How is it possible for us to be led away from Gods direction? Is God’s direction bad for us? What gift does God have for us who love him with an obedient heart? What does it mean to be led astray?
Led Astray
The apostle Paul explains how people where led astray, how they are made to wander in confusion after being deceived by bad thoughts that affected the heart.
Hebrews 3:10-19… For this reason, I became disgusted with this generation (Strong’s # G1074 race or family) and said, “They are always lead astray (Strong’s #G4105 deceived or made to wander) in their hearts, and they themselves have not come to know my ways” (Strong’s #G3598 journey or path). So, I swore in my anger, ‘They shall not enter into my rest.” (Strong’s # G2663 abode, dwelling or habitation) Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of YOU a wicked (Strong’s # G4190 evil, bad, malicious, slothful) heart lacking faith (Strong’s #570 unbelief, distrust or unfaithfulness) by drawing away (Strong’s # G868 seduce, leave or depart) from the living God; but keep on exhorting one another each day, as long as it may be called “Today,” for fear any one of YOU should become hardened (Strong’s # G4645 make hard or make stubborn, dried out) by the deceptive power (Strong’s # G539 deceit, deception or deceitfulness) of sin. For we actually become partakers of the Christ only if we make fast our hold on the confidence we had at the beginning firm to the end, while it is being said: “Today if YOU people listen to his own voice, do not harden YOUR hearts as on the occasion of causing bitter anger (Strong’s # G3894 irritation, provocation or rebellion).” For who were they that heard and yet provoked to bitter anger? Did not, in fact, all do so who went out of Egypt under Moses? Moreover, with whom did [God] become disgusted for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? But to whom did he swear that they should not enter into his rest except to those who acted disobediently (Strong’s # G544 disobey, rebel or refuse conformity)? So, we see that they could not enter in because of lack of faith (Strong’s # G507 unbelief, distrust or unfaithfulness).
How were these people who were baptized with Moses led astray?
This great multitude of people who left Egypt with Moses and who saw the miraculous deliverance but failed stay on the path of life with Moses and the true God, they were seduced by their own desires and refused conformity into God’s ways.
They allowed their hearts to develop a bad thought processes that was malicious and evil in nature, they lack the proper faith, they distrusted and became unfaithful, their hearts became hardened, stubborn and dried out by the deceptive power of sin. This rebellion angered God, they became unfaithful in their hearts resisting his leadings both in a physical and a spiritual way.
What do you think is the greatest gift offered to mankind today by our Heavenly Father? Would it be everlasting life? Would it be living in perfection? Would it be living in the Kingdom of God; Paradise?
Notice that the greatest gift offered by our Heavenly Father to mankind from his viewpoint is to “Enter into his Rest”.
What does that mean that we can enter into God’s rest?
God’s Rest
The word Rest according to Strong’s concordance is # G2663 and it renders the Greek word as Abode, as a place of residence, house or home.
So, what do we really know about God’s rest or place of residency? And what promises has God made to us about this place of residency?
Hebrews 4:1-11…Therefore, since a promise is left of entering into his rest, let us fear that sometime someone of YOU may seem to have fallen short of it. 2 For we have had the good news declared to us also, even as they also had; but the word which was heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who did hear. 3 For we who have exercised faith do enter into the rest, just as he has said: “So I swore in my anger, ‘They shall not enter into my rest,’” although his works were finished from the founding of the world. 4 For in one place he has said of the seventh day as follows: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,” 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter into my rest.” 6 Since, therefore, it remains for some to enter into it, and those to whom the good news was first declared did not enter in because of disobedience, 7 he again marks off a certain day by saying after so long a time in David’s [psalm] “Today”; just as it has been said above: “Today if YOU people listen to his own voice, do not harden YOUR hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had led them into a place of rest, [God] would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 So there remains a sabbath resting for the people of God. 10 For the man that has entered into [God’s] rest has also himself rested from his own works, just as God did from his own. 11 Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, for fear anyone should fall in the same pattern of disobedience.
So, our Heavenly Father really wants us dwelling with him in his habitation, realm, or abode.
This may be a new thought for us to dwell or reside with God in his realm and to be at rest with him, but is it really? Let’s look at two passages of Scriptures found in the New Testament.
Revelation 21:1-5… And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. 2 I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” 5 And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also, he says: “Write, because these words are faithful and true.
Revelation 22:1-5… And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 down the middle of its broad way. And on this side of the river and on that side [there were] trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees [were] for the curing (Strong’s # G2322 healing) of the nations. 3 And no more will there be any curse. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in [the city], and his slaves will render him sacred service; 4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Also, night will be no more, and they have no need of lamplight nor [do they have] sunlight, because Jehovah God will shed light upon them, and they will rule as kings forever and ever.
Here these two Scriptures plainly speak of God residing with mankind and the benefits that will come from it. But how is all this going to come about you might ask? And what do I have to do to enter God’s rest?
Tree of Life
Where is the tree of life found? Where is the city of God’s found? What would it take for you to access the tree of life?
Revelation 22:12-17… ‘Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Happy are those who wash their robes, that the authority [to go] to the tree of life may be theirs and that they may gain entrance into the city by its gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and those who practice spiritism and the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone liking and carrying on a lie.’ 16 “‘I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to YOU people of these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star.’” 17 And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: “Come!” And let anyone hearing say: “Come!” And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.
The tree of life is found inside the city of God; notice what we read in Revelation 21:2 that the city of God comes down from heaven and is resting upon the earth.
What must we do to enter into or to gain access to the tree of life? All we must do is wash in the blood of the lamb to enter through the gates into God’s abode or realm. We then can go to the tree of life for healing, It’s just that simple.
Do you believe the word of God, and will you exercise faith in it? If you do then do not allow yourself to be led astray by a rebellious and disobedient heart, do not give your ear to the naysayer but say Yes, COME Lord Jesus and make all things new, we have our hope set on you.
Writingwithlogos.com – Last Updated 10/9/22