The Commander of the Lord's Army

in the dark of night, while praying/talking with the LORD, He directed me to the Book of Joshua ( I had "been" in the First Chapter of the Gospel of John)

so I went to the Book of Joshua and began to read/pray (saints, you know what I mean when I say "read/pray")

and I came upon this Precious Portion of Scripture:

" When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, "No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, "Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so."

Joshua 5:13-15 (ESV)

and it suddenly occurred to me, just as it did when Jacob wrestled with "the Man" at the banks of the Jabbok river, this is Jesus. in theological terms, this is called either a theophany, or Christophany.

Its like when Peter came to Cornelius's house, the centurion bowed and worshipped, but Peter said "don't! i'm just a man!"......and I've read where men have attempted to bow and worship angels (Michael, Gabriel) and were told not to.

Now no man of flesh can look into the face of God and live, but Jacob/Israel named that place Peniel, just as the encounter with Abraham at the Oak of Mamre, when the three "men came to see Abraham and sup with him, before the two (Michael and Gabriel?) went into Gomorrah to see just how hellish this soon to be destroyed denhole was. The Son of God in flesh stayed with Abraham.

Now when I SAY Jesus, i'm only using the Name of Messiah as shorthand, because to ne, its a Wonderment the many times the Son of God, in the Old Testament came down, before the fullness of time.

This encounter with Joshua is an even more obscure wonderment, because it stood on the Eve, of the 12 Tribes, at the Word of the LORD, RUTHLESSLY ridding the Promised Land of MANY pagan tribes, told to kill every man, woman and child, and to destroy every "devoted thing".

Now, for a man, even an elite warrior, a soul suffers to actually kill women and children, it has to, and what this encounter says to me, is that the LORD is letting Joshua KNOW, that this is His Word, His Command....not man's.

In fact the only defeat in this early campaign was set in motion by Achan's sin, which was that this man, "looted" a hundred shekels and a large gold bar....which led to some sub commanders making their OWN decision, that Ai could be taken by a small scratch force of 3,000 men, who proceeded to get whooped, but all ensuing battle triumph's were when the LORD TOLD Joshua...."now".

some dear souls are driven to vexation and sorrow at the mere thought of EVERYONE slaughtered in these cities, myself included, but as we KNOW, the LORD is the same yesterday, today, forever, what flesh can plumb the Depth and Breadth of His Mind?

and then it brought my soul into TODAY, where it seems the world is on fire with the conflict of war, the "hottest" spot being the area where tis Scripture was scribed....and just as Joshua was a Hebrew, an Israelite, and bowed before the Commander of the Lord's Army....today, somehow agisnt what flesh or the mind would presume, how is it, the Israel of today has prevailed, vastly outnumbered against the same offspring, Joshua and the 12 Tribes vanquished?

The Commander of the Lord's Army?

Christ indeed and the will of God among men.

"Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, "No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.”

Interesting answer to a question that would haunt men down through the ages as they invoke God for wars that merely came from the imaginations and hard wicked hearts of men. Joshua's heart was surely right, as was Abrahams as he interceded for Sodom before the angel of the Lord ( Christ) Yet on both occasions justice was God's. May the conditions of our hearts be like Abraham and Joshua and may justice belong to God alone lest we try and steady the ark on God's behalf. God bless you Neil for your heart is good and belongs to the Lord of hosts...........bro Frank

RE: ///some dear souls are driven to vexation and sorrow at the mere thought of EVERYONE slaughtered in these cities, myself included, but as we KNOW, the LORD is the same yesterday, today, forever, what flesh can plumb the Depth and Breadth of His Mind?///

The Scripture clearly teaches that Gods means of dealing with humanity has indeed changed.

The Kingdom no longer resides with in a Physical nation but a Spiritual nation :
Matthew 21:43 1 Peter 2:9

All Men everywhere are called into this Spiritual nation :
John 12:32 Acts 17:30

This Spiritual nation is neither spread nor defended nor maintained by the Sword : John 18:36 , Matthew 26:52 Revelation 13:10

Amen! It is not true Christianity that is becoming a fleshly, warring "nation".

"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." (John 18:36)

"Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11)

Shall His disciples not drink from the cup of suffering? The servants are not greater than the Master.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;" (2 Cor 10:3-4)

A little truth below to clarify God's present dealings with Israel and the Church/

Are Jews, Jews, and is Israel, Israel in the New Testament? Do They Still Have a Covenant with God?

by Clarence H. Wagner, Jr.
ABSOLUTELY. THE BIBLE IS CLEAR ON THIS.

1) The Jews are Israelites, not Gentiles (Rom. 9:4).

2) To Israel still belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship and the promises (Rom. 9:4).

3) The gifts and calling of God for Israel are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29).

4) There are 77 references to Israel in the NT and none of them refer to the Church. Try replacing the words, "the Church," where Israel is mentioned and the passage is rendered unreadable and silly, e.g., Rom. 10:1, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." If you put "the Church" where Israel is mentioned, then it is redundant. The Church is the body of saved believers, so how could Paul's prayer be for the Church to be saved?

5) Psalm 105 has a seven-fold affirmation of God's promises of Canaan to Abraham. This is an everlasting promise, as was Genesis 12:1-3.

Jeremiah 31:35-37 speaks of the everlasting nature of God's promises to and for Israel, the Jewish people, which is as sure as the sun that shines by day and the moon and stars that glow in the night.

7) The end-time prophecies, which speak of the return of the House of Jacob to their land (Israel) and its restoration, have overwhelmingly been fulfilled in Israel and the Jewish people in the past 120 years. (See, Isa. 11:11-12; Eze. 37:1-14; Eze. 36; Eze. 35:1, Isa. 43:5,6; Jer. 16:14-16; Isa. 60:9-11; Isa. 49:22-23, etc.).

8) The Gospel and Yeshua came "to the Jews first, then the Greek" (Rom. 2:9,10; Matt:10:5-7;15:24). There is a distinction in roles between the two. Galatians 3:28 says: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This is speaking of everyone's standing before God as equals, because we are all sinners saved by God's grace and the atoning work on the Cross. Nevertheless, our roles here on earth are definitely distinct; e.g., men and women, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, etc. all have distinct roles to play. Likewise, Jews and Gentiles have distinct roles to play.

What is the Role of the Church?

1) "On this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it" (Matt. 16:18). The Church is built on the testimony and understanding of Peter, who is Jewish. Ephesians 2:11-14 indicates that Israel and the Jews (we) were chosen, but Gentiles (you) were also included. 2) The Church is related to Israel and partakers of the covenants, promises, and hopes, but we have not been called to usurp them. Our relationship is as "grafted in" (Rom. 11:17); "brought near" (Eph 2:13); "Abraham's offspring" (by faith) (Rom. 4:16); "heirs" to Abraham's promise as adopted sons (Gal. 3:29) and "partakers" (Rom 15:27).

3) To the world, the Church is called to preach the Gospel to all nations and make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20); to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love our neighbour as ourselves (Mk. 12:30-31).

4) To the Jewish people, we are called to show God's love "for the sake of the Patriarchs" (Rom. 11:28), for without them we would not have had God's Word or our Saviour who was a Jew from Israel. We are to show God's mercy (Rom. 11:31). We are to give our material gifts to help them (Rom. 15:27). We are to pray for them and for Israel (Ps. 122:6). We are to be watchman on the walls to protect them (Isa. 62:6,7). We are to help with the aliyah (immigration) to Israel and the building up of Zion (Isa. 60:9-11; Jer. 16:14-16; Isa. 49:22-23).

5) According to Romans 11, we are two distinct groups, both grafted into the same tree, which are the covenants and promises given to Israel; grounded in the same root, the Messiah; drinking of the same sap, God's Holy Spirit. We do not hold up the tree, but the tree us, and we are forbidden from boasting against or being arrogant to God's covenant people the Jews (Rom. 11:17-18).

What Happens When the Church Replaces Israel?

1)The Church becomes arrogant and self-centred.

2) It boasts against the Jews and Israel.

3) It devalues the role of Israel or has no role for Israel at all.

4) These attitudes result in anti-Semitism in word and deed.

5) Without a place for Israel and the Jewish people today, you cannot explain the Bible prophecies, especially the very specific ones being fulfilled in Israel today.

6) Many New Testament passages do not make sense when the Jewish people are replaced by the Church.

7) You can lose the significance of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament, for today. Many Christians boast of being a New Testament (NT) Christian or a NT Church as in the Book of Acts. However, the Bible of the early Church was not the New Testament, which did not get codified until the 4th century, but rather the Hebrew Scriptures.

8) You can lose the Hebraic/Judaic contextualization of the New Testament, which teaches us more about Yeshua and how to become better disciples.

9) The Church loses out on the opportunity to participate in God's plan and prophecy for the Church, Israel and the world today.

What Happens When the Church Relates to Israel?

1) The Church takes its proper role in God's redemptive plan for the world, appreciating God's ongoing covenant relationship and love for Israel and the Jewish people.

2) We can see the consistency of God's redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation as an ongoing complementary process, not as disconnected snapshots.

3) We show love and honour for God's covenant people, not contempt.

4) We value the Old and New Testaments as equally inspired and significant for the Church today.

5) Bible prophecy makes sense for today and offers opportunities for involvement in God's plan for Israel.

6) We become better disciples of Yeshua as we are able to appreciate the Hebraic/Judaic roots that fill in the definitions, concepts, words and events in the New Testament that are otherwise obscured. Why? Many were not explained by the Jewish writers of the New Testament, because they did not feel the need to fill in all the details that were already explained in the Old Testament.

Had the Church understood this very clear message from the beginning, then the sad legacy of anti-Semitic hatred from the Church may have been avoided. The error of Replacement Theology is like a cancer in the Church that has not only caused it to violate God's Word concerning the Jewish people and Israel, but it made us into instruments of hate, not love in God's Name. Yet, it is not too late to change our ways and rightly relate to the Jewish people and Israel today. Through Bridges for Peace you can read, study and learn more, and also give to demonstrate God's exhortation to us to bless His Covenant People, whom He still loves. Not only do we need to learn and do for ourselves, but we need to teach others so as to counteract the historical error that has been fostered in the Church for nearly 2,000 years.

Thank God, He is a God of mercy, redemption and second chances.

When unsaved Jews get saved they then become members of the Church of Jesus Christ, the Ecclesia, the "Called Out Ones". Do we still refer to them as Israel or do we now refer to them as the Church? After they get saved, do we have two spiritual groups of people still (Israel and the Church) or just one spiritual group? And what is the name of that spiritual group from the Scriptures?

Paul often wrote to those who were formerly Jews, as the Church. Likewise, he wrote to those who were formerly Gentiles as the Church.

I say "formerly", because in Christ, we do not refer to anyone as Jew or Gentile, but rather brother and sister.

In summary, when we are referring to being in Christ, is there one group of people or two and how are they referred to, scripturally speaking?

In 2003, Israel Today editor Aviel Schneider had the privilege of interviewing Wilkerson during a visit to the UK. That interview is reproduced below.

israel today: As an American Christian, how did you feel about the war in Iraq?

Wilkerson: I preached about Saddam Hussein’s fall and warned our President that everything revolves around Israel. Oil is not the main concern. Saddam planned to destroy Israel, with the help of other Arab nations. Saddam Hussein is a stubborn person, and I’m thankful that God gave our President this strong conviction to save Israel from him.

israel today: Do you really believe that President Bush will choose to be biblically driven instead of politically correct concerning Israel?

Wilkerson: That’s why I call on American Christians to pray for our President daily and also to pray against the anti-Semitism that still exists in the Church. God warned me when I first established Times Square Church that we must always remain faithful to Israel. And I always have.

israel today: You are here in Europe, where many Christians have no understanding of the US-led war in Iraq.

Wilkerson: Many Christians in Europe simply don’t understand God’s Word. Saddam’s rockets were only aimed at Israel, not at neighboring Arab states. Beyond that, rising anti-Semitism in the churches can be felt here, particularly in Great Britain.

israel today: Would you describe Islam as a peaceful religion, as your President did?

Wilkerson: I read the Koran and I am sure that this book is false teaching. Islam is a religion of destruction. I find it so strange that Gospel preachers don’t understand that God didn’t break His covenant with Israel. God gave the Land to Israel, and every nation that wants to destroy Israel will be punished.

israel today: You have great courage to take such a strong pro-Israel stand.

Wilkerson: I’m often criticized in the Christian world for this. But I feel God’s rich blessing for it, which is much more valuable to me.

israel today: After the war in Iraq, Israel is once again at the top of the world’s agenda. Do you think the ‘roadmap’ has a chance to bring peace between Israelis and Palestinians?

Wilkerson: No! How can Bush, who knows the Bible, have no fear of God and pressure Israel into territorial compromise for the sake of the roadmap? God will punish him for it. The dollar will fall, Bush will sink into depression and he could very well lose the next election. I pray daily that the President’s believing advisors will influence him more than his political advisors.

israel today: In other words, you’re saying there’s no human solution to the conflict between Israel and the Arabs?

Wilkerson: God has promised to protect His people. He’s made a covenant and given them the Promised Land. He set the nation’s borders and He will safeguard them. I don’t see a realistic hope for peace because I can’t imagine that Israel will relinquish the Jewish settlements, as the Arabs are demanding. The Arabs also say there won’t be peace unless East Jerusalem becomes the capital of a Palestinian state. But that’s strictly against God’s will. My friend, if the world forces Jerusalem to be divided, it will come to chaos.

israel today: We in Israel can thank God that He is our secret weapon.

Wilkerson: Please publish my warning to the nations that take a stand against God’s people and His city Jerusalem. God said this and He will fulfill it. Shalom and God’s blessings."

Yes indeed

No matter how emotional an issue is, the church should always side with the Word of God and be comparing men's words with the Scriptures? I understand this is very difficult to do especially when an issue is very emotional and great men of God that are highly respected are lined up on both sides.

But, no matter how emotional an issue is or how great a man of God someone is, we should not be afraid of the truth that we find in God's Word.

Great quote rev. Brother Wilkersons scriptual and accurate
Holy Spirit filled comments regarding Israel certainly resonates with those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.

I want to say something fairly simple. I am pro Israel. They undoubtedly have a role to play in end times and God has supernaturally has His hand upon this nation for His own purposes.

I am not a premillenial dispensationalist. I went to a Bible school who taught this but I simply do not believe this lines up with Scripture. Even the school I went to was a four point Calvinist school, I wonder if that makes them lesser Calvinists? :) I am not a Calvinist. All these names of men and theological stances are nauseating to me. I have met wonderful men and woman of God on all sides of all of these topics. I refuse to call them names or think less of them if, for instance, they believe in a pre-trib rapture. I refuse to waste any time trying to change their minds. If I witness in my spirit that a man or woman knows Jesus then that is good enough for me.

I do not believe in two separate groups of people, I believe in One God, One Spirit, one Body. I was fortunate enough to be grafted in and be a part of the mystery that was revealed to Paul. Every man woman and child on the planet needs to be born again, including Jewish people. If you disagree with anything I have just said, God bless you. .........bro Frank

I meant to Post :

The Preservation of Zion by David Wilkerson
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=4532&commentView=itemComments

David Wilkerson did clearly believe "The Israel of God" is the Christian Church and not natural Israel.

That was my only point.

Listened to it. Crystal clear to me. David and the Scriptures are in agreement.

Rev-enue, will you post a link for your quotes by brother Wilkerson? Your quotes are the opposite of what he says on the SI recording.

to semantically play games with a poster moniker?

this:

Rev-enue

was that necessary?

I am writing this post NOT because my BROTHER (and he IS my brother) wrote that he is "pro-Israel", but I wish to publically testify as to how, WE, as the Body of Christ become One...Echad.

Even though some 900 miles of PHYSICAL distance separate us, when we fellowship via the phone, quite frequently, it is as NO distance separates us in spirit, and heart and love. We both know the most intimate details of each others lives, and his pains and his triumphs are mine, and mine are his.

even though I don't read poetry, when he reads me poetry he wrote in the Holy Spirit, it thrills my soul, or when he tells me about his wee ones, my heart delights. and mind you, my dear brothers and sisters, I write this post , not to "tickle Frank's ears", but to testify to the supernatural Grace and Love God has for me, that ONLY thru the Holy Spirit, though we come not from the same mother, it is a reality IN Messiah Jesus, we ARE brothers, who dearly agape each other.

in all our years of brotherhood, not ONE cross word or thought has ever happened between us. I would sooner have God strike me DEAD, then to utter one bad word to my precious and treasured brother, because I esteem him way more than I do myself, and I don't write that to "idolize" the man, God forbid and BANISH that thought!

I just wanted to testify, to what I regard as a high and holy fire forged bonding as brothers for all eternity, and that two souls who love Jesus so much, should be joined as true brothers, just sweeps my heart away with reverential Awe at the Tender Love God shows for us, as we go thru the journey of life in these jar of clay we all inhabit.

My only hurt, selfish hurt is that my brother Frank (and Brian) don't live in the "Driftless region" of Wisconsin, where the "wood" is so dry, just waiting to for God to come down and set the saints on fire for Jesus. Oh yes, in this beautiful area, in a 75 mile radius there are DOZENS of churches, dozens of "denominations", but NOT ONE of them has a prayer meeting! as one of my fathers in the faith, dear brother Len Ravenhill said that he would never join a church that didn't have a prayer meeting once a week at the very least.

(i'm teasing Frank with the "Wisconsin bit", God has us both where we should be)

this love, agape in Christ Jesus , I have for my brother, Frank at my times, has kept me my knees from weakening in the dark nights of soul, and I wanted to testify, PUBLICALLY to that Mercy of God.

God knows I speak the truth in Christ, how much my hearts desire that I had many more brothers on this very forum, said brotherhood, fire forged in the Holy Ghost, as my heart is NOT canted towards any division, or rancor.

and my brother Frank, who knows my heart will testify, that when God the Holy Ghost tells me I am wrong, or I have sinned, not two seconds pass, before I abase myself, fall on my face and beg forgiveness from both God and the offended brother or sister, I have no pride, dead to flesh, seek no esteem from man, but only broken hearted contrition and things made right.

However, when God the Holy Ghost unmasks to me, things that are counter to Him?...and His Will? I hesitate not one second to call things out with burning, blistering language, and people say that is "ungodly", and I am not being "Christlike"? Hear me, "Christlikeness" is not what some MAN tells you Christ is, but what God says about His Son!!!

so indulge in hectoring God's chosen people, the tribe of my flesh, the Jews to whom He, the Master of the Universe made irrevocable Promises to, when instead you should be speaking honest and TRUE, against the most fell, dastardly, religious institution, the whore of Rome, the "roman catholic church" with its popery, priestcraft, superstitutions, mary idolatry, homosexual pedophilia, just rank sin.

so continue with this "replacement theology" APOSTASY, it is just the begotten of the pit!

instead of me just writing, i'll post up one of the first sermons I heard from another of my fathers in the Faith, dr. Ian Paisley speaking on "Fundamentalism vs. Apostasy"

http://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=6863

oh, but how I would desire to hug you as brothers, however as long as you walk such a dark path?

Light have no fellowship with darkness.

(excuse me brother Frank, God the Holy Spirit just moved in me)

Hi Lisa, you were not off on a tangent at all. God bless you sister. You said " Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," and I say Amen!!!

Neil, those words you spoke are true and the fellowship that exists between us both is in Christ alone by the power of the Holy Spirit. Very different backgrounds, you raised in the Jewish faith and myself raised in the Catholic faith yet now both one in Christ Jesus and I rejoice in this miracle of miracles, a brotherhood, a royal priesthood, forged on the bloody cross of Calvary. The world is divided by countries, by ethnicities, by politics, by cultures, by economics. In every way each and every society is deeply divided in a thousand different ways. Yet Christ comes to unite us, as He stated in that High priestly prayer, that the world may know why He came and from whom He came and that whosoever may rejoice and be one in the glory of God the Father and His Son. This is the greatest miracle of all. A disparate people joined together as one and the devil hates it and fights it with everything in him because he knows the power that is unleashed when the Body of Christ stands as one, united in love and glory.

Here are a few things I do not know for certain. I do not believe in a pre-trib rapture, but many good men do and therefore I may be wrong. I do not believe in a literal millennium, but many brothers, way smarter than me do, so I may be wrong. I believe that when Christ comes back, He judges all things and then eternity, either in heaven or hell. Many good brothers disagree, I may be wrong. I do not believe that Jesus is coming back to set up a Kingdom here on earth with a restored physical Israel, many good brothers do, I may be wrong. The things in which I believe I am convinced after 25 years of studying, I still may be wrong. I will give account to God alone for the things which I believe and what I do with His word.

What I refuse to do is judge another brother in these issues. I believe all of the above issues are non-essentials to salvation and eternal life and that the king of all sophistry makes a great deal of hay out of all of those issues and he does so with a great big smile. The time is short, the days are dark, the Bride is coming soon. ( good opening line for a poem) Christ will prepare His bride for His coming. He will forge them together in the fires of affliction and the murcky waters of persecution. Yet praise God, even in this He is with us in the fires and through the waters. We shall not be consumed nor overcome because of the one that we love who will have His way, His words will come to pass, He will have the rewards of His sufferings................bro Frank

by appolus on 2015/11/19 10:21:55

Here are a few things I do not know for certain. I do not believe in a pre-trib rapture, but many good men do and therefore I may be wrong. I do not believe in a literal millennium, but many brothers, way smarter than me do, so I may be wrong. I believe that when Christ comes back, He judges all things and then eternity, either in heaven or hell. Many good brothers disagree, I may be wrong. I do not believe that Jesus is coming back to set up a Kingdom here on earth with a restored physical Israel, many good brothers do, I may be wrong. The things in which I believe I am convinced after 25 years of studying, I still may be wrong. I will give account to God alone for the things which I believe and what I do with His word.

What I refuse to do is judge another brother in these issues.

Amen! I believe the same and I may be wrong, but will also give account to God alone.