Last Great Day - the Eighth Day 2017

Last Great Day - the Eighth Day 2017      September 16, 2017   

 

The Eighth Day: 

Following the Feast of Tabernacles is a final High Day. It's designated as an Eighth Day, different from the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles but included as part of the Feast of Tabernacles.  It is known as the Last Day of the Feast, or as I was taught, called Last Great Day.  Meaning, the 8th Day is a Holy Day in its own right and the end of FOT, but separate High Day. 

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. 

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. 

The 8th day is called Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of Assembly). 

In ancient times, the Feast of Tabernacles (FOT) starts with a water-drawing ritual, which by pouring out the remains of last year’s water symbolized faith that the coming year’s rains would fall just in time. 

Since Jews were celebrating the FOT and did not want rain during the feast, because they lived in booths.  The prayer for rain in their prayers was made on the 8th Day, in which the Jews ask God not only for rain but for the right amount of rain to be a blessing and not a curse; rain that will take care of the a people with fertile crops, not drown them in a major flood. 

On this 8^th Day it was also the custom and tradition to draw / fetch water from the fountain or pool of Siloam, some of which they drank with loud shout of praise and thanksgiving, and some was poured on the altar, while they sang from one location to another of joy. The priest filled a golden vial with water from the fountain of Siloam, which was borne with great seriousness, attended with the noise of trumpets, through the gate of the temple, and being mixed with wine, was poured on the sacrifice on the altar 

Isaiah 12:3-4 You will draw water joyfully from the wells of salvation. And you will say at that time:  (4)  "Give thanks to the LORD; call on his name. Make known his actions among the nations. Proclaim that his name is exalted.  

Rain, of course, is made up of water, descending from the skies.  It is a type of the Holy Spirit of God.  Comparing God's Spirit to rain, the prophet Joel writes, 

Joel 2:28-29 "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. (29) And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 

Isaiah the prophet wrote: 

Isaiah 55:1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 

Jesus gives us the living waters:  Samaritan women 

John 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." 

On the 8th day, the Jews would parade seven times around the altar while the people recited Psalms 118 with trumpets through the gate of the Temple, in memory of the seven times around the walls of Jericho.  

Psalms 118:25-26 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. (26) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. 

Perhaps at the very moment that the priest was pouring water on the altar, Jesus' voice rang out: If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 

Let’s now turn to, find what Jesus said about this day 

John 7:2 Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 

The FOT was for 7 days but the feast was continued for eight days, and the eighth or last day was the most important, and was called the great day of the feast, and is the closing scene to the FOT.  On this day they finished the reading of the law, which they begin at the beginning of the feast.

There is some disagreement over this day, but this is the way I see it.  We may see it different.  The 8^th day was all about water and this is what Jesus said.  It is not really clear.  So what happens on the 8^th Day.

Rivers of Living Water

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. 

A NEW BEGINNING 

The 8th Day, then, represents the completion of the FOT, and the beginning of LGD, according to God's Plan.  It represents a NEW BEGINNING.  This "new beginning" requires "rain" -- a type of the Spirit of God poured out in order to produce a new crop and a new harvest!  

The 8th Day represents the beginning of a new RAINY SEASON, during which the earth is nourished by rain from the heavens.  Spiritually, then, it represents the pouring out anew of God's Holy Spirit and the looking forward to a NEW HARVEST for the Kingdom of God! 

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 is one of the things this 8^th Day represents. 

Let’s look what John said, “New Heavens and a New Earth” 

Revelation 21:1-4 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 

(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. (Think, the Father is with us) 

(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." 

We  found that the 8th Day is a “New Beginning” when Jesus creates new heavens and a new earth.  Jesus told John: 

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."   (a new beginning – all things new) 

Fountain of the water of life 

Revelation 21:6 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.  (Jesus Same words – Holy Spirit) 

Revelation 21:7-8 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." 

Malachi 4:1 "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch.  (burn then up) 

Malachi 4:3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts.  (ashes under the soles of your feet) 

John then describes the “holy city,” the New Jerusalem

Revelation 21:9 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."

Revelation 21:10-16  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 was square: its length was the same as its width. He measured the city with his rod, and it was about 1,374 miles long. Its length, width, and height were the same. (17) He also measured its wall. According to the human measurement that the angel was using, it was 252 feet. 

Revelation 21:22-23 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.  (No Temple – We are the temple of the Holy Spirit) 

Notice: Outside this city, in the magnificent New Earth, will dwell ALL THE NATIONS OF MANKIND that will be SAVED, and given immortality and eternal life!  

Revelation 21:24-27 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. 

New Heavens and a New Earth, Isaiah the prophet describes 

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.  (New Beginning) 

What did the Apostle Peter say: 

2 Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (11) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  

(12) looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (13) Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 

God will share with us, His creation 

Isaiah 66:22-23 “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. (23) And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD.

(still observe the Sabbath)

Revelation 22:3-5 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.  

The Father and Jesus will be here on the earth. 

(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. 

Revelation 22:13-14 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (14) Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 

Revelation 22:15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.  (Ashes under out feet) 

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (water of life) 

Revelation 22:20-21 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

The Last Great Day or the 8th Day pictures a New Beginning when the New Jerusalem comes down and the Father and our Elder Brother will make Their home on the earth.  

Then, this is exciting 

Genesis 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

Psalms 8:6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 

Hebrews 2:5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 

Remember, this is speaking of the “world to come”—not today’s world.

Hebrews 2:8 YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 

The “all things” must include heavenly, as well as earthly things 

But now: indicates that the delay is only temporary. 

This mean specially the animal world, but is here applied to the universe

In the Moffatt translation of the Bible renders the Greek word translated “all things” as “the universe.”  

In other words, for those willing to believe what God says, he says that he has decreed the entire universe—with all its galaxies, its countless suns and planets—everything—will be put under man’s subjection. 

But wait a moment! Before you disbelieve, read the next words in the same eighth verse:  

“But now we see not yet all things [the endless universe] put under him [man].” Most of the translations experts means man. 

This is one of the greatest miracles of all time, what we will be doing in the future.

 

 

Feast of Tabernacles 2017

Feast of Tabernacles 2017                          September 9, 2017 

Received a question, Why does God command all the nations to observed the Feast of Tabernacles before (that is today) and after Jesus Return to the earth to set up His Kingdom? 

I guess the first thing I would ask, have you proved that this Book, is the Word of God and is true.  This is the bottom line in believing this Book is God Inspired.   

We know that the one who was the Spokesman or Lord of the Old Testament was the one who we know as Jesus the Messiah in the New Testament. 

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  He was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 

We know Jesus does not change. 

Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. 

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Jesus gives the Scriptures to His created beings. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  (17)  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (All Scriptures – not some of it) 

Leviticus 23:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.  (Who feasts - Jesus) 

Notice, Jesus here says, these are My feasts or appointed times/seasons or sacred assemblies.   Then Jesus mention His feasts, first the Sabbath, then the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, then Feast of Firstfruits (Pentecost), then Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement.  Then in verse 33, the Feast of Tabernacles. 

Leviticus 23:33-36 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,  (34)  "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.  (Notice, just 7 days) (35)  On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it.  (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. (7+1=8 days; looked at as 1 feast) 

Then what does Jesus say “These are the LORD's appointed feasts.” 

Leviticus 23:37  "These are the LORD's appointed feasts that you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. Bring offerings made by fire to the LORD—a whole burnt offering, a meal offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings. Do this every day on its assigned date (at Temple) 

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.  (Separate High Day) 

Leviticus 23:41 You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month.  (statute forever?) 

It states, forever, when does forever end, just a question.

15th of Tishri: 5 days (grace) after Atonement  

Deuteronomy 16:16 "Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.       (3 seasons to attend services) 

The Scriptures says that when our Lord Jesus returns to the earth at the start of the Millennium, everyone will go up to Jerusalem year after year to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. What does that mean.  Jesus is going to keep His feast and require for everyone to keep or observed it. 

Zechariah 14:16-21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. (Yes, everyone will, including us, now Spirit) 

Why are they going up, to worship Jesus and keep the Feast of Tabernacles 

(17)  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 (Punishment).  (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. (Strong hand, Isa 40:10) 

What is our understanding on one of the meanings of the Feast of Tabernacles, this Feast that looks forward to the Millennial Kingdom of the Messiah for the Israelites will be brought back to the land and will dwell "in booths" when they re-enter the land, just as Moses generation in the promised land had done. 

Therefore this feast is a memorial and a celebration of Jesus and will continue during the Millennium.

We celebrate all the feast days even though they all have not been fulfilled yet, and at the start of the Millennium, all the feast days are not fulfilled.  

The Last Great Day will not be fulfilled until the end of the Millennium, which is another reason why we will continue to observe the Feast of Tabernacles and the other Holy Days during the Millennium. 

Why Sacrifices:  memorial in the past and memorial in the future, none of the sacrifices paid for our sins, it was a memorial for future and past, what Jesus paid for our sins at the cross. 

As far as other nations are concerned, failure to come to this festival would naturally constitute a grave offense, for that would be saying, in effect, that they were not happy with us as Kings and Priests ruling under our Creator God, that is, Jesus, who is in complete control. 

And we know, of course, that in spite of Jesus perfect righteousness of His rule, His Kingdom and the glorious conditions of the Millennium, there will, nevertheless, be many who will become bitter and dissatisfied, even to the point of rebelling against Him in the end of the millennium when Satan is released.  

The nations of the earth will worship the Lord Jesus, coming up to Jerusalem yearly, God's earthly center of worship and government. 

Isaiah 60:3-5 Nations will come to your light, and kings before your dawn.  (4)  "Lift up your eyes and look around: They all gather together, they come to you; your sons will come from far away, and your daughters will be carried on the hip."   

(5)  Then you will look and be radiant; your heart will swell with joy, because the abundance of the seas will be diverted to you, and the riches of the nations will come to you. 

The Feast of Tabernacles is a foreshadow of Jesus Kingdom that represents the Millennium next to the final stage of His plan of salvation.

 

After the great war at the end times (Day of the Lord) and the second coming of Jesus our Lord, those who survive of all the nations will go up to Jerusalem to worship and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 

Zechariah 14:1-15 "Look! A day is coming for the LORD, when your plunder will be divided among you.  (2)  I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem, to lay siege against it. The city will be captured, the houses will be ransacked, the women raped, and half of the city will go into exile, but the remaining people will not be cut off from the city.  

(3)  "Then the LORD will go out to battle against those nations, waging war as in a day of battle.  

(4)  His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. Then the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a very large valley, with half of the mountain moving toward the north and half toward the south.   

(5)  "You will run away through my mountain valley, because the valley of the mountains will extend as far as Azal. You will flee, as you fled from the earthquake during the reign of King Uzziah of Judah. And so the LORD my God will come, and all his holy ones will be accompanying you."  (that is you and me) 

(9)  The LORD will be king over all the earth at that time. There will be one LORD, and his name the only one.  (over all earth) 

(11)  People will live there, there will be no more destruction, and Jerusalem will be safely inhabited."  (12)  "This will be the plague with which the LORD inflicts all of the people who have attacked Jerusalem: he will cause their flesh to rot away (nuclear weapons), even while they're standing on their feet. He will cause their eyes to rot away in their sockets, and their tongues to rot away in their mouths.  

(13)  At that time, they will be stricken with a terrible panic from the LORD. Everyone will attack each other (examples in Scriptures). 

(14)  Judah, too, will fight at Jerusalem. Then the wealth of the surrounding nations will be gathered up: gold, silver, and clothing in great abundance.   

The Feast of Tabernacles is the restoration process that Peter said 

Acts 3:19-21 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,  (20)  and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,  (21)  whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 

God’s plan for mankind involves restoration. The Feast of Tabernacles is  the restoration process, which will start with the return of Jesus Christ, pictured by the Feast of Trumpets, and the banishment of Satan, depicted by the Day of Atonement. Once these events have taken place, as represented by the previous Holy Days, the foundation is in place for the restoration of the creation to peace and harmony with God.  (Important) 

Jesus will return in power and glory with anger 

Isaiah 66:15-16 "Take notice! The LORD will come with fire, and his chariot will be like a whirlwind, to pay back his anger—yes, his anger!—in fury, and his menacing rebukes in flames of fire.  (16)  For with fire and with his sword the LORD will proceed to judgment on all humanity, and those slain by the LORD will be many."  (have you heard this about Jesus, anger from many people) 

Luke wrote in the summer of 52 A.D. about Paul planning to keep the feast at Jerusalem.  

Acts 18:21 but took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing." And he sailed from Ephesus. 

Hosea 5:15 I will return again to My place (Heaven) Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me." 

Hosea 6:1-3 Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.  (2)  After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.  (3)  Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth. 

Ezekiel is covering the various Feast Days during the Millennium

The Feast of Tabernacles will celebrate Israel’s new position in God’s Millennial Kingdom 

Isaiah 66:23  And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD. 

Ezekiel 44:24 In controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings (feast days), and they shall hallow My Sabbaths (Holy Days).  (Notice, My) 

The Millennial Temple: Ezekiel 40 - 48 

Ezekiel’s description of the Millennium Temple is highly detailed (not simply symbolic) and the land around the Temple and the sacrifices that are required to be done.  (very deep detail information about the Temple) 

All nations to worship there; offerings and sacrifices resumed; open only on the Sabbath day and new moons. 

Ezekiel 45:17 Then it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the New Moons, the Sabbaths, and at all the appointed seasons of the house of Israel.

 

He shall prepare the sin offering, the grain offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings to make atonement for the house of Israel." 

Ezekiel 45:20-21 And so you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance. Thus you shall make atonement for the temple. (21) "In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, you shall observe the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. 

Ezekiel 45:23 On the seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to the LORD, seven bulls and seven rams without blemish, daily for seven days, and a kid of the goats daily for a sin offering. 

Ezekiel 45:25 "In the seventh month, on the fifteenth day (FOT) of the month, at the feast, he shall do likewise for seven days, according to the sin offering, the burnt offering, the grain offering, and the oil." 

Ezekiel 46:1-2 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "The gateway of the inner court that faces toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened.   

(2)  The prince shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway from the outside, and stand by the gatepost. The priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings. He shall worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he shall go out, but the gate shall not be shut until evening. 

Ezekiel 46:3 Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the entrance to this gateway before the LORD on the Sabbaths and the New Moons. 

Ezekiel 46:8-9 When the prince enters, he shall go in by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way. (9) "But when the people of the land come before the LORD on the appointed feast days, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate; and whoever enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. He shall not return by way of the gate through which he came, but shall go out through the opposite gate. 

Ezekiel 46:11 At the festivals and the appointed feast days the grain offering shall be an ephah for a bull, an ephah for a ram, as much as he wants to give for the lambs, and a hin of oil with every ephah. 

Ezekiel 46:18 Moreover the prince shall not take any of the people's inheritance by evicting them from their property; he shall provide an inheritance for his sons from his own property, so that none of My people may be scattered from his property. 

As we prepare to go to the Feast of Tabernacles, remember, we will be celebrating this Feast and all the others Feast during the Millennium. 

Remember, there will be physical individuals, Israelites and Gentiles that comes out of the Day of the Lord, the great battle to live during the Millennium. 

We should remember the method of salvation is the same for all individuals from the fall of Adam even through the Millennium.  Salvation is by faith, obedience follows faith. The sacrifices helped restore a believer’s fellowship with God. (if we remember, our bodies are living sacrifice – Rom 12:1) 

Remember, Jesus is training His saints to be kings and priests during our physical life (yes, that is you and me). Now think for a moment. All of John 7 describes Christ’s observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. 

John 7:10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 

Christians who are called are those who “follow His steps” 

1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 

We should stop and think about this, follow His steps, does that not mean to do what Jesus did while on the earth.  How can we qualify to teach (that is what we are going to do) others to observe the Feast of Tabernacles while we are not observing the Feast of Tabernacles or the other feast days, while ignoring God’s plain commands to observe it now in our lives. 

Our Loving God gave these days for us to enjoy the rich, inspiring meaning as a family and as His children.  We need to consider these Scriptures as we prepare for the feast.

 

 

 

 

Flood on the Texas Coast – named Harvey

Flood on the Texas Coast – named Harvey          September 2, 2017

 

I am going to ask, did you have your “go bag” ready in case we have to leave.  A few days ago, the weather people said the heavy rain was heading towards Dallas. 

What are your thoughts on the flood. 

This flood along the coast, came upon them so fast.  Have the news cried wolf to many times in the past and no one really believe them now.   

So much damage, flood area is bigger than the distance from Boston to New York.   News said there is enough water in Texas that Niagara Falls will run for 15 days.  

We all seen pictures of Houston, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Galveston, Corpus Christi and other cities and the damage Hurricane / Tropical Storm Harvey did to Texas and now going into Louisiana and to the east.  These towns were underwater with over 50 inches of rain.  

People helping people.  Rescued.  Water is slowing receding in some areas.

Warning, get out or die;  one mayor said, put your name and social security on your arm so we know who you are when we find your body. 

Now if anyone has ever been in a situation that was life threatening, you know the fear you experienced and how intense it was. 

It is a proven fact that most people go through life thinking that bad things happen to other people. They don’t believe they will ever be in an automobile accident, have a house fire, experience a major illness or go through a major flood of their homes. (When I was younger I believe this)  

I read heard a statistic that over 400 Houston police officers home are in water.  There is one out of 15, we know of someone or family involved in the flood.  

Anyone here. 

I called my sister who lives in Beaumont and said if they decided to leave, they can come to our home.  She said there was very little rain a few days ago.  Now, she says it is flooding all around them.  They are going to stay in place. 

Did you hear about this one, only after many complaints on social media.

A visiting University of Tampa professor of sociology was fired Tuesday after he suggested in a tweet Sunday that Texans deserved Hurricane Harvey because of their support for President Donald Trump in the 2016 election. So much hate being shown here.  I thought of this verse.

Matthew 5:45 NKJV that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

Who is really behind this hurricane.  Who is the god of this age.  There is a war against individuals who claim to be Christians and to destroy them all. 

2 Corinthians 4:3-5 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, (4) whose minds the god of this age (or world) has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (5) For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 

John 14:30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 

Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 

1 Chronicles 21:1 Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.  (Does Satan have this much power over King David?) 

How much power does Satan have.  Job 

Job 1:6-7 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. (7) And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." 

Job 1:11-19 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" (12) And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.  

(13) Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house;  

(14) and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, (15) when the Sabeans raided them and took them away--indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"  

(16) While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"  

(17) While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 

(18) While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, (19) and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 

Matthew 4:8-9 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. (9) And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." 

Jesus did not contradict Satan words. 

Revelation 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

A number of the interviews said on national TV that God is good.  Their faith is what getting them through this flood. 

Are there some examples in the Scriptures about floods.  Let’s just look at the words, no deep meaning, just what it says. 

Matthew 24:38-39  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, (39) and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 

Is this somewhat was happening along the coast. People will be going about their everyday business and they were warn to leave, just as when the waters came upon them and their homes, they were surprise.   

I know there is a deeper meaning to these following verses, but surprisingly the Spirit likes to use the word “flood” as an example to explain things. 

Psalms 69:1-2 Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. (2) I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me. 

Psalms 69:14-15 Deliver me out of the mire, And let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, And out of the deep waters. (15) Let not the floodwater overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth on me. 

Matthew 7:24-25 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: (25) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 

Job 27:20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; A tempest steals him away in the night. 

Isaiah 28:2 Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, Like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand. 

Jeremiah 47:2 Thus says the LORD: "Behold, waters rise out of the north, And shall be an overflowing flood; They shall overflow the land and all that is in it, The city and those who dwell within; Then the men shall cry, And all the inhabitants of the land shall wail. 

Daniel 11:22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. 

Nahum 1:8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies. 

Matthew 24:38-39 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, (39) and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 

Always remember, God is in control if we are following His Ways and the Holy Spirit living in us. The government is not in control. Science is not in control. Evil is not in control. You and I are not in control. God is.  There is no way we can stop the heavy rains and the flood that follows.  We might try, but really, we cannot.  Look at the dams and spillways that were constructed and we had too much water for them to work. 

God is in control, he is patient. Ever thought about that? When things get out of control we grow very impatient. But God doesn’t because He is in charge. 

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.