"BORDERLAND"

There they were, spread out in the valley, the tents of Israel, camped near the borders of the Promised Land. Forty long years they had wandered in the wilderness because of their rebellion and insubordination. Now, at last, it seemed like they were on their way home.

The camp showed perfect order and was relatively quiet. The people were weary and outside of caring for the basic needs of daily life, were resting in their tents. They weren’t too worried about the conquest of Canaan, their leadership was responsible for that and they would figure it out. But even now they were failing God.

God was giving them a respite, during which time He had wanted them to search their hearts earnestly and put away all sin. It was to be a time of re-consecration, of seeking the Lord with their whole minds, hearts and souls. But instead, they relied on the leadership to do all that, they were not that interested in humbling their hearts before God, and after all, they were Gods chosen people, so it didn’t really matter—God loved them anyway.

Soon the weariness of the journey left them and restlessness took its place. They were in a hurry to be on their way heading into Canaan but the pillar over the tabernacle remained quiet. God wanted them to realize that trials lay ahead of them. Wars would have to be fought; some of them would die in these wars. Were these people ready for their probation to close? His eyes saw that while there was at least some outward obedience amongst them, few had any real heart relationship to Him and what was even sadder, few were interested in becoming any more holy than they already thought they were.

Thoughts of the pleasures and peace of the Promised Land filled their minds and the desire for sensual indulgence ran high in their priorities. Soon something cropped up that should never be found in the mind of any true follower of God, they became bored. Instead of earnestly preparing in heart and mind for what lay ahead, and there was little enough time for that vital work, they became bored.

Satan was watching closely and he knew just when the time had come to offer them some exciting diversions. Soon attractive women began to stroll into the camp from the temples of heathen idolatry not far from where they rested. Pleasant conversation ensued and soon invitations were pressed to the Israelites to come and enjoy the holiday cheer that was soon to be celebrated in the temples of Middian and Moab.

The children of Israel knew that God had forbidden them at this time to conquer the lands of these two peoples. Perhaps, this was misinterpreted by some, as meaning that their worship wasn’t entirely displeasing to God. Just as many among us today feel that because we are told that God has children in the fallen churches of Babylon, these churches are really OK and we can feel free to join with them in ‘innocent’ folly.

Many among the Israelites decided to go and have some fun. "After all, you have to relax sometimes; you can’t be religious all the time. One needs some entertainment to take one’s mind off his problems. We are supposed to be a happy people and God wants us to have fun in this life. God wants us to live ‘vibrant Christian lives’; we need to show others that being a child of God does not make us unable to have fun. And also, how can we expect those from other churches to want to come to our church if we don’t go to theirs? After all, we are all children of the same heavenly Father and God loves everyone of us equally".

And so the hollow, vapid excuses and rationalizations were passed from tongue to tongue and the real cause of these rationalizations; the un-subdued love of sensual pleasure, selfish indulgence and hearts unconverted to God, found comfort in assuring themselves that, while going their own corrupt ways, they were still OK with God and accepted by Him. After all, they WERE His special people, and nothing could change that, could it?

Some at first ventured cautiously to the early festivities of the holiday celebrations, but as they did not see anything that was ‘terribly bad’; they became even bolder, deciding to really enjoy themselves. (Familiarity with sin leads to blindness) It was fun and these people were so friendly, after all, they were Israel’s neighbours and God wants us to be neighbourly. It isn’t right to be disrespectful of someone else’s religious beliefs; is it? We can always find a ‘good’ reason to do what we have already made up our minds to do anyway.

Soon others seeing the excitement and exhilaration of the first visitors to the festivities as they returned, ventured to go along with it. After all, it was so boring in the camp and one can only do so much praying and stuff like that and one needs a break; we’re only human after all! God doesn’t expect us to deny ourselves every little pleasure. (Strange how those who do not know God and have never fully surrendered to Him and find His service to be boring and restrictive; seem to be such great authorities on what God expects or doesn’t expect!)

Soon many in the camp were off to the fun and as they attended the feasting and indulged appetite, soon they joined in the dancing. Then they went on in folly until they actually took part in the unholy worship of these heathen idols. I am sure most never intended to go as far as they did in these things, but sensual indulgence puts the mind to sleep and silences the watchdogs of reason and conscience.

The Bible tells us that Israel was joined unto Baal Peor. What a sad, sad testimony is there portrayed in those 6 words. Perhaps some woke up and repented in sorrow before the Lord, but many had become so hardened and blind in their rebellion that when the plague of God’s wrath was destroying among them and people were dying and the repentant ones were on their faces weeping before the Lord in heartbroken confession, they were still open and bold in their indulgence of lust and perversion.

The one greatest example of this terrible blindness that rebellious sin lays upon those who choose its flowery paths is Zimri, who was one of the leaders of the tribes of Israel. Even when the displeasure of God was falling on Israel for their wickedness, he still felt no fear in parading his sin openly before God and His people. He was proud of the fact that he had finally cast off the shackles of the threats and warnings of that old prophet, Moses, and could live a life of freedom. He would let nothing stand in the way of the plans he had. After all, he had a close relationship here with one of the highest ruling families in Midian—this would certainly be an advantage to himself and Israel too for that matter.

We are told that 24,000 died in the plague and scourge of Baal-Peor. The faithful leaders and people were commanded to stand up against this wicked apostasy and slay the leaders and hang their heads up to warn others. All the rest who were involved, that did not repent, died that day.

24,000 who truly believe that they were about to go into the Promise Land, perished and were lost. Oh that they would have spent the precious time given them of God for study, heart searching and cultivating primitive godliness! Pleasure seeking and holiday festivities did not turn out to be so ‘innocent’ after all.

Did being part of the nation of Israel, God’s ‘chosen’ people help the guilty ones? Did Moses stand up under the influence of God and declare, "Oh, it’s OK, after all the wheat and the tares have to grow together."

Did God reassure them of His loving them so much that He would accept them anyway? Think about it! Open sin had to be dealt with openly. The faithful were commanded to slay the ones that had incurred God’s wrath.

God is the same now as He was then. That same God who ordered the destruction of the ones joined to Baal-Peor is Jesus; the same Jesus whose mercy and tender love is made manifest in His life and death in the New Testament.

Now before anyone gets the idea that we are to physically kill anybody, remember that these literal examples in ancient Israel are to be reapplied as spiritual lessons for us today. But it is clear that those among us that are joined to Baal-peor; joined to worldly ways and indulgences contrary to the physical and moral Laws of the Lord; those who have made agreements with the churches and organizations of Babylon, whether leaders or laity, should be clearly rebuked and if unwilling to repent and obey, they have no place within the ranks of the true people of God.

"Moses and the people who had taken no part in this great departure from God's law, were weeping and lamenting at the door of the tabernacle for the sins of the people, and the plague that had begun. But amid all this demonstration of sorrow, this prince defied the judges to molest him if they dared. The priests were weeping between the porch and the altar, crying, "Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach."… The point to be marked is, that Moses' prayers were not heard, neither his weeping nor the sorrow and prayers of those who had maintained their integrity, until justice was executed upon that demoralized, God defying prince. … Something besides prayers and tears are needed in a time when reproach and peril are hanging over God's people. The wicked works must be brought to an end." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 05-17-87

Friends, so many have said to me, "Well, I have to remain in the official church. I know God will sort it out some day. I often seen things I know are not good, but I go along with it for the sake of my friends who need my love and encouragement."

"My message to you is: No longer consent to listen without protest to the perversion of truth." Selected Messages Book 1, pg. 196

Maybe your friends would stand for truth if you spoke up and refused to be a part of a wrong course of action; but we have this conspiracy of silence; this ‘look the other way’ mentality. I am sure many perished in Baal-Peor who had just gone along with it for the sake of friends.

I am sure there were many who would have gotten on the ark but didn’t want to be different and leave their friends. After all, who wants to be considered an extremist? I am going to tell you a fact; only extremists for truth are going to make it through! The ‘blind eyes’ and ‘dumb dogs’ are going to perish in the wilderness!

The Borderland is a dangerous place to be. We are warned countless times in inspired counsel to be alert and watchful. Satan is working with ten-fold more efficiency now than ever before. Those 24,000 in Israel had no idea that they would never set foot in the Promise Land; they were saved, on their way to heaven, members in good and regular standing and all the rest. How many among us today will perish in the Borderland? How many who are so sure they are OK with God, will spend the millennium as rotting bones scattered on this earth instead of walking the golden streets? Oh, dear ones! The fact is it will be MOST of us!!

What trapped these people? Sensual indulgence, entertainment, fun and frivolity but above all, the subtle snares of spiritualism! Spiritualism; with its changing colours like a chameleon; its shifting, sparkling delusions like a kaleidoscope; its comforting assurances of higher knowledge; its ‘personally meaningful’ sensations; its promises of an easier way than the blood stained path.

Friends, spiritualism is all around us. The frogs issuing from the mouth of the Beast, the Dragon and the False Prophet are swarming in the land; AND they are swarming among us as well. Just as the frogs of Egypt swarmed in the houses of Israel as well as in those of the Egyptians, the deceptions of spiritualism are rank among us and many are being deceived by what they think are loving, Christian sentiments that really have no higher source for their authority than the prince of darkness himself.

We hope in future articles in this series to take a look at some of these spiritualistic concepts that are crawling around amongst us.

We are in the Borderland! May God open blind eyes, and loose the dumb tongues; this is our prayer!