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(Feast of Tabernacles 2020—Day 4)
I have spoken, I will bring it to pass,
a summation of the whole meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles
Fred R. Coulter—October 6, 2020
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Greetings, brethren! Welcome Day 4 of the Feast of Tabernacles!
The Feast of Tabernacles is quite an amazing thing in the Bible, and the meaning of it is spread throughout the entire Bible. However, today what we want to do is look at the Kingdom of God and the Millennium in the book of Isaiah.
We're going to stay entirely in the book of Isaiah. This is quite a thing, because there are prophecies that relate back during the days of Isaiah, Hezekiah and the different kings. Then there are prophecies of things way into the future, prophecies of things concerning Jesus Christ and His first coming. So, it is really a tremendous and awesome of book of prophecy, the whole book of Isaiah.
When you read it and go through it, you're going to probably wonder: How about the Jews who don't have understanding of it? They read it, yet, it's a great blindness to them! Maybe that's one of the reasons why there are so many atheists among the Jews.
- What is the first thing that must be done to begin the Millennium? When Christ returns, Satan is put away, we're ruling as kings and priests!
- What's the first thing that has to be done? The whole world is going to be absolutely blinded by Satan the devil, the beast and the false prophet!
So, here's prophecy of the very first thing that Jesus has to do:
Isaiah 25:6: "And in this mountain… [the Mountain of the Lord; the Government of God] …the LORD of hosts shall make a feast of fat things for all the people, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of refined wines on the lees. And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering…" (vs 6-7).
Remember what God says about those who are blind, the first thing He does is take away this blindness.
Verse 7: "And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering, which covers all people, and the veil that is woven over all nations."
- remove all of the deceptions
- remove all of the lies
- give all of the people a willing heart
That's going to be quite an operation when you really understand it! That's going to come out and emanate about the Tabernacle of God. We know that when we put it together with Zech. 14 and all the saints come back with Christ and come to the Mt. of Olives and it's split in two, etc., it's going to be quite a thing. Then the Mt. of Olives is going to rise up really high.
Isaiah 4:5—this is the Tabernacle of God: "And the LORD will create over every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a canopy…. [the great tabernacle] …And there shall be a tabernacle for shade by day from the heat, and for refuge, and for shelter from storm and rain" (vs 5-6)—no temple! A tabernacle!
Let's see that it's spoken of again in Isa. 33. this is how you know that the instructions—besides what's given in Ezek. 40 thru 48—are the instructions for building the second temple. There will be no temple during the Millennium, and no sacrifices. They won't be needed because Christ will be here. I'm sure there will be offerings that will be thanksgiving to God for all that He gives and does.
Isaiah 33:20: "Look upon Zion, the city of our Holy gatherings; your eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet home… [quite different from what it is today] …a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of its stakes shall ever be removed, nor shall any of its cords be broken."
Quite a description of what it's going to be! Imagine that! And in a way that it a summation of the whole meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles: to dwell with God!
Verse 21: "But there the glorious LORD will be to us a place of broad rivers and streams, in which no galley with oars shall go, nor shall a mighty ship pass by it, for the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us" (vs 21-22).
Look at all of that together: Judge, Lawgiver and King! All of us are going to be under Jesus Christ—and I'm sure that many of the ancient patriarchs as well—and we are going to administer the Government of God to the whole world. So, that's quite a really good description of it.
You won't have to worry about where you're going to go in the Bible, we're going to stay right in the book of Isaiah for the whole thing.
Isaiah 26:1: "In that day… [when everything is setup] …this song shall be sung in the land of Judah: 'We have a strong city; He… [the Lord] …sets up salvation as our walls and banks.'"
Remember that we covered, we are going to be a Holy nation, a royal priesthood, and we're going to carryout everything for the Government of God in the whole world everywhere!
Verse 2: "Open the gates, so that the righteous nation shall enter in, one that is faithfully keeping Truth." Keep that in mind because that's also for today!
Do we faithfully keep the Truth? That's important, because the Truth of God never changes! You've heard me say many, many times that what we need is the Truth of God, the Truth of God, the Truth of God! No more turmoil, wars and all that sort of thing that we have today.
Verse 3: "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You"—tie in Prov. 3!
This also tells us how you get peace of mind; v 4: "Trust in the LORD… [and lean not to your own understanding] …forever; for God the LORD is the everlasting Rock… [a little New Testament doctrine there: that Rock is Christ] …for He brings down those who dwell on high; He lays low the lofty city… [Babylon the Great] …He lays it low, even to the ground; He brings it even to the dust…. [tie in Rev. 18] …The foot shall trample it, even the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy" (vs 4-6).
Verse 7: "The way of the just is uprightness…" Here is the way of God:
- veil removed
- spiritual blindness blotted out
- teaching them
- a new heart
A heart of flesh, and we now teach them God's way! Think of the joy, think of how great that's going to be; what a marvelous thing indeed!
"…O Upright One [God], You make the path of the righteous level" (v 7).
Everything is going to be constantly good, because the children of God are going to rule as kings and priests under Christ.
Verse 8: "Yea, in the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for You; for Your name and for Your remembrance is the desire of our soul. With my soul I desired You in the night; yea, with my spirit within me I will seek You earnestly…" (vs 8-9). This is what we're going to teach the people to do:
- really love God
- believe God
- follow Him
- keep His commandments
Just think what it's going to be with all the families—husband, wife, children—no more alphabet perverts!
"…for when Your judgments are in the earth, the people of the world will learn righteousness" (v 9).
Isn't that interesting how that is phrased: People of the world, Your judgments on the earth will learn righteousness, and that's the key to peace! That's the key to right judgment
Verse 12: "LORD, You will ordain peace for us… [applied to the children of Israel, applied to the children of God] …for You also have accomplished all our works in us."
Whose workmanship are we? God the Father's workmanship (Eph. 2)! He has accomplished all His works in us. That's what perfection means.
Verse 13: "O LORD our God, other lords besides You have had the rule over us; but by You only will we make mention of Your name." All the falsities are going to disappear!
Verse 15: "You have increased the nation, O LORD, You have increased the nation; You are glorified; You have extended all the borders of the land."
Everything for the children of Israel coming back out of captivity is going to begin in the area originally given to them by God: from the Nile River to the Euphrates River. But there are other prophecies that show that after a while they're going to go out against and expand to the rest of the world; that is the physical children of Israel.
I was amazed in going through and preparing this message. I was thinking: I'll go through and get some of the important things out of Isaiah, and I found that important things are spaced and sprinkled all through the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 29:18: "And in that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book…"—the Bible and, I think, many more things written to be added to what we have in the Bible here!
"…and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and darkness. And the meek shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel" (vs 18-19).
Notice there will be rejoicing, especially in the first generation, because Satan's blindness is removed, and Satan has been bound.
Verse 20: "For the terrible one is brought to nothing, and the scorner is destroyed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off." That tells you how it's going to be run and governed!
As you go over all of these things, I want you to think about: What will I do? Maybe God will help you understand it, too!
Verse 21: "Those who make a man a sinner with a word, and lay a trap for the reprover in the gate, and turn aside the just for a worthless thing." They'll all be gone!
Verse 22: "Therefore, thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham… [it all goes back to Abraham, the physical and the spiritual children of Israel] …concerning the house of Jacob, 'Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now become pale. But when he [Abraham] sees his children…'" (vs 22-23).
Think about all that are descended from Abraham: Isaac, Jacob and Esau, Ishmael, the 12 tribes of Israel.
"…the work of My hands, in his midst, they shall sanctify My name, and sanctify the Holy one of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. Those who erred in spirit shall come to understanding… [repentance, understand the Word of God] …and those who murmured shall learn instruction" (vs 23-24).
That's going to be quite a thing! They're going to be taught the right way. What will that do? Take away the complaints! Won't that be nice? Compare what we're reading here as you watch the nightly news and see how much evil, conniving, hatefulness, party spirit and division comes out through the television screen every minute of every day.
- we're not going to forget what has happened in the world
- we're not going to forget what happened with the rebellion of Satan the devil
We're going to remember those things so that they will learn the lesson of what is right and wrong, and so forth.
Isaiah 46:9: "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is none else, I am God, and there is none like Me." They're going to understand:
- the power of God
- the knowledge of God
- the wisdom of God
- the vastness of what He has made and created
We're all going to bow down and worship God for:
- His greatness
- His love
- His mercy
- His kindness
- His goodness
Verse 10: "Declaring the end from the beginning…" Tie in Rev. 1—'I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending,' says the Lord!
"…and from ancient times the things which were not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand… [a great thing indeed] …and I will do all My pleasure'" (v 10)—and we will all benefit from that!
- God is love
- God loves us
- God has called us
- God is bringing us into His Kingdom as His sons and daughters to rule and reign with Christ
It's going to be absolutely overwhelming thing that's going to take place!
Verse 11: "Calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country…."
Anyone who doubts about God, listen to this, but know and understand when you're thinking about this. This does not tell you the timeframe of how these things occur and take place.
"…Yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass…" (v 11). Remember the things that Jesus said, 'I didn't come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, I came to fulfill'—exactly like we're reading of here! He also said that 'until heaven and earth perish, not one jot or one tittle shall perish from the Law.' So, it's still going!
The will of God is absolute; "…Yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass, I have purposed it, I will also do it" (v 11). That's why we can have faith in God and trust in His Word!
That's why we can go to His to His Word. Look at how David prayed, which we'll cover tomorrow. Look at how things develop, how God responds and acts and does things for us.
Verse 12: "Hearken to Me, you stubborn-hearted who are far from righteousness." There's going to be repentance; not going to be anymore stubborn rebellion. We're going insure that, which we will see in a little bit.
Verse 13: "I bring near My righteousness. It shall not be far off…"
No more saying, 'Where is God?' It's going to be God is with you! The sons and daughters of God will lead you, teach you and help you. Think of the heights of accomplishment and understanding that is going to be with the people during the Millennium. Absolutely phenomenal!
"…and My salvation shall not be delayed; and I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel My glory" (v 13)—all converted people!
We will see that some will want to rebel and how we are to take care of them, and what we need to do. That is true!
We hear an awful lot about sacred names. Let me tell you something that they ought to read. Gen. 11—God confounded the languages, therefore, He's the Author of all languages. So, whatever the name of God is today—in whatever language you are involved in—that is the name of God.
Sidebar: Nowhere in the New Testament does God use so-called sacred names. We have God the Father and Jesus Christ; that is it!
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.'" God's going to be actively involved in everything in the world; no doubt about that!
Verse 7[transcriber's correction]: "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!'" We're the ones who are going to be doing that!
Verse 8: "The voice of Your watchmen shall be lifted up! They lift up the voice together; they sing aloud, for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD returns again to Zion." That's because all the evil is going to be removed!
It's awfully hard today to imagine what kind of society that's going to be.
Verse 9: "Break out, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted His people; He has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has bared His Holy arm in the eyes of all the nations… [with everything that has taken place leading up to this point] …and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God" (vs 9-10).
I've been really very uplifted and excited going through and putting this message together. To see all of the things that God has said over and over again. It's going to happen; it's going to come to pass!
Isaiah 60:1: Arise, shine; for your Light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you." That's also quite a wondrous song in The Messiahby George Handel. That's why it's rejoicing!
Verse 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." That ties in with removing the veil, and the weaving of the things of Satan the devil over all nations!
Verse 3: "And the Gentiles shall come to your light…" God is going to cease wars and set everything up in Jerusalem, and different nations are going to say, 'Come, let us go to house of the Mountain of the Lord and learn of His ways, for He will teach us!'
Now then, those nations who don't want to do it, God's going to deal with them and we won't have to worry about it.
"…and kings to the brightness of your rising…. [God says]: '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. 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'" (vs 3-5).
That's going to come to them, and guess who is going to receive the tithes and offerings: we will! And we will put up a heave offering to God! It's going to be quite a system.
This talks about us as the priests of God; Isaiah 61:6: "But you shall be called the priests of the LORD… [tie in Rev. 20, you shall be kings and priests] …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."
Verse 8: "For I the LORD love justice, 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 with us as kings, priests and teachers!
Verse 9: "And their seed 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."
Verse 10—Isaiah says: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul will be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the robes of salvation, He covered me with the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom adorns himself with ornaments, and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels; for as the earth brings forth its bud, and as the garden causes that which is sown to grow; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to grow before all the nations" (vs 10-11).
This is why we keep the Feast of Tabernacles, so that we can see that this is what God has purposed. This is what He's going to do and carry out, and we have been called to be an integral part of that. It really doesn't matter who is going to be the greatest, because God will always be the Greatest! Remember that Jesus said of John the Baptist, that 'of a man born of woman there was never a greater prophet than him.' But the least in the Kingdom of God shall be like him. So, even if we occupy the very least position, it's going to be fantastic, indeed!
- no power struggles
- no coups
- no rebellion
All of that is going to be gone!
Now let's see what the society is going to be like; Isaiah 65:17: "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth…."—with all the destruction that took place with the return of Christ, that's what He's going to do.
"…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. 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" (vs 17-19).
Here are some very interesting verses that in a way they're easy to understand, and in another way they're a little difficult to understand. Let's read it and see what it tells us, and let's see what we can derive from it:
Verse 20: "There will not be an infant who lives but a few days… [that's plain] …nor an old man that has not filled his days, for the child will die a hundred years old… [apparently, everybody is going to live to be 100-years-old] …but the sinner who is a hundred years old shall be accursed."
There will be sinners! There will be those who will rebel! Especially as we get down into the second half of the Millennium, because free moral agency God will never take away! He wants us all to choose! He wants us all to choose His Way! There will be sinners, and we'll talk about how God is going to handle that.
Verse 21: "'And they will build houses and live in them; and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 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… [we will be the ones who 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 21-25).
Let's go back and look at v 20: "There will not be an infant who lives but a few days… [that's clear] …nor an old man that has not filled his days… [that's clear] …for the child will die a hundred years old…" That's a little difficult to understand!
Let's look at from the time of view of what's happens when Christ returns. They're going to live a hundred years.
(Break)
Let's ask a question about the child who dies 100-years-old and the sinner who is 100-years-old shall be accursed.
- the child who dies 100-years-old
Where do we find in the Bible that there are those who will be instantaneously changed from flesh to spirit, and we find that when Jesus returns? 1-Thess. 4, that those who are in the grave will be resurrected first, and then we who remain shall be changed!
However, it also says in Hebrews that we all die in Adam. So, that has to happen to everyone. What must take place at the return of Christ with the resurrection? It must be an instantaneous death and change!
When it talks about those who are righteous, like the child who will live to be 100-years-old will die, that means they will changed instantaneously from flesh to spirit.
- the sinner will be accursed
The one who will not repent means that they will face the second death!
So, what's going to happen here? Let's progress and see! We know that if a person is righteous for their whole life during the Millennium, there's no reason to bury them in the ground. Just like there was no reason for those who remained alive when Christ returned, to die and be put in the ground and resurrected immediately out of the ground. So, it has to be quick, instantaneous!
The vast majority of people will be righteous, but as we we're going to see there will be those who will not repent. That's why it talks about here the sinner who is 100-years-old will be accursed, and they will have await the second death after they've already died and been buried the first time. The second death doesn't happen until the end of the Last Great Day!
Let's see how we're going to deal with it, because God is not going to take away free moral agency. Let's think about how it's going to be when we are there teaching and so forth.
Isaiah 30:19: "For, O people, who dwell in Zion at Jerusalem, you shall weep no more; He will be very gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When He hears it, He will answer you."
How is He going to answer? Through us! Let's see that right here:
Verse 20: "And though the LORD gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction… [there will still be some correction; that will have to be] …yet, your teachers shall not be removed into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers." We're going to constantly be with the people:
- to help
- to teach them
- to guide them
- to give understanding
All of that sort of thing will be involved!
Verse 21: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left."
What happens if they refuse? If there is no repentance, they have to be removed from the community! I've often thought, and have said before, that at first there will be areas where they can go, where they can pray and see if they can repent and acknowledge their deeds. We might call that a Repentance Center.
If they're able to change and come to a right attitude, do what they need to do, they will be let back into the community. But they won't be left in the community to cause problems and sin to upset the whole community. It won't be! So, they would be removed to a Repentance Center.
What happens if they don't repent? Then they have to be removed even further! Just like we find in the book of Genesis. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were removed from the Garden of Eden. When Cain killed Abel, he was removed completely into the land of wandering—the land of Nod—and it's nowhere recorded that Cain repented.
They will have to be removed to someplace! We will find out later that that place will be part of Gog and Magog way up into the area of the North in Siberia.
- What happens when they are removed up to there?
- Is it possible that some may repent and be brought back? Very possible!
But for those who stay in an attitude of rebellion, will be the sinner who will die accursed 100-years-old! That's a practical way of doing it. That's how God shows in the Bible that He would do it. We will be the ones who will help administer that judgment. Also, remember that the judgment will be:
- righteous
- true
- perfect
Why? We will be able to understand even their thoughts! That's how there's going to be peace kept during the Millennium!
Now let's see how this is going to work. The Millennium is going to be the greatest time of peace and almost universal conversion in the history of the world.
Isaiah 62:2: "And the Gentiles will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name."
That's going to happen to us when we're resurrected! It will happen to them when they're able to enter into the spirit realm and be changed.
Verse 3: "You also will be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God." God is going to bring all of that together!
Just like it said in Isa. 28, that all of these prophecies are 'here a little, there a little, precept upon precept, line upon line' and that's how we put it all together.
Isn't it interesting how all of these things are scattered throughout the whole book of Isaiah? One thing everyone is going to know:
- why they're here
- who God is
- who their teachers are, which will be us
- what God's plan is
- how they fit into it
It will be clear as can be. They will be, in short, know why they were born!
Isaiah 44:21: "Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for you are My servant; I have formed you; you are My servant; O Israel, you shall not be forgotten by Me." What did Paul write that is to be formed in us?
- we're the workmanship of God the Father and Jesus Christ (Eph. 2)
- Christ is to be formed in us (Gal. 4)
- we're to have the mind of Christ (Philp. 2).
Everyone is going to know why they were born and where they're going!
Verse 22: "'I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins; return to Me; for I have redeemed you.' Sing, O heavens; for the LORD has done it. Shout, O lower parts of the earth. Break out into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel. Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, and He Who formed you from the womb, 'I am the LORD Who makes all things…'" (vs 22-24).
They're going to understand the greatness of what God is doing. The greatness of why He has created so many human beings. That's related to the greatness and vastness of the universe. So, you can see how important righteousness, truth, love, obedience and all of this is, that we develop the character of God! We're going to be the ones to carry this out!
"…Who stretches out the heavens alone; Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself; Who brings to nothing the signs of the liars, and makes fools of diviners; Who turns the wise backward… [the wise of the world] …and makes their knowledge foolish" (vs 24-25).
None of that is going to happen during the Millennium. It's going to be eliminated. We're not going to have a situation where there are going to be false preachers, falseteachers. It won't be!
- we'll be the ones there doing it right
- we'll be doing it in the way that God wants it done
That's why it's important that we remain faithful today, tomorrow and every day!
Isaiah 45:17: "But Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation. You shall not be ashamed nor disgraced even into the ages of eternity… [that shows how far God's plan is going] …for thus says the LORD the Creator of the heavens, He Himself is God, Who formed the earth and made it; He has established it. He created it not in vain, but formed it to be inhabited. 'I am the LORD, and there is no other'" (vs 17-18).
That's the way it is in the Millennium! You can see that with the chaos that's in the world today why that is needed. But you can also see with the chaos today that independent free moral agency in a spirit of rebellion and hatred cannot be reasoned with and cannot be allowed to exist in the communities of the nations and peoples during the Millennium. That's why you have to have a place of exile to remove them.
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."
Sidebar: It says in Hosea 4 that because Israel has rejected knowledge God will forget their children. We're seeing that take place today.
- Where is this knowledge contained? Obviously, it's the knowledge of God!
- How many people have Bibles? Billions!
Let's just take the nations of Israel:
- How many have Bibles in their homes? Probably the greatest majority!
- How many are loving God and being obedient to Him? Very few!
- Why? Because they have rejected knowledge!
Knowledge that is in their very house contained in the Bible in their library that they never opened!
- How important is it that they have a Bible?
- What must they do with it?
- They must read it, begin to understand it, and come to God!
But they're free moral agents, that they had directed them in a self-willed rebellious way, and they reject that knowledge. Look at the price we're paying for it today!
Verse 20: "Gather yourselves and come; draw near together, you who have escaped of the nations; they have no knowledge who carry the wood of their graven image, and those who pray to a god that cannot save. Declare and bring near; yea, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this of old? Who has told it from ancient times? Have not I, the LORD?…." (vs 20-21). But you never read it, so it's not God's fault; but they reject knowledge without even investigating it!
"…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, all the ends of the earth…" (vs 21-22). They have to come to God by choice in repentance and yieldedness to God!
"…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" (vs 22-23)—that God is God!
No one will be exempt! That's why we who are those who are converted now with the Spirit of God need to take every day:
- yield to God
- pray
- study
- live God's way
- love each other
- love God
That's what God wants! Yes, it is more difficult in a wicked world!
Verse 23: "I have sworn by Myself… [His very existence, His eternal life] …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 23-25).
Quite a tremendous thing! Look at all that is there that we have covered so far. Then compare that with what we have with the New Testament. Compare how these things come together the way that they come together.
Isaiah 32:1: "Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and rulers shall rule in justice." A prophecy of Christ and the sons of God in the first resurrection!
Now then, that's all amplified in the New Testament!
Verse 2: "And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a shelter from the tempestuous storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. And the eyes of those who see shall not be dim, and the ears of those who hear shall listen. And the heart of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of those who stutter shall be ready to speak plainly" (vs 2-4).
Here's another prophecy, and this will not be as it is today; v 5: "The vile one shall no more be called liberal… [look at all the liberals today, they won't exist] …nor the miser said to be bountiful. For the vile will speak folly, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy and to speak error against the LORD, to make the soul of the hungry empty, and he will take away the drink of the thirsty" (vs 5-6).
Doesn't that sound like today's world, and what's literally happening?
Verse 7: "Also the weapons of the vile are evil; he thinks of wicked ways to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks right…. [today's world] …But the liberal thinks liberal things; and by liberal things he shall stand" (vs 7-8)—and fall!
Verse 16: "Then justice shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the result of righteousness shall be quietness and confidence forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable home, and in secure dwellings and quiet resting places" (vs 16-18).
That's how it's going to be during the Millennium! We all will have a part in it! I'm really quite amazed at how much is here in the book of Isaiah concerning the Millennium and the plan of God.
When you travel across the country, or anyplace in the world, you come to vast deserts, vast jungles, barren land, unproductive land. As you look at that, nobody lives there. Think about what it's going to be like when all of that is changed. Here's a prophecy of it:
Isaiah 35:1: "The wilderness and the desert shall be glad and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD and the majesty of our God…. [that's going to be great] …Make the weak hands strong and make the feeble knees sure. Say to those of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, fear not; behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the full recompense of God. He will come and save you'" (vs 1-4).
Again, there are many places that we have seen in the book of Isaiah where it talks about the eyes of the blind shall be opened. Here's another place:
Verse 5: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness waters shall break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land shall become springs of water in the home of jackals, in its lair, it shall be a place for the reed and rush" (vs 5-7).
Everywhere in the world today that is cursed and unproductive, is going to be made to produce. Think about how great that's going to be.
Verse 8: "And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness…. [I wonder if that's the main road going to Jerusalem during the Millennium.] …The unclean shall not pass over it. But it will be for him who walks in that way… [the way of God] …but fools, shall not err in it."
In other words, you're not going to be rebellious against God and expect to walk on the Highway of Righteousness!
Verse 9: "No lion shall be there, nor any beast of prey shall go up on it, they shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (vs 9-10).
Change the whole purpose and expression of human life to where it's going to be where God wanted it to be! But because of independent free moral agency of people—men and women—who don't want to go God's way, look at what the world has become!
This is incredible; you put all of this together this is incredible.
Isaiah 41:18: "I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree. I will set the fir tree in the desert, and the pine, and the box tree together; so that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this…" (vs 18-20).
Think about what a beautiful, wonderful, absolutely awe-inspiring place that the world is going to be for the people in during the Millennium.
If it's going to be this good for the physical people—we'll project forward just a little bit and think toward the end of the Feast—what is it going to be like in the new heavens and the new earth?
"…and the Holy One of Israel has created it" (v 20).
Isaiah 51:1: "'Hearken to Me, you who follow after righteousness… [that's us] …you who seek the LORD… [all of them during the Millennium] …Look to the Rock from which you were cut, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father… [which we do] …and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him, and made him many,' For the LORD shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness shall be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody" (vs 1-3). Just joy and happiness everywhere!
You can see that during the Millennium, if there's a sin, it's going to be well known! It's going to have to be taken care of. Of course, repentance will be offered to those who really turn back to the Truth, they can come back.
Here's another thing that God has said, and remember where we read: As I have purposed, I will do it! I'm the Beginning and the Ending!
Verse 4: "Hearken to Me, My people; and give ear to Me, O My nation; for instruction shall proceed from Me, and I will make My justice as a light to the people."
That instruction will come to us, and we will teach all of the people! What a joyous thing that's going to be! No rebellion; it will be removed, Satan long forgotten!
Verse 5: "My righteousness is near … [think about how many times we read of God's righteousness and how that applies to us] …My salvation has gone out… [and it will continuously be going out all during the Millennium] …and My arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon Me, and on My arm they shall trust. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke…" (vs 5-6).
He's telling them that beyond this time there's a greater time to come!
"…and the earth shall become old like a garment; and its inhabitants shall die in the same way…. [that is all of the rebellious] …But My salvation shall be forever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished" (v 6).
Psalm 119:172: "…all Your commandments are righteousness." I wonder how the Protestants square that up with 'My righteousness shall not be abolished' and that Jesus said that He didn't 'come to do away with the Law'? Doesn't that tell you something? What is that? The use the Bible, but they don't believe it and live by it!
Isaiah 51:7: "Hearken to Me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My Law… [that's to us today, and all those during the Millennium when it comes about] …do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their revilings; for the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but My righteousness shall be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation" (vs 7-8).
Verse 9: "Awake! Awake! Put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab into pieces, piercing the serpent? Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; Who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? Therefore, the redeemed of the LORD shall return and come with singing into Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head. Gladness and joy shall overtake them; sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 'I, even I, am He Who comforts you….'" (vs 9-12)—all of this just in Isaiah!
Keep all of this in remembrance when someone says that in the Old Testament there's nothing but blood, guts, war, death and destruction. Well, there's a lot that there, too, just like there is in the world today. However, look at all the promises of these things that are good.
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… [those will be our feet] …who publishes peace; who brings good news, who publishes salvation; who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (vs 6-7). God is going to do all of that! Quite a thing!
Isa. 56—think about this; this is coming! All the things that we talked about today are going to happen. God is going to bring it! He says so, right here:
Isaiah 56:1: "Thus says the LORD, 'Keep justice and do righteousness; for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it; who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it… [everybody is going to keep the Sabbath] …and keeps his hand from doing any evil'" (vs 1-2). Yet, there will be some sinners!
But with conversion you can overcome the urge to do the things that are wrong!
Verse 4: "For thus says the LORD, 'To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths…'" We're going to keep all the Holy Days!
Don't let anyone look down upon you because you keep the Sabbath and the Holy Days. You just remind them that when Christ returns, everybody is going to keep them! We are the forerunners leading up to that time. You can tell them if they want to know more about God, go to truthofGod.org or churchathome.org and that will help them. Encourage them to get the book: From a Speck of Dust to a Son of God: Why Were You Born?
Notice what else happens; this is what happens when you follow God's way:
"…and choose things that please Me…" Can it be said of us that God is pleased with us? Let's hope so!
- We're trying!
- We're applying!
- We're living God's way!
"…and take hold of My covenant" (v 4).
Isa. 60—here's what's going to be who come out of the Tribulation and everything:
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 speaking of the Church! Us! We're the ones to help down through the generations.
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."
Now here's what the economy is going to be like during the Millennium; nothing like we have today. No debt! That will all be taken care of. Here's what God says that He's going to do: pour out the wealth as unbelievable!
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… [that's us] …to be peace, and your rulers… [that's us] …to be righteousness. Violence will no more be heard in your land, neither wasting nor ruin within your borders; but you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise" (vs 17-18).
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 22-22). Everything in its time!
There we have it! Quite a thing! All of these are talking about the Millennium just in the book of Isaiah!
Scriptural References:
- Isaiah 25:6-7
- Isaiah 4:5-6
- Isaiah 33:20-22
- Isaiah 26:1-9, 12-13, 15
- Isaiah 29:18-24
- Isaiah 46:9-13
- Isaiah 52:6-10
- Isaiah 60:1-5
- Isaiah 61:6, 8-11
- Isaiah 65:17-25, 20
- Isaiah 30:19-21
- Isaiah 62:2-3
- Isaiah 44:21-25
- Isaiah 45:17-25
- Isaiah 32:1-8, 16-18
- Isaiah 35:1-10
- Isaiah 41:18-20
- Isaiah 51:1-6
- Psalm 119:172
- Isaiah 51:7-12
- Isaiah 52:6-7
- Isaiah 56:1-2, 4
- Isaiah 60: 15-18, 21-22
Scriptures referenced, not quoted:
- Zechariah 14
- Ezekiel 40
- Revelation 18
- Ephesians 2
- Revelation 1
- Genesis 11
- Revelation 20
- 1 Thessalonians 4
- Isaiah 28
- Galatians 4
- Philippians 2
- Hosea 4
Also referenced: Book:
From a Speck of Dust to a Son of God: Why
Were You Born? by Fred R. Coulter
FRC:bo
Transcribed: 8/2/20
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