HEALING WATERS
April 2013 |
II Kings 2:19-21 – “And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray you, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees: but the water is naught (poisoned), and the ground barren (because of the poisoned water. Jericho is the city of the curse, and by God at that, simply because of its heathen worship in the days of Joshua. As well, the world is cursed, because of sin. In fact, it could be, as Jericho, a pleasant place; but instead, the water is poisoned and the ground barren).
“And he said, Bring me a new cruse (this is symbolic of the sinless Body of the Lord Jesus Christ, because the cruse was made of clay), and put salt therein (the ‘salt’ in it — a type of the incorruptible Word of God, that in its plenitude dwelt in Him — was the vehicle of this great healing power). And they brought it to him.
“And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there (the Word of God must be cast into the poisoned spring; there is no other answer; that’s the reason that it is imperative that this great Gospel of Jesus Christ be taken to the whole world [Mk. 16:15]), and said, Thus says the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land (Christ Alone can heal the broken heart, can set the captive free [Lk. 4:18-19]).”
THE STORY OF ELISHA
In the setting of our chosen Text, Elisha has just gone through the miraculous translation of his father in the Lord, Elijah. The men of Jericho approach this man of God and declare to him their need. While they lived in a “pleasant place” their water supply was poisoned. This caused the ground to be bare of product and made the water undrinkable. Sadly, this is a picture of the modern Christian experience. The best place in the world to live is “in Christ.” However, if we have not been properly discipled, or if false doctrine has led us away from the truths of God’s Word, there is little chance of fruit and even a danger of total loss of faith. The water we require, Symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s Moving in our lives, has been tainted, poisoned, and corrupted. I understand that there is no way to “taint” or defile the Holy Spirit Himself, for He is God. However, if our belief system is corrupted, the Moving and the Operation of the Holy Spirit can be hindered, even stopped. This illustrates, perfectly, the situation for many, if not most, in modern Christianity.
THE ANSWER IS CHRIST CRUCIFIED
In order to correct the situation, Elisha calls for a new cruse. This container is Symbolic of the Person of Christ. He then adds the instructions to add salt into the new cruse. Salt is a type of the truth of God’s Word. When the Person of Christ, the Incarnation, and the Word of God combine, they tell the story of God’s Redemption Plan. What was it that Christ came to Earth to do? He came to restore all that man had lost in the Fall; He came to destroy the affects of sin in the World. Where was this Plan carried out? It was carried out on Calvary as Jesus, the Lamb of God, paid the price for man’s Redemption. Now, whosoever will may come and drink of the waters of life freely. It’s God’s Redemption Plan that creates living water for mankind. The story of Redemption is the Story of Christ and Him crucified. Whenever an unbelieving sinner or a seasoned Saint of God looks to the Finished Work of Christ as his Source of help, the Living Water of the Holy Spirit begins to flow. When Elisha placed the Person of Christ (new cruse) and the Work of Christ, as defined by God’s Word, (Salt) into the contaminated waters of the Christians belief system, the water was healed. When the Church begins to look for the benefits of Faith and Grace to flow to them as a result of Calvary, healing waters will begin to flow.
THE CORRUPTING OF GOD’S PLAN
In most cases, that which destroys the ability of the Holy Spirit to bring us life is a faulty belief system. Man is quick to look upon his own efforts of religion as the means to victory and righteousness. Most of the time, unknowingly but with great zeal, we pursue sanctification, power, healing, and leading via a work for reward mentality. We are taught from the pulpit, from the modern Christian bookstores, and from most Christian leaders, that we must obtain what we desire through our labor. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. Two thousand years ago, Jesus paid the price for everything man needs by the giving of Himself on Calvary. He only requires that we believe this fact with all of our hearts and forsake self as the means of Salvation, Victory, Deliverance, or Sanctification. Fighting the good fight of Faith, we reach forward and claim what Jesus died to provide. What a marvelous Plan! But for most, this Plan has been hidden through false doctrine and wrong teaching. With the Plan of God being corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ, to a man-made effort of religion, sin reigns supreme and death by sin claims the spiritual lives of many.
THE ANSWER
In these last days, God is raising up a people who are hearing the Apostolic message (a message intended for all the Body of Christ). This message is not new. It is what Paul preached. It is the message of Christ and Him Crucified. As the truths of Grace brought by Faith encounter the minds, spirits, and hearts of Believers, some will hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the Church. Others, ensconced in the polluted rivers of religion will turn a disdaining eye and disobedient heart away from the truth, only to be destroyed. But many are hearing and believing. Some are changing their belief systems back to the authority of God’s Word. Others, catching a glimpse of truth, being inspired by the Victory that truth provides, are proclaiming the truth loud and clear. This message will rise up as a healing agent to the Body of Christ in these last days. It will serve to prepare a remnant for the last day Harvest that will occur right before the coming of the Lord. Those healing waters are rolling toward you. What will you do with the truth of Christ crucified? Will you turn to the purified waters and be healed, or will you drown in the polluted waters of corruption? The final state of your soul hangs in the balance. Believe, and be healed by the Power of the message of Christ and Him Crucified.
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