Vol. 36, No. 7  July, 2012

MIDNIGHT IN THE LAND OF HAM
By Dr. George Mills

“And it came to pass that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn of Pharaoh in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of  the cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants, and All the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.” (Ex. 12:29-30).

 MIDNIGHT in the land of Ham. A great cry, a great mourning. The firstborn of all the land were dead.

After the flood the three sons of Noah moved in different directions and began to repopulate the earth. Their migrations are listed in Genesis, Ch.10.  Noah’s son,Ham, moved and settled in Africa, Libya, and Egypt. In due time, the Israelites became slaves in the land of Ham. “Israel came into Egypt and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.” (Psa. 105:23). God promised that He would deliver the Israelites from the land of bondage, and now, in our text, that time for deliverance has come. The Israelites were to follow the instructions God gave them. There could be no error. Their deliverance from

 bondage depended solely upon the blood of a
lamb. God gave them step by step instructions concerning the lamb and for their obedience. This is recorded in Exodus, Ch. 12.

THE LAMB WAS CHOSEN. “Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel saying, in the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house.” (Ex. 12:3). Each Israeli  household was to choose a lamb.

THE LAMB WAS PROVEN. “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. Ye shall take it from the sheep, or from the goats.” (Ex 12:5) The lamb was selected on the tenth day and was slain on the fourteenth day. They were to prove the lamb for three days, and slay the lamb on the fourth day. No blemish or spot was to be found on the lamb.

THE LAMB WAS SLAIN. “Ye shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.” (Ex 12:6). The lamb was of no value to them alive. The may have loved the lamb. They may have looked upon the lamb as a pet, but this SELECTED LAMB had to die.

THE LAMB’S BLOOD HAD TO BE APPLIED. “And they shall take the blood and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door posts of the houses, wherein they shall eat

it.(Ex. 12:7). “Ye shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason, and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.” (Ex 12:22) They were to take a bunch of Hyssop,(a small plant that grew out of the cracks in the rocks) and with that hyssop apply the blood to the two sides and over the door. They were inside, protected by the blood of a lamb!

THE LAMB HAD TO BE INTACT. “In one house it shall be eaten. Thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh out of the house, NEITHER SHALT YE BREAK A BONE THEREOF.” (Ex.12:46).

THE LAMB HAD TO BE EATEN. “And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread, and with bitter herbs shall they eat it.” (Ex. 12:8). They had to begin their journey of deliverance for bondage. The nourishment from the lamb gave them their strength.

THE LAMB WAS ALL THAT THEY NEEDED.  This is the first PASSOVER. Their Salvation was solely in the chosen, proven, slain lamb. When the death angel passed over the land the Israelites were safe under the blood, but there, in the land of HAM, there was mourning and wailing because they were not protected by the blood. When the death angel passed over the land he was not looking for a dead lamb, or dying lamb, or a strangled lamb, or a suffocated lamb. He was looking for the BLOOD of that lamb.

NOW, let us apply this to our lives today. This lamb in the land of Ham that night gives us a vivid picture of our Salvation which is in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “FOR EVEN CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US.” (1Cor. 5:7). The Bible (KJB) clearly teaches us that everything about the little PASSOVER lamb in Egypt is in type, in shadow, in picture, the Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on Mount Calvary. Let us take another journey… back to another Midnight. Back to another Passover Season. “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.” (Lk. 23:44). Yes, it’s Midnight again at the Passover Season. Christ, the Lamb of God is crucified and His Blood is our only hope of Salvation. Now, let’s bring these two events together…

IN EGYPT THE  PASSOVER LAMB WAS CHOSEN.
CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB WAS CHOSEN.
Before there was anything. Before the creation of anything, Christ was the chosen of God. The sin of man and his need of a Saviour was not a surprise to God. He knew from the beginning and made provision for the deliverance from bondage for man The Apostle Peter wrote, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. But with the precious Blood of Christ AS OF A LAMB without blemish and without spot. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” (1Pet. 1:18-20).

IN EGYPT THE  PASSOVER LAMB HAD TO BE PROVEN.
CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB WAS PROVEN.
Satan put Christ to the test and found no place in Christ for sin to enter. In Matthew 4, Christ faced the three avenues of temptation, (see1Jn. 2:15-17). The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Sorely tried by Satan and found to be without spot or blemish. PRAISE GOD! God the Father tested and proved Him. “This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased: was the Father’s verdict. Man tested Christ to prove Him Man view His every move to see if there was fault in Him. There was none! Pilate summed up the test of man when he said, “I find no fault in Him.” PROVEN TO BE WITHOUT SPOT OR BLEMISH. In Egypt they chose the lamb on the tenth day and proved the lamb for three days. That parallels the three years of Christ’s earthly ministry when He was tested. THERE WAS NO FAULT FOUND IN HIM!

IN EGYPT THE PASSOVER LAMB WAS SLAIN.
CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB WAS SLAIN.
I know not where to start with the verses that have to do with with the Slain Lamb of God. From the beginning in Genesis 3:15 and through the Bible, there is but one story; “THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.” The Apostle Paul wrote; “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. John wrote, “Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” He could not have escaped the cross. For this one purpose he came. He came to be our Passover Lamb. “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).

IN EGYPT, THE BLOOD OF THE PASSOVER LAMB HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE DOOR POSTS  AND LINTEL. That was, in reality their Mercy Seat. They were safe under the blood.
CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB TOOK HIS OWN BLOOD INTO THE HEAVENLY HOLY PLACE AND THERE, UPON THE MERCY SEAT HIS OWN BLOOD WAS APPLIED. (Heb. 9:12). There, in the Heaven of heavens, far beyond the reach of man, far beyond the reach of satanic forces, there, is the Blood of Christ. Everyone who has ever believed and received His Message of the Gospel of Grace are safe under that blood. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD He entered ONCE into the Holy Place having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Heb. 9:12)
Christ literally took His own blood into that Holy Place.

IN EGYPT THE PASSOVER LAMB HAD TO BE INTACT. “Neither shall ye break a bone thereof.” And in fulfillment to this type and in fulfillment to prophecy,
THERE WAS NOT A BONE OF CHRIST BROKEN. “For these things were done that the scripture should be fulfilled, a bone of Him shall not be broken.” (John 19:36).

IN EGYPT THE PASSOVER LAMB HAD TO BE EATEN. The lamb was roasted in the fire which pictures the fires of Calvary. The Israelites needed strength for their journey. The Passover Lamb supplied that strength.
JESUS SAID, “EXCEPT YE EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN AND DRINK HIS BLOOD YE HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU.” (Jn 6:53-63). Jesus went on to explain to His disciples that HIS WORDS are SPIRIT and LIFE. In other words, as we read and digest the Word of God, we are feasting on Christ. This is where we get our strength for the journey through this WILDERNESS. We MUST partake of the Lamb. We do that by feasting on His Word, (KJB).

IN EGYPT THE PASSOVER LAMB WAS ALL THAT THEY NEEDED. They were safe and secure under the blood. And the same is true today.
CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB IS ALL WE NEED. All safe and secure under His Blood. I suppose I could continue this for a long time, there is so much to cover. But I must close. Before I do, may I say that another MIDNIGHT is coming. Sometimes DEATH and MIDNIGHT are synonymous. Both of these two events are ahead of us. Death, or the second coming! Have you trusted The Lamb of God. Are you safe under His Blood? Don’t let the midnight hour find you not under the Blood. Trust the Finished Work of Christ today, and begin TODAY to live FOREVER!
AND THINK ABOUT THIS…
I was wondering about this, the Bible does not say, but I wonder if there were careless Israelites who heard the message, who understood the message and really meant to get around to applying the blood, but just neglected, or went to sleep….But the MIDNIGHT hour came. “And there was mourning in the land.” I just wonder…

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          “What can wash away my sin?
      NOTHING but the BLOOD of Jesus!”

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            IS THE BLOOD THERE?
                            (Exodus 12)
   “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

                   By Pastor George Mills

Tell me, Mother of my child,
    Who warms each day with love and smile,
With tender care each hour is turned,
And oil of midnight often burned,
    Tell me, is the blood there?

Daughter, daughter of my heart,
    Who with each hour does impart,
Much happiness within our home,
But tell me e’er this hour is done,
    Tell me, is the blood there?

O son of mine thou knowest well,
    But can I ever really ever tell,
The depth of all my love for you,
But can you answer glad and true,
    Tell me, Is the blood there?

O stranger, stranger at my door,
    Though we have never met before,
And we may never meet again,
    So answer now, now in glad refrain,
 Tell me, Is the blood there?

O can it be, “I know for sure,
    That I have claimed God’s only cure,
For I do trust the cleansing flow,
    His Blood that washes white as snow,
Yes I know, His Blood is there.”

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THINK ABOUT IT…If we want to end up right, we must start right, and stay right. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delighteth in his way.”  Psa. 37:23.
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AND THE WORLD IS A WILDERNESS…It is no friend to the Christian. Stay close to Christ, the world can’t get you there.

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WHAT MUST I UNDERSTAND IN ORDER TO BE SAVED?
Some say that Salvation is just too complicated to understand. They say things like, “I hear the word sanctification, condemnation, justification, separation, jubilation, tribulation, damnation, and I just don’t understand all this stuff. And then there’s all those “begets, and begats” This is all too complicated.”
If you have a child in first grade you do not expect that child to know much about math, or science. No, that child will be learning and growing smarter before he or she  can understand these things. And so it is with a new Christian. We begin our Christian Life as babes and learn. Our understanding of these things will grow as we study our Bible and pray. The part we need to know is very simple, so simple that children easily understand. Christ would not suffer the pain and agony of the Cross in order to purchase our redemption and then make salvation so difficult and hard to understand. Here are five basic simple things about salvation that you must understand…

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE A SINNER. “For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Ro. 3:23).

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS AN AWFUL PRICE TO PAY FOR YOUR SIN.
“For the wages of sin is death.” (Ro. 6:23).

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT CHRIST PAID SIN’S DEBT FOR YOU.
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Ro. 5:6).

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT. “For by Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph. 2:8-9)

YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT CHRIST WILL SAVE YOU RIGHT NOW IF YOU WILL TRUST HIM.
“For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Ro. 10:13) TODAY!!!

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  FROM MY HEART
                    By Mildred Mills

            PRECIOUS MEMORIES

So many memories, precious memories, so many we could never mention them all, but I would like to share a few of our memories with you, ones that have made our lives what they are today. I remember the night I gave my heart to Jesus. I was thirteen years old and attending youth camp. What a glorious experience and I will never forget it. I remember well the Sunday Morning my husband went forward in our little church and asked Jesus to come into his heart. It was a time that I will never forget, a time that we had been praying for. I remember well when he told me that God was calling him to preach the Word, to tell others of the Good News he had heard. He wanted to see others come to the Lord and have a brand new life in Jesus. He has been preaching for forty five years and lives what he preaches. He is my husband, the father of my children, my pastor, and the love of my life. So many memories, precious memories. I remember having the sweet privilege of teaching each of our four little ones that Jesus loved them and gave His life for them. I remember how old each of them were when they asked Jesus to save them, where we were at the time and every little detail of how it came about. They were very young but knew exactly what they wanted and needed and that was Jesus. What a precious memory! I remember the birth of each of our precious grand children and all the sweet times we had together. The Lord has given us a life time of sweet and precious memories and we are still busy making more memories and I’m sure they will be precious too! My husband and I are looking forward to our 58th Wedding anniversary on July 31 and Lord willing that will be another precious memory. God is so good to His children and we need to remember His goodness to us. I have mentioned just a few of the many precious memories that are ours. I could never list them all but I will forever have them tucked away in my heart.
“Remember His marvelous works that He hath done.” (1Chr.16:12).

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          TEEN TALKS THAT MATTER
By Ashley Stevens

         THE ULTIMATE SUPERHERO

Today many of the movies we teenagers watch portray a superhero who is so powerful, so mighty, and afraid of nothing. He has superhuman strength to defeat all the evil in his way. He is able to overcome all adversity and obstacles placed in his way to ensure victory and justice for the good of the world. This synopsis can be seen in many of our favorite action heroes movies today such as Superman, the Avengers, Spiderman and so many more. However we know all these super strong all powerful beings are simply actors playing a role. But did you know that there is an all powerful all knowing everlasting hero that you can have a personal relationship with today? You see, the Lord Jesus was so committed to overcoming evil and providing a way for you and I to be saved that He overcame all the obstacles in His way including death. By inviting Jesus into your life you can have a relationship with the greatest superhero this world has ever known. You will no longer have to turn on a DVD to watch your favorite superhero or take a trip to the movie theater. With Jesus, you can talk to Him anytime and spend forever with Him. When evil or dark times come into your life you will be able to have peace because He will always be with you.. Psalm 46:1-2 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Will you accept the Greatest Superhero into your life today?
May God bless you each and every day.

Until next time,                      Ashley Stevens

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THINK ABOUT IT…Our goal here at the WILDERNESS is to place a Gospel witness in the hands of at least one million people. We are small and the world is big. But our God is greater than the challenge!

WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS…
Time to answer some questions…

“What do I think about predestination?”

Ans…Many get hung up here. Questions like, “Can I be saved?” “Are some predestined to be saved?” “How can I know if I am one of the elected?” And many more. Let me be as brief as I can. FIRST, Jesus died, and was buried, and arose from the dead that ANYBODY can be saved from the penalty and power of sin. Salvation is not meant for some, but for all. One must believe, or receive the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let me discuss predestination in three areas…

1. The Church
2. The Christian
3. The sinner

THE CHURCH is the MYSTERY of God. The Church is NOT in the Old Testament. You can only see shadows there. The Church was revealed to the Apostle Paul; “Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God. Even the MYSTERY which hath been hid from all generations, but is now made manifest in His saints. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this MYSTERY among the gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:25-27).The Church was PREDESTINED in eternity past and eternity future. The Church is made up of believers in Christ  from all over the world. These have said “YES,” “I believe that Jesus Christ died for me on the Cross of Calvary, and that He was buried, and that He arose on the third day.” That belief is not a head belief but a commitment To Jesus Christ as only Lord and Saviour.

THE CHRISTIAN. For the Christian, predestination begins at conversion. The very instant you received Christ, predestination begins there. Everything that God promised to believers in Christ is yours. Predestined to spend eternity with Christ and His Church, but predestination begins at conversion, the moment you received Christ.

THE SINNER. I do not believe for a moment that anybody is predestined for Heaven or Hell. This is a CHOICE that WE MUST MAKE! Those of us who have received Christ are predestined to spend eternity with Christ. The sinner who dies without receiving Christ goes to Hell. There is no other place, no hope after death. For the Christian, predestination begins at conversion. For the lost sinner, predestination begins at death. JUST DON’T DIE WITHOUT CHRIST! Now, don’t let anybody tell you that you cannot be saved. Don’t listen to anybody who tries to tell you that some are, and some are not predestined. Jesus Christ paid the price for your Salvation. TRUST HIM!
“Does this then do away with the foreknowledge of God?” OF COURSE NOT! God knows all things simply because He is God. Don’t worry about what God knows, concern yourself with what you should know.
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“Preacher, your stand on abortion?”

Ans…I am Pro-life. Totally opposed to abortion. Life begins at conception. Life has been in the womb for nine months when a child is born. The Bible says “These six things doth the Lord hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, AND HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD.” (Prov 6:16-19) What could be more innocent than an unborn child. What could be more helpless, more defenseless than a new born child? “But doesn’t a woman have the right to do as she pleases with her body?”NO! There are many things she cannot do. For instance the law forbids prostitution and many other things a woman cannot do with her body.
THINK ABOUT IT, ADOPTION IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!

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“Preacher, about same sex marriages”?

Ans…There is no such thing. “And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made a woman and brought HER  unto the MAN. .Therefore shall a man leave his father and Mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh.” (Gen. 3:19-25). “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him, MALE and FEMALE created He them. And God blessed them and said unto them, BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY.”

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“Preacher. About homosexuality?”

Ans…It is still an abomination to the Lord. After you have explained it all away and try to make it logical, the bottom line is The BIBLE still condemns it. Let me add this that God can deliver a drunk from alcohol, a thief from stealing, a prostitute from whoredom, and He can deliver the homosexual from abomination. Millions have found this to be true.

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“Preacher, about living together without marriage?” 

Ans…Man calls it living together, God calls it fornication. It was wrong in ages past, it is wrong today, and tomorrow. Breakdown in home life and marriage vows lead to the flood in Noah’s day, (Gen. 6) and is leading that way today. In fact we are reaping havoc because of this great sin.

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“Preacher, what about capital punishment?”

Ans…The Bible is clear. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood. By man his blood shall be shed for in the image of God He made him.” (Gen. 9:6).

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“Preacher, what do you think about ordaining women into the Ministry?”

Ans…Again, it is not what I think, it is what the Bible says. SHE is not qualified. The qualifications for Pastor, Bishop, Elder, (same office) are clearly stated in 1Timothy 3:1-11. Since a woman cannot be the husband of one wife, she does not qualify. Women can be, have been, and are being used in service for God. My sincere appreciation for everyone who is busy serving our Lord. But for a woman to be the Pastor of a Church is unscriptural.
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“Preacher, what about joining secret societies?”

Ans…Some join societies, and swear bloody oaths not to reveal their secrets. For the Christian, our lives should be an open book, known and read by all men. As for me, I joined with my wife in Holy Matrimony 58 years ago, and I joined my Local Church. That’s about all the “joining” I plan to do.

There are questions that come to me from time to time and I will get to each one, or most, when space permits. Some seem to be troubled by their past. May I add this…Jesus Christ paid the price for ALL SIN by His finished work on the Cross. ALL SIN…The debt for my sin, your sin has been paid. If you are not saved by His Grace, Ask Christ into your heart just now. He will forgive all the past, and make the present and future worth living for. You can begin TODAY to live FOREVER! “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.”

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Please Remember to pray for the Outreach Ministry of the WILDERNESS….
WILDERNESS Monthly Publication

WILDRNESS Tracts, booklets, helps

WILDERNESS Internet Ministry

WILDERNESS Broadcast Ministry

WILDERNESS Prisons Ministry

WILDERNESS Bibles for Africa.

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         HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!
              July 4, 1776—July 4, 2012
                    236 years young!!

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          George Washington’s Prayer..

“O Eternal and Everlasting God, I present myself this morning to Thy Divine Majesty, beseeching Thee to accept my humble and hearty  thanks that it hath pleased Thy Great Goodness to keep and preserve me the past night. Direct my thoughts, word, and work. Teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in Thy service, and ever run in the ways of Thy Commandments. Preserve and bless our rulers in Church and State. Bless the people of this land. Be a father to the fatherless, a comforter to the comfortless, a deliverer to the captives, and a physician to the sick. Let Thy blessings be upon our friends, kindred and families. Be our Guide this day and forever. For Jesus Christ’s sake.”

     (This prayer is still preserved in George Washington’s original hand.)

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“God bless this nation. We are a needy people. We are prone to wander from the place of blessing. Because of this we are reaping a harvest of crime and corruption. Grant Revival throughout the land. May there be a hunger in the hearts of all our people for the blessings of God.”