The Final Lap Before Entering The Promised Land " Spiritual Landmines Lying in Ambush for the Christian"

By Amen Mpofu

The journey to the Promised Land isn't paved with gold. The ancient nation of Israel traveled through the wilderness under Yahweh's constant guidance in the pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. They faced intense temptations before they entered the Promised Land particularly when they were camped near the banks of the River Jordan. The enemy of souls, the devil himself, infiltrated the camp and led many to commit sexual immorality with a non-Jewish nation. Because of this, ancient Israel endured 40 years of wandering in the desert. Similarly, as spiritual Israel, we're standing on the banks of the River Jordan and are about to cross to the Promised Land. The enemy of souls won't rest on his laurels and let us inherit eternal life without a fight. He'll plant lethal spiritual landmines so that we can be maimed spiritually and be unfit to inherit our God-given eternal kingdom. In this book, the author unmasks the devil's spiritual landmines that every Christian must know and also overcome through the power of Yeshua's blood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amen Mpofu
• Release date: Jun 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463682104

Amen Mpofu

Amen Mpofu is an author of religious books, particularly Christian literature and a blogger of end-time events affecting the world. He's held evangelism activities inside and outside South Africa and is also passionate about preaching the good news of God's grace.

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Amen Mpofu

The Final Lap Before Crossing the Promised Land

Spiritual landmines lying in ambush for the Christian

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Table of contents

Chapter 1 REALITY CHECK

Chapter 2 A LIFE WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

Chapter 3 THE TIME OF THE END

Chapter 4 OUR GREATEST DESIRE

Chapter 5 BITTER HEARTS

Chapter 6 A STRANGER IN THE CAMP

Chapter 7 BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER

Chapter 8 GODS LURKING IN THE DARK

Chapter 9 GOD OF PLEASURE

Chapter 10 SUICIDE IN THE KITCHEN

Chapter 11 MORE THAN CONQUERORS

CHAPTER 12 A TRUTH FOR THE TIME AS THIS:PART 1

Chapter 13 A TRUTH FOR THE TIME AS THIS:PART 2

CHAPTER 14 A TRUTH FOR THE TIME AS THIS: PART 3

APPENDIX

Published by

LAST DAY EVENTS MINISTRY

www.lastday-events.com

Amen Mpofu

Cover art direction, design by Amen Mpofu Copyright@ 2020 by Last-Day Events Ministry

REFERENCES

Unless otherwise stated, all scripture references are taken from the New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible.

New Living Translation copyright (NLT) © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale Publishers Inc. Carol Stream, IIIIinos 60188. All rights reserved.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV ® Copyright© 1973,1978,1984,2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Kings James Version (KJV) Holy Bible. King James Version® Copyright©1994 by Zondervan Corporation. Used by permission. All rights reserved

DEDICATION & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I'd like to give praise to my Yeshua, who inspired me to write this special book. Without the Holy Spirit, It would have been impossible to pen the words of my second book. May Yahweh's name be glorified forever and ever.

I'm also grateful for my family for their constant prayers. This book is dedicated to my two daughters; Linda and Zandile. May God fill you with the Holy Spirit so that you can overcome Satan's spiritual landmines. It's also dedicated to all my readers, who're seeking a closer walk with Yeshua. May Yahweh fill you with hope, peace, and joy as you await the glorious second coming of Yeshua.

INTRODUCTION

The subtitle of this book is: "Spiritual landmines lying in ambush for the Christian.The reader may wonder what landmines are and why this particular title. According to the online Cambridge Dictionary, a landmine is a bomb that is put on or under the ground and that explodes when a person steps on it or a vehicle drives over it". Since the bomb is concealed underground and only activated when an object puts pressure on it, it is a lethal weapon that can cause massive destruction to human life and to an enemy’s vehicles and weaponry in a war situation. Basically, the primary aim of these bombs is to maim, disable, and cripple the enemy’s foot soldiers so that they are incapacitated to carry out any meaningful attacks. This makes them weak and vulnerable to the attacks of the other opponent.

This is the reason some African countries like Mozambique were infested with landmines that were planted during a long fight for independence followed by civil war. Many were planted up until the 1990, stated the BBC online news of 17 September 2015. However, the good news is that the country was declared landmine free as thousands and thousands were removed according to Halo Trust, a British charity organization, which led the clearance as reported by the same online news publication. Although the country is now free of landmines based on the above report, these bombs caused death and extensive injuries. Many people in Mozambique still bear the scars of landmine amputations.

Spiritual landmines are, therefore, a befitting title to describe Satan’s relentless attacks against Christians, who are heaven-bound, and his covert deceptions concealed under the garb of Christianity. With a chameleon-like strategy, he plants lethal landmines in order to cripple Christians spiritually in these last days of earth’s history. And, working as an undercover detective or agent, he invades the Christian arena and with a pretense of holiness and humility, he introduces the most absurd doctrines meant to distort God’s character. He also moves upon unwary Christians with the intention of making them self-absorbed, self-sufficient, and world-focused instead of being Christ-centered. ‘I’ becomes the main focal point of the Christian and as a result, they forget that they have to be preparing for the Second Coming of Christ while they go about their daily business.

Bible students agree that we are living in the last days as the Scriptures say unequivocally in many of its books (Matt.24; 2 Tim.3). Even the unconverted cannot help but be alarmed by the rapid and regular upheavals in nature-like the huge wildfires in Australia, the USA, destructive floods in Asia, and some parts of Africa- that have led to massive loss of lives. In addition, the endless droughts, the boldness with some people in committing the most horrendous crimes ever known to humanity, the disillusionment in politics as politicians stumble and break the promises they make during elections, the ever-widening chasm between the haves and the have-nots, the development of drug-resistant diseases and ‘new’ ones without clear pharmaceutical drugs or vaccines to cure them like Covid-19 that broke out in Wuhan in China and the outbreak of Swine flu, Ebola and the mad cow disease, etc are part and parcel of our existence. And endless broken homes are many other social ills blighting planet Earth.

While these tragic happenings may paint a gloomy picture for the hopeless and the despondent, a Christian whose hope is anchored on Jesus’ Second Coming as an end to the world’s pain, suffering, sorrow, and death will see these events as a sign that the end is near. They remind serious Christians of the solemn words of Jesus in Matthew 24 about the political, economic, physical, social, and religious last-day events, which as well include the world-wide proclamation of the gospel of grace in power never seen before. They give them the assurance that God’s word is as reliable and trustworthy as ever and therefore they can have more confidence in His promises.

Outbreaks of strange diseases that have baffled the medical community over the years prove that Planet Earth’s inhabitants have not completely eradicated all diseases as envisaged by one of the United Nations’ goals on health. And, despite the fact that the so-called developed countries boast of well-advanced medical facilities and technology, cancers are wreaking havoc in the West and in countries that have adopted a Westernized diet. The outbreak and development of diseases remain unpredictable. Humanity is still to contend with unknown and possible outbreaks of diseases whose nature and behavior seem to defy the fundi in the medical world.

In a world of turmoil, commotion, and confusion, Christ warned the Christian to be vigilant in prayer as there is a possibility that they can be swallowed up by these events and end up losing eternal life.

Indeed, the Christian is standing on the banks of the River Jordan and is overlooking the Promised Land, the heavenly Canaan. They are in the final lap of their Christian journey – it is a do or dies experience. One false step, they can lose the reward of eternal life that begins at the Second Coming of Christ. Not only should the Christian be watchful in prayer, but they must also be wary of the hazards that are lying in ambush on the banks of the River Jordan, the last mile of their journey.

The Christian is not the only one closely watching the unfolding last-day scenes on planet Earth; God the Father; Jesus, our Saviour; the Holy Spirit (all the Godhead) and the sinless angels have invested interests as well. This is because Christ promised to come back in Kingly power and indescribable splendor to fetch his purchased possession; the heirs of his kingdom. Another contender for supremacy and who wants to wrestle our souls from God, is the great Anti-Christ, the Adversary, the Enemy of souls, the Devil called Satan. He knows that payback time is coming and his time is now running out fast and that soonest, he will receive his red card. He is working tirelessly, relentlessly with great deception, determination, and quadrupled effort to thwart God’s plan of delivering a deadly and decisive blow to his kingdom. Consequently, the archenemy is laying dangerous and lethal landmines on the banks of the River Jordan so as to disable, cripple, paralyze, and deface Christians spiritually and make them unfit for heaven. He will not go down without fighting fiercely, mercilessly, ruthlessly with craft and cunning the kingdom of God and His subjects. The kicks of a dying horse are dangerous. And, because of this, the final lap of the Christian before they enter the Promised Land is intense, hazardous, slippery, and bumpy and demon-infested and is also filled with conflict and drama. It is no longer a child’s play.

It was so with Christ in His final lap in the garden of Gethsemane before He was hung on the Cross. The stakes were high. And, if the Lord, our Master, went through that intense trying time when He was pressed from all directions by the devil, so will it be for any Christian hoping to meet with the Lord at His coming.

Like an African farmer in the countryside with jealous neighbors like baboons or warthogs, and who, as result, must keep close watch over their rich field of maize crops so that they are not left with stumps, so should the Christian be vigilant over their soul. Otherwise, they can be swept away by Satan’s fierce winds of deception. A lazy, casual, and less watchful farmer applies for disaster as the baboons can leave them in grinding poverty. Similarly, a lackadaisical approach to one’s Christianity and ultimately one's eternal life is a sure recipe for spiritual disaster and great disappointment. One's name will be entered in the book of death and will receive the reward of eternal death at the second coming of Christ.

A serious Christian has one overarching goal in this temporary life, which is " an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you", and as the patriarch Abraham, they look for a "city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ", therefore they always " desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." (1 Pet. 1:4 Heb.11:10, 16).

There is absolutely nothing worthwhile in this world that can be compared with the blessing of ETERNITY. Living for eternity without suffering, pain, sorrow, and death is too good to miss. Because of this, a Christian should exert all their energy in investing in obtaining the most coveted prize of the Christian- eternal life. To miss heaven is to miss a glorious future the Lord has promised to give His faithful children. As one writer pointed out, " we have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun".

In this book, the author will look at these hazards or landmines that the devil has planted or is planting. The reader will discover that the devil planted the same landmines on the banks of the River Jordan when the Israelites were in their final lap to cross over to the Promised Land. He was successful as many never made it to Canaan after a 40 year wandering in the wilderness. He is likely to be successful if we lose our focus on Christ.

Without seeking to be politically correct, the author will reveal the devil’s machinations as they are. No sacred cows will be spared. Fasten your seat belt as the spiritual landmines are unearthed.

Chapter 1 REALITY CHECK

A world of fantasy is what Hollywood and its sisters are seized with; a dreamland, a utopia where the buzz words are glamour, a sleek life filled with niceties, posh cars, fashionable clothing, cosmetic smiles, romance, and with they-lived–happily-ever-after lifestyle. This kind of lifestyle is divorced from reality. Life, in general, is more than the flashy and flamboyant and pain-free lifestyles churned out by Hollywood. The Christian life, in particular, is completely the opposite of this picture painted by the movie makers and celebrities.

It is interlaced with moments of joy, cheer, and smiles and also sometimes with intense trials, pain, sorrow, tears, and a sense of being alone. The Christian life is not a stroll in the park. It is not fiction or one of those Mills and Boon or Silhouette romance books, where lovemaking is portrayed as if that is what life is all about.

The temptations, for example, from the Enemy of souls, are real. The devil is a real being. Therefore, the Christian is faced with a stubborn foe and a contender for supremacy who does not believe in giving up until he wrestles the Christian away from God. Indeed, the battle is against principalities, the powers of darkness, and the prince of this world (Eph. 6). And not only is the great conflict between the powers of good and evil, but it is also the battle against self; the greatest battle raging in our hearts of hearts-who shall reign supreme? Is it God or the devil? It is a question that every soul wrestles with moment by moment as they make decisions for or against God.

And, Christ, our Lord never promised the Christian a smooth-sailing life, free of trials, and suffering. On the contrary, he was crystal clear that as he was persecuted left, right, and center by the devil and his agents so will his disciple. He did not give his disciple a false hope or a false impression that life here on planet Earth will always be smiles and sweet. Christ’s warning of a Christian life filled with the waters of ⃰⃰ Mara was plain and straight forward so that his disciple will not live in a fantasy world or entertain the idea that the journey to the Promised Land was paved with gold or a red carpet. Were Jesus to paint the Christian life as all rosy and fun, his disciple would throw off his guard, let loose the sails, lose heavenly focus, depend less on Christ and more on himself, and be distracted by the fleeting pleasures of this life as well.

To give us a clear perspective about what the Christian life is like on this side of heaven, here is what Jesus and others said: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you……when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy ( Mat.5:10; 2 Tim. 3:12; Ps 34:14; 1Pet.4:1 Ja.1:2).

What is clear from the texts is that Christian life is a narrow way, where one has to carry one’s cross; symbolizing the sacrifices one has to make as one detaches oneself from those things one used to love more than God. They may be loss of friends, jobs, business, money, associations, careers, loss of inheritance as parents disown their children, and sometimes, death may be the outcome of choosing and following Christ, for example. This is not because following Christ is unattractive and repellent to our former associates, friends, acquaintances, and colleagues, and so on, but its account of our new faith that separates us from darkness and deeds of wickedness. Our past life of pampering self becomes buried in the blood of Christ and a new life of obeying God through the Spirit emerges and develops. It is this life in Christ that creates enmity between us and the sins we used to enjoy and commit. However, in all these ‘losses’ we should heed the apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7: I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.When he chose Christ as his Lord and personal Saviour, he gained more than what he lost. As Christ became everything to him, the world lost its taste in his spiritual life.