Feast of Tabernacles 2015—Day 3

Kingdom of God, Righteous King & Rulers

Fred R. Coulter—September 30, 2015

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Greetings, brethren! Welcome to day three of the Feast of Tabernacles! With the overview that we have seen from the Bible—Genesis to Revelation—let's look at some particulars as to what is going to happen, and why God is developing, training and giving us the instructions so that we can be the kings and priests and the leaders in the Kingdom of God when Christ rules over all the earth.

This is quite a thing! God's plan is spectacular! Think about how righteous God is. How righteous the Father is! We have been called to straighten out this world!

The next time that you watch the news and you get all disgusted, just think of this: YOU, each and every one of us, are going to work with Christ and solve the problems of the world and get rid of the evil that exists!

• Can there be any greater calling?
• Can there be anything that is better than that?

Look at how much money politicians and religious leaders have. They've got plans, they want to do this and that and the other thing, and they don't have a clue as to what they are doing, because they have left out God!

God is doing a secret work with us with His Spirit—called the mystery of God—which the world does not know. So, as the world hurdles headlong toward the climax and the return of Jesus Christ and the coming Kingdom of God:

• God is preparing us
• God is developing us
• God is giving us His Word
• God is giving us the righteousness of the things that we need to know

Jesus is going to be King over all the earth (Zech. 14) and all nations will submit to Him. That means to us!

Let's just remind ourselves of the whole purpose of our calling. It's not just so we can be 'religious' and nice in the world. We're supposed to be nice in the world, because Christ and God the Father are dwelling in us and we're keeping the commandments of God. But God wants us to be His sons and daughters, and to help restore the earth and fulfill the great plan of God starting with the 1,000-year rule of Jesus Christ and the saints.

We need to understand this, keep this in mind and realize why God is doing with us what He is doing: with His Word and with His Spirit. He is preparing us! Remember that God doesn't do anything without preparation!

Romans 8:14: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." We've covered what that means, but maybe we need to have a greater grasp of what the responsibilities are going to be when we are the sons and daughters of God.

There is nothing in this world to compare what God is doing for us and with us as we serve God the Father and Jesus Christ to bring peace to this world!

Verse 15: "Now, you have not received a spirit of bondage again unto fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship, whereby we call out, 'Abba, Father.'" That's what it means for grace. You have an intimate relationship with God the Father and Jesus came to reveal Him. We have the Holy Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ and we are being prepared through love, service and obedience, for doing the things that God wants us to do when we're resurrected from the dead.

Verse 16: "The Spirit itself bears witness conjointly with our own spirit…" The Spirit of God conjointly—joined—with our spirit, the earnest of our salvation. Not to just be 'good' people, our salvation is to be the sons and daughters of God! We will see Him as He is because we will be like Him. That has to be in order to save this world.

"…testifying that we are the children of God. Now, if we are children, we are also heirs—truly, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer together with Him, so that we may also be glorified together with Him" (vs 16-17).

The next two verses are very important. As we covered in the sermon Living in and an Upside Down World, it doesn't matter about these things that are going on in the world, as terrible and awful as they may be. What we need to do is have the Spirit of God in us to give us the strength so that we're not all pulled down by the horrible things that are going to happen. Remember, Jesus said that these times are going to be the worst 'since the beginning of the creation of God for the world.' This is why we need the Feast of Tabernacles and the Sabbath and the Holy Days of God, so that we can be strengthened spiritually and be prepared and ready.

Look at what Paul went through. If you're having it tough, read 2-Cor. 11 and see how you're doing. You'll realize that we haven't suffered anything, yet! Look at those poor martyrs in the Middle East having their heads lopped off, being shot, killed and raped because they stand for the name of Jesus Christ. That's a real witness, not only to the world, but to us!

Think about how stupid and silly it is to have some of these strange stupid little doctrines that people come up with to make themselves important. You have to love God with all your heart, mind, soul and being.

Verse 18: "For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." We're going to have glorified bodies, a spirit mind and Jesus says we will 'shine like the sun.'

• What is all of that for?
• Just for our own personal consumption?
• Just for our own personal glory to say, 'Look at me'? Of course not!

Verse 19: "For the earnest expectation of the creation itself…" Think about the whole world and all their problems and difficulties and all the things that are going on. 

"…is awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God" (v 19). That's us! So we can come down to this earth from the Sea of Glass with Jesus Christ, help render the vengeance upon those who are still left and fighting. Then Satan is put into the abyss on the Day of Atonement and the reign and rule of God begins.

This will end it right here, v 20: "Because the creation was subjected to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who subjected it in hope… [here is the hope]: …in order that the creation itself might be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that all the creation is groaning together and travailing together until now" (vs 20-22). And so do we! But that is all going to be changed!

Jesus Christ is going to come and reign with all the saints and be King over all the earth, and in that day there shall be one Lord and His name one. That includes us in the Family of God to do and carry out what God wants. The first thing that this world needs:

• Jesus Christ as King and Lord
• the sons of God glorified to rule and reign with Jesus Christ

Let's see what's going to happen when this takes place. It's going to bring the Kingdom of God on this earth in a tremendous way.

Psalm 99:1: "The LORD reigns; let the people tremble. He sits between the cherubim; let the earth quake. The LORD is great in Zion, and He is high above all the people. Let them praise Your name as great and awesome; Holy is He. The strength of the King also loves justice; You established uprightness; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool, for He is Holy. Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel…" (vs 1-6)—and all the saints of God!

Just like the vision that Peter, James and John saw of Jesus glorified, there was Elijah and Moses, and there will be Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is going to be a fantastic and wonderful thing!

Psa. 82—here is where we are mentioned how many thousands of years ago, and Jesus Himself quoted this in John 10. It says that judgment was given to them, to the saints.

Psalm 82:1: "God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods…. [that's us] …How long will you judge unjustly and respect the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy" (vs 1-3). That's what we are going to do.

Talk about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from war. All the survivors that live through the Great Tribulation are all going to have PTSD, and we're going to have to:

• heal them
• comfort them
• bring them the Truth of God

I'm sure that we will be able to heal them and restore their arms, legs and help to heal their minds. What a thing that is going to be! Yes, indeed!

Verse 4: "Deliver the poor and needy; save them out of the hand of the wicked." That's what we're going to do. Out of the hands of the beast and the false prophet and all the warring and killing that's going on.

Verse 5: "They do not know, neither do they understand; they walk on in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken out of course." That's in the war leading up to the resurrection.

Verse 6: "I have said, 'You are gods; and all of you are sons of the Most High. But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.' Arise, O God, judge the earth, for You shall inherit all nations" (vs 6-8). Think of that! We are joint heirs with Christ and "…inherit all nations."

Let's see how we qualify for this. This is why, brethren—and I'm going to say it again and again—we have:

• the whole Word of God
• the time
• the peace

Yes, there are troubles and difficulties, but here in the nations of Israel we have enough peace to study and pray, and to apply ourselves spiritually every day. This is why we need to be zealous. This why we need to stir ourselves up every single day. Don't let your carnal nature give you an excuse!

Let's see what God is doing, the Father Himself. Remember, we are the children of God the Father. This is what we need to be busy doing, because we need to be ready.

Colossians 1:9: "For this cause we also, from the day that we heard of it, do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."

That is the goal of prayer, Bible study, yielding to God and living by every Word of God. That is how we do it. God wants our full participation. He wants our full willing yieldedness to Him and His Spirit.

Verse 10: "That you may walk worthily of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God."

We are to be growing the grace and the knowledge of God, and here God has given us His whole Word, understanding, and always remember: never get lifted up in anything in vanity for any accomplishments spiritually, because we have nothing that we didn't receive! Everything God has given! We live, move and have our being in Him!

• that's why we're here
• that's why we're the children of God
• that's why we're keeping the Feast of Tabernacles

We are preparing and making ready so that we can help save the world!

Verse 11: "Being strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, unto all endurance and long-suffering with joy."

Just like you can't feel the law of gravity, just like you can't feel the Spirit of God all the time—I'm sure that there are occasions that you can—God is doing a work in us progressively, on-going and we need to exercise ourselves in that with Him, because God is doing something that is fantastic.

Verse 12: "Giving thanks to the Father, Who has made us qualified… [you don't get it unless you do the will of the Father] …for the share of the inheritance of the saints in the Light." That's what we are doing.

In order to do this, the first step of it, and ongoing step of it, is that Jesus said, 'I do not pray for the world; I pray for them, Holy Father, that you will keep them from the evil one' (John 17). That's why we need to always be spiritually strong.

You are here because of v 13, this is referring to the Father. Remember, none can come to Jesus unless the Father 'draws him.' Here's what He does, v 13: "Who has personally rescued us from the power of darkness and has transferred us unto the kingdom of the Son of His love."

Let's see what this is going to take; v 26 talks about the mystery of God. When we go out and buy things or go to a shopping mall or supermarket, whatever, people don't know what's going on in our mind or heart. They may see that we're not like everybody else, but that doesn't mean much to them, but it means everything to God! It means everything to us because in order for us to rule and reign we must be perfected and we must have Christ in us. Paul said (Rom 8) 'If the Spirit of Christ is not in you, you're none of His.' We need the Spirit of the Father and Christ—both—dwelling in us.

Verse 26: "Even the mystery…" We understand the mystery now because God has opened our minds; but the world doesn't. Just think what would happen if you walked into the local supermarket or wherever and said, 'I'm going to help rule the world!' The security guard might come over and say, 'Would you please be escorted out of here?' You can almost see that.

Verse 26: "Even the mystery that has been hidden from ages and from generations…" (v 26). This great mystery was not fully revealed in understanding until beginning with the coming of Jesus Christ. There are prophecies of it in the Old Testament, and there are so many prophecies of what is going to happen in the Millennium.

Those who read them when they had the Old Testament were thinking that's going to happen to the physical kingdom of Israel. Little did they have the understanding that this is going to be for the whole world, with spiritual Israel, with Jesus Christ the Son of God and all of the sons and daughters of the Father being gods, was well.

"…but has now been revealed to His saints" (v 26). Always remember: You have nothing you didn't receive! But you also have to have it revealed to you! That can only be revealed if you're:

• yielded to God
• repentant
• obedient
• loving God
• praying to God

That's all included in being in the grace of God.

Verse 27: "To whom God did will to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

God is preparing and there always is a goal. When that goal is met then there's another thing that we work toward. When that is met there is another one. That keeps going until the new heavens and the new earth. That is awesome and fantastic! Think about that!

Verse 28: "Whom we preach, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." All of this is necessary before we get into how it's going to work in the Millennium. We need all of this before we understand what we are going to do.

What God is doing is with Christ in us He's developing our character. Peter writes that we escape the corruption of the carnal mind, and that we have the mind of the Divine God. Think of that! To be spiritually minded is awesome indeed!

2-Peter 1:3: "According as His Divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and virtue; through which He has given to us the greatest and most precious promises, that through these you may become partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (vs 3-4).

What a promise! How is that done? Let's see how this is going to work. This is why I first started out in the welcome message to the Feast of Tabernacles: brethren, let's love one another; let's put down all of these problems, difficulties, quarrels, arguments and fighting among each other. How do you think we're going to bring peace to the world if we don't learn how to have peace among ourselves? That's why God has called us!

Philippians 2:5: "Let this mind be in you…" That means you have your cooperation in it. God will put the mind of Christ in us, but we must be cooperative by love, serving, growing and overcoming so that we can escape the carnal nature—the nature of man—according to its lust.

"…which was also in Christ Jesus" (v 5).

• He always did what the Father said
• He always taught the words that the Father told Him to teach
• He always did the things that were pleasing in God's sight

And so can we! 'We do the things that are pleasing in His sight and keep His commandments (1-John 3). We can do this because of His Spirit that is within us! God is doing a great and glorious work in each one of us!

Let's see how His attitude was, and what God did so He could come in the flesh and make this possible for us.

Verse 6: "Who, although He existed in the form of God…" He existed as God:

John 17:5: "And now, Father, glorify Me with Your own self, with the glory that I had with You before the world existed."

Think about eternity going on and on—the ages of eternity—and God calls you and me, all the brethren, beginning with the Day of Pentecost in 30A.D. Isn't that something? God the Father Himself!

• Look what Jesus had to do!
• Look what He gave up!

• You think you've given up anything that's pretty precious?
• You think you've given up anything that is worth an awful lot of money or whatever?
• What did Jesus give up?

All His power and glory as God! To come down to this earth, be a pinprick of life and begotten into the womb of the virgin Mary so that He could be the perfect sacrifice for all human beings starting with His Church. Think on that! So, if you think you've sacrificed, what have you really sacrificed?

Philippians 2:6: "…did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied Himself, and was made in the likeness of men, and took the form of a servant; and being found in the manner of man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (vs 6-8).

God did that for you! He died for our sins! He was resurrected so the living Savior could administer everything to the Church.

Let's see what we're going to be doing. You can find things about the Kingdom of God throughout the whole Bible. To put it all together in one long stack is really something. We have the character of God:

• love
• joy
• peace
• longsuffering

We've put away all the works of the flesh and everything in Gal. 5:19-20 and we have the Divine character. Let's see what we're going to be doing. We're told in different places certain things about the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 19:16: "Now at that time, one came to Him and said, 'Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?' And He said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good except one—God….'" (vs 16-17). Why did Jesus say that when He was God in the flesh?

Sidebar: It's impossible to be 100% God and 100% human. If that were true, we would be God now. That's why Jesus divested Himself and came as a human being and in carrying human nature with Him, you can't call Him 'good.' Is there any good in human nature? Spiritual, eternal good? Not so without the Spirit of God!

So, He said, "'…But if you desire to enter into life, keep the commandments.' Then he said to Him, 'Which?' And Jesus said, 'You shall not commit murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (vs 17-19).

He listed all but the Sabbath. Oh, the Protestants love that because they say that since He didn't say the Sabbath 'then we don't have to keep it.' Well, there are other Scriptures that cover the Sabbath.

He must have thought 'I'm really close to the key to eternally life, v 20: "The young man said to Him, 'I have kept all these things from my youth. What do I yet lack?'" One more thing, and 'I will make it.' He didn't expect this answer. Think of this, that you're the rich man, and you're on the verge of inheriting eternal life because you've done everything that Jesus said to do.

Verse 21: "Jesus said to him, 'If you desire to be perfect… [we're to be perfected] …go and sell your property, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Me.' But after hearing this word, the young man went away grieving, because he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'Truly I say to you, it is extremely difficult for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God'" (vs 21-24).

But the disciples were thinking: Wait a minute here, v 25: "But after hearing this, the disciples were greatly astonished and said, 'Who then is able to be saved?' But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible'" (vs 25-26)—other Scriptures show if it's according to His will!

Verse 27: "Then Peter answered and said to Him, 'Behold, we have left everything and have followed You…. [we left our fishing business; we left our fathers] …What then shall be for us?' And Jesus said to them, 'Truly I say to you who have followed Me: in the regeneration [resurrection] when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel'" (vs 27-28).

That's what we will be doing in serving God! The apostles will sit on thrones and be over the 12 tribes of Israel. That is undoubtedly under David, because when Jesus came in the flesh it was prophesied (Isa. 9) that He would sit on the throne of 'his father David forever, and of the increase of His government there will be no end.'

Someone will say, 'What about me, Lord?' Verse 29: "And everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life. But many of the first shall be last, and the last first" (vs 29-30).

We'll be judging! Those thrones have already been taken and Jesus said to whom it's going. But let's look at some of the activities that we will be doing.

The Parable of the Talents

This shows that we have our part; we must be:

• fully engaged
• fully yielded to God
• fully growing
• fully overcoming
• taking what God has given us

I am sure that there are going to be a lot of widows who are going to be over us; that very well may be. How many down through time have devoted themselves to God in a way that God will look upon that as marvelous and wonderful? But God wants us to be fully engaged in what we are doing. What God has given us:

• He wants us to multiply
• He wants us to increase it
• He wants us to use it

We then are stewards because we have everything given to us from God.

Matthew 25:14: "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man leaving the country, who called his own servants and delivered to them his property." This is Christ going to heaven to get the kingdom from the Father, and He's going to return.

What is the property? All the brethren! Whatever goods and services; whatever means of preaching the Gospel. That covers a vast amount of everything.

As ministers and elders we are to be teaching the brethren to grow in grace and knowledge and increase. That's an aspect of the property of God. We belong to Him, not just the physical things. Whatever we do with the tithes and offerings of God to preach the Gospel and serve the brethren, that's what it's for! It's not for anything else.

That what we are to do so that God can call more. If we sit on our thumbs and hands and do nothing, God isn't going to call any more people. Why should He? He'll just raise someone up who will do it. That's how God has decided to work.

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Whatever talents we have, whatever skills or abilities that we have, how did we get them? They came from the genes and chromosomes that God originally created in Adam and Eve, and all the way down through time to us have come from God! Different people have different skills and talents in different things and fields. Nevertheless, when we are converted, we are to use those talents to glorify God. All of those talents are what we received from God.

• What are we doing with our lives?
• How are we doing it?

He gave to them His property, and we are property of God; we belong to God the Father and Jesus Christ. Every elder, minister or deacon needs to understand that! They are not people that you can rule over as yours. They belong to God and He wants them taught and perfected because of His great and fantastic plan.

Verse 15: "Now, to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one;he gave to each one according to his own ability, and immediately left the country. Then the one who had received five talents went and traded with them, and made an additional five talents. In the same way also, the one who had received two talents also gained two others. But the one who had received the single talent went and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Now, after a long time…" (vs 15-19).

• What happens when it is a long time?
• How long is a long time?

In our lives if we live to be 70-80 or maybe more than that, that's just a flash in the pan! He's talking about from the time that Jesus ascended into heaven until the time that He returns. There have been many generations of many that He has called that have talents and have been working.

Verse 19: "Now, after a long time the lord of those servants came to take account with them. Then the one who had received five talents came to him and brought an additional five talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered five talents to me; see, I have gained five other talents besides them'" (vs 19-20). You doubled the possession of the Master. That's what a steward is to do.

Verse 21: "And his lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! Because you were faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"

This tells us something very important: If we work hard with God's Spirit, with God's blessing and with God's direction and we develop—whatever the talents are, whatever the things are, whatever the possessions are—for God, because He is Owner, then we are going to enter into the 'joy of the Lord, and He will set us over many things. We don't know exactly what that will be.

We know in the parable of the pounds (Luke 19) that's over cities. So, we're going to be over cities, countries. We don't know how all of that is going to work out, but I'm sure that God has got it all worked out and He is going to put it together when we're raised to meet Christ on the Sea of Glass. We're going to be amazed at what God has already got planned and ready. He is preparing for the resurrection in every little detail possible.

Think about that! The greatest event since the resurrection of Jesus Christ is going to occur: the resurrection of all the saints. God has great plans and has included us in it, and He's going to tell us what those are; many things.

Verse 22: "And the one who had received two talents also came to him and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; see, I have gained two other talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! Because you were faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord'" (vs 22-23).

You know what happened to the one who had the one talent, v 24: "Then the one who had received the single talent also came to him and said, 'Lord, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. And because I was afraid, I went and hid your talent in the earth. Now look, you have your own.' His lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant! ….'" (vs 24-26).

Sidebar: What does it say of the commandments? We are to keep them diligently! That's the opposite of lazy! You can't be ho-hum, laidback, do nothing Christian and expect to receive anything at the resurrection. That's what this is telling us. Obviously, there will be some who will do this. I do suppose that—as we covered concerning the Laodiceans—they are perhaps more susceptible to this than anyone else.

"'…You knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather what I did not scatter. Because you knew this… [Do Laodiceans know? Yes!] …you were duty-bound…'" You have an obligation to God!

• you have the Spirit of God
• you have the Word of God
• you have the Truth of God
• you have the time
• you have equal time every day whether you live long or short

It depends what you do with it!

"…to take my talent to the money exchangers, so that when I came, I could have received my own with interest" (v 28). In other words, you didn't even do the bare minimum.

Then, v 30: "…cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness…."

Verse 28: "Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten talents."

People say, 'Oh, Lord, You give it to the one who has ten. Why?' Because look what he did with the five! What do you think He's going to do with the eleventh one? The five he made five more! That's ten! God wants us to always and continuously produce.

Since we're going to reign over cities and help bring the earth out of its vast destruction. Let's see what God is going to do; what we are going to do. This is really very interesting when you put the whole chapter together. Remember, this is what Jesus quoted on the Day of Pentecost (Luke 4:16-19) where He announced that He was the Messiah. He quoted all of this except the day of vengeance. This tells us how all of these things are going to be done through the Spirit of God.

Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me because the LORD has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted…" He's describing our job when the Millennium begins, as well as the spiritual calling for His ministry. So, there are two aspects of fulfillment of this.

"…to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to preach the acceptable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn" (vs 1-2). That's going to be everyone in the world.

Verse 3: "To appoint to those who mourn in Zion, giving to them beauty for ashes…" That sounds an awful lot like healing.

"…the oil of joy for mourning, the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness; so that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified" (v 3). Everything that is going to be done during the Millennium is going to have more people enter into the Kingdom of God. "…trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD…"

That's going to be absolutely fantastic! Just think of how they are going to be inspired, especially that first, second and third generation after the Millennium has started. This is going to be really something, and we are going to be actively participating in it. This will be our job.

Verse 4: "And they will build the old wastes…" We have got to rebuild the whole earth. You talk about a challenge! You talk about a job! Christ is going to be blessing everything, but there's going to have to be the work by us supervising the people who are doing the work, because it was the human endeavor under Satan the devil that caused the destruction. They're going to learn by re-building, by re-making!

"…they will raise up the desolations of former times. And they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations" (v 4). You read the book of Revelation and look at how many great earthquakes take place. Isa. 40 says that the 'valleys shall be raised and the mountains shall be lowered, and the rough places shall be made plain. This whole earth is going to be completely reconfigured.

Sidebar: Have you ever seen any of these historical things where they have the secret places under the cities, or secret caves where they worship other gods and things like this? All these earthquakes are going to take those and just crush them into crumbles of nothing but dirt, sand, gravel and never be again.

Verse 5: "And strangers will stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the stranger will be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you… [referring to us; 'you are gods' (Psa 82)] …shall be called the priests of the LORD…" (vs 5-6). What does it say in Rev. 20? We shall be priests of Jesus Christ! We will be kings ruling and reigning!
"…it will be said of you, 'The ministers of our God'… [ministering to the whole world, all people everywhere on the face of the earth] …you will eat the riches of the Gentiles, and you will boast in their glory. For your shame you will have double… [everything we've gone through; Israel coming back] …instead of dishonor they will rejoice in their portion; therefore, in their own land they will possess double; everlasting joy will be theirs" (vs 6-7). That is going to be something!

Verse 8: "'For I the LORD love justice… [and He's going to bring it] …I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them." That's going to be a fantastic thing!

Verse 9: "'And their seed… [all that are born during the Millennium] …shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people; all who see them will acknowledge them, that they are the seed the LORD has blessed.' 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 9-11). What a fantastic description of what God is going to do.

God is going to bring them out of their captivity. This is going to be a fantastic and marvelous thing. God is going to bring all Israel back to their lands. He says, 'I've put you through the Tribulation and I corrected you in My fury, and now I'm going to do you good.'

Ezekiel 36:21: "But I had pity for My Holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they were exiled. 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, 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,' says the Lord GOD, 'when I shall be sanctified in you before their very eyes'" (vs 21-23). That is taking them out of their end-time captivity back to their inheritance.

Verse 24: "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…" (vs 24-25). This is the physical children of Israel whom we are going to rule over and be ministers.

"…and from your idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you" (vs 25-26). Think of what that is going to be. What's it going to be like with the world full of converted people? That is going to be an amazing thing!

"…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 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. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses, and I will call for the grain, and will increase it, and will lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruits of the tree and the increase of the field, so that you shall never again receive the curse of famine among the nations. And you shall remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good…" (vs 26-31). Notice the repentance that they will experience:

"'…and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. I do not do this for your sake,' says the Lord GOD, 'be it known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.' Thus says the Lord GOD, 'In the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the waste places shall be rebuilt'" (vs 31-33). We're going to be directing all of that.

Think of this: We are going to also be the ones to help them come to repentance, true deep repentance! These will become the firstfruits of the Millennium when they come to the time to be changed from flesh to spirit, bring conversion to them. What a thing that is going to be! The majority of people in the world converted! Astounding!

Verse 34: "And the wasteland shall be tilled, instead of being desolate before all who pass by. And they shall say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden. And the wasted, desolate and ruined cities now are fenced and inhabited'" (vs 34-35). Amazing thing, isn't it?

Verse 36: "And the nations that are left all around you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places and planted that which was desolate. I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it." He's going to use us to do that!

Verse 37: "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'I will yet be sought by the house of Israel to act for them. I will increase them with men like a flock. As a Holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men. And they shall know that I am the LORD'" (vs 37-39). That is going to be a fantastic and wonderful thing, brethren. We are going to bring that in.

Let's see something else that has to happen. This is what will be part of their conversion. Think of this! As we read Micah 4, I want you think about everything that you see on television today:

• fighting
• warring
• bickering
• bitterness
• hatred

Even all the animal world fighting, even down to spider fights. I couldn't get over that watching NatGeo Wild. Spiders fighting, ants fighting, everything on earth is fighting! All of that is going to be changed; it's all going to be put away.

Micah 4:1: "But it shall be in the last days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains… [the government of God] …and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come and say, 'Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob. And He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths'—for the Law shall go forth out of Zion, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem" (vs 1-2).

All of a the nay-saying Protestants out there that say that the Law has been done away, how is God going to use that when they obey to bring peace? and for good?

Verse 3: "And He shall judge among many people, and will rebuke strong nations afar off…" We saw that at the Feast 2014. Gog, Magog, Meshach, Tubal and all the nations of the north and all the kings of the East are not going to submit themselves right away. God is going to work with Israel first for seven years. They're going to come over and be spying and see that they're all at peace. 'So, we're going to come and take it from them.' That's what Ezek. 38 & 39 are all about. Then the government of God will spread to the whole world.

Notice what they're going to be forced to do, "…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (v 3). The warring nature will be taken from them when they are converted. Isn't that something?

The new heart that we saw, the yieldedness to God that God is going to give them. Just think what it's going to be.

Let's see what it's going to be. The environment is all going to be changed and the nature of animals is going to be changed. Isa. 11 is really a marvelous chapter. But you cannot understand this without the knowledge of the New Testament, the Kingdom of God and the resurrected saints of God who are going to rule and reign with Christ. It's impossible to understand this without it. Christ is going to be the King over all the earth, over all the nations.

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." Christ in His physical coming.

Verse 2: "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."

•  Was that with Christ while He was here? Yes!
• Will it be with Him when He reigns as King over the earth? Yes!

Verse 3: "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." No, because God the Father is going to instruct all of us what to do. Christ as King is going to carry out all the will of the Father.

Verse 4: "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…. that's the war to destroy them when Christ returns] …And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins" (vs 4-5).

Notice what is going to happen. The next time you watch an animal show on television think about this:

Verse 6: "Also the wolf shall dwell with the lamb… [no more lamb chops for the wolf] …and the leopard shall lie down with the kid… [instead of killing it and dragging it up in the tree and eating it] …and the calf and the cub lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them."

All plastic toys are going to be done away with. Won't that be a wonderful thing! Who wants that job? That's how they're not going to learn war anymore, because they learn it with the toys. Look at all the games. I don't know if you've seen it, but they advertise this one: The Game of War! All of the video games and X-Box games and all of these things are war, killing and destruction. It is absolutely insane! All of that is going to be wiped off the face of the earth and destroyed!

Instead of those plastic toys, they're going to have animals. Think what that's like. 'Daddy, can I have a little lion, please' or 'Daddy, can I have a little jaguar, please? Have you ever heard them purr when they're happy?' But of course, let's do that; let's go look at one! Let's find one! Someone else might say, 'Can I have a giraffe for my pet?' Well, if you're tall enough, I guess!

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." It's going to take a little dental replacement!

Verse 8: "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… [all of God's government] …for the earth…" (vs 8-9). Here's what we're going to be doing while we are ruling, we're also going to be teaching.

• Imagine what school is going to be like then!
• Imagine what Sabbath services every week is going to be like!
• Imagine the Feast of Tabernacles being observed all around the world everywhere!

And their righteous representatives go to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles with Jesus Christ and the saints that are there. If a nation is not represented there, then they're going to have plagues and lack of rain. That's what it says in Zech. 14; everyone is going to have their representatives up there. You can't get all people in Jerusalem, but you can get all their representatives and all the people around the world will keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

"…for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (v 9). That is an unfathomable amount of knowledge, because parts of the ocean go down seven miles. Maybe there are other parts that go down even deeper than that that men have not yet discovered. That's going to be the knowledge of God on the earth.

• Satan removed!
• No more evil!
• No more plotting!
• No more scheming!
• No more war!

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." We re all a part of that! Think of that!
Isaiah 60:1: "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you." That's the whole bringing of the Millennium.

Here's what it was before, and here's what we're seeing now, v 2: "For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the LORD shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 'Lift up your eyes all around, and see. All of them gather themselves together; they come to you. Your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.'" (vs 2-4). This is when they're coming back out of the exile from captivity.

Verse 5: "Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall throb and swell for joy; because the abundance of the sea shall turn to you, the wealth of the Gentiles will come to you." Then it talks about a host of camels and all of the animals and things like this.

Someone asked, 'Do you think we will have cars in the Millennium?' I don't know! We'll have to wait and see. Maybe the saints will have some sort of vehicle like a mini-cherubim that we can fly around wherever we want to go. Very likely, but what about all the rest of the people? We don't know, we'll have to wait and see! It doesn't tell us that there are going to be gas and diesel pumps.

Verse 9: "Surely the isles shall wait for Me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, to the name of the LORD your God, and to the Holy One of Israel because He has glorified you." This is going to be something!

Verse 10: "And the sons of strangers shall build up your walls, and their kings shall serve you; for in My wrath I struck you, but in My grace I had mercy upon you." This is really quite a thing! That's how it's going to be!

• This is our calling, brethren!
• This is why we're here!
• This is why we keep the Feast of Tabernacles!

So that every year we can focus in on the goal. We are going to rule the world under Christ, and we are going to be the ministers and teachers for everyone!

Verse 16: "You will also suck the milk of nations, and suck the breast of kings…" That means coming to the saints of God will be the finest of everything, and whatever we have out of that we also give to God. I don't know how all of this is going to work, but it's going to work very well, because God is going to do it!

"…and you shall know that I the LORD am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob" (v 16). Now look at what He is going to do physically. Think about this and just kind of put in the back of your mind, 'I wonder what it's going to be like in the New Jerusalem built out of the spiritual gold? Spiritual stones? That's going to be an amazing thing!

Verse 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'll be the overseers and we will be the rulers under Christ. We're going to teach what God wants us to teach them.

This is going to be absolutely the most marvelous thing! Think about your life and what has happened in your life: all the good, all the bad, all the ugly and everything else in between. Think about the wonderful blessing that it is to have the Spirit of God, the knowledge of God and to understand these things. Then ask God to help you have the desire and even the vision in your mind of what it's going to be like to be serving the people in this way.

Think what it could be if you could go into Chicago today and you had to the power to enforce this, v 18: "Violence will no more be heard in your land…" No more:

• murders
• drugs
• shooting
• killing
• adultery
• illegitimate children
• living in hovels
• no one knowing who they are

Belonging to your family instead of belonging to a gang!

• no weapons

That you had the authority to do that! Think about that! Someone is going to have that assignment.

"…neither wasting nor ruin within your borders; but you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. 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" (vs 18-19). That is a wonderful thing! A tremendous calling, brethren, that God has for us!

Verse 21: "Your people also will all be righteous…" No more sinners! Each generation as the Millennium comes along are going to be changed from flesh to spirit. "…they will inherit the land forever… [that's what the new heaven and new earth is all about] …the branch of My planting, the work of My hands… [and we will be the stewards to carry it out] …so that I may be glorified. A smallest will become a thousand, and the least one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in its time" (vs 21-22).

Those are the promises and blessings that God is going to bring to the world, and we are going to administer them through God's structure and government, and God's way through God's Word, with love, peace and joy to everyone!

Think of that calling, brethren! That's why God has called us! This is why we keep the Feast of Tabernacles! What a wonderful thing that every year we go over these Scriptures so that we can be focused, encouraged and, inspired.

Continue to have a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles and let there be peace and love.

Scriptural references:

• Romans 8:14-22
• Psalm 99:1-6
• Psalm 82:1-8
• Colossians 1:9-13, 26-28
• 2 Peter 1:3-4
• Philippians 2:5-6
• John 17:5
• Philippians 2:6-8
• Matthew 19:16-30
• Matthew 25:14-27, 30, 28
• Isaiah 61:1-11
• Ezekiel 36:21-39
• Micah 4:1-3
• Isaiah 11:1-10
• Isaiah 60:1-5, 9-10, 16-19, 21-22

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

• Zechariah 14
• 2 Corinthians 11
• John 10; 17
• 1 John 3
• Galatians 5:19-20
• Isaiah 9
• Luke 19
• Luke 14:16-19
• Isaiah 40
• Revelation 20
• Ezekiel 38; 39
• Isaiah 40

Also referenced: Sermon: Living in and an Upside
                                    Down World

FRC:bo
Transcribed: 8/3/15

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