Feast of Tabernacles 2014—Day 2

The Great Resettling and Rebuilding

Fred R. Coulter—October 10, 2014

- Video | - PDF | Audio | [Up]

Track 1: or Download

Greetings, brethren! Welcome to day two of the Feast of Tabernacles. After we learn how to rule with the Word of God—and that's what we're doing now; that's what we are preparing for—when we are resurrected and are spirit beings, then with all the other gifts, talents and things necessary to carry out and help rule the world and reign with Christ as kings and priests we will begin:

• the greatest restoration
• the greatest resettling
• the greatest rebuilding

in the history of the world. The world is going to be turned, literally, upside down, and it's going to be filled with chaos, ruin, dead bodies, destroyed buildings, people suffering, and those who are still alive will all need our help; they're all going to need our assistance. We will come with Christ with the true government of God!

Now then, that is the whole meaning of the Kingdom of God. Let's understand one thing: The Church is NOT the government of God to rule over the brethren! The Church is to:

• teach
• give guidance
• to help
• to preach the Gospel
• to make disciples

It is the Spirit of God that comes to us after we are converted and after baptism, and it is Christ Who rules in our heart! It is God Who rules in our lives! All the ministers and elders are like coaches on the sideline: teaching, helping and getting everyone involved, doing what they need to do. We are being prepared for the greatest work to ever come upon this earth: the Kingdom of God and the reign of Jesus Christ with the saints of God. Let's look at a prophecy of this.

Just think of this: God always starts small, and then it is to grow. The way it grows and develops, it needs to be the right way with the Spirit of God. That's what we're going to do all during the Millennium.

Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulders… [today Christ is the Head of the Church] …and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Sidebar: Today God the Father is our Father and we are His children. Remember that Jesus said of the apostles: These belong to the Father! And the Father gave them to Jesus to teach and to train. We are the Father's children today. However, the Church and Christ—during the Millennium—will be the 'everlasting Father' at that time.

Verse 7: "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with righteousness from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this."

Note Acts 15—When James gave the decree of what to do with the Gentile converts, he said that the Church is the tabernacle of David, which is being raised up. Let's see how this expands.

• it's going to be on David's throne—that's Christ
• the government is going to be on Christ's shoulders
• we're going to work and assist with Christ as kings and priests

Psa. 122[transcriber's correction] is very interesting. What we need to understand is that many of the Scriptures have multiple applications. That is they apply at the time that they were spoken, they apply at a later time when it's fulfilled in history.

Psalm 122:1: "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the LORD.'" Think about what that's going to be like when we go into the house of the Lord when the tabernacle is setup in Jerusalem. We're coming back with Christ to Jerusalem (Zech. 14)—and all the saints with Him.

Verse 2: "Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built like a city that is all joined together as one" (vs 2-3). Not anything like it is today. It is going to be completely changed, rebuilt and reconfigured by Christ. We'll take a quick look at what the tabernacle will be at that time.

Verse 4: "Where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD, for there were set the thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David" (vs 4-5). We know that God has promised to the 12 apostles to sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. So, this is talking about it. There are lesser thrones that we're going to sit on.

Let's come and see the very greatest re-gathering and rebuilding in the history of the world. I was watching on the American Heroes Channel what had to be done after WWII in Germany and various countries of Europe, and in Asia to rebuild. It was a tremendous project. Everything in Germany was wasted, destroyed, and it all had to be built up. That's what it's going to be like when we come back to the earth with Christ to take over ruling the earth.

Remember, the first thing we have to get rid of is Satan the devil, because there can never be any peace and righteousness of lasting value as long as he is around. So, he is put away.

Jeremiah 30:22: "'And you shall be My people, and I will be your God.'…. [this is the returning of Israel to the lands that God gave them] …Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD'S wrath goes forth, a sweeping whirlwind; it shall whirl on the head of the wicked" (vs 22-23). When we come back to the earth, the people are going to have to yield to God, or they're not going to be living.

Verse 24: "The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return until He has done it, and until He has fulfilled the purposes of His heart…." As we saw yesterday:

• there's a purpose for us
• there's a purpose for Israel
• there's a purpose for Judah
• there's a purpose for all the people of the world

 "…In the latter days you shall understand it" (v 24). That's actually an introduction to Jer. 31. We are going to see many, many important thing that are here concerning what is going to happen immediately as the Millennium begins.

Jeremiah 31:1: "'At that time,' says the LORD, 'I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.' Thus says the LORD, 'The people who were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I will go to give him rest'" (vs 1-2)—that's the beginning of the Millennium.

Verse 3: "The LORD has appeared to me from afar, saying, 'Yea, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving kindness I have drawn you. Again, I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin of Israel. You shall again put on your drums, and shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice. You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. For there shall be a day that the watchmen on Mount Ephraim shall cry, "Arise and let us go up to Zion to the LORD our God!"' For thus says the LORD, 'Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations. Cry out, give praise and say, "O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel"'" (vs 3-7).

They're going to be in captivity; they're going to be in desperate shape. Think of the camps of WWII; that's what we're going to be looking at to save the people: to heal them, to help them and to establish the Kingdom of God. They're going to be scattered.

Verse 8: "Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the corners of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; a great company shall return there. They shall come… [notice the repentance] …with weeping…" (vs 8-9)—of joy, with thanksgiving; just like those who were released out of the prison camps in WWII.

"'…and with prayers I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way; they shall not stumble in it, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn'" (v 9). There going to be a real great return. We're going to be involved in that; just think of it!

If you have a chance to watch some of those things that occurred when WWII came to an end, that's exactly what it's going to be like when we take over the world. Only it's going to be a far greater destruction, and people more ravaged with war and frightened with everything that has been going on.

Verse 10: "Hear the Word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off. And say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him, as a shepherd keeps his flock.' For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of the one stronger than he. 'Therefore, they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and the herd. And their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not pine away any more at all'" (vs 10-12).

Things are going to be so fantastic, so great! Just think about it! We have been called, brethren, to bring about the greatest thing that has ever happened to the world:

• to help it
• to sustain it
• to teach
• to preach
• to educate

My, what a fantastic thing that is. We cannot have any greater calling than to do that!

Verse 13: "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them and make them rejoice from their affliction. And I will fill the soul of the priests with fatness…" (vs 13-14). We're going to be the priests at that time. That doesn't mean that we're going to gain a whole bunch of weight; that means with the richness and goodness of God, and also the power and strength of God to help and to teach; to carry out the work that God gives us. It's going to be exciting; this is going to be great.

That's why now, brethren, we need to learn how to rule. That's why we need to study, to pray, to grow, to overcome. Look at the goal as to what we are going to do.

Verse 16: "Thus says the LORD, 'Hold back your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded,' says the LORD. 'And they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope for your future,' says the LORD…" (vs 16-17). Yes, hope!

• no more war
• no more killing
• no more lying
• no more stealing
• no more kidnapping
• no more drugs
• no more of corrupt government

But righteous government! The sons and daughters of God governing in truth, goodness and in love! What a difference that's going to make to the world. Now you understand why you can't repair this world with political means, because it so corrupt! All of that's going to be gone!

"…'that your children shall come again to their own border. I have surely heard Ephraim mourning to himself, saying, "You have chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bull not broken in; turn me, and I shall be turned….[repentance] …For You are the LORD my God"'" (vs 17-18). That's what Ephraim and all Israel is going to say. We will be there; they can see us. Yes, that's going to be something!

Verse 19: "Surely after I was turned, I repented; and after I was taught, I struck on my thigh. I was ashamed, yea, I even blushed because I bore the disgrace of my youth." What a fantastic repentance that is going to be! Think of that!

Notice what God says, v 20: "Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? For as often as I spoke against him, I earnestly remember him still. Therefore, My heart…" God is involved:

• with His emotions
• with His love
• with His care
• in seeing that His Word is carried out to the 'nth' degree

"'…My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him,' says the LORD. 'Set up way marks, make sign posts for yourself. Set your heart toward the highway, even the way that you went. Return again, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities. How long will you go to and fro, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the land; a woman shall court a man'" (vs 21-22). How many are going to be killed in war?

Of course, when you watch some of those things as they began to repair Germany after WWII, the first thing they did was begin to clean up the mess, clean up the bricks. And as you will notice, most of them were women. When there's a war there's a disproportion number of women that are left over, because the men have been killed—millions and millions of men.

Isaiah 4:1: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man… [that's how scarce physical men are going to be] …saying, 'We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothing; only let us be called by your name. Take away our shame.'"

They are going to raise up children, because the population in the first generation, in the beginning of the Millennium, with the physical people must be balanced out again. This is going to be not quite an authorized polygamy. But it's going to be to bear children, and "…take away our shame" means to bear children. Unless they have a man they cannot have children.

Jeremiah 31:23: "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Again they shall speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I shall bring them back from their captivity: "The LORD bless you, O habitation of righteousness and mountain of Holiness."'" What a wonderful thing that is going to be. Every desire for good that men even have today, though overridden with wickedness and sin.

• they want love
• they want joy
• they want peace
• they want prosperity
• they want everything to go well

But the wicked have to be removed. Those who have sinned need to repent. That's how it's going to be.

Verse 24: "And farmers, and those going forth with flocks, shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities of it together. For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul" (vs 24-25). God is going to heal them spiritually, mentally, physically! I just imagine that one of the first things we are going to do is heal the blind.

Remember what it was, to bring them out of captivity, to bring them out the dungeons, so that the 'blind may see and deaf may hear.' Are we going to restore lost limbs? Why not? Won't that be something? Yes, indeed! We are going to be given so many fantastic and wonderful things to do to help the people to teach them; to bring them to God! Look at the repentance that is going to come here. Look at it according to what God is going to do.

Verse 26, Jeremiah writes: "On this I awoke and looked up; and my sleep was sweet to me. 'Behold, the days come,' says the LORD, 'that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of animal. And it shall come to pass, as I have watched over them to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so I will watch over them to build and to plant,' says the LORD." (vs 26-28). The very mission of Jeremiah. Guess what Jeremiah is going to be? Probably chief in doing, because you read that his commission was to tear down, destroy and to build up! Here is the opportunity to build up, to be one of the leaders in building up.

Just think what that is going to be. Just think what a joy to Jeremiah that will be, where his whole ministry was talking doom and gloom and captivity and punishment! Where he would look up and sin was so bad and he would say, 'Oh that my eyes were rivers of water, that I might cry for my people.' Now, resurrected Jeremiah, God is probably, without a doubt, going to give him that job so he can build and plant.

Verse 29: "'In those days they shall not say any more, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge." But every man shall die for his own iniquity. Every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge…. [won't say that anymore] …Behold, the days come,' says the LORD, 'that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah'" (vs 29-31).

That's a separate covenant from the New Covenant with the Church, the new Covenant with Israel has never been given. The New Covenant with Judah has never been given. But the covenant for everlasting life—for those whom God calls, the New Covenant for us—has been set in motion from the time of Christ until the resurrection. From that time then new covenants need to be made. God is going to make a New Covenant with them here.

Verse 32: "Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which covenant of Mine they broke, although I was a husband to them,' says the LORD; 'but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days,' says the LORD…" (vs 32-33). Conversion! Exactly what God is doing with us with the New Covenant today.

The covenant that will be established with them will be a covenant unto eternal life! Now salvation is going to be granted beginning with Israel to the whole world.

"…'I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people'" (v 33). What a wonderful thing that is going to be. We are going to be the ones to help carry it out.

• God is the One Who is going to give the Spirit
• God is the One Who has given the laws and commandments
  • we are the ones to teach them
  • we are the ones to help them
  • we are the ones to look over the flock of God

Let's think about what Christ asked Peter right at the end of the Gospel of John. He said, 'Peter, do you love Me?' Yes, Lord, You know I love You! Jesus said, 'Feed My sheep!' He said a second time, 'Peter, do you love Me?' Yes, You know I love You! 'Shepherd My lambs!' He said a third time, 'Peter, do you love Me?' And Peter was grieved when he was asked the third time, and said, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You! He said, 'Shepherd My sheep!'

Now then, think of this: All the apostles and all of us are going to be doing this to all of Israel because we are the ones who are going to bring it about. Isn't that something?

Verse 34: "'And they shall no more teach each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, "Know the LORD"; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," says the LORD. 'For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.'" Fantastic thing! Isn't that what God says to us with the covenant that we are in for eternal life? Yes, indeed! God is going to bring it to all of Israel, all of Judah, and all the nations of the world.

Here's the promise that it will be done from that time, and carried right on down to the time that it is fulfilled:

Verse 35: "Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for a light by day and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, who stirs up the sea when its waves roar; (the LORD of hosts is His name), 'If those ordinances depart from Me,' says the LORD… [which they won't] …'the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me forever'" (vs 35-36). Another very interesting thing: that the ten tribes of Israel were never lost. They were never absorbed into the nations.

• Do we have the sea?
• Do we have the oceans?
• Do we have the sun?
• Do we have the moon?
• Do we have the stars?
• Yes!

This shows the greatness of God's plan. Brethren, because we're heading into very difficult times in the near future, the way that we get through them is to have the real understanding and vision that God wants us to have, because the Proverb says, 'Where there is no vision the people perish.' We have got to see and understand that God has selected and called us and is training us for the very purpose of carrying out the Kingdom of God on earth:

• healing the earth
• healing Israel
• healing Judah and healing all nations
• restoring everything to perfection

That is a wonderful, fantastic thing. Let's really keep that in mind, and let it burn in our hearts and minds and emotions, that this is the desire we have for eternal life and God.

Verse 37: "Thus says the LORD, 'If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be searched out, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done,' says the LORD. 'Behold, the days come,' says the LORD, 'that the city shall be built to the LORD from the Tower of Hananeel to the Corner Gate. And the measuring line shall yet go before it to the hill Gareb, and shall go around to Goath. And the whole valley of the dead bodies…'" (vs 37-40). God is going to clean up everything! What a fantastic thing.

We need God to help us understand how great this is. Now let's see how God has promised this through Ezekiel. Remember this, too: Whenever we have problems and difficulties, correction from God, there is a better day ahead, there is a way out that God promises! He does these things:

• so we can learn more of His way
• so He can give us more of His Spirit
• so He can teach us more of His righteousness

Brethren, being called into the Church of God and having the Spirit of God in these end-times is a great, wonderful and marvelous promise, and a great opportunity for us.

Let's see how God expressed it to Ezekiel, and remember Ezekiel had even a harder ministry of prophecy than did Jeremiah. Read the first 8-10 chapters of Ezekiel and ask yourself: Would I want to go through this? Well, Ezekiel did; God saw him through it.

Ezekiel 36:8: "But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall put out your branches…" That's how it's going to grow during the Millennium, just like tree.

"…and yield your fruit to My people Israel; for they will soon return. For, behold, I am for you…" (v 8-9). Think of that. God is saying to them through all the trials and difficulties, through all the chastisement and pain, through all the suffering, death and persecution that they went through, God says, "…I am for you…" Take that to us. God is for us. God is not against us; God is for us. That's why He's given us the grace of God, that we have direct connection with God the Father in heaven above, the Sovereign of the universe!

Brethren, think of your calling; think of the promises, think what God has given to us. Thank God! Lift up your voice in prayer! Be zealous and go forth and do the things of God that God has for us today so that we can accomplish these things here:

"…and I will turn unto you, and you shall be tilled and sown…. [the whole land of Israel] …And I will multiply men on you, all the house of Israel, all of it. And the cities shall have people, and the wastes shall be rebuilt. And I will multiply men and beasts upon you, and they shall increase and be fruitful. And I will make you dwell after your old estates, and I will do better to you than at your beginnings. And you shall know that I am the LORD" (vs 9-11).
All the way through the book of Ezekiel everything is punctuated at the end: "…you shall know that I am the LORD." That's what we are to do now: know the Lord!

Verse 12: "'Yea, I will cause men to walk upon you, even My people Israel. And they shall possess you, and you shall be their inheritance, and shall no longer bereave them of their children.' Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Because they say to you, "You are a devourer of men, and you have been bereaved of your nations." Therefore, you shall devour men no more, nor shall you bereave your nations any more,' says the Lord GOD. 'Nor will I allow you to hear the shame of the nations any more, nor shall you bear the reproach of the people any more, nor shall you cause your nations to stumble any more,' says the Lord GOD." (vs 12-15)—bringing them back to complete healing.

Notice because of these promises; notice because of the goodness of these thing that He is giving to us; notice how they will respond; these are really tremendous prophecies, brethren. Let's really understand the greatness of what God has called us to do. Here it's telling us what we are going to do as spirit beings:

Verse 22: "Therefore, say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My Holy name's sake…"'"—because He promised it, because He said so; not because of their goodness, not because of their righteousness. It's the same way with us. We come into the Kingdom of God resurrected from the dead because of the righteousness and grace of God, because of His workmanship in us.

"…which you have profaned among the nations where you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. And the nations shall know that I am the LORD…" (vs 22-23).

It's going to start first with Israel when the Millennium begins, and then those nations that come to Jerusalem to learn of God will be taught. But God is going to deal with the other nations after He has dealt with Israel and Judah, and after He has settled them. It's going to be approximately seven years (Ezek. 28).

"…when I shall be sanctified in you before their very eyes. For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all countries, and will gather you into your own land. And I will sprinkle clean waters upon you, and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from your idols. And I will give you a new heart…" (vs 23-26). Conversion! What a fantastic thing this is going to be!
There will never, ever, ever again be a time like it's going to be when we come back with Christ, as the resurrected saints, to rule the world and help straighten it out. It's going to be the greatest re-gathering and it's going to be the greatest rebuilding in the history of the world. Then that starts out the Millennium. So, think what it's going to be like in the Millennium. Think how that is going to be. We will be active participants in it from the beginning to the end.

"…and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you… [conversion] …and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My ordinances and do them. And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you shall be My people, and I will be your God" (vs 26-28).

That is a tremendous wonderful thing, brethren. Think of that! What promises these are! We are going to be active participants in carrying this out, and in bringing them back to the land. Everything is going to be healed. God is going to heal the land everywhere in the world. But He's going to start with Israel.

Track 2: or Download

Now we're going to look at some things in the book of Isaiah, which describe the Millennium and the things that will take place and what we will do. This talks about us and Christ:

Isaiah 32:1: "Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and rulers shall rule in justice." Then it talks about what has to happen to get to that point.

Verse 15: "Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is thought to be a forest. Then justice shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness… [which is what we are going to do] …shall be peace… [the Prince of Peace, the King of Peace] …and the result of righteousness shall be quietness and confidence forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable home, and in secure dwellings and quiet resting places" (vs 15-18). The Millennium is pictured as the restof God; that is

• rest from sin
• rest from all the effects of Satan the devil and the demons

We will see what the temple will be like during the Millennium. Please understand this: Ezek. 40-to the end is not describing the Millennial temple at all. As you will see there will not be a temple, but a tabernacle.

Isaiah 33:20: "Look upon Zion, the city of our Holy gatherings; your eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet home, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of its stakes shall ever be removed, nor shall any of its cords be broken. But there the glorious LORD will be to us a place of broad rivers and streams, in which no galley with oars shall go, nor shall a mighty ship pass by it, for the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us" (vs 20-22). Not only us, but the whole world; save all humankind.

Isaiah 4 gives us a hint of what the tabernacle will be like. Remember, this is the Feast of Tabernacles. Remember that this pictures the rule of God on the earth with the saints. This just gives us a hint. There's not going to be a building built. There is not going to be an altar for sacrifices. None of that is necessary because Christ is here. He is our ultimate Sacrifice. Never forget that!

Isaiah 4:5: "And the LORD will create over every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies… [all who are there in Jerusalem] …a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night…" It's going to be a tabernacle of glory, and that's going to be over Jerusalem. Remember what was the type of that with the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt: pillar of cloud by day to lead them, and fire by night to give them light.

This is what it's going to be like with the tabernacle of Christ. Remember, the Church is called the tabernacle of David.

"…for over all the glory shall be a canopy. And there shall be a tabernacle for shade by day from the heat, and for refuge, and for shelter from storm and rain" (vs 5-6). Quite a different thing—isn't it? That's going to be great to see that.

Now let's see what we are going to do. It starts from Jerusalem. Israel is re-gathered. Judah is re-gathered. Israel is being rebuilt. Christ is there. The saints are there. The world is going to know that God is there. Not all are going to be willing to come. We'll see that and what they are going try and do.

Isaiah 2:1: "The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass, in the last days the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains…" (vs 1-2). Remember, when Christ steps on the Mt. Of Olives it's going to split in two and raise up. It's going to be the government of the world. It's going to be over all nations. It's going to be the central place where the rule, love, and Truth of God comes to the whole world, which we bring to all nations.

"…and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it" (v 2). Remember what it said if the nations don't come up and keep the Feast of Tabernacles (Zech. 14); God's going to deal with them, which shows that not everyone is going to be willing and obedient instantly. Some are going to have to be persuaded.

Verse 3: "And many people shall go and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. And He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem" (vs 2-3). And the constitution of the world is going to be the Word of God! And whatever else God wants to add to it in addition to what we already have.

Verse 4: "And He shall judge among the nations… [we will be judges with Him] …and shall rebuke many people…" They have to be corrected; even after Christ and the saints come back on the earth and Satan is bound, God is not immediately going to go to all the nations of the world. No! They are going to come to Him. He is going to bring Israel to Him. God is going to deal with Israel first.

"…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares… [it's going to take time to get rid of all the implements of war] …and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (v 4)—because Satan will be bound for the entire Millennium. Remember what happens when he's loosed for a little while? War!

Let's see something very interesting concerning Israel, and concerning Gog and Magog. Remember the armies of 200-million in the east? Nowhere does it say that they bow down and repent and come and embrace God's ways! No! God has something special in store for them before they will submit. He has to rebuke strong nations afar off.

Ezekiel 38:1: "And the Word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'Son of man, set your face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief ruler of Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him. And say, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the chief ruler of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal'" (vs 1-3)—that Russia and all the Far East. Then it lists all nations that were there:

Verse 5: "Persia, Ethiopia… [in this case it's Phut/India] …and Libya with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all his bands; the house of Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north, and all his bands; and many people with you. Be prepared; yea, prepare for yourself, you and all your assembly that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. After many days you will be summoned. In the latter years you shall come…" (vs 5-8)—at the battle of Armageddon, but not all the 200-million can be there; they're still back in the Far East. God's going to take care of them.

"…into the land restored from war… [that's Israel back in its land restored from the war] …gathered out of many people, on the mountains of Israel, which have always been waste. (But she has been brought out of the nations, and they shall dwell securely, all of them.)" (v 8). So, they're going to be at peace.

They're going to come, and they're going to say, 'Look at this, v 10: "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'And it shall be in that day that things shall come into your heart, and you shall devise an evil plan. And you shall say, "I will go up to the land of unwalled villages. I will go to those that are at rest…"'" (vs 10-11). Remember, God said that He would give Israel rest; not everyone comes to Jerusalem. At the beginning of the Millennium they are going to be forced to. And the people here are going to be protected by God.

"'"…who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and there are no bars nor gates to them, in order to take a spoil, and to steal a prize; to turn your hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, who have gotten cattle and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land." Sheba and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, and all her villages, shall say to you, "Have you come to take a spoil? Have you gathered your company to steal a prize, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?" Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'In that day when My people of Israel dwell securely, shall you not know it?'" (vs 11-14).

Yes, indeed! They're going to send spies out to see what's happening; they aren't going to yield to God. Right at the beginning they will be forced to. God is going to bring them into the area there and a great slaughter is going to take place.

Verse 14: "'Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'In that day when My people of Israel dwell securely, shall you not know it? And you shall come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many people with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. And you shall come up on My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It shall be in the latter days, and I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I shall be sanctified in you, O Gog, before their eyes.'"'" (vs 14-16).

That's going to be something! God is going to stand up and fight for them. God is going to make a perpetual witness out of those nations that would not submit. God has something very special for them in this.

Verse 17: "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days, by the hand of My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them? And it shall come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,' says the Lord GOD, 'My hot anger will be aroused. for in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken, "Surely in that day there shall be a great quaking in the land of Israel"'" (vs 17-19).

Then you read all Ezek. 39 and everyone says, 'then they shall knowthat I am the LORD.'

Ezekiel 39:1: "Therefore, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the chief ruler of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about, and lead you on. And I will bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and I will bring you against the mountains of Israel. And I will strike your bow out of your left hand, and will cause your arrows to fall out of your right hand. You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your bands, and the people with you. I will give you for food to the birds of prey of every kind, and to the beasts of the field. You shall fall upon the face of the open field, for I have spoken it,' says the Lord GOD" (vs 1-5).

It's going to be a great thing that is going on; it's going to be something!

Verse 6: "'And I will send a fire on Magog, and on those who dwell in the isles. And they shall know that I am the LORD."

This is probably going to be after seven years, and God is going to establish authority over all the earth at that time. But first He's got to destroy Gog and Magog.

Verse 7: "'And I will make My Holy name known in the midst of My people Israel. And I will not let them profane My Holy name any more. Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Behold, it is coming, and it shall be done,' says the Lord GOD. 'This is the day of which I have spoken. And the inhabitants of the cities of Israel shall go out and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the javelins, and the spears. And they shall burn them with fire seven years'" (vs 7-9). WOW! What a thing that is going to be!

Verse 11: ''And it will be in that day that I will give to Gog a burial place there in Israel—the valley of those who pass by, east of the sea. And it shall block off those who pass by. And there they shall bury Gog and all his multitude. And they shall call it, The Valley of the Multitude of Gog. And the house of Israel shall bury them, to cleanse the land, seven months. And all the people of the land shall bury them, and it shall be to them a day of renown, the day that I shall be glorified,' says the Lord GOD" (vs 11-13).

And all the nations of the earth then will know that He is God, and the Kingdom of God is ruling on this earth. After that:

Isaiah 26:1: "In that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah: 'We have a strong city; He sets up salvation as our walls and banks. Open the gates, so that the righteous nation shall enter in, one that is faithfully keeping Truth…. [that's us] …You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever; for God the LORD is the everlasting Rock'" (vs 1-4).

Now let's look at some other things that are going to happen. I think the book of Isaiah contains an awful lot, perhaps the most of any of the Prophets about the Millennium and what's going to happen and how it's going to be run. What a fantastic thing that is going to be.

Isaiah 30:18: "And, therefore, will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you. And, therefore, He will be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you, for the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. For, O people who dwell in Zion at Jerusalem, you shall weep no more; He will be very gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When He hears it, He will answer you. And though the LORD gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction… [that is before they're brought back] …yet, your teachers shall not be removed into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers" (vs 18-20). That will be us!

• teaching
• training
• ruling
• serving
• teaching people to how to love God
• bringing them the knowledge of conversion

What a glorious thing that is going to be, with Jerusalem the way it is going to be at that time.

Verse 21: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left." That's going to be a marvelous time!

We're going to help people. Just think what a job it's going to be to help God bring people into the Kingdom of God. To help them be ready for eternal life. The Millennium is only a major step in bringing many, many more people into the Kingdom of God; many more spirit beings. Remember, there's the whole universe out there, and God doesn't do anything in vain. That is made for a purpose. Keep that in mind!

Isaiah 45:17: "But Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation. You shall not be ashamed nor disgraced even into the ages of eternity… [that's going to be an amazing thing] …for thus says the LORD the Creator of the heavens, He Himself is God, Who formed the earth and made it; He has established it. He created it not in vain, but formed it to be inhabited. 'I am the LORD, and there is no other.'" (vs 17-18). Quite a thing!

Verse 19: "'I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth. I did not say to the seed of Jacob, "Seek me in vain." I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right." Constantly going out. This is going to be so fantastic and great!

Verse 20: "Gather yourselves and come; draw near together, you who have escaped of the nations; they have no knowledge who carry the wood of their graven image, and those who pray to a god that cannot save. Declare and bring near; yea, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this of old? Who has told it from ancient times? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me; a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. Turn to Me, and be saved…" (vs 20-22). Yes, indeed! Salvation is going to be opened to the whole world at this time.

"'…all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not turn back, that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.' One shall say, 'Only in the LORD do I have righteousness and strength; even to Him shall men come. And they are ashamed, all who are angry against Him.' In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory" (vs 22-25).

Notice that salvation is still going to be to every human being on an individual basis. That expands out the whole work of what we are going to do.

Isaiah 61 tells about us and our work. Remember, brethren, all the Word of God is going to be fulfilled:

• all the blessings and all the promises
• all the curses and all the promises of curses

God is going to undo all the work of Satan the devil, and what a time that is going to be. That's saved for the Last Great Day.

Isaiah 61:6: "But you shall be called the priests of the LORD; it will be said of you, 'The ministers of our God'; you will eat the riches of the Gentiles, and you will boast in their glory." We're going to be kings and priests; that's how it's going to be.

Verse 10: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul will be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the robes of salvation, He covered me with the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom adorns himself with ornaments, and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels; for as the earth brings forth its bud, and as the garden causes that which is sown to grow; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to grow before all the nations" (vs 10-11).

We are going to administer that! Look at the society we are going to have:

Isaiah 60:16: "You will also suck the milk of nations, and suck the breast of kings; and you shall know that I the LORD am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob." This will be day after day, week after week, Sabbath after Sabbath, month after month, as it says at the end of the book of Isaiah. They will know God and worship God, and it will be such a wonderful and great thing.

Notice the blessings that are going to come and how fantastic this is going to be, v 17: "For bronze I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver; and for wood I will bring bronze, and for stones, iron. I will also make your overseers to be peace, and your rulers to be righteousness." That's us! We're going to administer all of this. Think of what kind of civilization that is going to be! That's going to be something!

Verse 18: "Violence will no more be heard in your land, neither wasting nor ruin within your borders; but you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise." There's still going to be the sun, but that's not the light that we need. We need the Light of the Lord.

Verse 19: "The sun will no more be your light by day; nor the brightness of the moon give light to you; but the LORD will be to you for an everlasting light, and your God your glory." Think of that! Didn't Jesus say, 'I am the Light of the world'? Yes, indeed! Think how much more magnified that is going to be when He comes as King of kings, and Lord of lords. Much more! Let's see how fantastic this is going to be. Let's see that that is going to be result of our work, of our ministry:

• serving under Christ
• serving under the apostles
• serving under the patriarchs
• serving under the prophets

With so many people there's going to be a lot of work for a lot of people with a lot of things. To bring about righteousness, goodness, Truth, love, everything, and look at what it's going to result in:

Isaiah 11:1: "And there shall come forth a shoot out from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots…. [this is Christ; one man] …And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD…. [God the Father] …And His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. And He shall not judge according to the sight of His eyes, nor after the hearing of His ears. But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. And He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked" (vs 1-4). The wicked are not going to be around.

Verse 5: "And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins." The whole environment and everything is going to be completely changed. The nature of animals is going to be changed. It's going to be that way through all the Millennium. It's going to be completely different than anything we understand now.

Verse 6: "Also the wolf shall dwell with the lamb… [formerly his dinner] …and the leopard shall lie down with the kid… [no longer eating a little kid goat] …and the calf and the cub lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." No more plastic toys. The real thing!

Verse 7: "And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the viper's den. 'They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My Holy mountain… [because the rule and reign of Christ and the saints will guarantee it] …for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea'" (vs 7-9). Isn't that going to be something? Do you think we know anything now? Wait until that time comes!

Verse 10: "And in that day there shall be the Root of Jesse standing as a banner for the people; to Him the nations shall seek; and His rest shall be glorious." And it's going to complete the plan of God.

What a fantastic time that is going to be. This is going to be a thousand years of the greatest, most wonderful things to happen to all humankind. Brethren, we have been called to have part in that. Just think how great that is going to be!

Scriptural References:

1. Isaiah 9:6-7
2. Psalm 122:1-5
3. Jeremiah 30:22-24
4. Jeremiah 31:1-14, 16-22
5. Isaiah 4:1
6. Jeremiah 31:23-40
7. Ezekiel 36:8-15, 22-28
8. Isaiah 32:1, 15-18
9. Isaiah 33:20-22
10. Isaiah 4:5-6
11. Isaiah 2:1-4
12. Ezekiel 38:1-3, 5-8, 10-19
13. Ezekiel 39:1-9, 11-13
14. Isaiah 26:1-4
15. Isaiah 30:18-21
16. Isaiah 45:17-25
17. Isaiah 61:6, 10-11
18. Isaiah 60:16-19
19. Isaiah 11:1-10

Scriptures reference, not quoted:

• Acts 15
• Zechariah 14
• Ezekiel 28

FRC:bo
Transcribed: 7-28-14

Copyright 2014—All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner. This includes electronic and mechanical photocopying or recording, as well as the use of information storage and retrieval systems.