The Symbolism of Canaan and of the Jordan

"Some hymns liken physical death to crossing the Jordan and the land of Canaan to heaven, but this is not correct. Redemption brought the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and into the wilderness as a nation, but when each one passed through the Jordan they experienced death, practically and individually. "When one is dead and risen [in spirit]," says John N. Darby, "one enters into the heavenly places [in spirit]. For us, death is life. Jordan is not the sign of natural death, because afterwards they met with fighting. It is death practically, death in us spiritually." William MacDonald explains why Canaan does not represent heaven [speaking of God's peaceful spiritual abode]:

There was conflict in Canaan, whereas there is no conflict in heaven. Actually the land of Canaan pictures our present spiritual inheritance. It is ours, but we must possess it by obeying the Word, claiming the promises, and fighting the good fight of faith."

Warren Wiersbe elaborates on the symbolism of Canaan and then expounds its practical meaning for Christians today:

What does Canaan represent to us as Christians today? It represents our spiritual inheritance in Christ (Eph. 1:3, 11, 15-23). ... Since Canaan was a place of battles, and even of defeats, it is not a good illustration of heaven! Israel had to cross the river by faith (a picture of the believer as he dies to self and the world, Rom. 6) and claim the inheritance by faith. They had to "step out by faith" (Jos. 1:3) and claim the land for themselves, just as believers today must do. Now we understand that the wilderness wanderings represent: the experiences of believers who will not claim their spiritual inheritance in Christ, who doubt God's Word and live in restless unbelief. To be sure, God is with them, as He was with Israel; but they do not enjoy the fullness of God's blessing. They are "out of Egypt" but they are not yet "in Canaan."

Canaan represents all of the believer's inheritance in Christ who is seated in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3; Heb. 1:3). In Christ, believers will find an infinite treasury of spiritual resources which enable them to powerfully represent the Lord while on earth, but these provisions must first be possessed to do so. Certainly, there are future aspects of our inheritance in Christ that believers will enjoy after glorification. For example, believers will rule and reign with Christ once He returns to claim His inheritance and establish His kingdom (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 21:7)...

... The Canaan rest for Israel illustrates the spiritual rest we have in Christ when we, by faith, submit to His word (Heb. 4:11-12). Salvation rest is experienced when we respond in faith to Christ's kind invitation (Matt. 11:28); through His gospel message we obtain peace with God (Rom. 5:1). As we learn of Him and yield to His will (as expressed in His word), we enjoy the peace of God (Phil. 4:6-8). By faith we enter into God's rest (Heb. 4:3); and by continuing in faith and obedience His rest enters into us."

~Warren Henderson~

 Conquest and the Life of Rest; A Devotional Study of Joshua

I found this section of the introduction to Warren Henderson's devotional very interesting. I'd never thought about Jordan as the point where we die to ourselves and Canaan as the battle ground of this life right now. I hope it blessed you as it did me!