Seeing Through Phenomena to the Essence

Today we will read Numbers chapter 26. Many people skip this chapter because it contains a large number of names. However, I get excited when I see these names, for they contain many spiritual truths. For example, Genesis chapter 5 is full of names, stating how long someone lived and then died. I have researched this chapter, and I can say that few can match my understanding. Numbers chapter 26 is similar; it is not important to know these names, but it is crucial to see through the phenomena to the essence amid the confusing information. A person's ability to grasp the essence is very important, and as Christians, we must seize the essential issues. The essence of this chapter returns to a fundamental concept: only those who can fight count.

Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing everyone twenty years or more old who is able to serve in the army of Israel. (Numbers 26:2)

Do not casually say, I am a Christian, I was baptized and saved in such and such year. The Bible does not calculate this way; only those who can fight are counted. How can you be included if you cannot fight? Some people pose the dilemma: what about those who die unable to fight, do they go to heaven or hell? Actually, whether they go to heaven or hell, you ask me, who should I ask? To comfort the living, I might say they went to heaven, but I really do not know. Do not nitpick my words. Does my saying this guarantee their entry into heaven, or does my silence condemn them to hell?

Among us is a person named Xia. When I introduced him to a friend, the friend nicknamed him Heaven, so it is read as Summer Heaven. I have never heard of a Winter Heaven. This is a joke; the key issue is not whether one goes to heaven or hell. If you open your eyes in the spirit after death and find yourself not in heaven, there is only one reason: you did not overcome while you were alive. If you can see through these chaotic phenomena to the essence, a multitude of names does not matter. Seeing the essence simplifies things.

I visited a pastor who said he enjoyed reading my books, noting their simplicity and wondering why no one had interpreted the scriptures like me before. It is because I interpret according to the essence of things. I do not talk about Greek or Hebrew, nor do I quibble over words. Even if a word or phrase in the Bible’s translation is incorrect, the meaning is always right and unchanging. Today we see the essence of this chapter: only those who can fight count. Numbers chapters 1 and 2 clearly state:

From twenty years old and upward, everyone in Israel who is able to bear arms shall be counted according to their divisions. (Numbers 1:3)

What does chapter 26 say again? Chapters 1 and 2 counted many who died in the wilderness. Forty years later, another census was taken, this time counting only those who could fight. How do I know they could fight? Because these people crossed the Jordan River, defeated the king of Jericho, and continually fought to possess the land. A generation passed away, all dying in the wilderness, leaving only Joshua and Caleb. If you have children, naming them Joshua and Caleb is a good choice.

Believing in the Lord Really Attracts Demons, But You Can Choose to Cast Them Out

Some people have confused views about believing in the Lord. For example, a businesswoman sister told me that she was leading a fellowship in Guangzhou and loved the Lord very much. However, she later told the brothers and sisters in the fellowship: believing in the Lord attracts demons. I agree with her; Numbers chapters 1 and 2 recorded more than six hundred thousand people, all of whom died, leaving only Joshua and Caleb to enter the Promised Land. At whose hands did these six hundred thousand die? At the hands of the demons they attracted.

I tell you that being a Christian does indeed attract demons. I do not know how many people I will stumble by saying this, but you must hear me out. Why does being a Christian attract demons? From Genesis onward, the best Christians were Adam and Eve in their glorious state when they were first created. Radiating light, walking with God, and guarding the garden, whom did they attract? They attracted Satan. Did Adam and Eve attract demons? Yes, they did! As for Cain later, God told him that sin was crouching at his door, longing to master him, but he must overcome it. Does this attract demons? Yes! Is Cain considered a Christian? Yes, he is! He offered sacrifices. Later, he killed his brother Abel, whose sacrifice God accepted. There are many such examples.

Did those who fell in the wilderness in Numbers believe in the Lord? Yes, they did. Those who lived in Egypt were much better off than those who lived in the wilderness. What did the Israelites do in the wilderness? They ate the same food for forty years. (I do not want to eat the same food for forty years; that is too miserable.) The pillar of cloud and fire protected them all day long, and when the cloud lifted, they broke camp and carried their heavy tents forward. They could not stop walking unless the cloud stopped, which was very tiring. So they began to complain, attracting the demon of complaint, and then they died.

Choose to Be an Overcoming Christian

Therefore, people are divided into three categories today. First: those who are above all nations, not counted among all nations; these are the people who carefully keep and follow God's word. Second: those who are among all nations, the people of the world, like Egyptians, Chinese, Americans, Australians, and Europeans. Third: those who are below all nations, those who know God but do not overcome and do not carefully keep and follow God's word. Choosing which category to be in is your own choice.

Those who are below all nations, the non-overcoming Christians, really live miserably! How did the Israelites live in the wilderness? According to the fleshly perspective, I feel it was better to be slaves in Egypt. God's purpose for them was to be above all nations, but they were below all nations. Why? Because they did not dare to fight. All those who did not dare to fight died in the wilderness; more than six hundred thousand corpses littered the landscape, struck down by God, by demons, and by plagues. There were also those who were swallowed alive when the ground opened up.

So everyone must see through to the essence: will you die in the wilderness, or risk your life to fight? The choice is yours. If you ask me, I will not give up until I build an overcoming church, even if it means death. I will be an overcoming Christian even if I face giants. Death will come sooner or later, and it makes no difference to me whether it comes earlier or later. To fight is to be unafraid of death.

To be a Christian is to be a Christian who dares to die; life and death are not within our consideration. You will not die as such a Christian. If you do not obtain the Promised Land, God will not let you die, demons cannot take you away, and God will also protect you, fighting for you in front of you, causing you to overcome. You overcome because God fights victoriously before you. Is there anything in the world as good as this, as good as this deal? It is truly sad if a Christian cannot overcome.

Casting Out Demons Does Not Necessarily Mean Victory; You Must Be Unbound

A few days ago, I visited an elderly man, a pioneer in healing and deliverance. His legs were in a truly terrible state. I prayed with him, and he cried with me. How can someone who does healing and deliverance be in a wheelchair, with legs in such a state and needing eye surgery? It is quite a struggle. I must tell everyone that doing healing and deliverance is not necessarily called victory. There are many things in our lives that are timid and fearful. In the ministry and among Christians, many are bound by morality, by their wives, and by their husbands. Revelation says this:

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

Therefore, I am determined to be a Christian who is neither timid nor bound. I must obtain freedom in any case and then begin to fight to overcome. Anything can be放下put down. What cannot be放下 put down? Having come into this world with great difficulty and lived a lifetime with great difficulty, why live in constraint and bondage? If I want to fight, I will fight. A good soldier of Jesus Christ must put aside all entanglements. This not only counts (because only those who can fight count) but also allows us to fight and overcome. If you see Christians who are not doing well, know that they are not overcoming.

The Israelites Who Died in the Wilderness

What kind of people were these who died in the wilderness? Brothers and sisters, you must pay attention. The first kind are those who complain. They complain at the slightest difficulty, complaining about the lack of water, the lack of food, and complaining about eating only manna. There is only one thing they do not complain about: not daring to fight. They all died in the wilderness. If you look closely, a batch dies with each complaint, many tens of thousands. The second kind are those who are rebellious. For example, Korah's group, Dathan, and Abiram all died, along with the two hundred and fifty middle-level leaders who rebelled with them. The third kind are those who are fearful. These six hundred thousand were all afraid of fighting. The fourth kind are those who are gluttonous. The fifth kind are those who are sexually immoral. The sixth kind are those who violate the Sabbath. The seventh kind are those who despise God. The eighth kind are those who offer strange fire. They all died. If we expand on each one, we will be retelling the Book of Numbers.

What does the Book of Numbers talk about in the beginning? It talks about how these people died. It gives us a very clear view: what is a dead end, and do not run towards it. The Israelites talked a good game, saying they would die, but they were still afraid of death. What kind of people are these? If they could have charged up and killed the demonic enemies, would they not have lived?

Be Responsible for Your Choices

Christians must never be cowardly, indulge the flesh, be gluttonous, rebellious, complaining, sexually immoral, violate the Sabbath, or despise God. If we offer sacrifices, do not offer strange fire. Why? Because offering strange fire is according to human will, not carefully keeping and following God's word. A passage in the middle of this chapter is very interesting:

The line of Korah, however, did not die out. (Numbers 26:11)

What does this tell us? We must be responsible for our choices. You need to know that your dad's rebellion has little to do with you. If you rebel, you are Korah. If your dad rebels, your dad is Korah, and you may have little to do with Korah. The descendants of Korah often appear in the Psalms, referring to this Korah. The descendants of Korah did not die. I stay far away from the rebellious things my elderly dad did. Is it not said that curses pass down to the third or fourth generation? Then I ask you, did Korah's curse come upon his sons? No. Why? Because one's own choices are very important.

Do not think that a healing and deliverance church is always good. There are quite a few healing and deliverance churches today, but you must carefully look inside to see how they operate. I have met many senior pastors who, upon your visit, immediately produce a chart. Their healing and deliverance system is called a psychology system. For example, if a child is hurt, they say it is not the child's problem, but because there are things in their living environment that hurt them, because they lacked love as a child.

What kind of talk is this? Some time ago, I met a pastor who said he saw a brother in his church who lacked love as a child and had fallen into homosexuality. He went up and gave this brother a hug, and then he thought he needed to give him another hug. I pondered this matter. If you lack something, you give it. If I lack money, will you give me money? Because I lack money, I am very hurt, so you have to give me money. Do not give me a hug; I only want money, not a hug. But you will not give it to me because you also love money very much. Can this kind of healing and deliverance that gives you what you lack release people?

The Essence of Healing and Deliverance Is to Deal With One's Own Problems

What healing and deliverance do we do? We pull people out of the environment of the knowledge of good and evil. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt at the age of seventeen, and he should have been very hurt, but he was not. Samuel was sent to the temple to old Eli when he was three years old, and he should have been very hurt, but he was not. Samuel's parents were not around, and old Eli and his rogue sons took care of the child. How did little Samuel live in old Eli's house? He lacked love. Since he lacked love, how did he become a famous prophet? He is even ranked alongside Moses as one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. How was he not hurt and did not become homosexual?

We still have to return to the fundamental issue: take responsibility for yourself. If you come among us and have depression, it is very simple: you yourself have a problem. You know good and evil and indulge the flesh. Who else will get depression if you do not? Once we clarify this matter and grasp the essence of things, depression is cured every time, unless they do not let us treat them and want to continue suffering, then let them continue. Know that a person's suffering is their own problem.

One day, a child cried very hard and could not be soothed no matter what. It is very simple; I just let him stand in the corner and cry well. When he is done crying, he can come find me. If he is not done crying, he can continue crying. Then I do whatever I need to do nearby. After a while, the crying subsided, and I would say that the sound was too soft. He thought crying could coerce me, but it cannot. A person's problems are all on their own body.

Korah's sons did not die because they were responsible for their own choices. My elderly dad wanted to rebel and send two hundred and fifty people to their deaths. The ground under their feet opened up, and everyone went alive to the underworld. What does this have to do with me? He chooses the path of death, and I will choose the path of life. I will choose to carefully keep and follow God's word.

Brothers and sisters, know that healing and deliverance are basically your personal problems and have nothing to do with your ancestors or living background. It only has to do with your knowledge of good and evil and indulgence of the flesh. The reason we cure every case is because we have grasped the essence.

Korah's sons not only did not die but were also counted when taking the census, and they were able to enter and possess the land. Do not think that Korah's sons were not counted the second time because Korah had sinned. That is not the case; they were still counted. It is because they did not choose to perish with Korah and them. This is a very important truth. The Book of Numbers specifically mentions the death of Korah and his two hundred and fifty middle-level leaders to highlight that they chose death and it had little to do with their children. But if their children wanted to die with them, that was easy too.

As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, with all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is likely to swallow us up too!” And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. (Numbers 16:31-35)

As long as you can fight, even women can inherit the land. Later, it mentions someone, Zelophehad son of Hepher, who had no sons but daughters. Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but daughters. The names of Zelophehad's daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. (See Numbers 26:33) These girls were counted in, totaling fifty-two thousand seven hundred people after counting. Why were the girls counted in too? There are women with Mingding Destiny who can go to the battlefield and kill the enemy. You will find that it mentioned men over twenty years old earlier, but by the second census:

Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing everyone twenty years or more old who is able to serve in the army of Israel. (Numbers 26:2)

It already includes women. Sisters, if you dare to go to the battlefield to fight and kill the enemy, you can also obtain an inheritance! What good news, as long as you can fight, it counts, whether you are male or female. What about the other women, you ask? Who told them not to strive for it? In the next chapter, we will also talk about the daughters of Zelophehad. How did Zelophehad's daughters obtain their inheritance? Did others win the battle so that they could get the inheritance? There is no such thing.

These daughters were all female generals who really took up knives and guns to fight on the battlefield. The Israelites fighting was very interesting. They cast lots, and the daughters of Zelophehad also drew a lot, writing which piece of land belonged to them. If it is said to be yours, can you get it? You have to go in and fight to kill the people on that land before you can get it. These girls were amazing. What they drew was the land that the daughters of Zelophehad deserved. The boys fought it down, and the girls fought it down in the same way. Joshua and Caleb fought the most difficult places, especially Caleb. If you do not fight it down, you cannot get it. I have Scripture as proof:

In those days Israel had no king; and in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking a place of their own to settle in, because they had not yet received the inheritance allotted to them as one of the tribes of Israel. (Judges 18:1)

The Danites still had no place to live by Judges chapter 18. Why? Because they did not fight it down. The daughters of Zelophehad had already fought it down, but the Danites could not fight it down. They did not die in the wilderness and entered the Promised Land. They drew lots after entering, and did they get land? They got it, but they still could not obtain it. That is to say, only what you fight down can you obtain; what you do not fight down, you cannot obtain.

A few days ago, I heard a very interesting testimony. One of our sisters, who works in sales, fought and cast out demons every time, and the order came in the next day. After a period of time, she fought and cast out demons again, and the order came in the next day. This thing is related to casting out demons. If you want to argue with me, I do not want to change you. If you think it does not matter, do not argue with me either. I like to think so. Why? Because every time she overcomes in spiritual warfare, she gets an order. Is this not very 神 Godly?

This is the spiritual essence: only what you fight down can you obtain. It would be good to grasp this spiritual essence. Let us start watching today. Do not think that the daughters of Zelophehad were really good and did not have to put in much effort. Even though they were daughters, they could still take their father's inheritance. Is that the case? They fought it down at the risk of their lives. If you think you get it by being given it, you probably have not grasped the spiritual essence.

Victory in Battle, Victory in Inheritance

In this generation, it is imperative to understand that only those who prevail will inherit. Some shy away from battle, dreaming of overseas ventures, hoping to gain some polish. If they do not end up ruined, that is a good outcome. I do not endorse this conventional form of education. Our brothers and sisters must come forth with genuine courage, whether male or female. Today, rise up and become mighty warriors of God, contending for the promised land for your families, so that your households may receive grace through you.

Among the Israelites counted were 601,730. The Lord said to Moses, “Distribute the land as an inheritance to these people in proportion to the number of names. To a large group give a larger inheritance, and to a small group give a smaller inheritance; each is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those listed.” (Numbers 26:51-54)

Distribution does not guarantee possession! Although the land was divided, inheritance was still according to ancestral clans, apportioned according to their numbers. Those who feared battle died in the wilderness forty years ago. Even entry into the Promised Land was due to God's mercy. Yet, hesitating to fight, as recounted in Judges chapter 18, they failed to secure their inheritance. The demise of those who fear battle is a crucial spiritual principle.

Because the Lord had said of them, “They will surely die in the wilderness,” not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. (Numbers 26:65)

Do not imagine that entering Canaan eliminates the wilderness. The dictum remains: Those unfit for battle will die in the wilderness. This is a spiritual axiom. Even within the Promised Land, destruction awaits. We must grasp that waging spiritual warfare yields exceedingly rich rewards. I have privately resolved to remain a demon chaser, regardless of my workload, for that is our sustenance. The demonic enemy is our food. Casting out demons equates to spiritual prosperity, a crucial concept for spiritual growth.

Those unfit for battle will die in the wilderness. Do not presume this refers solely to the deceased. It is addressed to us, the living. To the Israelites about to enter Canaan, it was a warning: fear battle, and you too shall perish in the wilderness. If you argue that Canaan lacks a wilderness, God will conjure one for your demise. This is the word of the Lord. Do not think entering Canaan implies carefree indulgence. Such a notion is false.

Numbers Are Not Decisive; Victory in Battle and Elite Warriors Are Key

Let me emphasize that numbers are not the issue. Forty years have elapsed. The initial count was 603,000. Though 600,000 perished, 601,730 remain. This is not the same 600,000 – a testament to our God's ability to raise descendants for Abraham from stones. Do not assume that death diminishes our ranks. For every one who fears battle and dies, a capable warrior emerges. Hence, after forty years, God has raised another 600,000.

Previously 603,000, now 601,000. The difference of 2,000 is negligible. The crux is not numbers, nor gender, but the ability to fight. Thus, brothers and sisters, we must awaken to the reality: are there still those among the church who cannot fight? Of course, expecting new believers to fight is unrealistic. We must nurture them to maturity, to the full stature of Jesus Christ.

A word of advice: I often hear that other churches prioritize numbers, eager to win back those who leave. Frankly, I am indifferent to numbers. The church cares only for those who can fight, those who can engage and defeat the demonic enemy. What is your purpose otherwise?

Simply to swell the ranks, to provide another mouth? Like my former practice of preparing braised beef, which required numerous mouths to consume, many gluttonous freeloaders. But no longer. Now, those who come seeking only to eat will find no place. We must now take up spiritual weapons, enter the spiritual realm, wage spiritual warfare, and liberate captive souls and oppressed people.

Every time the church cleans out those who shirk battle, a new cohort of those who love the Lord and yearn for their destiny enter. Thus, the church is unconcerned by losses, by departures, for those who remain are always more potent. Recently, a pastoral leader informed me that after a cleansing of their pastoral district, a new group arrived. Know that our God can raise descendants for Abraham from stones. What is there to fear? You need not fret. You should worry whether you are a victorious Christian. Do not presume you can transform people. If transformation occurs, praise God. But the ultimate decision rests on the individual's choice, which is beyond external influence. If we could make choices for others, would we not have already done so?

We must not contravene God's commands, nor His spiritual principles. They shall die in the wilderness; we shall enter the Promised Land. Numbers are irrelevant. Cease striving to retain people in your small groups, your families, your pastoral districts, even the entire church. Our church never pursues numbers.

Someone once told me, Pastor, I will be leaving the church for two months. I inquired, What do you intend to do? He replied, I am going to visit other churches. I responded, Then do not return. He imagined he held value in my eyes. I had not even counted him. If uncounted, then irrelevant. Abandon pursuing vanity. Pursue building a powerful church for God's kingdom, shaping each individual into an elite warrior of Jesus Christ, who not only avoids death in the wilderness but also destroys the demons occupying that land, inheriting it as our possession. What a magnificent purpose!

Summary

Victory is what counts; the ability to fight is what counts. The capacity to win battles is the culmination of courage and wisdom. Possess both courage and wisdom, and be filled with the knowledge of God in spirit and mind. In this world, declare to spiritual matters: Nothing and no one in this world can prevent us from becoming elite warriors of Jesus Christ. For God's sake, we shall cast aside all encumbrances. Freedom is non-negotiable. Serving God is my purpose in this world, my destiny, my dream. I will die as a victorious, contending warrior. May God bless you all!

“Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans, listing every man twenty years or more old who is able to serve in the army of Israel.” (Numbers 26:2)