Crossing over

“...the LORD spoke to Joshua
the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ‘Moses My
servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, cross over this Jordan,
you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to
them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of
your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to
Moses.’” (Joshua 1:1-3)

Moses’ life was divided into
three seasons of forty years each; forty in Egypt, forty in the
backside of the desert, and forty in the wilderness. However, the
last phase of wandering never needed to happen. The Hebrews could
have made it out of Egypt to the Promised Land, under Moses'
leadership, in four days and four nights, but disobedience put
them in a circle of judgment where they wandered for forty years
until that generation died off. Only a few 'generals' like Caleb
and Joshua were counted worthy to cross over to the Promised
Land. 

In many modern Christian
movements, every twenty years or so, there is a time of
transition where leadership changes hands. The 'new guard' brings
a challenge to the 'old guard'. Some relevant veterans of the
'old guard' survive this time frame and go on to the next passing
of the baton some twenty years later. These are the 'generals'
whose credibility derives from their longevity, which is a direct
result of their stickability and integrity. In the last few
months, several of these 'generals' have graduated one step
further into eternity. Among them were Bill Bright, Kenneth Hagin
and Derek Prince (see below). These 'passings' are signs of the
end of one era and the beginning of a new one. This is not just
restricted to spiritual leaders, but includes influential people
in other realms. Johnny Cash and Australia's equivalent, Slim
Dusty, both cultural icons in their respective nations, crossed
over in the last few weeks.  

The last forty years has proven to
be a moral and spiritual wilderness for America, and due to the
enormous influence of its popular culture, for much of the
western world also. Culturally, its almost becoming a foreign
land for Christians. Our world view is increasingly being
relegated to the ideological backwaters by a small but powerful
group whose vision is an America without God. However, the
passing of these 'generals' mentioned above should be a sign to
us that we are on the verge of a new era. The wilderness time is
coming to an end and we must be ready to cross over the Jordon
into what has been promised! 

Many, including myself, firmly
believe that the only thing that can bring America out of the
wilderness and back from the brink of decline is a sweeping
reformation of righteousness. It is for this reason that I came
here from Australia, to see and be a part of what is expected in
my days (see
http://www.firepowerint.com/prophecies.htm). There's a
'Promised Land' waiting for America. We can choose to cross over
and enter it, or like some of the Hebrew tribes, stay on the safe
side of the Jordon. But if we are to enter, it will not be a
picnic. The land has to be possessed. Crossing over is not the
destination but the beginning of a new level of challenge. Some
with the same heart as Caleb or Joshua may lead us over the
'Jordan' but it will be a new generation that will do the
possessing with them. God is raising up a generation who are
beginning to understand that unless you have a cause worth dying
for, you don't have a life worth living for! Their cause is to
see Christ glorified in America again.

 America is not currently the
Promised Land, but if we cross over the Jordan, conquer our own
fears, move in and re-possess the culture, it will become the
land of promise.