leave John the Baptist and follow after Jesus Christ. Andrew recognized the hour of the visitation of Jesus Christ and followed the Lamb of God, abandoning the Baptist who already pointed to the Lamb, the Savoir. Today, many, even with a revelation from God will hold on to the teachings of their denomination which are not linked to the direction God is moving. Andrew immediately looked up and brought his brother Peter to the Messiah. He told his brother we have found the Messiah. You ask what about John the Baptist? His message was done, he had pointed to the Lord. Those who have the revelation in their heart like Andrew, will be moved with the revelation of Jesus Christ, and drop their dogmas and human traditions that rule many churches today. The revelation was personal to Andrew and it should be personal to you; but will the results be the same? Do not turn back. Do like Andrew, when the revelation hits you too, and you find and accept the Lamb of God. Ye have compassed this denominational mountain long enough, turn like Andrew and follow Jesus Christ to his secret place, and abide with him the whole day. Your eyes will be opened and you will never be the same again. Study the word diligently and faithfully and you will have the same conclusion, that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, (John 20:28). You will know the NAME.
107 – YE HAVE COMPASSED THIS MOUNTAIN LONG ENOUGH