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Scriptures Num 21:8, John 3:14 January, 2010 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass,
Subject - We Must Face Our Sins, or Die in Them that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: PLAY/DOWNLOAD [MP3] In the book of Numbers, the scripture above, details a story of how God, being angry at His people, for consistently rebelling against Him, by complaining to Moses, about how hard things have been on them since they were delivered from slavery, sent serpents among them, to kill them. You would need to read about all of the things that had happened to them while they were in slavery to Egypt, and follow their exploits, after they got out, and were on their way to the promised land, to get the full picture of just why, the Loving and Merciful God that we know, would do such a thing to His people. For the majority of people that think they know Him, it is hard to fathom Him doing this, even to His enemies, let alone, His people. However, here it is. What we see happening in the 3 verses ahead of the first scripture, is the fact that when these serpents began killing the people, they, as they had done before, ran to Moses, confessing that they had sinned, and wanting him to pray to God for their deliverance. Num 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. Num 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Num 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. Well, God instructed Moses to make an image of a fiery serpent, like the ones that were killing the people, and put it on a staff, and hold it up before the people. And then he said that whoever is bitten by one of the serpents, if they looked on the serpent, which Moses, was holding up, they would live. Well, just exactly what was the significance of this?? To understand it, let's look at another scripture, found in the New Testament epistle of Romans. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. These serpents, represented a physical manifestation of the sin, the people were committing by rebelling against Moses, who was God's anointed representative to them. And as 2 other scriptures bear witness of what happens when you go against those that God has His hand on, 1Chr 16:21-22 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm, and, Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. In both instances, the warning is given about what happens to any one that threatens, abuses [physically or mentally], or complains about what any anointed person, that is following God's directive, is doing, because they are actually going against God. What God was making them do, is face their sin, and recognize it for what it was [their rebellion against Him]. If they did that, they would live. You see, before any of us can be truly delivered from the curse of sin, we must first, face it, and acknowledge it. 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. How many times, have I, before I got saved, tried to deny the fact that I was a sinner?? How many times did you want to curse someone out, for daring to call you a sinner, that was going to hell, if you stayed in your sin?? How many of you, tried to avoid that person like the plague?? How many of us have pointed out others transgressions, who, in our minds, were far worse than ours?? All of these, are examples of us, not being willing to acknowledge our own sins, which, are the reasons many of us are suffering, and dying, today. If we look at the gay community for example, we will see a group of people that are in total denial of their sinful nature. They are at war against anyone that implies that they are committing an abomination in the eyes of God. They actively attack any one, especially Christians, that actually want to help them get delivered from their bondage to homosexuality. Even former gays [those that have been delivered by God, through Jesus Christ, when they come back to help others get delivered, are branded liars, that have been deceived, and trying to deceive others, about being delivered [meaning they are denying the power of God, through Christ], to deliver them. These people, who make up about 10% of the population, account for about 80% of all the AIDS cases in the nation. Even with the advances in medicine, that are prolonging the lives of those that are HIV positive, gays, still die faster than others affected with it. This prompted some in the gay community, to speak out, in doubt that Magic Johnson, has HIV, because he doesnt show any signs of the disease, after all these years. In short, the cures are working great for every one else, but the gay community. Why is that?? Because they refuse to acknowledge their sin [fiery serpent] by facing it, for what it is. And therefore, God, who is continually extending His Grace toward them, is letting it [the fiery serpent], destroy them, because they are fighting against Him. Oh, what a dangerous thing it is, to not only refuse to acknowledge [look at] the sin in our lives, but to actually fight against God, to do it. They have even gone so far, as to make Him, a part of their abomination, by claiming, He made them that way. All so they won't have to face the Truth. The extent people will go to avoid facing the Truth about themselves, has no end. Especially when concerns how they perceive themselves. That my friends, is pride. And what does God have to say about it??? Psa 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor[in spirit also]: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. Psa 59:12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak. Psa 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Prv 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. And let's not forget this one, Prv 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. The reason people don't want to face the truth about themselves, is usually their pride. Can you imagine going through your life thinking you have been right about something, and educating others about the same thing, then having to admit that all those years, you have been wrong?? Your have to face your family, friends, and others, possibly be the focus of ridicule, all because you have egg on your face. That is what God can do to anyone that thinks they can defy Him, and get away with it. Not only that, as bad as it is, but think about this. You die, and come before Christ, the Christ many people don't think exists, and have Him, tell you 'Depart from Me, in to everlasting torment.' The situation with the serpents, is symbolic of the Spiritual condition of all of those that refuse the Truth about themselves, and their final judgment, by Christ. Now, take a look at the second subject scripture. Many ministers, in an effort to explain[expound] this scripture, tend to send forth the wrong message. What they try to say, by comparing this scripture, with the one it is referring to [the first subject scripture] is that the serpent, scripturally representative of Satan, is a type of Christ. Any Christian should realize, this is a gross misrepresentation, comparing a serpent to Christ, or vice versa. Those ministers, are not necessarily being deceived, even though some are, and not all of them are trying to deceive, even though some are. It is usually the fact that they fail to clarify what it is they want to say, as well as a failure of those that hear them, to ask for clarification. That failure, can lead to many souls, heading down a path, that can ultimately lead to their destruction. No one should be ashamed to admit they have been wrong, because, at times all of us have been wrong about something, concerning our stance on certain aspects of the bible, but, that is how we grow. I am always open to godly criticism, and will search the scriptures to see if what I believe is from God, is really from Him, or from my own fleshly mindset. The last thing we need, is a person, who, through stubborn pride, would rather fight than switch. Any person like that, is dangerous. |