11/22/21 A COMMON MISCONCEPTION

11/22/21 A COMMON MISCONCEPTION

The Promise(d) Land of the Bible is not heaven, though I think most Christians think it is and most of the Christian songs people sing about The Promise(d) Land (and Jordan River) seem to indicate that crossing Jordan and entering the Promised Land is about dying and going to heaven. BUT IT ISN'T.

Israel's exodus from Egypt (which represents leaving the life of sin), crossing of the Red Sea (which represents the Christian conversion) and journey to the Promised(d) Land or Canaan Land, the land that God promised to Abraham and the Children of Israel (which represents the initial steps of salvation). To leave Egypt (sin) and cross the Red Sea (exit from sin and enter into deliverance from sin) leads obedient believers to enter Canaan Land (the life of spiritual abiding, settlement).

When God gives us the opportunity to enter into the established life of victory, we can either enter the Land of Promise (heart purity and deliverance from the sin nature) at Kadesh Barnea (soon after leaving Egypt) or we can wander in the wilderness and eventually enter the Spirit filled life by crossing Jordan, OR we can die in the wilderness (which represents the carnal Christian struggle and internal, spiritual battle), never reaching the Promise(d) Land of full deliverance from sins and sin, never entering into the Promise(d) life of Milk and Honey, the land of Clean Hands AND a PURE HEART.

Remember, godliness is the state of being being conformed to the image of God. Godliness is evidenced by what we DO and what we ARE. Godliness has the promise of the LIFE THAT NOW IS and that which is to come. God intends for, and provides for Christians to live godly, spotless, blameless lives now, in this present evil world. The promise of eternal life is fulfilled in those who are not only Born of God, but those who are Crucified with Christ and dead to this world. The Promise(d) Land is the life of heart purity, here and now.

One song that got this imagery right was, "Dwelling In Beulah Land" (not to be confused with the song, "Sweet Beulah Land," which mistakenly interprets the Biblical imagery of the Promise(d) Land with heaven). I like the song, "Sweet Beulah Land," but it is more accurate to exchange "Heaven's Land" for Beulah Land.

Beulah Land was the name given to the promised habitation for Israel (Isaiah 62:4) and conveys the idea of marriage between God and His people, rather than heaven. Therefore Beulah Land, The Promise(d) Land and Canaan Land are used interchangeably to represent the victorious, intimate relationship and life of fully dedicated followers of God.

As an Old Testament type or prefiguring of Christian experience, these names represent the Spirit filled life of the Entirely Sanctified believer (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). Entire Sanctification purifies the heart of the saved (Justified) person, with the fullness of the Holy Spirit, in order for the believer to have the deep settled peace, single eyed commitment and perfect love, which God wants His people to enjoy.

As with the children of Israel who came out of Egypt and did not enter the Promised Land when they had the opportunity, so it is that Christian people are brought out of the life of sin and God leads them to the fullness of the Holy Spirit. However, for various reasons, believers often fail or refuse to make full surrender, and they fail to trust Christ fully for His purifying work of grace.

The Children of Israel could have entered their Promise(d) Land early, when they arrived at Kadesh Barnea, but they believed the ten negative spies (naysayers) and chose not to enter. After their refusal to enter, they continued to disbelieve and disobey God for the next 40 years, resulting in God not allowing them to enter the Promise(d) Land. God did not fail, but rather they chose to disobey God. God leads Christians today to enter into and to live a life of obedience, holiness and perfect love, but people choose to believe the 10 spies (false witnesses) who teach against the Spirit filled life of victory over sin. Through false witnesses, the devil promotes disbelief and disobedience, thus robbing people of the grace to quit sinning, the ability to be made holy and be perfect in love. They therefore refuse to enter into the Promise(d) Land, the Land of Canaan, Beulah Land, and many of them will ultimately go back into sin and rebellion, thus missing heaven.

Think about the words of these songs, which correctly understand that deliverance from sin is in this life, for the fully dedicated follower of Christ.

Here are the Lyrics to three songs, which recognize that The Promise(d), Beulah Land and Canaan Land represent the Sanctified, victorious life of total commitment and The Holy Spirit's fullness. It would do you well to read and think about the level and value of life lived in the Spirit, which is the subject of these three songs.

DWELLING IN BEULAH LAND
1
Far away the noise of strife upon my ear is falling;
Then I know the sins of earth beset on every hand;
Doubt and fear and things of earth in vain to me are calling;
None of these shall move me from Beulah Land.
Refrain:
I’m living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky,
I’m drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry;
Oh, yes! I’m feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,
For I am dwelling in Beulah Land.
2
Far below the storm of doubt upon the world is beating,
Sons of men in battle long the enemy withstand;
Safe am I within the castle of God’s Word retreating;
Nothing then can reach me—’tis Beulah Land.
3
Let the stormy breezes blow, their cry cannot alarm me;
I am safely sheltered here, protected by God’s hand;
Here the sun is always shining, here there’s naught can harm me;
I am safe forever in Beulah Land.
4
Viewing here the works of God, I sink in contemplation;
Hearing now His blessed voice, I see the way He planned;
Dwelling in the Spirit, here I learn of full salvation;
Gladly will I tarry in Beulah Land.

LIVING IN CANAAN NOW
1
Egypt was once my home, I was a slave
Helpless in sin did roam, love-light did crave,
But when I looked up to heaven's dome Christ came to save,
I'm living in Canaan now
Refrain:
Living on Canaan's side, Egypt behind
Crossed over Jordan wide, gladness to find
My soul is satisfied, no longer blind
Living with Jesus up in Canaan right now
2
Satan may have you bound with fetters strong,
Look up to higher ground it'will not be long
Till Christ the Saviour your soul has found
You'll sing this song,
I'm living in Canaan now
Refrain:
Living on Canaan's side, Egypt behind
Crossed over Jordan wide, gladness to find
My soul is satisfied, no longer blind
Living with Jesus up in Canaan right now
3
Living on Canaan's side, Egypt behind
Crossed over Jordan wide, gladness to find
My soul is satisfied...,
(My soul is satisfied!)
Living with Jesus up in Canaan right now!

LIVING IN CANAAN LAND
1
I’ve left the land of Egypt with its bondage drear,
I’ve crossed the mighty Red sea with my Lord so dear,
And now the songs of Beulah fill my heart with cheer,
For I’m living in Canaan land.
Refrain:
I’m living in Canaan, living in Canaan,
I am living in Canaan land;
The joy-bells are ringing, and with rapture I’m singing,
For I’m living in Canaan land.
2
I wander not in desert or on burning sand,
But thru the smiling meadows of a better land;
For God is ever leading me by His right hand,
I am living in Canaan land. [Refrain]
3
My sustenance is not the food that once was mine,
On manna of the wilderness I can not dine,
I’m feeding on the honey and the milk and wine,
For I’m living in Canaan land. [Refrain]
4
I’m drinking of a fountain that cannot run dry,
Redeemed thru grace divine and purified am I,
I’m singing while the golden hours are passing by,
For I’m living in Canaan land. [Refrain]1