Welcome to the Feast of Tabernacles—2012

Fred R. Coulter—September 30, 2012

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Greetings, everyone! Welcome to the Feast of Tabernacles, 2012! Here we are another year closer to the Kingdom of God; another year closer to the reward that God has promised us; another year closer to the return of Jesus Christ. This Feast of Tabernacles, like all that come along, every year we learn, every year we grow in grace and knowledge and understanding. Every year we understand the plan of God more. Every year we realize how God has called us the weak of the world!

Look at the world and you look at what's going on and you see the things that are taking place. I defy anyone anywhere to show me a government of man that works, beginning with Adam and Eve. They said, 'God, we don't want to be under Your authority. We don't want You telling us what's right and wrong; what's good and evil. We want to do it ourselves.' In doing that they embraced Satan the devil as their god, and he became 'the god of this world.'

Well, the Gospel is bringing the good news of the complete undoing of every human religion, government, educational system—whatever you want to name—because the truth is, human beings can't get along without God. Human beings cannot fulfill their purpose unless they have the knowledge of God, the Spirit of God, the Truth of God.

All of the educated and all of the elite really think they know how to run everything, but

• look at what they have done to the world
• look at what they have done in the banking system
• look at what they have done in the government
• look at what they have done in science
• look at what they have done in education
• look at what they have done in religion

How did they do it? They did it by denying God! By getting rid of God! But the truth is, you can't get rid of God! You can deny Him, but will He deny Himself to please you? People can say 'there's no God, He doesn't exist,' but is God going to go away to please their fantasy, their lies and their vanity? Of course not! So, God turns them over to their own devices!

Down through time, down through the centuries beginning with Adam and Eve, before the Flood, after the Flood, with Israel, with Judah, with the Church, God has always given a witness!

We're going to see how Paul writes about that, and why, brethren, we are going to take over this world. Christ is going to put down

• every government
• every religion
• every false way

and we are going to help Him do it. This is why the Feast of Tabernacles. This is why we keep the Feast of Tabernacles every year. If there's one thing that is true and always important:

• You must always keep your eye on the goal!
• You must always stick to the basics and build from there!
• You must always search for the Truth!
• You must always love God!

Let's see what men have done with this kind of witness, Romans 1 is quite a chapter, because what we are doing, the latter part of this—we're not going to go through all the verses—you read them and what you're going to read is the condition of this world today. It must be changed! It must be eliminated! Only God can do that. Christ is going to do it; we are going to assist Him. That's the very purpose of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Romans 1:17: "For therein… [in the Gospel] …the righteousness of God is revealed from faith unto faith, according as it is written: 'The just shall live by faith.'" That's what we are to do, brethren. We don't know how long we have to go. We don't know how quickly things may wrap up. God alone knows! God understands what has to be done!

Remember, God always honors repentance! We don't know the things that will happen or the choices that people will make. These things can come quickly or they can be protracted out over a period of many years. That's why in prophecy we don't set dates, but we do know the flow of things according to the Sabbath and Holy Days. We don't know the day; we don't know the hour—God does! Christ is in charge! So, we need to yield to God.

However, what we're seeing in the world today is this: Look at the drought that's affecting the United States of America. How many times have we discussed let's have this alternative energy? What are you going to do if you have drought or the plague? Look at what's happened to prices because of the failure of the corn crop? Of the wheat crop? Of the soybean crop?

All human beings are dependent upon God and His laws. The more that we transgress those laws the more we suffer from the natural consequences of it.

I remember about four years ago that in California—the government at the time—endorsed homosexual marriage. Immediately the forests started burning. We had drought for two years. I wonder if this is a repeat of what President Obama said, that his thoughts were 'evolving toward it' so he now endorses homosexual marriage. I wonder what that decision has to do with fires? drought? crop failures? flooding? terrible crime in cities?

I challenge you: Show me one single government in this world anywhere, at any time in history—with the exception of the beginning of the reign of King Solomon—a government that has worked! Show me a government that is just! Show me a nation where the people are happy! There aren't any!

Here's how it happened, v 18: "Indeed, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the Truth in unrighteousness." That's what they're doing! They even want to make the Bible 'Muslim-friendly.' Oh how nice and kind that is. Think about that! These are the ones who are supposed to know the Greek; know the Hebrew; translate the Bibles—the United Bible Society. Here's what they've failed to do:

Verse 19: "Because that which may be known of God is manifest among them, for God has manifested it to them." How can they look out into the universe and see the heavens and what God has made and look down into the smallest particle of God's creation and say, 'God doesn't exist; this all happened on its own.'

God manifested it to them! They know better! But it is convenient for their careers and their lives and their income to believe a lie!

Verse 20: "For the invisible things of Him are perceived from the creation of the world, being understood by the things that were made—both His eternal power and Godhead—so that they are without excuse."

There was this time at the beginning with the descendants of Adam and Eve that they knew God. Right after the Flood—after saving the family of Noah and the animals—they knew God.

Verse 21: "Because when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but they became vain in their own reasonings, and their foolish hearts were darkened." Look at what has happened. Does Satan rule in the darkness of this world? Yes, indeed! Rather than repent, here's what they did, v 22: "While professing themselves to be the wise ones, they became fools."

They went about inventing their own religion, their own civilizations, their own laws, and none of it has worked! Here's the first thing that people do; the great sin that goes right back to Cain: Men think that their ideas are so good that they can modify and change the Word of God! or They can reject it, casting the laws behind them and get away with it! But they really don't. They hold people in ignorance, and don't think because we have mass communication today that people are not enslaved in ignorance. You give them an education that makes them ignorant! That's exactly what has happened.

Verse 23: "And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed creatures, and creeping things…. [When that happens, you can read it here, God abandons them and turns them over to their own devices]: …For this cause, God also abandoned them to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to disgrace their own bodies between themselves" (vs 23-24). Isn't every nation consumed in sex sins? Yes, indeed! Here's why:

Verse 25: "Who exchanged the Truth of God for the lie… [that lie goes clear back to Adam and Eve, and has been magnified through all the civilizations of men] …and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the one Who is Creator, Who is blessed into the ages. Amen." Then it says three more times that God abandoned them!

Verse 28[transcriber's correction]: "And in exact proportion as they did not consent to have God in their knowledge, God abandoned them to a reprobate mind…"—a mind void of judgment. Sound like:

• the governments of this world?
• the finances of this world?
• the education of this world?
• the churches of this world?
• the families of this world?

Yes, indeed! "…to practice those things that are immoral…" (v 28)—and become God-haters. God is going to bring about the solution through us. That's why God has called each one of us individually.

Let's see how Paul writes about this, and let's see, brethren, that you are here, I am here, because God has called us. God reached down with His Spirit and drew us to Himself, granted us repentance, gave us understanding, forgave our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and baptism. And now we are in training to rule this world. We are in training to have eternal life. This is fantastic to understand, brethren.

Here is what God is going to do to all of this knowledge, 1-Corinthians 1:19: "For it is written… [Where did the knowledge come from? The knowledge of the tree of good and evil! The evil always prevails!] …'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will nullify the understanding of those who understand.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?" (vs 19-20).

Look at it! Look at the mess that it is in! Jesus said that it's going to get so bad that it's going to be the worst that it has ever been since the creation of the world. This is why we need to stay close to God. This is why we need to understand our calling, what God wants us to do, how our future is going to be if we love God and serve Him and remain faithful to Him.

Verse 21: "For since in the wisdom of God the world through itsown wisdom did not know God, it pleased God to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching [the Gospel]." To them that's foolishness! To the elite this is so beneath them that it's like walking on manure. Well, if you're a dung beetle you'll make a lot out of that manure.

Now we need to look at why God has called us. It's a calling and we have to answer. 'Many are called, but few are chosen.' We're the few, very few indeed!

Verse 26: "For you see your calling, brethren, that there are not many who are wise according to the flesh, not many who are powerful, not many who are high-born among you. Rather, God has chosen the foolish things of the world, so that He might put to shame those who are wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world so that He might put to shame the strong things. And the low-born of the world, and the despised has God chosen—even the things that are counted as nothing—in order that He might bring to nothing the things that are" (vs 26-28). That's this whole world's civilization.

God rules this world through His angels, Satan and demons. He gives us choices so that we may understand Truth from error. Let's come to the book of Daniel and let's see something that is absolutely true. This world's system starts out, as we know in Dan. 2, that the image that King Nebuchadnezzar saw with the head of gold, silver, brass, iron and iron and clay. But all of that is going to be consumed. We'll see why.

Nebuchadnezzar had some choices. It was prophesied to him in a dream that he would lose his mental ability for seven years and be put out to pasture like the cattle and eat grass. He had a choice, but he didn't want to do this. Daniel is explaining to King Nebuchadnezzar:

Daniel 4:17: "This matter is by the decree of the watchers… [angels and demons] …and the demand by the word of the Holy ones, so that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will, and sets up over it the basest of men." Isn't that true? Yes! Look at the kingdoms of this world.

That's why God has chosen to replace them, so that when Christ and the saints come down to the earth and the Lord is King over all the earth, we are going to bring

• the Kingdom of God
• the Government of God
• the Laws of God
• the Truth of God

and God is going to make this world into a wondrous and splendorous place. He's going to give men the time that He's given them, which is now more than 6,000 years, and He is going to—through the 1,000 year rule of the saints of God and Christ—prove that His way is the best.
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Let's see the prophecy of what's going to happen to all these world governments. We're living in the last days, and this last kingdom is the feet and toes, the ten toes. If we correctly understand it, that means the ten regions within a one-world government, which is coming. This is going to happen, and everything we see in the world is going to lead up to it.

Daniel 2:44: "And in the days of these kings, the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed. And the kingdom shall not be left to other people… [it will be given to the people of God] …but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." The reason we are here, brethren, is for an everlasting kingdom. We know that in the book of Revelation God's plan goes on into the 'ages of eternity.'

Let's see what God told Nebuchadnezzar. You can look back and say, 'Oh well, you know, this was in the 500sB.C., so this is about 2500 years old. It doesn't matter how old it is in relationship to the timing of God. It will happen in God's time. He shows that it will be in the end-time. Those are the days in which we are living.

Verse 45: "Because you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter. And the dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure." Isn't that something!

Now let's see a little bit more about this kingdom. Let's see some of the things that we're told in the book of Isaiah. The book of Isaiah has an awful lot to do with the Kingdom of God. As a matter of fact, there are more Scriptures in the book of Isaiah concerning the running of the Kingdom of God and how the Kingdom of God is going to be than almost any other book in the Bible.

But there's one key: It talks about the end-time but it doesn't tell us when. It talks about the fantastic things that are going to happen, but it doesn't tell us when. That's left to the book of Revelation. Isa. 42—here we see that the One Who is going to be the King was also God manifested in the flesh, Who came as a human being so that to Him all judgment would be given, because He was the Son of man. Here's what He's going to do:

Isaiah 42:1: "Behold My Servant, Whom I uphold; My Elect, in Whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He shall bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He shall not cry out, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He shall not break, and a smoking wick He shall not quench; in truth He shall bring forth justice" (vs 1-3).

Notice how in the book of Isaiah many of the things talk about His first coming and His second coming almost in one sentence and then another. That's why Isa. 28 says that the Word of God is understood by 'line upon line; precept upon precept; here a little, there a little,' and you put it together. But notice this: It starts with His first coming, blends into the activities of His first coming and ends with His second coming.

Verse 4: "'He shall not fail nor be discouraged until He has set justice in the earth; and the isles shall wait for His law.' Thus says the LORD God, He who created the heavens and stretched them out, spreading forth the earth and its offspring; He who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it. 'I the LORD have called You [Christ] in righteousness… [that also refers to us, because God has called us] …and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and give You for a covenant [Christ] of the people, for a Light to the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD; that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images'" (vs 4-8). This is what God is going to do. Isn't that fantastic?
Let's see what else it tells us about Christ. It was prophesied that He would not allow His servant to see corruption in the grave. Let's see how David always kept his mind on how things were going to come when Christ returned. He understood that.

This again, is talking about Christ; this again is bringing us into it; this again is showing that the Kingdom of God is going to be brought on earth:

Psalm 17:6: "I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me; hear my speech. Show Your marvelous loving kindness, O Savior of those [us] seeking refuge in You; by Your right hand save them from those who rise up against them" (vs 6-7). We're going to be confronted with enemies. We're going to be confronted with difficult times. For us, those days are just right ahead of us!

Verse 8: "Keep me… [that is Christ, but also us] …as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings." {see Psa. 91—we're going to have to recite that Psalm over and over again with the difficulties and problems that are coming upon us.}

Verse 9: "From the face of the wicked who oppress me—my deadly enemies who encircle me. They have closed their pitiless hearts; with their mouth they speak proudly. They have now surrounded us in our steps. They have set their eyes to cast us down to the earth, they are like a lion that longs to tear his prey, and like a young lion stalking in secret places. Arise, O LORD, confront him, bring him down; deliver my soul from the wicked by Your sword" (vs 9-13).

Notice how David was completely focused on the resurrection. We're to learn with this, in the things that come upon us in the future:

• we are not to be discouraged
• we are not to be afraid
• we are not to let down
• we are not to think that God is not fulfilling His Word—because He is

Always remember this from the New Testament: All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who have been called according to His purpose!

Regardless of what men do, v 15: "…I will behold Your face in righteousness… [We're going to see Christ and God the Father face-to-face] …I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Your likeness." That's really quite profound—isn't it? Yes, indeed!

You go through the Psalms and they contain a lot concerning the Kingdom of God after the book of Isaiah. Notice this promise to us, and tie this in with Matt. 5, the Beatitudes:

Psalm 37:22: "For those blessed of Him shall inherit the earth… [Think of that! We're going to be joint-heirs with Christ. Whatever He inherits we will inherit.] (notice what's going to happen to the wicked): …and those cursed of Him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are made firm by the LORD, and He delights in his way" (vs 22-23).

Have you ever thought about the fact that:

• God loves you personally?
• Given you His Spirit personally?

And as we have learned, that's what it means to be under grace.

• That God has a fantastic purpose for you?
• Helping to rule this world, getting rid of the wicked of this world?
• Getting rid of the things that are against God?

Again, notice how David continually looked to the Kingdom of God, to God in his life while he was alive:

Psalm 16:7: "I will bless the LORD Who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the nights. I have set the LORD always before Me…. [A very key in understanding; a tremendous key concerning our relationship with God.] …Because He is at My right hand, I shall not be moved" (vs 7-8).

• You won't be moved from the Truth!
• You won't be moved from the Gospel!
• You won't be moved away from the blessings of God!
• You are not going to be moved away in time of trial, trouble or difficulty!

We will see that Christ is there in every instance.

Verse 9: "Therefore My heart is glad, and My glory rejoices; My flesh also shall rest in safety." Just as it applied to Christ so will it apply to us. We know that as we get old and weak God isn't going to forsake us. God loves us even more because we've been faithful. God is not going to leave us in the grave. He is not going to forsake us at all in any way.

"Therefore My heart is glad, and My glory rejoices; My flesh also shall rest in safety, for You will not abandon My soul to the grave; neither will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption" (vs 9-10). He's going to raise us from the dead.

Jesus literally did not see corruption. We're all going to go back to dust, because that's what God told Adam: 'Dust you are and unto dust you shall return.' But nevertheless, He is not going to abandon us. He is going to call. Just like Job said, 'You will call, and I will answer You, but I will await all my appointed time in the grave.' Isn't that going to be something? Yes, indeed!

Hebrews 13 tells us what we need to look to. We know that the Feast of Tabernacles is just starting. It's a good time for us to fellowship, a good time to get to know each other, renew acquaintances, meet new brethren, understand the Word of God. I know that many of you have church at home and you have no place to fellowship. We hope to have more places to fellowship in time as we come along. Here's what we need to understand:

• God is there!
• He has specifically called you!
• Don't look to your circumstances.
• Don't look to your age.
• Don't look to any difficulty that you may have.

Rather,

• trust in God!
• look to Christ!
• They are there to help you!

Hebrews 13:5: "Do not allowthe love of money to influence your behavior, but be satisfied with what you have; for He has said…" I want you to listen to this, because

• we are looking forward to dwelling in the Tabernacle of God
• we are looking forward to the place where Jesus has gone to prepare for us
• we are looking forward to rule and reign as kings and priests

That's what it says in Rev. 20; that we will be 'kings and priests and rule with Christ a thousand years,' which is just the start! Then it goes out into all eternity. So, don't look at the physical things here.

• God will provide
• God will open the door
• God will hear and answer our prayers
• God will lead us and guide us where we need to go

Remember this, here's a promise by Christ. So, if you ever get down and discouraged, you turn right here to Heb. 13, because He says: "…'In no way will I ever leave you… [claim that promise] …no—I will never forsake you in any way'" (v 5). He uses the negation three times, to make it absolutely sure and clear in our mind that

• Christ is in us
• Christ is with us
• the Father loves us
• He is for us

Through these things then we will gain entrance into the everlasting kingdom.

Verse 6: "So then, let us boldly say, 'The Lord is my Helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" Obviously nothing!

Here's another promise, and this is what God wants with us, v 20. Brethren, during this Feast of Tabernacles

• fellowship
• share your life with each other
• enjoy one another
• learn from the sermons
• have your own prayer and study

so that this Feast will be the best ever that you have ever had, because of Christ, because of the Spirit of God, because of the Truth of the meaning of the Feast.

Verse 20: "And may the God of peace, Who raised our Lord Jesus from among the dead—that great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, perfect you in every good work… [keeping the Feast of Tabernacles is a good work that God has foreordained for us to observe and walk in] …in order that you may do His will; accomplishing in you…" (vs 20-21)—because God is working within you to create in you that spiritual character for you spiritual mind, your spiritual body, so that you can rule and reign with Christ.

"…accomplishing in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory into the ages of eternity. Amen" (v 21).

Brethren, welcome to the Feast of Tabernacles, 2012, and let's set our minds, our hearts, our course

• in understanding the Word of God,
• in understanding the Truth of God
• the meaning of the Feast
• fellowshipping with each other
• loving God
• loving each other

and have a great and wonderful and joyous Feast of Tabernacles, 2012!

Scriptural References:

• Romans 1:17-25, 28
• 1 Corinthians 1:19-21, 26-28
• Daniel 4:17
• Daniel 2:44-45
• Isaiah 42:1-8
• Psalm 17:6-13, 15
• Psalm 37:22-23
• Psalm 16:7-10
• Hebrews 13:5-6, 20-21

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

• Isaiah 28
• Psalm 91
• Matthew 5
• Revelation 20