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Fred Coulter – October 25, 2005
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And greetings brethren. Welcome to the Last Great Day, the eighth day, that great and final day of the feast. And what a day this is going to be. And what a time that this pictures. And what an absolute fantastic finale for the plan of God as outlined by the holy days. Tremendous and wonderful thing.
Now God tells us here in Leviticus 23 that on the eighth day we are to have a holy convocation, and we are to bring an offering to God. Now it’s very important that we really understand something. Now let me just give you a little story, a little instance, because we are living in a time where there is the greatest wealth, the greatest amount of everything that we have in the history of mankind. And yet as human nature is it’s reflected in what one man has said. He was visiting from a foreign country and he visited one of the churches of God and he saw all the wealth and he saw all the things that we have here in America and he says, “You know, we’re praying for you.” And every one was happy. “Well, we’re thankful you are praying for us.”
“Well, we’re praying for you a little bit differently than you think. We are praying that all the wealth that we see, and see that you have, does not destroy you.”
Now we need to think on that, and we need to understand that because that’s what’s destroying this nation, and it is also destroying a lot of people because they have accepted the proposition that God tells us in the New Testament we don’t have to tithe. And I got a letter recently from a man who said, “Well, you’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing because you teach tithing.” And he was all mad at me, condemned me, and said, “Well, you have to look forward to the lake of fire.” So what I did, I just wrote him back and said, “Go where you want to go, do what you want to do, keep your money, but know that as everyone else, we’re all going to stand before the judgment seat of God. So you do what you do, choose what you choose, but know that God is going to bring it into judgment.”
Now also in the way of giving it says here besides your gifts, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and your tithes, and everything that you do there’s a reason why God has us tithe and give offering. Not only for the sake of doing the things that we need to do to accomplish in this age, but also as a reflection of your belief and faith in God that He is going to fulfill His promise that He is going to provide for you that you will have sufficiency in all things. And also it does something else. It helps us manage our money and it helps us realize that wealth must be used properly, and wealth is not an end in itself.
Now some people view giving a lot of money, as Jesus said … Let’s come here to Luke 21, and this was just before the Feast of Unleavened Bread. A lot of people view the giving of money as sort of an inside track to God. The more that they give the more that God is going to have to bless them and favor them, and all that sort of thing. And then other people think, “Well, the ministers and the priests and all of those people, they take the money and they misuse it.” Granted, in a lot of cases they have. And we’ve also experienced that too, haven’t we? But let me tell you two things out of that. If we haven’t learned the lesson, number one (for those who are ministers and teachers) to use the tithes and offerings that God sends in a proper way, then we haven’t learned a thing from what we’ve gone through. And if the brethren, who are all mad because they sent in their tithes and offerings and it was misused and abused, and then you get all bitter and you all say, “Well, I’ll never give anything to a man again.” Well, where do both of these attitudes put you before God? See, God says He loves a cheerful giver. God has blessed us with so much. He has blessed us with tremendous things. Now if we used them properly, and if we used them to glorify God, and if we use them decently and honestly in the sight of all men, or that is in the sight of all the brethren, which we do, then God will bless us and lead us and strengthen us and give us understanding. But look at the two extremes that we have here in Luke 21.
Now let’s go back here to Luke 20:45 so we’ll get a little story flow here: “Then in the audience of all the people He said unto His disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts [these are the religious high mucky-mucks]; which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation [judgment]” (Luke 20:45-47, KJV). See, because God is judging. As I’ve said how many times, God is judging every human being all the time through His laws and His commandments and His statutes and by their conduct.
God also at any time, especially with us, knows and understands our minds, doesn’t He? And He knows what we think. He knows every hair on our head. He understands us. He has called us, and that’s for a great and a marvelous purpose. So in bringing up an offering for the Last Great Day let’s look at it properly the way that Jesus Christ wants us to, and not to the either extremes: that I’m rich and increased in goods and I’m not going to give anything; or I’m rich and increased with goods and therefore I’m going to buy my way into the Kingdom of God; or from the other hand, “Well, I don’t trust any man and I won’t give anything to any man at all.” I even had one man write and say, “Well, the only way to solve the tithing problem is this: tithe to yourself.” So you see not only are we at a time of wealth and increase of goods, but we are also in a time when people have so many vain ideas. So like I told the man, I said, “Keep your money, go your way, do what you want to do but you’re in the hands of God.”
Now here, after saying that Jesus: “…looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And He said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury [or her poverty] hath cast in all the living that she had” (Luke 21:1-2, KJV). That is obviously for that particular time. So there are the two extremes that Jesus saw.
Now Jesus is aware of the attitudes of both. So as we come to take up the offering for the Last Great Day we all stand before God in what we do, in what we’re going to give, and how we live our lives. We all stand before God in how we use the money, how the money is spent.
But as one man who just recently received the books that we sent out, he was amazed because he’s a minister in one of the Churches of God 7th Day, and he said no other church that he knows of is producing and putting out high quality books, and in addition to that giving them out free. Now we do sell a few through York Publishing, that is correct. And this year we’ve been able to give $6000 to the church from York Publishing. So anything that people out in the general public want to buy a book, there it is for them to buy. But for the people in the church we give them free. And we offer the free book on the website. And he was totally amazed, because he’s coming from a Church of God 7th Day that is generally very poor, very penurious, and having a hard time even spiritually coming to understanding and truth. And so then he looks at what has happened because he understood what happened with Worldwide and everything that has taken place, and he was totally amazed. So I said, “Yes, we live within the budget that God gives us. Whatever He sends we live within. We don’t go into debt. And we try and make every dollar go as far as it can, and to produce as much as it can so that we can serve the brethren and people with the truth of God. And so that’s what we are doing.
So you can look at it in this sense: Whatever you send in, whether it be tithes or offerings or whatever, they are used to help build the brethren in the spiritual character and love of God so they can attain to the Kingdom of God. And that’s the whole purpose of why we’re here. And that’s the whole purpose of what we’re doing. And if there’s any other purpose that we have in mind we are liars and cheats and hypocrites – all of us together. And that’s not the case. So at this time we’ll go ahead and pause and take up the offering and then we’ll continue on with the sermon for the Last Great Day.
(Pause)
When you look around the world, I know just a while back there was a story in the San Jose Mercury News and it was quite a touching story. And it was this: Four babies were buried in one grave in one day. And I looked at that and then read the story. And what happened was this: There was a woman who works for the county and she was going through the morgue and there were four babies unclaimed. Now it didn’t give any of the circumstances of the babies. They were infants. It didn’t say that they were stillborn, no identification, no name. There was nothing in the paper that there were trash-can babies so this had nothing to do with that. So it makes you wonder: were these babies late term abortions and just sent off as human garbage to the morgue?
And so this woman came along and she was touched at seeing them – that no one cared, no one had any love, no one had any concern, and the coroner, who it was just his routine business. So she got a hold of a funeral home and had them donate some small little caskets for these little infants – dead, forgotten. Someone in their great selfishness to live their lives – a choice. As my wife said, “How can any woman forget that which comes out of her body between her legs?” So here are these poor little infants. And so what the woman did to bury them, she got a nice brand new blanket for each one, and a little teddy bear. And she said that she got the teddy bear so these poor little infants could have some sort of comfort.
So this is the kind of cruel world that we live in. And the world has been cruel and miserable from the time of the sin of Adam and Eve. And men have wondered, is it God? Why does God allow this if there is a God? And if He does allow it, how is He going to solve this? And let’s look at all of the tragedies down through time. Let’s think about the 63 million abortions in America alone. That’s murder to the god of Molech. You see in this case, instead of putting the babies, or the infants in the arms of a leering sun-god, and then the arms come up like this and the babies roll down into the belly of the god to be consumed by fire, you see, the abortion clinic becomes the temple. And the table becomes the altar, and the doctor becomes the high priest. And the scientists become gods so they can take the parts of these poor aborted babies and use them for scientific improvement. You know God’s judgment is going to come. And this nation is going to be hit. And the world is going to be hit. And it’s all going to lead to the return of Jesus Christ. But God has a way out. Because stop and think a minute. Think about all the murders, all the brutalities, all the accidents, weather, earthquakes, calamities, famine, war, death, suicide bombers, terrorists – all of those things God has not interfered to stop. And since God didn’t do it to stop it, then God is also responsible for it in the final analysis. And that’s because He gave choice to human beings. And that’s because also they followed Satan the devil.
Now you see, God is also responsible for this and we need to realize it and understand it: God has given this world over to Satan the devil who is the god of this world and is deceiving the whole world actively right now in every way. And let me just mention, the ones that he wants to deceive right now are the people of God more than ever before. And so that’s why there are so many prophets and teachers. You’d be surprised. Every once in a while I get a stack of email like this that 90% of it is nothing but informational trash as to how bad the condition of the churches of God really is. And Satan is wanting to get in there to disturb, to deceive, to upset, to lie, to bring in lying doctrines, and to bring in creeping Protestantism.
Now let me just tell you this: Protestantism is schizophrenic. Claims the forgiveness and sacrifice of Christ and rejects all the commandments of God. It is a lawless grace. It is a counterfeit – very clever, very clever. One of the cleverest that Satan has done. So you stop and you look at all the things that have come down through the world in time from Adam and Eve until now, all subject to Satan the devil. Now how’s God going to take care of this? How is He going to overcome this? That’s the story and the lesson of the Last Great Day.
Now let’s first of all understand because of the sin of Adam and Eve human beings were given into them the law of sin and death. And human beings are deceptive. As we know the carnal mind is deceptive above all things and who can know it – deceitful, tricky. Because in rejecting God the judgment has come upon all mankind from Adam and Eve down to our day that they have carnal minds, they are hostile to God, they have the law of sin and death in them, and there is a way that seems right to them but the ends thereof are the ways of death, and Satan is right there. He’s right there to lead them astray.
That’s why, God in dealing with those that He calls, it is a special calling. And it is something that is fantastic from the point of view that God has not forgotten these people. Now let’s understand something here very clearly. As tragic and as emotional and as upsetting as many of these things are that we read and see in the news and hear and watch and you know, we can have it just pour right into our living rooms all the problems of the world, just absolutely pour into our living room and see all of these things. You see, let’s understand something: God knows what He’s doing. And since all of us have the law of sin and death in us (all human beings do), now maybe you can understand why Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their dead” because all human beings, spiritually before God without the Spirit of God in them, are dead. And that’s why He reaches down and chooses whom He will. And that’s us. That’s why it’s a great miracle that we are here. And that’s why we are called out of the world. And that’s why God has given His plan as related through the Holy Days so we know what He is doing. And we understand what God has done with His calling, and we understand the problems and difficulties that we are going through. We understand the human nature that we are fighting. We understand to a great degree (not to a full degree) the work of Satan the devil who’s the enemy of God. We understand that. And the reason that God has done that is because He’s going to save in the end.
Now let’s come here to Jeremiah 2 and let’s see what God says. Very, very profound. And why would people do this? God not only gave all these things to Israel: revealed Himself, gave His laws, gave His commandments, said, “I’ll bless you, I’ll watch over you, I’ll fight for you, I’ll protect you.” But you see, He didn’t give them a calling to salvation, and so they still had their carnal minds. Now as long as they lived in the society of Israel, and the society of Israel was led by righteous kings and righteous priests and righteous judges then things would go well for them. But Israel didn’t want that. And yet we’re going to see something very profound here. What they did – and yet in spite of the fact that they did this, paid the penalty for their sins, died ignominious deaths, went into captivity – that God is yet to have mercy on them. Now that’s something we really need to understand.
Now Jeremiah 2:8: “The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew Me not: the pastors also transgressed against Me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.” So they gave up on God. Now notice verse 11: “Hath a nation changed their gods…” You look at all the other nations. No, their religions go back hundreds of years and thousands of years, yes indeed. “…Which are yet no gods? but My people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters [and we’ll see this a little later on], and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water” (Jer. 2:8, 11-13, KJV). So God says, “Alright, your own wickedness is going to correct you,” verse 19.
Now out of all of that we see that God still, in loving the world, He sent His only son, Jesus Christ, that whoever should believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. And God has said some other statements here, when in the face of everything that we are looking at today, how is God going to do it?
Now let’s come here to the New Testament and let’s see some things that God says here in I Timothy 2 concerning this. Yet in spite of all of it God has a plan, God has what He’s going to do. And those that He has blinded, those that He has given over to Satan the devil, those that He has not called; and as we have read the Scriptures before He even says that He blinds them so that they will not be converted at that time in order, as we know by the Last Great Day, to have mercy upon them.
Now let’s come here to I Timothy 2:4 (FV). Speaking of God our Savior: “Who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” Now how is that going to happen when God has only called a few, when God is only involved in, as we know, the firstfruits?
Now let’s come back here to Romans 10 and let’s see a principle and let’s ask the question: Has this ever been done? How many people have ever really been able do this in knowledge and in truth. It says here in verse 9: “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Well now as we know it takes more than just a profession of this. It takes the calling of God, but nevertheless that’s a starting point. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation because the scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in Him shall not be ashamed.’ For there is no difference between the Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all is rich toward all who call upon Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Those are true statements. And those are also taken from prophecies of the Old Testament. Now notice verse 14: “How then shall they call on Himin Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard?” Now the gospel is not gone out, even though being preached in all the world, it’s preached mostly for a witness. How many preachers have been out there preaching the truth? Preaching the Word of God, obedience to God, the love of God? Very few. God hasn’t sent them. “And how shall they hear without preaching? And how shall they preach, unless they be sent? Accordingly, it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of peace, and those who announce the good news of good things [to come]!’ ”
Now notice verse 16: “But all have not obeyed the gospel because as Isaiah said, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of God.” Yes, these things really have been something. Then he sums up that He gave it to them to hear, verse 18: “ ‘…Their voices went out into all the earth…’ ”, but how many people heard? Very few. And also with Moses they were constantly rebellious. Now verse 20: “Then Isaiah was very bold and said, ‘I was found by those who were not seeking Me [that is because God sent the apostles to the Gentiles], and I was revealed to those who were not inquiring after Me.’ However, to Israel He said, ‘All day long I have stretched out My hands to a people who are disobeying and contradicting’ ” (Rom. 10:9-18, 21, FV). And then you read in the Old Testament…, and the reason we are going through this is so that we can understand how God is going to solve the problem because not only did God let the problem be, He caused the problem so therefore He’s got to solve the problem. Now in the midst of that He’s given us choices so that the problem will either be less severe or more severe, depending upon our choices.
Now then because of this, Chapter 11, verse 1: “Now then I say, did God Himself repudiate His people? MAY IT NEVER BE! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God did not repudiate His people whom He foreknew. Don’t you know what the scripture says in the accountof Elijah? How he was pleading with God against Israel, saying, ‘Lord, they have killed your prophets, and they have torn down your altars; and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.’ ” The answer that came from God was, “ ‘I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed a knee to Baal.’ ” So God still is always dealing with a remnant, and this is the key thing, verse 5, that we need to understand today. See because Christ is the forerunner, having gone into the holy of holies for us. He calls us. We are the firstfruits. We are the ones that God is dealing with. And He is preparing us then to assist Him in the Millennium, as we have seen, and then in the Last Great Day to help fulfill the great and fantastic promises that God has given to all His creation.
So notice verse 5: “Now then, in the same way, at the present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” And we are that election. We have been called and selected of God. And then he talks about how that everyone needs to be in that olive tree, partaking: “…of the root and of the fatness of the olive tree…” verse 17, which is true Israel. Then he says, yes, some of them were cut off for unbelief. Then he gives the warning that if we also have unbelief He’ll cut us off too.
Now let’s see what is very important in the whole thing, down here in verse 25: “For I do not wish you to be ignorant of this mystery…”, this secret. How can God undo all of this evil, and all of this wrong, and all of the injustices? And that’s why a lot of men have become atheists because they look at all of the carnage of the world that they have seen and they don’t know. If there is a God why did He do it? If there is a God why did He allow it? If there is a God why isn’t there any answer? Well the answer is very simple – you’re looking in the wrong place. You need to look in the Bible. You need to seek God, He’ll give you the answer.
Now verse 25: “For I do not wish you to be ignorant of this mystery, brethren, in order that you may not be wise in your own conceits…” Don’t think that because God has called you, or God has called us (we’ll put it in plural sense here) that we’re better than the world, that we’re greater than the world, that we deserve it more than anybody else. No, that’s not true. “…That you may not be wise in your own conceits: that a partial hardening of the heart has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in; and so all Israel shall be saved…” And you go back and you read the history of Israel, and you see all of their sins, and all of their problems, and their wars, and their captivities, and everything that they went through God says, “So all Israel shall be saved.” How’s that going to be? “ ‘…Out of Sion shall come the Deliverer, and He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. For this is My covenant, which I will make with them when I have taken away their sins.’ ” And we have read that – the New Covenant that He’s going to do.
But what about all of those who never had an opportunity, including Israel? And this is the greatest section in the New Testament, which shows that those under the Old Covenant did not receive spiritual salvation. If they had they would have already been saved. But this “shall be saved” is a future event and is pictured by this Last Great Day. Now today it says: “On the one hand, concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but on the other hand, concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes…” So even modern Israel today still receives the blessings because of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but in the final analysis all of these physical things and blessings didn’t turn them back to God, did it? No.
Then it says here, verse 29: “…because the gifts and the calling of God are never revoked.” In other words because the descendents of Abraham did not do as Abraham, and God promised to Abraham irrevocably, then none of it’s going to be revoked. So in it there is the blessing and cursing that we know about. “For just as you once did not believe God, but have now been shown mercy through their unbelief [he’s talking to the Gentiles], in the same way also, they have not believed at this time in order that through the mercy shown to you, they also may have mercy shown to them.” And we are going to show the mercy to them when they are resurrected in the second resurrection, as we will see. This is going to be something. This is going to be fantastic. And this is why this is called the Last Great Day.
And let me just tell you something here brethren, that we need to understand: Paul, though he knew this was going to be, did not have the understanding that we do. But he does say this, verse 33: “O the depth of the riches of both the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unfathomable are His judgments and unsearchable are His ways!” Because of His great and His marvelous plan “For who did know the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who first gave to Him, and it shall be recompensed to him again? For from Him, and through Him, and unto Him are all things; to Him be the glory into the ages of eternity. Amen” (Rom. 11:1-5, 17, 25-31, 33-36, FV).
Now let’s ask the question about the rest of the dead. Let’s come back here to Revelation 20 and let’s see what it says. Now as we’re going back there and we’re talking about those who have died let’s understand this: Those who are called and are converted and attain to the resurrection of the dead (the first resurrection), we are all firstfruits unto God. We know that through Pentecost, don’t we? And we know that the dead in Christ are going to rise first. It says Christ is the firstfruits, and then afterwards those who are Christ’s at His coming. Every man in his own order. So there’s an order to the resurrection.
Now we see something that God reserved to reveal in a clear statement until the writing of the book of Revelation. Now that’s something to realize. And Satan has deceived all these religions. Even Christian professing religions in the world believe that they have immortal souls and the soul goes to heaven, whereas the Bible teaches the revelation of the resurrection here.
Now let’s pick it up here and review again just in verse 4. “And I saw thrones; and they that sat upon them, and judgment was given to them; and I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and those who did not worship the beast, or his image, and did not receive the mark in their foreheads or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
Now notice the next statement – a parenthetical statement inserted in there to show the difference between those in the first resurrection and the rest of the dead. “(But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were completed.)” Now that is a definite and absolute statement, isn’t it? And we know that the only ones who are going to be resurrected from the dead are not going to be resurrected until the coming of Christ – and that’s the first resurrection. But what about the rest of the dead who are not in the first resurrection? Now we’ve gone through the whole story of the Millennium and how people will enter into the Kingdom of God during the Millennium and so forth, and it will be a reign of life where if you’re righteous you’ll be changed from flesh to spirit at the end of your life. And if you die you’re in the congregation of the dead and you are accursed.
Now – the rest of the dead, all of the rest of the dead. Isn’t that something? So he says: “This is the first resurrection [referring to verse 4]. Blessed and holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power” (Rev. 20:4-6, FV). And this is an interesting thing, isn’t it? The second death. It means just what it says. Now in order to die twice you have to be alive twice, right? So this also tells us then, since those in the first resurrection – the second death has no power over them; then those who are raised from the dead (they don’t live again until the thousand years are over) will be raised to a life that is still subject to death. Now we’ll see why. We’ll see what that is all about.
Part 2
…other scriptures in the New Testament and Old Testament, and we will see how God is going to resurrect all the rest of the dead, which is going to be a fantastic thing.
Now let’s see what he says here in John 5. Let’s pick it up here in verse 21: “ ‘For even as the Father raises the dead and gives life, in the same way also, the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son so that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father Who sent Him. Truly, truly I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him Who sent Me, has everlasting life and does not come into judgment; for he has passed from death into life.’ ” And that’s our standing before God. As long as we have the Spirit of God He looks upon us as spiritually living. And that’s the condition that we are before Him, however, not fulfilled until the first resurrection.
Now notice verse 25: “ ‘Truly, truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live.’ ” So the hour is coming. The dead are going to hear. “ ‘For even as the Father has life in Himself, so also has He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and has also given Him authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of man.’ ” Now we’re going to see this judgment in a little bit. “ ‘Do not wonder at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the grave shall hear His voice…’ ” Everyone – everyone who has ever lived and died will be resurrected. That’s what Jesus said. And that includes all of those … There can be very little doubt that a person who has been newly conceived, the only difference between that individual is that that individual has not had time to grow and develop and be born. And so therefore we also understand that whatever we are, we are at the moment of that conception. Now, how God will take care of all of those, we’ll leave it in His hands. But you just have to understand this: there are going to be so many people around that are going to be resurrected that there’s going to be no problem finding those to take care of them and teach them and so forth.
So all who are in the graves … Now notice verse 29: “ ‘…shall come forth: those who have practiced good unto a resurrection of life, and those who have practiced evil unto a resurrection of judgment’ ” (John 5:21-29, FV). Now notice it’s interesting, it says “a resurrection” not “the resurrection.” There is the first resurrection and then there is the second resurrection, as we will see.
Now let’s come back here to Revelation 20 and let’s look at what it says concerning the rest of the dead which says, “the rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years are finished.” And let’s come here to verse 11. Now remember, as we saw yesterday, Satan has been removed. His final judgment is given upon him and Satan is not around for this time that we know, and is called here in Revelation 20, the Great White Throne Judgment. Now remember, it’s a resurrection unto judgment. Now as we’re going to see there are two kinds of judgment that this applies to.
Verse 11: “Then I saw a great white throne and the one Who was sitting on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and no place was found for them.” In other words, tremendous number of people. “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books, according to their works.” Now a lot of people read that and they think, “Well, if you try you’re going to receive eternal life.” Others read that and they think, “Well, they’re going to be resurrected to life and that includes anybody who has done anything that reasonably good.” Alright, we’re going to be judged out of the things written in the book.
Now it says in verse 13: “And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and the grave gave up the dead that were in them; and they were judged individually, according to their works” (Rev. 20:11-13, FV). Now what kind of judgment is this going to be? Now we will see there are two phases to this resurrection, because there are two judgments. There is a resurrection unto a physical life for an opportunity for salvation because they have had their minds closed by God. Never had an opportunity. And these also fit into the category of many of those, supposedly, good sincere people who are trying to do good. And there are many in the world that way. And the apostle Paul talks about them in Romans 2, and God is not going to forget them. So let’s come here to Romans 2 and let’s see what the vast majority of people are like in the world.
Now we know there are terribly evil people in the world. We understand that. And God is also going to give them an opportunity if they have not committed the unpardonable sin. Then there are the incorrigible wicked, which we understand on the other hand (which we have covered several times this year) that they will be resurrected for another phase. So let’s look at the first category – those who have been resurrected to a resurrection, as we will see in a minute, another physical life. Now we have two examples of that in the New Testament, don’t we, concerning Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead, and he was raised from the dead because he hadn’t had an opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit because Jesus had not yet been crucified and resurrected and sent the Holy Spirit. And just like those saints who were in the graves when Jesus was resurrected, they opened up, and after He ascended to heaven then they came into the city of Jerusalem. Now they received the second physical life so that they would be able to finish their first opportunity for salvation. Now those are special cases that God has given so that we understand how important that God places the stress upon the fact that if you have not received an opportunity for salvation, and you have not sinned the sin unto death – the incorrigibly wickedly sinful – then you will have an opportunity for salvation.
Now let’s see what Paul says here in Romans 2:14: “For when the Gentiles, which do not have the law [that is, they weren’t given the law of God], practice by nature the things contained in the law, these who do not have the law are a law unto themselves…” So they are trying the best that they can to live good and decent lives. But that’s not for salvation. Let’s understand that. That is just showing that there are a vast category of people who even though they live sinful lives are still sincere in trying to do good, and are not the incorrigible wicked, nor have they committed the unpardonable sin. Because it says here verse 15: “…who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their consciences bearing witness, and their reasonings also, as they accuse or defend one another;)…”
Now notice verse 16. It’s a very interesting thing, isn’t it? “…In a day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 2:14-16, FV). What is that day of judgment? We have seen it, haven’t it? Yes, the judgment is on the house of God now. We’ll be in the first resurrection. Judgment is on those that God has not called unto blindness. He’s going to resurrect them. They fall into this category and God is going to judge them. And aren’t they raised to judgment? Yes, they are. So it’s very interesting.
Now let’s see something very astounding here that we find in Matthew 12 where it talks again about the resurrection, and we will see how that fits in and the meaning of the Last Great Day in greater detail.
Let’s come here to Matthew 12:31. Now Jesus made the distinction Himself: “ ‘Because of this, I say to you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven to men…’ ” Now the question is, when? What if you’ve never had an opportunity to repent? See, because God leads us to repentance. What if you’ve never had a chance? What if the people who’ve never had a chance to have these sins and blasphemies forgiven? That’s what we’re talking about with the Last Great Day. They will have the opportunity for forgiveness.
Now notice: “ ‘…except the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit; that shall not be forgiven to men.’ ” Now why? Because they’re blaspheming God the Father and what God the Father is doing. Because that is the Holy Spirit coming from God the Father.
Verse 32: “ ‘And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him…” Well, what if they haven’t ever had an opportunity to repent? “…But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in the coming age.’ ” Now what does this tell us? This tells us in a coming time that the opportunity for repentance for the things which are not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is going to be given. And that’s what we’re reading about in Revelation 20. And that’s what we’re reading about in John 5.
Now let’s come down here and see what else He says. Let’s come here to verse 39. And He explains this a little bit further because the scribes and Pharisees didn’t want to believe Him, and so forth. Verse 39: “And He answered and said to them, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.’ ” Now the next verse He says: “ ‘For just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, in like manner the Son of man shall be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.’ ” So He’s talking about His death and then His resurrection. Now notice what He shifts over to here. Verse 41, and we need to think about this verse and what it says: “ ‘The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment…’ ” Now we saw that there’s going to be a resurrection to judgment. We have just seen that there is going to be the great white throne judgment. And they’re all going to be judged out of the things written in the books. Now they have not had a life where they can have a judgment other than death again. So this has to be a new life, a clean slate, and an opportunity for salvation, which we’ll see in just a little bit.
“ ‘…Shall stand up in the judgment with this generation and shall condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.’ ” Now remember what we read in the beginning, how God says that He came to Israel, gave them His laws, commandments, statutes, and everything and they went after false gods. And then He said, “Look at all these other nations. They never gave up on their false gods. And if I would have gone to them (the implication was) they wouldn’t have given up on Me.” So we have something similar here that when these men of Nineveh are resurrected (and they did repent at the proclamation of Jonah) they’re going to wonder why on earth didn’t these men repent when Jesus Himself was here. Good question.
Now let’s notice something else: “ ‘The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation…’ ” Now notice “with.” That means at the same time. So we have different time periods when people lived and they will be raised. We’re going to see again another older time period they will be raised. She shall: “ ‘…rise up in the judgment with this generation and shall condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here’ ” (Matt. 12:31-32, 39-42, FV). Now that’s quite a condemnation, isn’t it? Yes. But what this shows is this: There is a coming resurrection to judgment, and Revelation 20 makes it clear that judgment comes after the Millennium. So that’s important for us to realize.
Now let’s come back here and see when God is going to save all Israel. Let’s come to Ezekiel 37 and let’s see that in order to save all Israel God is going to have to resurrect them. Because even though they had God’s law, and this is a tremendous and important lesson for us, even though people have the laws and commandments of God, and even though they are the chosen people of God, unless God converts them they don’t have an opportunity for eternal life. And that’s what it was with Israel. They did not have an opportunity for eternal life. So let’s pick it up here and what we’re going to see is this is the resurrection of Israel. And as we saw in Matthew 12 the other nations are also going to be resurrected, because it says “shall stand with this generation.” So here’s a general resurrection of all those of who have not committed the unpardonable sin beginning with Israel.
Now this is one of these scriptures we read in season. And here’s the season and here’s the time, Ezekiel 37:1: “The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones…” Now this indicates that they lived one life already because you can’t have bones unless you’ve lived and died. “…And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, Thou knowest. Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.” And so then he prophesied and the bones came together. And then the flesh came upon them, sinew came upon them, and here they all were. But there was no breath. They weren’t alive yet. And so then they were full complete human beings – skin and all.
Now verse 9: “Then said He unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.” So here is what? A second physical life in the flesh, for what purpose? We’ll see the purpose right here in just a minute – that is for salvation. And likewise with all the Gentile nations, as we saw in Matthew 12 and Revelation 20, showing that the rest of the dead live after the thousand years.
Now verse 11: “Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel…” And isn’t that what Paul said? So all Israel shall be saved. “…Behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.” They understood that they sinned. When they’re resurrected they will have consciousness of what they have done in the past. This indicates that. “Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O My people, I will open your graves…” Now I want you to mark the number of times that it says graves. “…And cause you to come up out of your graves [that’s twice], and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD…” They didn’t know the Lord. He says: “…when I have opened your graves [number three], O My people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put My spirit in you…” So this is a time of conversion. They weren’t converted before. They lived a full life. They died, buried, now resurrected to a second physical life. “…And shall put My spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it…” (Ezek. 37:1-4, 9-14, KJV). Quite a fantastic and marvelous thing, isn’t it, that that’s going to happen. But God says it is going to happen. And that has to be after the thousand years because Jesus inspired John to write (in telling John directly), “The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.”
Now let’s come back here to Revelation 20 again and let’s see what’s going to happen. Now just like as it was during the Millennium, what did we see that is probably going to happen during the Millennium? There are going to be those who will believe God, repent, be baptized, receive the Spirit of God, will enter into life at the end of the hundred years. Then you have those who then have not believed God, even after this opportunity, and there they are standing ready at the end of the one hundred years. Now they are going to die the second death because all sinners are going to die twice. That’s what we have seen. That’s what the Bible teaches. So what happens then? The second phase of the second resurrection is going to take place – the resurrection of the incorrigible wicked. And you can read of that concerning Lazarus and the rich man, that he was cut off. And they could not come from being spirit beings back to being a human being, and here he was with all of the rest of the wicked standing there, obviously waiting for the lake of fire to consume them. So that’s God’s final judgment.
Let’s see it right here, Revelation 20:14: “And death and the grave were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” See, because as we read those who were in the first resurrection, the second death did not have power over them. But those who were in the second resurrection death did have power over them so that they could die the second death, and that is God’s judgment – that all the incorrigible wicked will die all at once. And the lake of fire is going to consume everything. We’ll see that in just a minute. “This is the second death. And if anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14-15, FV).
Let’s come to II Peter 3 and let’s see what happened because this is going to be a tremendous lake of fire. This is going to envelop the whole earth. And it’s going to serve two purposes. It’s going to burn up the wicked, which is their second death, and they will have no more consciousness of life. When they are gone, they are gone. And when the earth is burned up it’s going to prepare it for the new heavens and new earth. In other words, God is going to start with an absolute clean slate, isn’t He? Yes, indeed. And now let’s see how that is going to come.
Now let’s see it here in II Peter 3:12: “…Looking forward to and striving for the coming of the day of God, during which the heavens, being on fire, shall be destroyed …” Now that takes place after the Millennium and after the one hundred year period. And it says: “…and the elements, burning with intense heat, shall melt?” So what’s going to happen? Totally reconfigure the earth, because the earth has to be all made over because all of those who now are in the Kingdom of God as spirit beings are going to have a new heaven and a new earth as we will see. “But according to His promise, we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (II Peter 3:12-13, FV).
Now let’s come back to Revelation 20 and let’s go on from there, because now what we’re going to do in Revelation 20 and on into Revelation 21 and 22, we are going to come to things that this is the first time (when John wrote them) that they have been revealed to mankind. And quite an absolute and marvelous thing that God is doing with this.
Now let’s pick it up here in Revelation 21:1: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea.” So this is going to be a phenomenal thing that takes place, isn’t it? It’s going to evaporate all of the oceans. There’s no more sea. Now of course you know as spirit beings we won’t need to have water. But human beings need it to modify the temperature of the earth and because we need water to live by.
Then after that he says: “And I, John, saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” So here is a spectacular thing. Now here is the earth in which there is no wickedness, there is no sin, there is no longer any death. Everything has been taken care of. All of the righteous are in the Kingdom of God. All of the wicked are burned up. Now new Jerusalem is ready. And this is what Abraham was looking for – a city made by God. And none of us will understand this or realize this until it happens.
Verse 3: “And I heard a great voice from heaven say, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men…’ ” And of course that’s men made perfect. And that’s the whole purpose of us, isn’t it, that we be perfected in Christ? Yes. And this is the whole purpose of what God wanted in the beginning. So here this ties together the beginning and the ending altogether as Jesus will say here in just a little bit. “ ‘…And He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people; and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall not be any more death [isn’t that something – no more death], or sorrow, or crying; neither shall there be any more pain, because the former things have passed away.’ ” All of those that are just mentioned here are because of sin. And sin is removed. The incorrigible sinners have been burned up. Satan the devil has been bound and is in the blackness of darkness forever.
Verse 5: “And He Who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ ” Now just imagine what it’s going to be like for the whole universe – not just the new earth, but the new heavens, you see. And we’re going to have part of that. “Then He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ ” See, everything that God says is true, it’s going to happen, it’s faithful. And God has given us the understanding that we may know today.
“And He said to me, ‘It is done.’ ” Now there are two finishes. When Jesus, just before He died, He said “It is finished” or “It is done.” So we have here when the plan of God is completed, which then has to come all the way through Christ, doesn’t it? Yes. It is done. And He says: “ ‘I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts, I will give freely of the fountain of the water of life.’ ” So we’re constantly going to be – I don’t know how it’s going to be spiritually, but we’re going to be constantly replenished (spiritually speaking) with the water of life. “ ‘The one who overcomes shall inherit all things…’ ” And that includes the universe. And you go back and you read Hebrews 1, how that Christ has inherited all things. Romans 8, how we are joint heirs of Christ. “ ‘…And I will be his God, and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.’ ” So He’s making it absolutely sure for us to understand and realize that no one is going to be in the new heavens and the new earth who has not been perfected. And then it shows the great city coming down out of heaven. Fantastic thing that this is.
“And one of the seven angels that had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, ‘Come here, and I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ ” Now that’s the church. It’s not the city, but the church is going to live in the city. And we’re going to see something else here. “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. And her radiance was like a most precious stone, as crystal-clear as jasper stone. And the city also had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and inscribed on the gates were the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.” So God brings His whole plan together.
See, Satan the devil is never, ever going to thwart the plan of God. He is never, ever going to turn it back. And God, in spite of everything that Satan has done, in spite of everything that men have done is going to save the absolute majority of people. And that’s a wonderful and tremendous thing to understand.
Now here is the city – fifteen hundred miles cubed, as we know. And it’s got all kinds of precious stones and so forth. And the city, verse 18 was pure gold like pure glass. Now what he’s describing is things that are made of spirit material. That’s why the description of it is a little incongruous for us because you can’t have gold that is like pure glass unless it is spirit. Now, then he describes all the twelve gates and so forth, and the foundations of it and everything about it, so he gives all of it there. And he says the streets were pure gold, transparent as glass, again verse 21.
Now verse 22 is important: “And I saw no temple in it…” See, because God the Father and Jesus Christ will be there. No need of a temple. Now you go back and you remember when David wanted to build a temple. What did God tell him? “Well, I’ve dwelt in a tent.” See, God is not interested in a temple. But He’s interested with dwelling with His people and that’s called the tabernacle of God, or the dwelling of God. “…For the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city has no need of the sun, or of the moon [they will still be there but it doesn’t need it like we do today], that they should shine in it; because the glory of God enlightens it, and the light of it is the Lamb.”
“And the nations that are saved…” So all of the nations like we’ve talked about there in Matthew 12, those of Nineveh and those of the queen of the south and all of the other nations likewise, they will all walk in the light of it. “…And the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor into it.” Now that will be us because we will still be ruling as kings and priests, because we are going to reign forever just as Christ is, you see. “And its gates shall never be shut by day; for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.” Now whatever God is going to have us producing as spirit beings has got to be something fantastic, because it talks about bring their glory and their honor. Now exactly what that is we don’t know. But we do know this: that if we’re there we’ll find out when it happens, right? Yes. So there, it’s quite something.
Now notice again, excluded, left out – they’re not going to be there: “And nothing that defiles shall ever enter into it, nor shall anyone who practices an abomination or devises a lie; but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:1-12, 18-27, FV). So that’s something, isn’t it? That’s where we’re going to live. And remember what did Jesus say? “I go and prepare a place for you. And if I come again I will receive you unto Myself. And in My Father’s dwelling there are many mansions.” So here we have it, the fulfillment of it right here.
Now let’s see what else it is like. This is going to be the power of God’s Holy Spirit available continuously through the rest of eternity. Revelation 22:1: “The he showed me a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” And then looking down in the promenade, the great street in new Jerusalem: “And in the middle of the street, and on this side and that side of the river, was the tree of life, producing twelve manner of fruits, each month yielding it’s fruit; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” And the Greek there is therapuon, and that means for the maintenance of the nations. And this is spiritually speaking. So it shows that we are going to need God continuously. We are going to need the Spirit of God continuously, and we are going to need to constantly be eating of the tree of life. We are constantly going to be educated all through all eternity. Now that’s something to realize and grasp.
“And there shall be no more curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him…” Now notice this also fulfills something else that the apostle Paul wrote of. “And they shall see His face; and His name is in their foreheads.” So we’re going to see God, face to face. Now you can’t do that unless you are on the same level of existence as God. So that’s something, isn’t it? Absolutely.
“And there shall be no night there; for they have no need of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God enlightens them; and they shall reign into the ages of eternity.” So God’s plan is going to go on and on and on. And while we cannot grasp all of that now, at that time we will because we’ll be spirit beings with spirit mind, with spirit life. And we will be able to understand that. And it’s going to be full of righteousness and joy forever and ever, isn’t it?
Now notice again, verse 6: “And he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true; and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things that must shortly come to pass.’ ” And yes, they are going to come to pass. “ ‘Behold, I am coming quickly.’ ” Now this is a warning for us. So when we come to the end of the teaching of the Last Great Day that we have a warning since we are still physical and we are still living and we have to go out and continue living until Christ returns, and so forth: “ ‘Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’ ” Quite a fantastic blessing, isn’t it? Yes, indeed. So he said the time is near, it’s at hand.
Now notice, let’s come here to verse 12: “ ‘And behold, I am coming quickly…’ ” Let’s understand, we are a whole lot closer to the end than we ever were before, though it’s a lot further off than we though it was at the beginning. So there’s a parable we can work on for a while, right? Jesus said: “ ‘…behold, I am coming quickly; and My reward is with Me, to render to each one according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who keep His commandments…’ ” Now that’s why certain versions of the New Testament change that, because they are haters of the commandments of God – that’s why. And the haters of the commandments of God originated in Egypt and they are the ones who changed it in some of the Greek manuscripts that come out of Egypt to read, “Blessed are they who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.” No, it doesn’t say that. It says, “Blessed are those who keep His commandments.” And we need to realize as part of the warning that we are given – keep the words of this prophecy, keep His commandments: “ ‘…that they may have the right to eat of the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.’ ” And again He shows who’s excluded. It’s not everyone who wants to do the will, but it is those who do the will of God.
Now compared to keeping the commandments of God it says: “ ‘But excluded are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and everyone who loves and devises a lie.’ ” And who is the master liar but Satan the devil. So then here’s another warning.
Now notice how we have a blessing and a warning, a blessing and a warning, a blessing and a warning. Now here’s another blessing that is given here: “ ‘I, Jesus, sent My angel to testify these things to you in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star.’ And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ ” That’s going to be our mission during the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment. “ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ ” So are you willing to repent and come to God now? “And let the one who thirsts come; and let the one who desires partake of the water of life freely.” Come, yes indeed. So God is offering the salvation on His terms, in His way, according to His plan, and according to the fulfillment of the prayer that Jesus gave in John 17 that we all may be one in Christ and with God the Father and on into the ages of eternity.
Now after that here comes a final warning, so let’s read it: “For I [that is, John] jointly testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, that if anyone adds to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the book of life, and from the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book. He Who testifies these things says, ‘Surely, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Rev. 22:1-7, 12-21, FV). What a tremendous and fantastic thing that God has inspired and the way that the whole Bible ends with this last part of the book of Revelation.
So brethren, that’s the meaning of the plan of God, the meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the meaning of the Last Great Day. Thank you for coming. I hope you had a wonderful feast, and may God bless you all in this coming year.
Last Great Day – 2005
Scriptural References
- Luke 20:45-47
- Luke 2:1-2
- Jeremiah 2:8, 11-13, 19
- I Timothy 2:4
- Romans 10:9-18, 20-21
- Romans 11:1-5, 17, 25-31, 33-36
- Revelation 20:4-6
- John 5:21-29
- Revelation 20:11-13
- Romans 2:14-16
- Matthew 12:31-32, 39-42
- Ezekiel 37:1-4, 9-14
- Revelation 20:14-15
- II Peter 3:12-13
- Revelation 21:1-12, 18-27
- Revelation 22:1-7, 12-21
