What gets us into Heaven?
Hello, my name is Danny and I was an active Latter-day Saint for 60 years.
Currently this year in the LDS Church, the curriculum for gospel study is the Old Testament - which will lead into next year’s study of the New Testament.
My intention in this video is to briefly tie the throughline of the gospel message to both Testaments.
I am going to start by asking you a question. Are you aware that Moses, himself never entered the Promised Land with the children of Israel? Moses – the man God called from the burning bush; the man God used to confront Pharoah and perform miracles; Moses who led the children of Israel out of Egypt and parted the Red Sea; Moses who went up to Mount Siani to receive the ten commandments and the law; Moses who led the children of Israel through the desert wilderness for 40 years; Moses who in Hebrews chapter 11, is listed in the Hall of Faith. It states in Deuteronomy 34:10 “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew, face to face.”
Yes, that great prophet Moses was never allowed to enter the Promised Land - and he died outside of it? In the last chapter of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses went up from the plains of Moab onto the mountain of Nebo and God showed him the Promised Land. 34:4-5 “And the Lord said unto him, This is the land which I swore unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: Then God said to Moses I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So, Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.”
Now, God gives the reason why Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 32:51-52 “Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of MeribahKadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in, the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.” God was true to His promise. He showed Moses the Promised Land but did not let him enter in.
The incident mentioned at the waters of MeribahKadesh happened at the end of their forty years of wandering, when the Israelites came to the place called Zin. There was no water, and the Israelites turned against Moses and Aaron. So, the two brothers went into the portable tabernacle and prostrated themselves before God. God told Moses and Aaron to gather the assembly and speak to the rock – and water would come forth. This was a prominent rock that Moses was familiar with from a similar situation that took place years before.
Therefore, Moses took Aaron’s staff and gathered the men. Then, seemingly in anger towards the men in Numbers 20:10-11 “And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he (Moses) said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we (Moses and Aaron) fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.”
Water flowed from the rock, just as God had promised. But God immediately told Moses and Aaron that, because they failed to trust Him - and Moses had struck the rock twice instead of simply speaking to it as he was commanded – that they would not be allowed themselves to bring the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Vs 12 “And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”
Does the punishment Moses and Aaron received - seem harsh to you? When we look closely at Moses’ actions, we see his mistakes. Obviously, Moses disobeyed a direct command from God. God had commanded Moses to speak to the rock. Instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff. Earlier, in Exodus 17 when God had brought water from the same rock – at that time, He instructed Moses to strike it once with a staff. But God’s instructions were different this time around. God wanted Moses to trust in Him, especially after they had been in such close relationship with each other for so many years. Moses didn’t need to use force by striking the rock - he simply needed to obey God by speaking to the rock and know that God would be true to His promise of bringing forth abundant water.
Also, when Moses struck the rock - it was Moses who took the credit for bringing forth the water. He asks the people gathered at the rock, “Must we bring you water out of this rock?” Moses seemed to be taking credit along with Aaron for the miracle, instead of attributing it to God. Moses did this publicly in front of the assembly. And God could not let it go unpunished and expect the Israelites to understand the importance of His holiness.
When we read about this “rock” what does it represent? In need to ask Who does it represent? This water-giving rock is used as a symbol of Christ. Paul in referring to this wilderness event states in 1 Corinthians 10:4 “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” And we understand that Christ continues to provide living water to those today who have faith in Him. This same rock was first struck in Exodus 17:6 - just as Christ was crucified, once (Hebrews 7:27). Thus, when Moses angrily struck the rock a second time instead of speaking to it - he figuratively crucified Christ again.
Moses’ punishment for his disobedience, pride, and the misrepresentation of Christ’s sacrifice was steep. He was barred from entering the Promised Land. Yet we do not see Moses complain about his punishment. Instead, he continues to faithfully lead the people and to honor God until his death.
In His holiness, God was compassionate towards Moses. He invited Moses up to Mount Nebo, where God showed His beloved prophet the Promised Land. Even though Moses sinned against God, his failure at the rock did not negate or break his relationship with God. God continued to use the prophet and continued to love him with tenderness.
But there is something so much deeper going on here that is prophetic and pointing to Yeshua. It states in John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” The Law was given through Moses - but love and grace and truth was given through Yeshua. Remember, Moses represented the law. But keeping laws and commandments can never get us into the promised land – never get you into heaven. It might bring us to the border of Heaven, but only the grace of God can bring us into the Promised Land. Only faith and trust in Christ can save us.
So, who then was chosen to lead the people into the promised land? Joshua! Did you know, Joshua is the same as the Hebrew name, Yoshua or Yeshua? You see, the letter “J” did not enter the alphabet until the 17th century AD. Then, at that time, the Latin word Ieasus was translated into the English word - Jesus. I prefer to call Him by His given name – Yeshua.
My point is that Moses (who represents the Law) could only bring the Israelites to the border of the Promised Land. But Yeshua’s grace and truth, brings us into the promised land, meaning His heavenly kingdom.
That is the gospel - hidden in plain sight in every page of the Bible, whispering the same story or message throughout. It’s not by law or our works that we get into heaven - but by Christ’s love, grace and mercy, that we will enter God’s promise. His presence.
Any religion or church teaching doctrines of laws, ordinances, covenants, and commandments necessary for a person to be in that heavenly kingdom - are not of God. Because it is ignoring the redemptive sacrifice Christ made to save mankind from their sins and their efforts to earn the promised land. Those religious demands will put people back under bondage. And Christ came to set us free. Yeshua came to do what we could not do for ourselves. We are to look to Him the “Rock” and speak to Him for the faith we need to trust in Him alone and not in our own worthiness or our own efforts.
Moses was faithful and obedient in most things, but he did fail in that one instance. And we learn from the Bible - specifically in James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Therefore, even if you keep every other commandment - violating just one command still makes you a total lawbreaker and guilty in the eyes of God. So, we need to quit trying to please God by keeping laws and commandments that are placed upon us by religion. He sent His Son to come and live those laws and commandments perfectly in our place - and to pay for the sins we have committed with His own life’s blood. We have the choice now to place our trust and love in Jesus Christ – and to speak to the Rock - Yeshua Mashiach. That trusting relationship is what will get us into heaven. That is my prayer for everyone.
Thank you for watching. Find more videos like this on YouTube and at TalkingtoMormons.com.
God Bless!