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Day 2—Feast of Tabernacles
After this is the last great war the Light of God's Truth is going to be everywhere
Fred R. Coulter—October 15, 2019
Greetings, brethren! Welcome to the Feast of Tabernacles Day 2!
We're at the beginning of the Millennium and how God is going to establish the world. The prophecy in Isa. 9 will be fulfilled. This is quite a fantastic and marvelous part of Scripture. Here it talks about Christ coming as an infant, being God and sitting on the throne of David. Then David will sit on his own throne under Christ; we'll see that.
When you look at how terrible the world is getting, and knowing that we're coming down to the time where it's going to get even worse and more desperate, this is the good news. That's what the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is, the Gospel or the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, and God as King!
Isaiah 9:6: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulders…"
If there's any one thing that is really wrong in the world, it's government! The reason that it is, is because they've all rejected God!The children of Israel have gone after their own ways! Look how it is in all the modern nations of Israel today. Northwestern Europe, the UK, Scandinavia, America and Canada, everything is backward and upside down. Who is going to save them from the disasters that are coming? No one, except God! There may be a little temporary relief here and there, but that won't last very long.
"…and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father…" (v 6).
During the Millennium, all of those who come into the Kingdom of God through Christ and the Bride, those children coming as spirit beings, being transformed into spirit beings, He will be an Everlasting Father. God the Father, as we know Him today, continues an Everlasting Father for His Family, which is the Church. Christ will be an Everlasting Father for His Family beginning with the Millennium.
None of that is understood, or explained here in this verse. For the Jews who do not have the New Testament, how is God going to be born of the flesh? You have to read the New Testament to understand that!
"…The Prince of Peace" (v 6). Men are incapable of having peace for any duration of time because of Satan the devil who is the 'god of this world' and human nature! It can't be held back by human means and Satan wants to explode it out into destruction so that there's never any peace.
At home I have Langer's Encyclopedia of World History and it is a chronicle of war after war after war in every section of the world! War is going to come to an end.
Verse 7: "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and over His kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment…" We've covered that many times at the Feast of Tabernacles: Judge Righteous Judgment (see FOT sermons 2006, 2015 & 2018 (each series is different)
"…and with righteousness from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this" (v 7).
Since God can never lie and His Word is always true, and everything He says in prophecy is going to come to pass. It's going to happen! This is the hope that all of those who are in the Church have had from the very beginning. But none of us at any time—going clear back to the apostles who wanted to know if Christ was going to establish the Kingdom for Israel then—has an accurate timing of when it will be:
- except that it will be in the latter days
- except that it's going to be at the end-time
- except, as we understand it, with the Holy Days and the Sabbath
Even there we have an approximation! We've thought for a long time that we're living in the last time. Well, that's true, but the question is: How long are the last times? No answer for that!
Let's see the very first thing that Christ is going to do when He comes to the earth! We know that He comes back to the earth with the saints and His feet stand on the Mount of Olives and the Mount of Olives splits in two. Then what happens?
Sidebar: It has been generally taught because of commentaries, which can be helpful but they are not dogmatic. Many of them have been written by men who have no conception of the thrust of prophecy as laid out by the Sabbath and Holy Days.
So, they look at Ezek. 40 and onward with the temple there they say that's the Millennial temple. No, it's not! If you read carefully in Ezek. 40, you will see that God said to Ezekiel 'go and measure the temple' and that was the temple in Jerusalem just before it was destroyed.
Why was it written down by Ezekiel? Because the Jews went into captivity for 70 years into Babylon! When they came back they had to have a temple according to the instructions of God. The original plans given by God to David—who gave it to Solomon to build—were long gone. So, this is why God gave the instruction to Ezekiel so when Ezra and Nehemiah came back they could build the temple the way that it should be, according to the instructions in Ezek. 40 onward.
It is true that in the last chapters it goes clear on out into the preaching of the Gospel to the whole world. But remember where the Gospel to the whole world start to be preached in Jerusalem at the temple on the Feast of Pentecost!
When Christ returns there is no need for any animal sacrifices, just like today there is no need for any animal sacrifices. So, it's not going to be a temple where there is the slaughtering of animals. Here we have a brief sketch of what Christ is going to have:
Isaiah 4:5: "And the LORD will create over every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day…" Where did we see that first? With the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt!
"…and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a canopy" (v 5). What it's going to be is a literal tabernacle!
We will see that God talks about this a little later on. Tie that in with Isa. 66, and let's see what God says about temple. While we're here, let's remember that in David's repentance he said, 'A broken heart and a contrite spirit you want,' not animal sacrifices!
So, if the whole program of the Millennium is going to be for the conversion of people, there is no need for any temple that is built by the hands of men to have sacrifices. Here's what God said concerning a temple:
Isaiah 66:1: "Thus says the LORD, 'The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool…."—and He's coming to the earth. He's going to setup a new tabernacle, we just read it in Isa. 4.
"…Where then is the house that you build for Me? And where is the place of My rest?" (v 1).
God is going to build the place for Himself, His way with the pillar of fire by night, and the cloud by day!
Verse 2: "'For all these things My hand has made, and these things came to be,' says the LORD. 'But to this one I will look, to him who is of a poor and contrite spirit and who trembles at My Word."
Here's what He thinks about and knows is true concerning the sacrifices of animals, because sacrificing animals does not change the mind! Only repentance and conversion!
So, there were those who would come in and offer the sacrifices and here was the attitude that God looked at:
Verse 3: "He who kills an ox is as if he killed a man; he who sacrifices a lamb is as if he broke a dog's neck; he who offers a grain offering is as if he offered swine's blood; he who burns incense is as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations…. [that's not going to be] …I also will choose their delusions… [that's why it's coming, the way that it is in the end-time] …and I will bring their fears upon them because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they did not hear. But they did evil before My eyes and chose that in which I did not delight" (vs 3-4).
Therefore, there will be no temple in the way that we have understood a temple, but there will be, as we will see, a tabernacle.
Isaiah 4:6: "And there shall be a tabernacle for shade by day from the heat, and for refuge, and for shelter from storm and rain." A tabernacle! This is symbolic language: storm, rain and heat is symbolic of the trials that people will go through during the Millennium, because they will have trials.
What's going to happen when Christ returns. The first thing to happen is that God is going to redeem Israel. We find the beginning of that in Rev. 7, then the innumerable multitude for all the other nations. Isa. 45 is a prophecy of the beginning of that salvation. We will see that at that time, Israel is going to be scattered in many different places.
Isaiah 45:17: "But Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation. You shall not be ashamed nor disgraced even into the ages of eternity"—everlasting salvation!
These prophecies are interesting, because you have for physical Israel and spiritual Israel, the Church. Also, the seed of Abraham: if you are Christ's then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise that they will shine like the stars of heaven and as of the sand of the sea--both! So, a lot of these prophecies can be dual: physical Israel and spiritual Israel.
Verse 18: "For thus says the LORD the Creator of the heavens, He Himself is God, Who formed the earth and made it; He has established it. He created it not in vain, but formed it to be inhabited. 'I am the LORD, and there is no other…. [can't be] …I have not spoken in secret…'" (vs 18-19).
He's always made know His Word; He has secret things that He has hidden, but He has not spoken in secret. He has spoken to His prophets and they have always written it down according to God's instruction.
Verse 19: "I have not spoken in secret in a dark place of the earth. I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Gather yourselves and come; draw near together, you who have escaped of the nations; they have no knowledge who carry the wood of their graven image, and those who pray to a god that cannot save" (vs 19-20).
The return of Christ is going to prove that absolutely, especially because Satan will have no part of God's plan in the Millennium. He's going to be bound in the abyss!
Verse 21: "Declare and bring near; yea, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this of old? Who has told it from ancient times? Have not I, the LORD?…." Hasn't God had all of these things written in the Bible going way back? Yes, indeed!
"…And there is no other God besides Me; a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. Turn to Me, and be saved…" (vs 21-22).
We're going to see in a little bit that there's going to have to be repentance, so they can receive the Spirit of God.
Verse 22: "Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth… [it will start at Jerusalem and go to the whole world] …for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not turn back, that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. One shall say, 'Only in the LORD do I have righteousness and strength; even to Him shall men come. And they are ashamed, all who are angry against Him.' In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory" (vs 22-25). That's how it's going to be starting!
The book of Isaiah is very interesting. Between Isaiah and the Psalms they contain about 90% of all the prophecies concerning the Millennium. Isn't that amazing?
Isaiah 49:8: 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'"—because He's going to make it right!
Verse 9: "That You may say to the prisoners, 'Go out!'…." What about all those prisoners who are captive of the devil? What a time that's going to be to help them come out of all the difficulties and problems they've been through because of Satan's kingdom on the earth at the last time.
"…To those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves!' 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; for He who has compassion on them shall lead them; even by the springs of water He shall guide them" (vs 9-10). That's all about salvation, all in this poetic language!
Verse 11: "'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, O mountains; for the LORD has comforted His people, and will have compassion upon His afflicted" (vs 11-13).
Think about what that's going to be! I think about how the condition of the people is going to be when we take over rulership of the earth under Christ. One of our biggest jobs is going to be to heal people: their bodies, their minds, their emotions. Comfort them and tell them that God rules in Zion out of Jerusalem!
Verse 22: "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I will lift up My hand to the Gentiles…'"
We're going to see how that is done, because it's not going to be exactly as a lot of people have thought. Although we've read some of these verses, we need to put them together in the right way.
"'…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).
Verse 24: "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? But thus says the LORD, 'Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the fierce ones shall be rescued, for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children. And I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh; and they shall be drunk with their own blood, as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am your Savior and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob'" (vs 24-26).
That's quite an introduction to what we're going cover. Let's see one that we nearly always read. We need to think about some of these things as we read them so we can understand what is really going to happen.
Isaiah 2:1: "The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass, in the last days the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains… [that's with the Mt. of Olives splitting] …and shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow into it. And many people shall go and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. And He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem" (vs 1-3).
That's quite a thing, isn't it? That's what's going to happen. We're going to be:
- the teachers
- the leaders
- the priests
- the kings
- the administrators
The entire government from top to bottom is going to be filled with the sons and daughters of God to bring peace on the earth.
But as we will see, all of this sounds wonderful and good—which it is—but will there be people who will resist even with God and all the sons and daughters of God on the earth.
Verse 4: "And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people…" How is He going to rebuke them? We'll see in just a minute!
"…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks…." (v 4). Sounds like they're going to be forced to do it; you'd better do it or you're dead. Will it be that strong? I think it will be!
"…Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (v 4). Let's see how this is going to be!
We're going to see that this is not going to come easy for some people. Others are going to say they've seen enough:
We're going to go up to Jerusalem to the God of Jacob, the Holy God Who brought all of the resurrected saints there, and we're going to learn of His way. We want the teachers from God to come and teach us.
Ezekiel 36:6: "So, prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and to the hills, to the rivers and to the valleys, thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and in My fury because you have borne the shame of the nations.' Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, 'I have lifted up My hand; surely the nations around you shall bear their shame'" (vs 6-7). Why is God going to have to lift up His hand?
Verse 8: "But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall put out your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel; for they will soon return. For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and you shall be tilled and sown…. [all the land there] …And I will multiply men on you, all the house of Israel, all of it. And the cities shall have people, and the wastes shall be rebuilt" (vs 8-10). Just imagine, full employment, re-building!
Verse 11: "And I will multiply men and beasts upon you, and they shall increase and be fruitful. And I will make you dwell after your old estates, and I will do better to you than at your beginnings. And you shall know that I am the LORD."
It's going to take all of this for Israel to fully realize it. It's something to understand to a certain point. Likewise, it's something to believe to a certain point. But to know, absolutely know without any doubt! And absolutely believe without any doubt!That's what God is talking about here.
Verse 12: "'Yea, I will cause men to walk upon you… [the land of Israel in the Middle East] …even My people Israel. And they shall possess you, and you shall be their inheritance, and shall no longer bereave them of their children.' Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Because they say to you, "You are a devourer of men, and you have been bereaved of your nations." Therefore, you shall devour men no more, nor shall you bereave your nations any more,' says the Lord GOD" (vs 12-14).
Verse 22: "Therefore, say to the house of Israel, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My Holy name's sake, 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 22-23).
- How is that going to happen?
- What is that event going to be?
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 and from your idols. And I will give you a new heart…" (vs 24-26).
Back to what it was with Adam and Eve, a heart that is not hostile to God.
"…and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you…" (vs 26-27)—conversion!
That's going to be something! There will be the most production of conversion and people coming into the Kingdom of God during the Millennium than at anytime in the history of the world up to the point of the Last Great Day.
"…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…" (vs 27-30).
Think about what that's going be; how tremendous that is going to be! Plenty of everything for everyone everywhere!
"…so that you shall never again receive the curse of famine among the nations. And you shall remember your own evil ways…" (vs 30-31)—repentance; God always offers repentance! If it is true, deep and sincere, and Godly repentance, then there will be forgiveness.
"… and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations" (v 31).
Think about what kind of repentance that is going to be! Think about what attitude, when that conversion comes, that there will be for all people. It starts with Israel, and then those nations who says that they want to go God's way:
We've seen what God has done, so we want to come to Jerusalem and we want to learn God's way. We want the teachers of God to come back with us so they can teach our people.
Think about those nations that never knew God. Think about the repentance that will be with them.
Verse 33: "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.: 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…"'" (vs 33-35)—back to what it was at the beginning!
- What is that going to be like?
- What kind of crops and things will there be with God's blessing on the land?
- Removal of the thorns, the thistles and the weeds!
That's going to be something, and we'll all be part of it.
"'…And the wasted, desolate and ruined cities now are fenced and inhabited.' [God says]: "'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.'…. [all of those things; it's going to be great] …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…'" (vs 35-38). All about the Feasts, which are going to be eternally fantastic forever!
- What is it going to be when we're in New Jerusalem?
- What is going to be when we're able to go out into the vast reaches of the universe?
That's all part of God's domain!
"…so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men. And they shall know that I am the LORD" (v 38).
Let's see what else is going to happen. I might mention, as you probably know, Ezek. 37:1-14 is about the second resurrection. So, right in the middles of this, God puts something else at a different time in a different way.
Ezekiel 37:15: "And the Word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'And you, son of man, take a stick and write on it, "For Judah and for his companions, the children of Israel." And take another stick and write on it, "For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and all the house of Israel, his companions." And join them to one another into one stick. And they shall become one in your hand'" (vs 15-17).
Now, this is a re-uniting of Israel; God is going to undo all of the things that divided us and bring us all back together as He has wanted for all the children of Israel and Judah.
Verse 18: "And when the children of your people shall speak to you, saying, 'Will you not declare to us what do you mean by these?' Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel… [all ten tribes] …his companions, and I will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and will make them one stick, and they shall be one in My hand"'" (vs 18-19)—because God is ruling!
Verse 20: "And the sticks on which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes. And say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations… [bringing them back from]: …where they have gone, and will gather them on every side, and will bring them into their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel, and one king shall be king over them all. And they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. Nor shall they be defiled…and will cleanse them…."'" (vs 20-23).
Verse 24: "And David My servant…" Here's the fulfilling of the prophecy. Did not God promise David that he would sit on the throne forever? Between that promise and the time of the fulfilling there would always be a man sitting on the throne of David. That throne today is in England, the UK. Isn't that interesting? The only king or queen in the western world is in the UK. Think about that!
If you've ever read about the ceremony that they have for coronation of the king and queen, they read the Scriptures that they are king or queen over the people of God, the children of Israel. Quite a fantastic thing!
"…shall be king over them. And there shall be one shepherd to all of them. And they shall walk in My ordinances and obey My laws, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, the land in which your fathers have dwelt. And they shall dwell in it, even they and their children, and their children's children forever. And My servant David shall be their ruler forever. Moreover, I will make a covenant of peace with them…." (vs 24-26)—a New Covenant!
Verse 27: "And My tabernacle shall be with them…. [we read about that in Isa. 4] …Yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And the nations shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in their midst forever" (vs 27-28).
Let's see what happened. Remember, we read where it is that God has to rebuke many nations afar off, strong nations!
(go to the next track)
Remember what we read about many nations; Isaiah 2:4: "And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people…"—because they haven't submitted to the Government of God, to the Kingdom of God! At the beginning God gives them a choice! What are you going to do?
- the Kingdom of God is established in Jerusalem
- Jesus Christ the Almighty God is King
- all the sons and daughters of God are going to be ruling under Him
- bringing peace to the world
But you must come of your own accord! If you don't come, I'll give you plenty of time, but then you're going to wish that you had come in the first place.
Ezekiel 38:1: "And the Word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'Son of man, set your face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief ruler of Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him. And say, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the chief ruler of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal'"'" (vs 1-3). That's all the nations north and east of the Holy Land!
Isn't it amazing that they will choose not to submit? But sooner or later God will make them submit. Let's see what they will do. Israel is there, it's plenteous, they have great crops and everything is peaceful. We don't know how many years it may be, but it may be up to seven years before this event occurs with Gog and Magog and all of the rest of the nations listed.
Verse 4: "And I will turn you back, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed most gorgeously, a great assembly with buckler and shield, all of them swordsmen; Persia… [Iran, so it's going clear back that way] …Ethiopia…. [probably India, because there's Cush and Phut, the straight-haired Ethiopians of India] …and Libya with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all his bands; the house of Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north… [way up there in Sibera] …and all his bands; and many people with you" (vs 4-6).
Verse 7: "Be prepared; yea, prepare for yourself, you and all your assembly that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. After many days… [Could that be seven years? Don't know! (speculation)] …you will be summoned. In the latter years you shall come into the land restored from war, gathered out of many people… [Israel at peace] …on the mountains of Israel, which have always been waste. (But she has been brought out of the nations, and they shall dwell securely, all of them.) And you shall go up, coming like a storm. You shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you and all your bands, and many people with you" (vs 7-9).
They're going to come up against the cities of Israel. I'm sure that they have spent spies up there to check it out. They look at and see that it's prosperous:
Look at all that they have. They don't have any fortification, there are no armies or swordsmen or bowmen. Look at how easy this is going to be, because the aliens that have taken over have made it prosper, but we will go take it back from them.
That probably will be their thinking! (speculation)
Verse 10: "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'And it shall be in that day that things shall come into your heart, and you shall devise an evil plan. And you shall say, "I will go up to the land of unwalled villages. I will go to those that are at rest, who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and there are no bars nor gates to them, in order to take a spoil, and to steal a prize; to turn your hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, who have gotten cattle and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land."'" (vs 10-12).
Notice that there will be other nations who will see this developing and will ask, 'What are you doing?'
Verse 13: "Sheba and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, and all her villages, shall say to you, 'Have you come to take a spoil? Have you gathered your company to steal a prize, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?'" Even the nations are giving them a warning, 'Don't do this!'
Verse 14: "Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "In that day when My people of Israel dwell securely, shall you not know it? And you shall come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many people with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. And you shall come up on My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It shall be in the latter days, and I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I shall be sanctified in you, O Gog, before their eyes."'" (vs 14-16).
This is the last great war after the Millennium has started! God has given all those nations a chance to repent and come to Jerusalem and ask for the government to be brought to them. Those are the nations that are the strong nations that are afar off that God is going to rebuke. We're going to see how He's going to do it. It is going to be a climatic thing that is going to be absolutely marvelous. This is going to be an absolutely fantastic battle of epic proportions. It is going to solidify everything on earth under the Government and power of God!
But remember, He always gives choice to repent. But they wouldn't repent, instead they said that they were going to continue in the way that they have been. They probably sent spies down there to spy it out and look it over (Ezek. 37). They would pick a time when they thought it would be good, but it will actually be the time that God determines to bring them down to the valley and destroy them completely!
Ezekiel 39:12: "'And the house of Israel shall bury them, to cleanse the land, seven months. And all the people of the land shall bury them, and it shall be to them a day of renown, the day that I shall be glorified,' says the Lord GOD" (vs 12-13). I wonder if that will be on the Feast of Trumpet?
Verse 14: "And they shall employ men to continually search the land, burying those who remain on the face of the earth, to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they shall begin the search. And as those who pass through the land, pass through, if any man sees a bone, then he shall set a sign beside it until the buriers have buried it in The Valley of the Multitude of Gog. And also the name of the city there is Multitude. Thus they shall cleanse the land" (vs 14-16).
Verse 17: "And you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, 'Speak to the birds of every kind, and to every beast of the field, "Gather yourselves and come; gather yourselves from all around to My sacrifice that I sacrifice for you, a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, so that you may eat flesh and drink blood. You shall eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, lambs, goats, and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan. And you shall eat fat until you are full, and drink blood until you are drunk, of My sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. And you shall be filled at My table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, all the men of war,"' says the Lord GOD" (vs 17-20),
Notice how this ends! This is quite something! Verse 21: "And I will set My glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see My judgments which I have executed, and My hand that I have laid on them. So, the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward…. [there will be no doubt]…And the nations shall know that the house of Israel was exiled for their iniquity. Because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore, I hid My face from them and gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword" (vs 21-23).
Then it goes back and repeats some other things. But that's quite a thing! Quite a fight! Quite a battle!
Now let's see what happens after that. All the nations now are going to submit. Let's see how that's going to be.
Psa. 85 is a wonderful Psalm, and it explains the whole atmosphere, attitude and spiritual power that will flow from God to bring this to the whole world.
Psalms 85:9: "Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him… [all the world at that time will fear Him and know Him] …so that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and Truth have met together…" (vs 9-10).
That's what salvation is all about, mercy and Truth, the Truth of the Government of God, and the power of the Kingdom of God through the saints on the earth will be known. This is what we will administer, mercy and Truth!
"…righteousness and peace have kissed each other. [I love those verses, this is fantastic] …Truth shall spring out of the earth…" (vs 10-11). It's going to be everywhere:
- no more lies
- no more deception
- no more schemes
Only the Truth of God:
- why He's created us
- what His plan is
- where we are going
- what is being done
"…and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good, and our land shall yield its increase. Righteousness shall go before Him and shall set us in the way of His steps" (vs 11-13). That sets the whole attitude for what's on the earth!
A lot of these Psalms are really quite important right here in this section concerning the rule of God on earth. If there's any two things that Satan has totally confused and men do not have right is:
- the truth about God, they have their own religions
- the truth about what real Godly government there needs to be, and those who are the sons and daughters of God who will:
- deal in kindness
- deal in love
- deal in truth
to help people with their lives! God's blessing will be everywhere on:
- everything that they do
- everything that is in their lives
- how their children are
- how their animals are
- etc.
Psalm 93:1: "The LORD reigns; He is clothed with majesty… [we will be clothed with majesty, too] …the LORD is clothed with strength. He clothed Himself and the world also is established; it shall not be moved. Your throne is established of old; You are from everlasting" (vs 1-2). What did we say when we first started? Of His government and peace there shall be no end!
Verse 3: "The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voices; the floods lift up their waves. The LORD on high is mightier than the thunders of many waters, yea, mightier than the mighty waves of the sea. Your testimonies are very sure; Holiness adorns Your house forever, O LORD" (vs 3-5)—back to the tabernacle that will be there by day and night!
Psalm 96:1: "O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth."
Isn't that going to be something? Think about what it's going to be like on the Sabbath Day! Think about what it's going to be like when there will be everything perfect!
Verse 2: "Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all people… [everyone is going to know; that's an amazing thing to contemplate] …for the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods" (vs 1-4).
There won't be any false gods, but there will be us who will be smaller gods, as it were.
Verse 6: "Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O you kindreds of the people; give to the LORD glory and strength" (vs 6-7).
You can just imagine the things that will be said, what people will be doing, how their live will be! Tremendous!
Verse 8: "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; bring an offering and come into His courts. O worship the LORD in the beauty of Holiness… [we will understand what that means at that time] …tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns, and the world shall be established; it shall not be moved; He shall judge the people with righteousness'" (vs 8-10). Doesn't that tie in with many of the things that we've already read? Yes, indeed!
Verse 11: "Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness of it. Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy" (vs 11-12). I don't know how that's going to be, but that's going to be something!
Verse 13: "Before the LORD; for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth; He shall judge the world with righteousness and the people with His Truth." Magnificent!
Yes, indeed, this is tremendous, brethren, what God has for us after that final, final war. Everything everywhere is going to be perfect, righteous and good. The people will all be taught of God from the least to the greatest, from the small to the large, everywhere!
Psalm 97:1: "The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of islands be glad. Clouds and darkness are all around Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne" (vs 1-2)—His government! It's going to be:
- in love
- in truth
- in faith
- in righteousness
Everything about God!
Verse 9: "For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted high above all gods…. [that may be us, but we don't know so we can't say that definitely for sure] …You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked" (vs 9-10).
There won't be much wickedness then, because here's what's going to be: the Light of God's Truth is going to be everywhere.
Verse 11: "Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones, and praise His Holy name" (vs 11-12).
Wonderful! All about the Millennium! Even though today people have the law of sin and death in them, and even though they have a nature that is contrary to God, down deep inside what we have just read is what they yearn for. They don't know how to get it.
- it's not in the world today
- it's not in the churches
- it's not in the religion
- it's not in governments
- it's not anywhere on the face of the earth
Pray tell, let's hope it's with the Churches of God! May it be so that we can set an example for the world.
Isn't it interesting how these Psalms flow one right into the other:
Psalm 98:1: "O sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His Holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations" (vs 1-2).
That final battle finally convinces them that is the way to go.
Verse 4: "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre, and the voice of a psalm. With silver trumpets and sound of a ram's horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD. Let the sea roar, and the fullness of it, the world, and those who dwell in it" (vs 4-7).
This is a worldwide fantastic thing that's going to take place. This is why we are here at the Feast of Tabernacles. This is why God has called us. He hasn't called us just to be better people in the world. He hasn't called us so that we can be nicey-nice folks. He has called us to learn His way so we can help Him rule the world in love, truth and righteousness. That's what it is, and as spirit beings, to be His spirit sons and daughters! There can't be anything greater than that!
Verse 8: "Let the floods clap their hands; let the mountains sing for joy together before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth; with righteousness He shall judge the world and the people with equity" (vs 8-9). Amazing thing, isn't it?
Notice how all these flow together to give us a fantastic picture of what it's going to be like in the Millennium.
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" (vs 1-5). All of this involves us!
Then it talks about Moses and Aaron are with Him, but that also means all the other saints, all of us!
Psa. 100 is another Psalm about the greatness of God, the rule of God, the Kingdom of God, and all the saints with Him to bring this about.
Psalm 100:1: "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth." Think about what it's going to be like when all the earth does that!
Verse 2: "Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing." Yes, everybody is going to be doing a lot of singing. In other places they're also going to have a lot of wine.
Verse 3: "Know that the LORD, He is God…. [everyone is going to know that from the least to the greatest] …He has made us…"
Think about what God has done to create people, male and female coming together as one flesh and their children are truly the one flesh of mother and father. To have that is so fantastic, and think about what it's going to be like during the Millennium.
"…and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise; give thanks unto Him and bless His name" (vs 4-5).
- everything that He has
- everything that He does
- everything that He has made for us
Think about the fantastic thing it's going to be for us to bring this to the whole world! That is the solution!
Verse 5: "For the LORD is good; His steadfast love is everlasting; and His faithfulness endures to all generations."
That is the whole thrust of what the earth and the world and people are going to be during the Millennium!
Scriptural References:
- Isaiah 9:6-7
- Isaiah 4:5
- Isaiah 66:1-4
- Isaiah 4:6
- Isaiah 45:17-25
- Isaiah 49:8-13, 22-26
- Isaiah 2:1-4
- Ezekiel 36:6-14, 22-31, 33-38
- Ezekiel 37:15-28
- Isaiah 2:4
- Ezekiel 38:1-16
- Ezekiel 39:12-23
- Psalm 85:9-13
- Psalm 93:1-5
- Psalm 96:1-4, 6-13
- Psalm 97: 1-2, 9-12
- Psalm 98: 1-2, 4-9
- Psalm 99:1-5
- Psalm 100: 1-5
Scriptures referenced, not quoted:
- Ezekiel 40
- Revelation 7
- Ezekiel 37:1-14
Also referenced:
- Book: Langer's Encyclopedia of World History
- Sermon Series: Judge Righteous Judgment (see FOT sermons 2006, 2015 & 2018 (each series is different)
FRC:bo Transcribed: 7/21/19
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