Dozens of people want to “cross over“ to the other side.
Millions of people around the world are desiring to cross over and leave their economically and socially troubled counties for a better life in foreign countries far away. Many will migrate to America ,Australia ,Canada and the UK in 2024 and beyond just like others who migrated before them . Dozens will die along the way while desperately trying to illegally cross rivers , oceans and seas by boats and ships .Those who arrive in these countries expect to find joy and relief as their hopes for a better life are renewed .They will work as slaves ,save money and create new lives for themselves and their families. Some will send money back home and build bigger houses they never had while others will eventually become citizens in a foreign land and forget about life in their previous countries. This is a cross over that many people wish to enjoy on this earth. Where do you want to “cross over” to ?
Personally ,as a businessman and entrepreneur , I would really love to have a “cross over” and achieve a mega “break through ” financially ,socially and economically because I have always faced financial difficulties and lack of working capital for my businesses most of my time just like any other people . Everybody wants a cross over that brings financial break through right?
There is another cross over that I would like us to look at. This is the crossover that supposedly happens every last day of the year, on new year`s eve. People around the world gather around friends and family on new year`s eve waiting for midnight to celebrate the arrival of the new year. New resolutions are made. Old plans are put aside while new ones are made even when the same old ones were not accomplished. Some devoted Christians will even go as far as having all night prayers in church while some fill up the stadiums as their pastors ,prophets and men of God promise them a miraculous crossover into the new year ,promising them a break through in their financial , physical ,social and business side of life. Many times this is not always done in the right context as people will be delusional ,expecting genuine miracles and changes in personal finances instead of the greatest miracle of a sinner being truly changed and saved. The popular cross over verse , Mark 4 verse 35 , is often used used for these all night prayer gatherings
Mark 4 verse 35 says :
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”
What does this verse mean ? What is the context of this verse in this passage? What was going on ? What is the true significance of crossing over ? What are some of the things that are expected along the journey? Crossing over does not mean the process will be easy, they will be difficulties ,doubts and fears ,but God is always with his people ,the faithful believers.
The story of a true crossing over is best understood when you read the whole bible chapter of Mark chapter 4 and Mark Chapter 5. You can also read the book of Joshua chapter 3
Brief Introduction to the cross over lesson:
Part 1 of Cross Over
In Mark chapter 4 , Jesus Christ of Nazareth is teaching his believers and disciples while the religious and proud Jews are listening from afar with a heart of disbelief. Most of the lessons that Jesus Christ is presenting are in the form of parables. Many Jews rejected Jesus Christ as the Savior, while a small number of the Jewish nation accepted him as their Lord and Savior sent from heaven. Jesus taught 1.the parable of the sower ,2. the lesson of Light under a basket ,3. the parable of the growing seed and lastly 4.the parable of the mustard seed . All these parables are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning with life lessons to be understood by those who have believe upon Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to repent from their sins and commit their life to trusting him.This is revealed in verses 35 to 41 .Those who don`t believe in Jesus Christ will look at all things in this life but they will not be able to see the actual true meaning of all significant things. They will be disillusioned. Sadly, when non believers hear or see a good thing ,they will believe it is bad. When they hear or see a bad thing, they will believe it is actually good. have you ever experienced such misinterpretation during your days of unbelief? What else besides Jesus Christ ,are you struggling to believe? God`s law or state of the dead?
Believers in Jesus Christ need to be careful in avoiding excitement . Excitement without an established heart and knowledge in the word of God is dangerous . Believers need to be stable minded ,seeking to know more about their master by reading the word of God every day. The disciples of Jesus Christ must live a life of witnessing and evangelizing just like Jesus Christ did. They must have a desire to love and forgive their enemies , tell them about the love of God and the need to repent and start a new life in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the leader in the boat that carried the disciples but there were other boats carrying many other people. Which boat are you in ,the one with Jesus Christ or the other small boats crossing over?
What happened after the crossover?
Jesus Christ met a demon possessed man .Demons inside this man recognized Jesus Christ and pleaded with him to leave them alone. You cant even recognize Jesus Christ that he is the son of God when evil demons can? What manner of person are you? What kind of spirit is in you? When Jesus Christ asked the man his name ,he said his name is Legion because they are many. Jesus Christ is asking the man but demons are the ones responding. Many times we wonder who is fighting against Jesus Christ when in fact it is spirit of demons working through people. How connected is the name Legion to Religion . Re-legion , what is the meaning of the prefix Re and what is the word Legion suggesting as the two make one word Religion. When many people, Christians or Muslims and non believers accepts many teachings ,an ALL- in- ONE kind of man is created. ,people will become too religious and a danger to themselves and other people , just like the demon possessed man who had a legion of demons inside him . When the demon possessed man was healed through the casting out of the many demons he had , he desired to follow Jesus Christ every where he goes but Jesus instructed him to go home to his friends and testify what the has done and how he had shown compassion on him. The healed many wanted to have a relationship with Jesus based on being in the physical presence of Jesus Christ but Jesus Christ lives beyond the physical, he is also present in the spiritual.
Sadly ,many people are not learning and seeing the true teachings of Jesus. Many influential people have thousands of friends and millions of followers on Facebook but they don`t tell them about Jesus Christ and his love. Many have become worse than what they used to be. Many have sold their souls to the devil for money ,fame and riches. From being pastors to become worldly Philosophers ,robbers and deceivers while the previously demon possessed ,murderers ,prostitutes are becoming children of God. What are you to do? Who are you today before God and men? There is hope in Jesus Christ
The true crossover : A genuine spiritual and physical crossover .Joshua chapter 3 ,from the bible.
Part 2: “And Joshua said Sanctify your selves for tomorrow the Lord do wonders amongst you “.(Joshua 3 verse 5)
Read and study carefully the book of Joshua Chapter 3
Moses had died ,Joshua had to carry over the work that was being done by Moses ,to take the nation of Israel out of Egypt , a spiritual land of Sin and slavery yet a glorious physical land of civilization. God never left the nation of Israel even though they did a lot of mistakes and evil. Jesus was the pillar of night by fire , a cloud by day .From Genesis to Revelation ,it speaks about Jesus Christ . He is the one who brings true cross over ,from one lower level of faith to another higher one. Who is leading you today? Your men of God ,the one you call a prophet ,pastor ,bishop or apostle? Joshua was led by the spirit of God ,God himself .You can not separate Jesus Christ, Jehovah, Yahweh or father and Holy spirit. These three are one just like water that exists in three forms that is Liquid ,Ice and Gas. Christianity is teaching a lot depending on which Christianity you know more about . There is going to be false Jesus Christs , false holy spirit ,false teachers and false revivals .These are all written and warned about in the bible. 2024 and beyond is going to be a season of many good changes and bad changes including increased false teaching ,rebellion and possible persecution of true believers who trust in God and keep his commandments. If not , we can enjoy our freedom as long as it lasts. Believers hungry for God`s word and instruction will read the bible for themselves and hear God speaking to them.
Joshua and the children of Israel had to cross the Jordan River ,not alone but they had the Ark of the Covenant with them and the presence of God was visibly seen as a cloud by night and a pillar of fire by night What was the Ark of the covenant about? .The Ark of the covenant was a special box made out of wood and gold. Outside it had wonderful designs including angels covering the mercy seat.
Wikipedia , a trusted website described this as follows : The Ark of the Covenant,[a] also known as the Ark of the Testimony[b] or the Ark of God,[c][1][2] is a legendary artifact believed to be the most sacred relic of the Israelites, which is described as a wooden chest, covered in pure gold, with an elaborately designed lid called the mercy seat. According to the Book of Exodus, the Ark contained the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. According to the New Testament Book of Hebrews, it also contained Aaron’s rod and a pot of manna.[3]
Important lessons about the biblical cross over.
- A true and genuine cross over starts with a relationship with the true Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
- There was a boat carrying Jesus and his disciples and there were many other boats carrying other people , make sure you are in the same boat with Jesus .With Jesus in the vessel you can smile at the storm when ever you are come across any storms of life.
- You need deliverance and repentance. This means a change of kingdoms , from the Kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of Heaven ,God`s Kingdom. I am not talking being a member of a church or religion but the Kingdom being true in your heart, a life based on the word of God. This genuine change will lead to true repentance , leaving all sins behind ,Choosing Jesus Christ and his righteousness alone to be Lord and Savior and other things shall be added. What are “The things that shall be added “ after seeking the Kingdom of God and the righteousness alone of Jesus Christ? Are they riches, cars and houses that even the heathens seek ? Jesus Christ and his righteousness alone is sufficient for your salvation. Guaranteed .No extra works ,no sacrifices , no masses or Eucharist rituals. Nothing.
- After you have accepted the true Jesus Christ of Nazareth ,obey his word , serving him and witnessing to others will be your duty as a true faithful believer. Jesus and his disciples were crossing over from to go and minister to those were across the other side.
- In Joshua 3 , We see both the commandments of God were present in the Ark of the Covenant and Jesus was also present with the Children of Israel as they crossed the river Jordan .Today the commandments of God are written in our hearts
Sadly ,these days we accept Jesus and reject his commandments , just like the Jews who chose to keep the law but reject Jesus Christ. How ?
Historically ,the Jewish nation was the royal priesthood of God until they stoned Stephen to death and the gospel was later given to Gentiles , non Jewish nations. Believers must confess their sins before crossing any physical and spiritual sides of life, otherwise they are fooling themselves. The ten commandments of God must be preserved and obeyed ,not because people want to be saved by keeping them but because all believers were saved by Jesus Christ and his righteousness alone. Do not be deceived. Many understand that they don`t have to kill ,steal or commit adultery .They only get confused about the fourth commandment: keeping the Sabbath holy. Nine of the commandments are kept by believers but the Sabbath issue divides those who obey God from from those who obey man. The truth is God`s true Sabbath is Saturday and not Sunday . Joshua and the house of Israel crossed over the Jordan to the other side with both the Ark of the covenant and the presence of Jesus Christ as the pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. Our hearts have become the new Ark of the covenant. The laws are now written in our our hearts. We keep the commandments of God not because we want to be saved by them , but because Jesus Christ saved us. Do you believe in God`s ten commandments? Lear more..
Wishing you and your family a happy and prosperous 2024 and beyond , many more years until Jesus Christ comes again.
Repent and you shall be saved.
Yours anonymous, friend and brother in Christ.
God speed
Till we meet