GOING OUTSIDE THE CAMP

[Albert Finch]

Exodus 33:7 - "Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And it came about, that everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp."

IF WE ARE GOING TO TRULY SEEK THE LORD, WE MUST "GO OUT" AS DID MOSES AND THOSE WHO SOUGHT THE LORD. WE MUST PITCH OUR TENT "A GOOD DISTANCE FROM THE CAMP" - THE "CAMP OF FAMILIARITY." JESUS CALLED HIS DISCIPLES TO LEAVE THE FAMILIAR PATTERN OF THEIR LIVES AND BE WITH HIM. HE KNEW THAT MEN, BY NATURE, ARE UNCONSCIOUSLY GOVERNED BY THE FAMILIAR. IF HE WOULD EXPAND US TO RECEIVE THE ETERNAL, HE MUST RESCUE US FROM THE LIMITATIONS OF THE TEMPORAL.

Luke 14:33 - "In the same way," concluded Jesus, "none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up everything he has."

Genesis 28:10,12 - "Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."

LIKE THE LADDER, JESUS DWELT IN TWO PLACES AT THE SAME TIME, IN THE EARTH AND IN THE HEAVENS. HE IS THE ACCESS POINT BETWEEN THOSE TWO REALMS. WHEN JESUS TOLD NATHANAEL THAT HE WOULD SEE HEAVEN OPEN, HE MEANT THAT HE WOULD SEE THAT JESUS IS THE LADDER BETWEEN THE EARTH AND HEAVEN THAT IS WIDE OPEN TO MANKIND. TO NATHANAEL HE REVEALED HEAVEN'S OPEN AVAILABILITY TO THE BELIEVER. IN OTHER WORDS, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND (AVAILABLE).

John 1:51 - "And He said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.'"

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
https://afministry.ning.com/