Feast of Tabernacles 2016, Day 3

Greetings, everyone! Welcome to Day 3 of the Feast of Tabernacles! As we say, time goes on, time marches on, and there are still a lot of things to happen in the world. But the what the world is waiting for is the Kingdom of God to be brought on earth by Jesus Christ and the saints. We are the saints. We will see today what it is that God will do, what it is that we will do, and how will life be during the Millennium.

Micah 4—I know we’ve been here before, but let’s read it again because this is really the keynote of how the Millennium begins and then we will move into the things that God has planned for us.

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… [in this case symbolic of governments and nations] …and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.” Everything is going to be coming to Jerusalem and out of Jerusalem.

Verse 2: “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…’” They will be taught and we will be the teachers. We will be the ones who will be instructing the people, leading and guiding them, at various different levels in the government of the Kingdom of God.

“‘…and we will walk in His paths’…” (v 2). No more many different ways for people to go. We’re still going to have independent free moral agency (IFMA); people will still have that. We will see what happens probably a little later on how that’s going to be handled.

But know for sure that this is what the world is needing and waiting for, and they don’t know it because of all the trauma, trouble and difficulty that they are going through today. “…walk in His paths…” This is the way, walk in it!

“…—for the Law shall go forth out of Zion, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (v 2). It’s going to cover the whole earth!

Remember that we read that ‘the knowledge of the Lord as the seas that cover the earth,’ which tells us that at this time, even with the Bible, how much do we really know? Even if we knew everything in the Bible? How much are we ourselves going to learn from God?

Verse 3: “And He shall judge among many people, and will rebuke strong nations afar off…” All the nations are going to learn. They’re going to have to choose to come to Jerusalem. Some will come willingly. Others won’t! Let’s see what happens when they don’t.

Zechariah 14:16: “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came up against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”

That’s going to be really quite a thing! Can you imagine what it’s going to be like when the whole world is keeping the Sabbath? The whole world being taught by the sons and daughters of God? The saints today! The whole world from the least to the greatest is going to know God!

Here’s what will happen if they don’t come, and we’ll see later some other consequences that will probably happen.

Verse 17: “And it shall be, whoever will not come up from all the families of the earth to Jerusalem…” Everybody is not going to get to Jerusalem, because they’re going to have to send their representatives. Of course, we will be the ones who will rule over the nations, and we will oversee the cities. We will see teaching people directly. They will send representatives up to Jerusalem, and not only will we be there, but the physical human beings who are the leaders under us over the people will be there.

“…to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain…. [God is going to have to intervene to punish them] …And if the family of Egypt that has no rain, does not come up to present themselves, this shall be the plague with which the LORD shall strike the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (vs17-18).

Sidebar: there is always a relentless attack against the Sabbath and against the Holy Days, and even from Sabbath-keepers who don’t keep the Holy Days. We’ll have to get into some of those things, because we need to be armed with the knowledge and understanding of what we need to do.

Verse 19: “This shall be Egypt’s punishment, and the punishment of all the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. In that day there shall be on the bells of the horses, ‘HOLINESS TO THE LORD.’ And the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar” (vs 19-20). So, the proper worship of God. We can just summarize the last two verses that way.

Now we have all nations and all families. Of course, there is going to be a great production of children at that time, because God wants many in His kingdom.

How many is it going to take to rule the universe?

How big, really, is the universe?

We’re just like a little speck of a germ here on the earth!

Micah 4:3: “…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares…” Here’s the ban of all guns, all swords, all spears used in warfare. There will be no more war! Not only that, but:

“…and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (v 3). That’s an amazing thing! That’s starts with childhood.

As you view television and you see things that are going on, look at all the fighting, warring, rebellion and everything against God. God has called us out of this world so that we will be able to be converted, trained, taught, learn, know and understand God’s way to teach and rule this world. That’s quite a thing!

We’re not here coming to church to join a church so that we can have friends; it’s good to have friends and have people that think like we do; it’s nice to around people who think like we do. But we are being trained to rule the world! That’s what we’re going to look at.

Verse 4: “But they shall sit each one under his own vine and under his own fig tree; and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.” Understand that every single word of God will be fulfilled!

Verse 6: “‘In that day,’ says the LORD, ‘I will gather the lame, and I will gather the exiled ones, and those that I have afflicted. And I will make the lame into a remnant, and she who was cast off into a mighty nation; and the LORD shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth, even forever’” (vs 6-7). The Kingdom of God is going to go on forever!

It’s very interesting that when you go through the Bible and you search out the things in the Bible, what you find is that the Old Testament has to do with the physical nations. There are prophecies concerning Christ, there are prophecies concerning the Church, so it’s for all the physical nations on the earth just like we read here, even on into the Millennium.

However, when you read the New Testament and begin to analyze that, you see that that is designed for those who are going to be in the first resurrection and in the Kingdom of God as kings and priests to fulfill the prophecies that have been given in the Old Testament about the Millennium and the physical nation.

Now, here’s a whole story of the Bible encapsulated in these few verses; Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulders…” The government of the Kingdom of God, the rule of God over all the earth. Right now Christ is the Head of the Church. We are all the children of God.

“…and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God…” (v 6)—God come in the flesh; now this is a hard one who don’t believe in the New Testament to understand. That’s why you need the Old Testament and the New Testament together.

“…The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 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” (vs 6-7).

Remember, God says it’s going to be done, and if He says that He’s going to do it zealously, He will! What is going to happen while we’re on the Sea of Glass right after the resurrection, before we come back to the earth? There’s the marriage of the Lamb and the Church and the wedding supper!

Now then, all the children that come into the Kingdom of God through the Millennium, through the work that we will be doing under Christ, will be the children of Jesus Christ and the Bride. That’s when Jesus becomes an everlasting Father. With the Church today, the Father is God the Father, and we are His children! So, at that time those coming into the Kingdom of God during the Millennium will be the children of Christ and the Church. That’s how that’s going to be fulfilled.

You look at these verses and look at the long term fulfillment of many, many, many of the things that are briefly reviewed here in these verses. Christ is going to return and we will be with Him. We’re going to bring peace to the whole world. Satan will have been bound; that’s what the Day of Atonement pictures. Notice what’s going to happen:

Isaiah 59:20: “‘The Redeemer shall come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,’ says the LORD. ‘As for Me, this is My covenant with them,’ says the LORD…” (vs 20-21). He did not make this covenant with them during the time of Israel.

“…‘My spirit that is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed’s seed,’ says the LORD, ‘from now on and forever’” (v 21).

So, all the children who come into the Kingdom of God, it’s going to be something! We’ll talk about what that’s going to be like. We’re going to have a society nothing like it is today; absolutely nothing like it is today! Isn’t it interesting to note that most of the descriptions of the Millennium are found in the Old Testament.

Isaiah 49:7: “Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation hates, the Servant of rulers… [that’s what it is right now] …‘Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship because of the LORD Who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, and He shall choose You.’…. [Israel] …Thus says the LORD, ‘In a favorable time I have answered You, and in a day of salvation I have helped You; and I will preserve You, and give You for a covenant of the people, to restore the earth, to cause them to inherit the wasted inheritances’” (vs 7-8). That’s talking about Christ’s coming, preparing, death and resurrection and coming back to the earth.

Verse 9: “That You may say to the prisoners, ‘Go out!’ To those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves!’….”

Remember how the earth is going to be shaken, the heavens and the earth and mountains are going to be lowered, and the valleys are going to be raised. So, here’s part of our work, go out there and find the people. Of course, we’ll be able to find them, and we’ll tell them to show themselves.

“‘…They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; nor shall the heat nor sun strike them… [in an evil way] …for He who has compassion on them shall lead them; even by the springs of water He shall guide them. And I will make all My mountains into roads, and My highways shall be exalted. Behold, these shall come from far; and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.’ Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break out into singing…” (vs 9-13). The whole environment and everything restored the way that God wants it to be.

“…O mountains; for the LORD has comforted His people, and will have compassion upon His afflicted” (v 13).

You might look this on your computer: How many Thus says the Lord are there? I think you’re going to find a lot of them!

Verse 22: “Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I will lift up My hand to the Gentiles, and have set up My banner to the people; and they shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They shall bow to you, with their faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know that I am the LORD; for they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me’” (vs 22-23).

No, we’re going to show them the way of God, the Truth of God. Also, it’s going to show… Remember the parable of the unrighteous mammon. If you’re not faithful in that, who is going to give you the true riches? What is it going to be for us as spirit beings ruling in the Millennium? Here’s part of it right here!

It’s quite amazing how much is in the book of Isaiah about the Millennium and what’s going to take place here. Who’s going to be one of the most exalted? Christ will be! The fulfilling of the beginning of the Millennium:

Isaiah 61:1: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me…”—first coming, Verse 2 is His second coming, with vengeance to destroy the enemy and put away Satan.

Verse 3: “To appoint to those who mourn in Zion, giving to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” That’s also for all of those who are resurrected and become the priests and the servants to serve the people.

“‘…so that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.’ And they will build the old wastes… [what a waste it’s going to be; everything literally turned upside down] …they will raise up the desolations of former times. And they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations” (vs 3-4). Don’t worry about full employment; we’re going t be busy helping build and make it right, make it good; not like the cities that we have today.

Verse 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. For your shame you will have double; 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). This is really quite a thing!

Let’s see something else that is important for us to realize in this; Isaiah 52:6: “‘Therefore, My people shall know My name, thus it shall be in that day, for I am He Who speaks; behold, it is I.’ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace; who brings good news, who publishes salvation; who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (vs 6-7).

That’s how we’re going to go out and teach the people. God is in Jerusalem, the world is going to be all straightened out and repaired. Here’s how we’re going to do it, here’s what we’re going to teach, and you’re going to be able to see your teachers. They’re going to be able to talk to you. You’re going to be able to know the way that you need to go.

Isaiah 60:15: “Instead of being forsaken and hated, so that no one passes through, I will make you an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.” That’s how it’s going to be down through the Millennium! No more war! No more killing! No more stealing!

What’s going to happen if people sin? We’ll cover that a little later, but what we want to cover right now is how we are going to serve the world!

Verse 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.”

In order to have these kinds of blessings, you must have the rulership of the sons and daughters of God under Christ, Who will be King of the whole world.

What happens when people get too much?

What happens when they have so many blessings?

Well, they corrupt themselves! Look at the world today. Look at all the blessings that we have had in the world today, and what has happened? People have corrupted themselves. That’s why we have so much trouble right now. However, during the Millennium, look at the prosperity that will be there.

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 is us!

Verse 18: “Violence will no more be heard in your land…” Isn’t it true? Isn’t this what everyone wants down deep inside of them? Yes, indeed! But how to achieve it? Human beings cannot do it, but we can!

“…neither wasting nor ruin within your borders; but you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise” (v 18).

Verse 21: “Your people also will all be righteous; they will inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, 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).

Think of the continuing things that will be going on during the Millennium, all during that time. Now let’s come to the New Testament, Matt. 25, and let’s see what God is now preparing us for and to do in the Millennium.

Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14: “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man leaving the country… [Christ came and went back to heaven] …who called his own servants and delivered to them his property…. [serving and helping the Church] …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” (vs 14-15).

Here’s what’s important. Remember how we said with riches and wealth that people get corrupted very easily? Yes! Likewise with us, here is what we are to do: We’re to always be working and zealous!

And remember Rev. 2 & 3, what do we find? We are judged according our works, what we produce in our lives! What we are to produce is Holy and righteous character! That’s what’s so important, because kings and priests cannot rule and reign properly unless they do it righteously!

Verse 16: “Then the one who had received five talents went and traded with them, and made an additional five talents.” This shows that we are to work and we are to produce. What are the talents that we are to have?

In some areas the Church is more like the works of the flesh. Today, many churches are in turmoil, being taught doctrines that are not true, being misled. That’s not developing the talents. That is not teaching and training the brethren with the Word of God, as the elders and ministers should be doing. Too many ministers think that they are rulers over the brethren. God says that we are to help and serve, and teach.

Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” That is the keynote of everything that we do. We’re to:

love God with all our heart, mind, soul and being,

love our neighbor as ourselves

love the brethren as Christ has loved us

the love of God

the Truth of God

All of that combined together, and we need to cherish it as talents given from God that we are develop and grow. Our responsibility as being kings and priests, we must first develop the character in this life. That’s what’s important. We’re going to see a little later what happens to people who don’t do that. They were given many things and did not do what God expected them to do.

“…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control…” (vs 22-23). All of these things are character development. God is interested in converting our heart and mind with His eternal Holy Spirit. Then at the resurrection He’s going to give us a spiritual body and a spiritual mind so we can live forever.

“…against such things there is no law” (v 23). Today in the world, look at what the world is today. This is an apt description of everything in the world, the works of the flesh.

Verse 19: “Now, the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strifes, jealousies, indignations, contentions, divisions, sects, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such things as these; concerning which I am telling you beforehand, even as I have also said in the past, that those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God” (vs 19-21).

Why? Because they did not take the talents and produce the fruits of righteousness! Since He gave to each one according to their abilities. Whatever our abilities are, brethren, we are to work, develop and this comes through:

prayer

study

living

being at peace with the brethren

being at peace with one another

All of those things are profoundly important for us to grow and develop in the way that God wants us to. That’s why this Feast of Tabernacles is so tremendous and fantastic that we are together and we are able to:

love one another

be with one another

help one another

grow in grace and knowledge

enjoy the company of one another

talk with one another

All of the things that go with the feasting during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Matthew 25:17: “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… [the return of Christ is a long time from His first coming] …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 17-20).

What we’re talking about here is that when we’re to work for someone to develop their money, their property, we are called stewards. Stewards don’t do this for their own profit. They do it for the owner’s profit. Likewise with us, we do this and develop these talents and grow, change and overcome so that we can serve God in the way that He wants us to. We can be His literal sons and daughters and serve and help run the whole Millennium with all the people.

“…‘Lord, you delivered five talents to me; see, I have gained five other talents besides them.’ 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’” (vs 20-21). Eternal life!

Are there not many things to run a society?

Are there not many things to serve and help people?

Are there not many things to teach them the way of God?

Are there not many things to teach them to grow and overcome?

Yes, indeed!

Likewise with two talents, He said the same thing to him. The one who did not go out and develop the character was rejected. Let’s see the parallel account in Luke 19. Let’s see what the reward is there, which helps us to understand concerning what we will be doing in the Millennium.

Luke 19:15: “And it came to pass that when he returned after receiving the kingdom, he directed that those servants to whom he had given the money be called to him, in order that he might know what each one had gained by trading.” We can compare trading to working, living producing and all of those things.

Verse 16: “And the first one came up, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has produced ten pounds.’ Then he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities’” (vs 16-17). That’s rulership!

Likewise with the one who had five pounds, five cities. Likewise the one who hid the pound and buried it and said, ‘Lord, You’re a hard person.’ The Lord said, ‘you should have at least done something with it.’ But he didn’t.

(go to the next track)

We know that in Rev. 20 that we are going to be priests of God and of Christ and reign with Him a thousand years.

Let’s see what it is also said of us and we’ll investigate how we will rule. We rule with God’s laws and His commandments! What do we teach? The Word of God! Plus everything that is going to be known of God and revealed during the Millennium, which is going to be quite a thing. This also tells us that we, as the sons and daughters of God being spirit beings are going to learn, as well.

Now let’s see another description of what we’re going to do, 1-Peter 2:1: “Therefore, having put away all wickedness, and all deceit…”

This is what we are supposed to be doing in overcoming human nature, and this is going to be a basis of how we’re going to work with people to help them. We, as the spirit sons and daughters of God—being once flesh—know what it’s like to overcome and change. We know what it’s like to overcome human nature. We have to put away all, and this is the process. Of course, their conversion will be a process, also.

However, they won’t have to fight against Satan the devil, so it’s going to be somewhat different, although they will still have human nature even though it’s not quite as intense as what we have now, because of the situation with Adam and Eve and what has been passed down to us as real carnal human nature. So, we have a more difficult nature to overcome living in a world ruled by Satan the devil.

So, this is how we qualify; these are our works, using the Spirit of God, called talents, to put away evil. You can put it another way: Fighting against human nature internally with the sword of the Spirit!

“…all deceit and hypocrisies and jealousies, and all slanders, as newborn babes” (vs 1-2). We haven’t been born, yet, but what does a newborn baby desire? Food, and lots of it! That’s how we are to desire overcoming, changing and growing.

“…yearn after the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow” (v 2). Let’s see what it says about us today as we’re growing and overcoming now, and that we’re able to receive ‘the strong meat.’ Paul is writing to those who are relatively new Christians telling them what we need to do.

Hebrews 5:12: “For truly, by this time you ought to be teachers, but instead you need to have someone teach you again what are the beginning principles of the oracles of God…” That’s what he’s talking about in 1-Pet. 2, because we haven’t been going in grace and in knowledge. That’s the difference in producing five talents or five pounds vs two vs none.

“…and have become those in need of milk, and not of solid food. For everyone who is partaking of milk is unskilled in the Word of Righteousness because he is an infant” (vs 12-13). We’re to grow in grace and knowledge constantly. We’re to be learning constantly, regardless of how long we’ve been in the Church.

Verse 14: “But solid food is for those who are fully grown… [fully mature spiritually] …who through repeated practice…” This is how we put out all of the sins, repeated practice of living and applying the Word of God through the Spirit of God to us, so we can develop the character necessary to be teachers, priests, kings, mayors, governors and rulers in the Kingdom of God.

“…who through repeated practice have had their senses trained to discern between good and evil” (v 14). God is preparing His family, His people, to rule and reign with Jesus Christ. That’s why we’re here.

yes, we’re to have good lives

yes, we are to be kind to our neighbors

yes, we are to love one another

yes, we are to love God

But for what purpose?

Just so we can say to the world, ‘I’m good and you’re evil’? That will never work!

Just so we can feel good about ourselves? No!

God has given us the greatest goal of all: to be in His kingdom and to help Him bring many sons unto glory! That’s something!

1-Peter 2:2: “…pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow… [in the fruits (Gal. 5)] …if you yourselves have indeed tasted that the Lord is gracious. To Whom coming, as to a living Stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, and precious” (vs 2-4). Think about that! That’s us, too.

Verse 5: “You also, as living stones… [being molded by the Spirit of God] …are being built up as a spiritual house—a Holy priesthood—… [that’s what we are being built up to] …to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” This is what we are to be doing. The world has rejected Him.

Verse 9: “But you are a chosen stock, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people for a possession of God, that you might proclaim His excellent virtues, Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people, but now are the people of God; who had not received mercy, but now have received mercy. Beloved, I exhort you, as strangers and sojourners, to restrain yourselves from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (vs 9-11).

Showing to overcome, the same message that I am bringing today, which is what the Apostle Peter wrote.

Rev. 2—here we find the message to the Church of Thyatira, but this is to all of the churches; Revelation 2:25: “But hold fast what you have until I come. And to the one who overcomes and keeps My works unto the end, I will give authority over the nations” (vs 25-26).

think about that

think about the way that this world is

think about how upside down and backward the world is

think about how they are all deceived by Satan the devil

think about what a task it’s going to be to bring all nations to God

It’s going to be quite a task, it’s not going to be just BING! BAM! BOOM! everything is perfect. No! that’s why we have to help them work

to build the waste places

to build up the world

to build up their lives

Who is going to supervise the destruction of the weapons? We are! They’re going to melt them down! What authority will we have?

Verse 27: “And he shall shepherd them with an iron rod…” We’re going to have absolute authority. In order to have absolute authority, you need the character of God! That’s why we need to develop that now.

“…as vessels of pottery are broken in pieces; as I have also received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star…. [eternal life] …The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (vs 27-29).

For the Church of Philadelphia, where will they be? You read Rev. 7 & 14 that there will be those who will be right at the throne of God serving right there. That means at New Jerusalem. As we covered briefly, a very quick description of it, in Isa. 4. That’s going to be quite a thing.

Revelation 3:10: “Because you have kept the Word of My patience… [the Word of God, every bit of it] …I also will keep you from the time of temptation, which is about to come upon the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly; hold fast that which you have so that no one may take away your crown” (vs 10-11).

That ties in with Matt. 25 and Luke 19, that for those who don’t produce, what they have is going to be taken and given to the one who produced. Same principle here.

Verse 12: “The one who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from My God; and I will write upon him My new name. The one who has an ear, let him hear…” (vs 12-13).

Now to the Church of the Laodiceans; this is something! This is describing what we will be doing during the Millennium. God has such a fantastic and mammoth plan of salvation that is going to be instituted, and He could not institute it until after His plan and the first resurrection takes place and we are the trained sons and daughters of God sent out to help and teach the whole world under Christ, under the apostles, under Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all of the great Prophets that God had.

Verse 21: “To the one who overcomes will I give authority to sit with Me in My throne… [judging] …even as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (vs 21-22).

I’m going to do this a little differently this year, rather than save Isa. 65 for days seven and eight, I’m going to bring it right now on day three. Some of this are some thoughts, trying to piece things together, this is speculation. There may be more improvement on what I bring out. There may be some things that are absolutely correct and some things that may need some further improving.

I want you to picture that here we are on the Sea of Glass, we’re all prepared, taught, ready to go and have our assignments. We all have our white horses and we’re ready to come down to the earth with Christ. The war continues on to get rid of all the armies, and we’re going to help do that. Satan is bound and the Kingdom of God is setup, and it become operable. But think about how terribly ruined the earth and the atmosphere—or heaven around the earth—is. Does it need to be renewed?

Because this talks about human beings, this new heaven and new earth does not refer to the spiritual new heaven and earth (Rev. 20-22).

Isaiah 65:17: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things will not be remembered, nor come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy” (vs 17-18). That’s the layout and plan for all the Millennium.

Verse 19: “I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and I will joy in My people; and the voice of weeping will no more be heard in her, nor the voice of crying.” We’re going to be able to be teaching, helping people grow in grace and knowledge and understanding having the Law of God.

We’ll be there to help them, to teach them and to supervise them. But they’re going to have to be making choices themselves. Remember—and this is important for us to understand:

When God created Adam and Eve, did He give them independent free moral agency (IFMA)? Yes!

Are the people, during the Millennium, going to have independent free moral agency? Yes!

Let’s see how we’re going to handle it.

Isaiah 30:20: “And though the LORD gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet, your teachers shall not be removed into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers”—and that will be us!

As spirit beings we will be able to appear and disappear, just like Jesus did after He was resurrected and appeared to the disciples.

Verse 21: “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’….” What does this tell us? There’s free moral agency! They have to choose! When they go too far, they’ll be corrected.

“…when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left” (v 21). “…This is the way, walk in it…”

This is why we know that this is not the spiritual new heaven and new earth, Isaiah 65:20: “There will not be an infant who lives but a few days… [during the Millennium] …nor an old man that has not filled his days, for the child will die a hundred years old; but the sinner who is a hundred years old shall be accursed. And they will build houses and live in them; and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit” (vs 20-21). We can apply this all during the Millennium, and during the period of the Great White Throne Judgment; it applies in both cases.

Verse 22: “‘They will not build, and another live in them; they will not plant, and another eat; for like the days of a tree are so will be the days of My people, and My elect will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for calamity. For they are the seed of the beloved of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the food of the serpent. They will not hurt nor destroy in all My Holy mountain,’ says the LORD” (vs 22-25).

With free moral agency and people being given the choice, the choice to serve God will be overwhelmingly the majority of what is going to happen. But you cannot give independent free moral agency without making it independent free moral agency. In other words, everyone is going to have to choose! It’s going to be just like Deut. 30: set before you life an death, blessing and cursing, therefore, choose life that you and your seed may live! That will be an ongoing thing all during the Millennium. Most of the people will choose life.

What happens if someone really sins?

Yet, they have not sinned an unpardonable sin, but they haven’t yet repented?

What’s going to happen to them?

What happens to those who do not repent?

How is that going to be handled?

Because with independent free moral agency people are going to have to choose. That’s something that we need to look at realistically, and let’s see how God will handle it from what we already know from the Scriptures.

How do we know that what I just said is true? Rev. 20 shows that at the end of the Millennium there’s going to be something take place for those who chose not repent! Remember that repentance is a choice! There’s not going to any fooling, because we will be able to know their thoughts, know how people will react and the final judgment will rest with God.

Revelation 20:7: “Now, when the thousand years have been completed, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison; and he shall go out to deceive the nations that are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, of whom the number is as the sand of the sea, to gather them together for war. Then I saw them go up upon the breadth of the earth and encircle the camp of the saints, and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven and consumed them” (vs 7-9). At the end of the Millennium what does this tell us?

there are unrepentant sinners

they are in the area of Gog and Magog

That could be the area of what is Siberia today. If we take this, we know that they’re not going to live but a hundred years. So, let’s see how this may work. This is speculation, and we are discussing a possibility.

Gen. 3—beginning with Adam and Eve, what happened when they sinned? There they were created of God, first man and woman, created with an intelligence and language already in their mind. They talked directly with their Creator, the One Who became Jesus Christ later. He set before them the choices. He said, ‘Here’s the Tree of Life and here’s the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and don’t eat of that tree, because in the day that you eat thereof, in dying you shall surely die.’ The wages of sin is death!

Adam and Eve sinned. They used their independent free moral agency to choose to go against God. Will that happen during the Millennium? Yes, indeed! What happened to them when they sinned? What did God do to them? He removed them from the Garden of Eden! They were still on earth. They couldn’t get back into the Garden of Eden, but they could meet God at the east entrance where the cherubim were. They were removed, but they still had contact with God.

Will this be what will be during the Millennium when people sin a sin not unto death?

Will they be removed somewhere, given a chance so that they can repent?

Let’s think on this for just a minute. Let’s read a little more and understand what it’s telling us. Because we all sin and because sin results in death, and we have within us the law of sin and death. So therefore, all humans must die. As in Adam we all die! What happens when there’s a sinner who will not repent during the Millennium? We’ll talk about what happens if you’re righteous in a little bit.

Isaiah 65:20: “…but the sinner who is a hundred years old shall be accursed.”

What is the accursed? Cut off from God!

What is the ultimate accursed? The Lake of Fire!

This shows the unrepentant sinner could live as long as a hundred years.

Where are they going to live?

Are they going live in the cities of the righteous?

OR

Will they be removed?

Could it be that those who sin a sin that is a forgivable sin, but they haven’t yet repented, will they go to someplace like what we call today a rehabilitation center?

give them time

to pray

to study

have instructors there to help them overcome their sins

then if they repent

be brought back

Yes! Can’t have them living within the righteous cities. With free moral agency they’re going to have to choose. So, if they commit a crime or sin that is not unto death, they’ll be given an opportunity to repent. But they cannot live within the community, but have to go to ‘a repentance center’ where they’ll be given every opportunity to repent and come back. Very possible, because the alternative of this is that the unrepentant are sent to Gog and Magog. There will be a place on earth that by free moral agency and choice, those who will not repent will be removed from society.

At the end of the Millennium we read the number of the sands of the sea. How strong then is independent free moral agency? Very strong! Why will people choose to live in sin? We’ll cover that on Day 4!

How does that happen?

What happens to people?

We even see some of this today within the Churches of God.

How many are willing, even with the Spirit of God, to choose to reject some of the teachings of the Bible because they don’t think that they ought to do it?

A lot of them!

How many people even with the Spirit of God choose to put up with sin, rather than repent of sin?

Don’t know! All we can do is look and see the fruits!

How many Churches of God are there today?

I suppose if you go to the Bible Sabbath Association you will find out there are near or maybe over 1000 organization that have had some connection with the Churches of God!

Look at Rev. 2 & 3 and what it says to the seven churches; how that independent free moral agency is there. Yes, Satan the devil is still on the earth today; he won’t be on the earth during the Millennium, but there will be people at the end of the Millennium—thousands—who have chosen not to repent. They will die accursed and will await the resurrection to the Lake of Fire.

What if they repent?

What if those in the ‘repentant centers’ repent?

Then they can come back!

Those who are in a repentant center who do not repent, what will happen to them? Go back and read the account of Cain and Abel. Cain killed Abel. Remember, they were the sons of Adam and Eve, and they were already removed from the Garden of Eden, but they still had access to God at the east gate. Now Cain sins, kills his brother, does not repent, does not take any ownership of his choice of killing his brother. So, what does God do to him? He removes Cain even farther and sends him to the land of wandering! Cut off from God!

Will there be such a place during the Millennium? There has to be if you’re not going to have sinners living among the righteous! We know they’re going to sin because it says ‘if you go the right hand or the left hand you’re going to be told that here’s the way, walk in it’ (Isa. 30). What if someone says, ‘I don’t want to walk in it?’ All right, send them off the ‘repentant center.’ Help them, counsel them, help them to see what they need to do, give them time to use their free moral agency to repent. It’s a choice that they have to do.

If they repent, bring them back. Isn’t that what God does to us? Even today? Yes! If they refuse to repent, they can’t stay in the ‘repentance center’ because the ‘repentance center’ is there so you can repent. If they refuse to repent then they will be exiled, without a doubt, to some other place way off, like Siberia. There they die accursed!

I don’t know how else we’re going to be able to handle things during the Millennium if there is not some kind of operation like that.

We’ll talk about tomorrow what it is with human nature. How could it possibly be with the sons and daughters of God teaching the people, having the laws of God, commandments of God, blessings of God and everything, that some people will choose no, and will not repent?

Scriptural References:

Micah 4:1-3

Zechariah 14:16-20

Micah 4:3-4, 6-7

Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 59:20-21

Isaiah 49:7-13, 22-23

Isaiah 61:1, 3-4, 6-7

Isaiah 52:6-7

Isaiah 60:15-18, 21-22

Matthew 25:14-16

Galatians 5:22-23, 19-21

Matthew 25:17-21

Luke 19:15-17

1 Peter 2:1-2

Hebrews 5:12-14

1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-11

Revelation 2:25-29

Revelation 3:10-13, 21-22

Isaiah 65:17-19

Isaiah 30:20-21

Isaiah 65:20-25

Revelation 20:7-9

Isaiah 65:20

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

Isaiah 61:2

Revelation 7; 14

Isaiah 4

Revelation 21-22

Deuteronomy 30

Genesis 3