Last Great Day - the Eighth Day 2015

Last Great Day - the Eighth Day 2015                 September 19, 2015

 

Last Sabbath we covered the Feast of Tabernacles, the 1,000-year period or the Millennium 

Now, what happen next in the plan of God. 

Satan, who deceives the whole world, is removed for all time.  He cannot again ever affect individuals.  (Rev 12:9, 20:3, 7-10) 

Jesus is call only specific individuals during this age. 

John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 

John 6:65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." 

We know billions of people died without ever having the opportunity to understand the purpose of life and to be saved and have not heard about Jesus coming Kingdom.  

The billions of individuals who was not called during this age or was deceived, will be resurrected to mortal life and be given their opportunity with the Holy Spirit, to build righteous character and to become a member of the Family of God. 

How Many People Have Ever Lived On Earth? 108 Billion since 2011 

What will happen to the 108 billion people, most never known God, the Father or Jesus Christ, our Creator.  What about our family members and friends who have died.  This is what this eighth day is all about, the great “family reunion.”  The eighth day pictures the coming "Great White Throne Judgment" at which all people will have the chance to accept God's offer of salvation. 

There is one more festival which follows immediately after the Feast of Tabernacles. It is what the Last Great Day is all about, the Great Final Harvest Festival  

Leviticus 23:34-35 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD.  (35)  On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it.  

Leviticus 23:36 For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it. 

Jews today call this eighth day:     shem-ee-nee  Azeret             

Shemini (shem-ee-nee) means “eighh”  ‛Azeret means a time of assembly' 

The Last Great Day is a separate festival, totally different from the Feast of Tabernacles 

Leviticus 23:39 'Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest.

Numbers 29:35 'On the eighth day you shall have a sacred assembly. You shall do no customary work. 

We notice King Solomon celebrated the dedication of the new Temple from the Last Great Day for 7 days. 

2 Chronicles 7:8-9  At that time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt.  (9)  And on the eighth day they held a sacred assembly, for they observed the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 

When Judea return to Jerusalem, Ezra and Nehemiah, they kept the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. 

Nehemiah 8:18 Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner. 

We covered last time that we are to teach others likewise and to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.  (Mat 28:18-20 and to follow Jesus example and He leaves us an example that we should follow His steps to walk just as He walked.  (1 Peter 2:21, 1 John 2:6) 

I like to say, the term “Last Great Day” there is not an actual Scripture that does not give the day a specific name, where the three words are together, but the meaning is there. 

As far as I can tell, where the Churches of God received this name for the eighth day is where Mr. Herbert Armstrong taught this and called this day, the Last Great Day based on John 7:37.  There is a disagreement between the COG’s if using this term or not and because of the Greek words and interpretation.   There are some in the COG believe verse 37 refers to the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles instead of the Eighth Day.  

What is the tradition of the Jews do on the Eighth Day?  On this day, it is a time for prayer for abundant rains, considered a day of rain.  Why? 

Zechariah 14:17-19 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain.  (18)  If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.  (19)  This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 

Since Jews were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles and did not want rain during the feast, which they lived in booths, but on the Eighth Day, so the prayer for rain should wait until after the Feast of Tabernacles for the winter crops.  

We saw from the Apostle John last time the Jesus observed the Feast of Tabernacles.  What about the Last Great Day. 

Let’s now turn to 

John 7:37-38 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 

(38)  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."   (if anyone - All people) 

Living Water, what is this. 

John 7:39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 

Jesus was not talking about physical thirst here. He was revealing that if any man have spiritual thirst, and believes on Him, he can come to Jesus and drink in the Holy Spirit.  Living waters. 

Some today have the Holy Spirit living in them today, but the vast majority must wait until the spiritual fulfillment of the Last Great Day. 

White Throne Judgment is mentioned 

Matthew 10:15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! 

Gentiles will be given an opportunity to receive salvation. 

Ezekiel 16:53-55  "When I bring back their captives, the captives of Sodom and her daughters, and the captives of Samaria and her daughters, then I will also bring back the captives of your captivity among them,  (54)  that you may bear your own shame and be disgraced by all that you did when you comforted them.  (55)  When your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, return to their former state, and Samaria and her daughters return to their former state, then you and your daughters will return to your former state. 

Israel will also be given an opportunity for salvation –brought back to physical life. 

Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 

(5)  Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.  (6)  I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.” ‘ “  

(8)  Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.   

(12)  Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.  (13)  Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.   

(14)  I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’ “ 

Jesus wants all people to be saved 

1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,  (4)  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

Also see Luke 3:6. 2 Peter 3:9, Isaiah 52:10 

The Apostle Paul tells us there is a time order for those who are to be saved. 

1 Corinthians 15:22-26 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.  (23)  But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.  (24)  Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 

(25)  For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.  (26)  The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 

End – after the Millennium or 1000 year period  

There is only one way a person can be saved, that is only through Jesus our Creator. 

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

Acts 4:12  Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 

We know most of our loved ones, family and friends who died were not really called during this age, their call will come later.  After the Millennium, they will be resurrected to mortal life and given the Holy Spirit to overcome as we have overcome, except they will not have the influence of Satan and his demons.   

The Apostle John tells us about the first resurrection and the 2^nd resurrection was after the 1000 year period. 

What about those who have not been called today, the rest of the dead.  

Revelation 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.  (5)  But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 

(6)  Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. 

What happen now that Satan is removed. 

Revelation 20:11-12 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 

Who were these people.  Small and great, Remember, we will be there as Spirit Beings.  This is the 2^nd resurrection to mortal life.  Now they are being called.   Even babies and children who died will be resurrected then. This group includes all people in all ages except those few who will reject the calling.   

Who will be the Chief Judge in this White Throne Judgment 

John 5:21-22 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.  (22)  For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 

1 Corinthians 6:2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 

They will be judge from the books of the Bible. 

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 

Their rewards in God’s Kingdom  will  depend  also as we were, on our  character   development   during  our mortal life. It is a process that requires time and opportunity for learning and growth. 

They will also have to go through a life of overcoming and obedience to God.  Jesus will give those after the 2nd resurrection the same opportunity for salvation as Jesus gave us, we who are called today. 

We saw where Satan’s spiritual influences will not be around during this time period.  

The prophet Isaiah wrote about this time.  

Isaiah 65:20-25  "No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.  (21)  They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.  (22)  They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.  

(23)  They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD, And their offspring with them.  (24)  "It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.  (25)  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain," Says the LORD. 

·      Will be given a chance to enter God’s Family  (22, 23)

·      Close relationship with the Father and Jesus our Lord (24) 

Think about it for a minute, what will we also be doing during the Millennium with billions and billions going to be resurrected.  We will be building homes, places, clothing, food for them, etc.  Whatever someone needs to start with. 

Just think, when we go under surgery and wake up, are we sometimes confused and wonder where we are.  When they wake up, it will be the first moment of consciousness since death.  Will they be confused and bewildered when they wake up from this deep sleep.  Different opinions here.   

They will need clothing, a place to sleep, looking for family members and we will be there to help and teach them about an afterlife that is the true way of life. 

They will have to learn untruths (which is very hard to do) and to learn the truth.  

We will go to our family members, who have died and will be able to help them, teach them the truth.  

There will have to be a great education push, because so many do not know how to read or write, study and learn the Scriptures until they can. 

These individuals will be given the Holy Spirit and will be taught by us who Jesus is, what He did, His instructions, His Word and what is in the Holy Scriptures.  This is where education comes in. 

How long will this period of judgment last.  

Isaiah 65:20  "No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. 

This verse indicates that those who were resurrected will live for a 100 years.  Does this mean, the wicked sinner (who conscience is seared and will not repent) at the end of the 100 ears will be under a curse and will die in the lake of fire.  

This time period will be more peaceful and productive as they will be able to build righteous character through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. 

To me this is reassuring of the truth from our living and merciful Creator God. 

The Third Resurrection, to me, is very sad. 

A few individuals will persist in living a rebellious and sinful life, with bitterness, refusal to forgive others and instead of building Godly Character is building the character of Satan and living the way of death. They will become bitter and will not be able to repent.  

What happen to them according to the Apostle John 

Revelation 20:14-15 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. 

All who stubbornly refuse to repent  

Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." 

1 Timothy 4:2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 

Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 

Hebrews 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

Good news, our conscience can be cleanse 

God is always there for the person who wants to repent by giving them help   

What happens now. New Heavens and a New Earth 

All this happens prior to the new heaven and the new earth.  

The next and final age is now coming for mankind, where the Father and the Son will bring the New Jerusalem down.   

When all God’s children are born into His spiritual family and all sinners are been destroyed, what is next: 

Isaiah 65:17-19 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.  (18)  But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy.  (19)  I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. 

Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 

After the lake of fire, a new heaven and a new earth will appear. The new earth will become the headquarters for all future projects of the God Family. 

Revelation 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 

New Jerusalem come down out of heaven to the earth, and become the capital of the Kingdom of God 

Revelation 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

God will share with us, His creation 

Isaiah 66:22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD, "So shall your descendants and your name remain. 

What will the Holy City be like.  

Revelation 21:1-27  Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.  (2)  Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  (3)  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.   

(4)  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."   

(5)  Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  (6)  And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  (7)  He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  (8)  But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."  

(9)  Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."  (10)  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,  (11)  having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 

(12)  Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:  (13)  three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 

(14)  Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.  (15)  And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.  (16)  The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.  (17)  Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.  

(18)  The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.  (19)  The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,  (20)  the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.  

(21)  The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.  (22)  But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  (23)  The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 

(24)  And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.  (25)  Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).  (26)  And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.  (27)  But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. 

Revelation 22:1-7  And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.  (2)  In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  (3)  And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.  (4)  They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.  (5)  There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.  (6)  Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.  (7)  "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 

The Last Great Day pictures the final judgment, when salvation will be made available to all those who never had an opportunity in their first life.  One of the greatest miracles of all time.