The Challenge of Incomplete Deliverance
If Moses had counted his work finished on the day Israel came out of Egypt and handed over the people to Aaron, what would be their end? If deliverance ministers only know how to cast out demons without the training on how to help the delivered candidates, they will be possessed by wicked demon. This is why many deliverance ministers and ministries are failing in ministry. After deliverance, salvation, there is always a desire for Egyptian lifestyle
‘And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt’ (Exodus 13:17).
‘But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way’ (Deuteronomy 17:16).
‘And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace’ (Exodus 14:10-14).
The Struggle with Egypt
‘And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger’ (Exodus 16:1-3).
‘And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes’ (Numbers 11:4-6).
‘And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt: therefore, the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?’ (Numbers 11:18-20).
‘And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? Were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel’ (Numbers 14:1-5).
‘And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 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. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died’ (Numbers 21:4-6).
‘Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion’ (Isaiah 30:1-3).
‘Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together’ (Isaiah 31:1-3).
The Reward for Overcomers
Though Israel came out of Egypt, Egypt did not come out of Israel. Many have come out of the world but the thoughts and systems of the world need to come out of them. There is need for follow up work after deliverance and salvation. Deliverance candidates need special attention, constant watch, protection, frequent encouragements, regular study, teaching and continuous training. It is better to leave the possessed with their demons than to cast out the demons and put them into more trouble. Preachers must emphasis on the need for holy life after deliverance to avoid more trouble. A deliverance minister who commits sin, immorality with a deliverance candidate is like a man who sins with a woman in the presence of the husband or father, likewise any believer. Ministers must not turn God’s house into prostitute’s brothel. Christ assured the church in Philadelphia of a reward if they endure to the end.
‘Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches’ (Revelation 3:11-13).
There is reward for all who faithfully labor for the Lord. Whatever is done for the Lord will be rewarded. All sacrifice, energy, time and money spent in laboring for the Lord cannot be expended in vain because God rewards those that worship Him in truth and Spirit.
‘Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Any believer who remained steadfast, unmovable, abounding in God’s service will be rewarded. Believers, who obey God, keep faith, hold fast to the end, will be crowned and mightily rewarded by Christ. The overcomers who remained overcomers to the end will receive full joy. They will have access to the tree of life and will live eternally in God’s presence. They will not be hurt by second death and will be empowered for leadership to rule and reign over his enemies. Overcomers will walk with white in God’s presence and their names will ever be in the book of life. Overcomers have nothing to lose because even what seems to be lost will be recovered. Overcomers are marked with God’s mark and they cannot be touched by evil power. Because their names are in the book of life, the devil has no power over them, how much less his agents. The case file of every overcomer is not available to the devil. They are with God and the holy angels are instructed to protect overcomers. They have access to God’s throne and can approach God anytime. Overcomers are not of this world, they are just ambassadors here on earth. Their real home, mansions and inheritance are in heaven. They shall inherit all things in heaven and on earth. Overcomers are God’s heir and they have right to every good thing on earth.
‘He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son’ (Revelation 21:7).
‘And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together’ (Romans 8:17).
‘He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’ (Romans 8:32).
God did not make mistake when He call you His heir, He meant every letter in those words. Many children of God, overcomers are suffering today because of ignorance. It is not God’s intention for any problem to prevail over the church. God wrote to us through this letter we are reading now and He called us His heir. You must not under estimate yourself again. There is much, so much waiting for the faithful overcomers. There are crowns to wear, names to bear and joys to share once we enter into God’s eternal city, we are eternally secured and shall never be forgotten. As the bride bears the name of the bridegroom throughout life, the overcomers shall bear Christ’s new name forever, since we belong to Him forever.