After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel inquired of the Lord, “Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them?” The Lord said, “Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand.” (Judges 1:1,2 ESV)
Already But Not Yet
In the opening verses of Judges, a number of important geographic locations are listed. Places like Jerusalem, Negev, Bethel, Hebron, and Gaza…
You have probably heard of them.
At the beginning of Judges, none of them are part of Israel yet.
Even at the end of Judges, many are not yet part of the Land.
But eventually, they all are a part of ancient Israel.
It took warfare, bloodshed, sacrifice, and effort.
But really, God is showing that in HIS mind, these places are already completed promises.
For us, heaven is like that. For us, sanctification is like that. For us, being closer to God is like that. For us, oneness in Christ is like that.
In God’s eyes, they already ARE. Our eyes and history just need to catch up with Him.