FEAST OF TABERNACLES – DAY 4

Fred Coulter - October 14, 2003

And greetings brethren, this is day four of the Feast of Tabernacles, 2003. And it looks like we’re half way through the feast. When we’re done today we’ll be half way through the feast. And it just seems as though that time catches up with us. And you know, as we have said from the theme for this year is beginning and endings, so if there’s a beginning there’s an ending and also that means there’s a middle. So now let’s see what we’re going to be doing during the millennium. And we have to go back and catch up just a little bit on Pentecost and Trumpets. Let’s go to Revelation 11, and let’s see when it actually is turned over to Christ, the authority to do so, so He can come as King of this world.

Revelation 11:15, and that takes place at the resurrection when “…the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.” Now of course the next holy day after Pentecost is Trumpets. And Trumpets also tells us something else, as we have seen. So let’s just review this one section here. Let’s come back to Zechariah 14. Zechariah 14 shows when Christ will actually come on the earth and we will be there with Him.

Now Zechariah 14:4, “And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” So the way that’s going to be – the valley’s going to run this way so the mountain’s going to split this way. Now it says here, the last part of verse 5, “…and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with Thee.” Now we’re coming because we have a job to do. We have been prepared, not only in character, but now also in being, so that we are spirit beings. Now here verse 9, “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth:…” (Zech. 14:4-5, 9). And so the millennium will start.

Now let’s come back to Revelation 20 and let’s see where we are told what we are going to do. And I think we’re going to find this very interesting even though this is the scripture that we have covered many times. And of course every Feast of Tabernacles we ought to cover it because this is “in season” and we are to preach the things that are due in season, and now is the season for it. So here let’s look at the beginning of the millennium, and then when we come to the seventh day we will look at the end of the millennium, because God’s plan is going to go forward according to the way that He’s laid it out. And the understanding that we have of it is fine. I’m sure that there are a lot of other things that we’ll learn actually after we’re resurrected and we start doing what God wants us to do.

Now we have to fill in the next holy day then, which is what? Atonement – Satan is bound. Now verse 4, beginning of the millennium. “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,…” Now “thrones” is a sign of authority. Now we’re going to have authority. Now as we saw on “Events After Pentecost” that part of the reward is going to be to rule over cities. Now how many cities are there on earth today? I don’t even know the number. Now it’s going to take an awful lot of administration to carry out the work of God. It’s not going to be like the church is today – scattered, small, dispersed, because Christ is going to finish at the resurrection, bring all the saints up together, and now we are going to have whatever number it takes in the millions, and millions to carry out the administration of the government of God on this earth, so “thrones” shows authority. Now then it says, “…and judgment was given unto them:…” This means we are going to make the judgments. We are going to lay down the laws of God. We’ll know what they are. That’s why we have to learn them today. How can we possibly be able to have judgment and administration in the millennium if we don’t learn some things now. So this shows we are going to have judgment. That means authority, power, we need wisdom, we need judgment. All those things was given to them.

“…And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” So there, we’re going to live and reign with Christ a thousand years and carry out the government of God all during the millennium. So this is going to be quite a magnificent thing that we are going to do. Now remember when we come back to start administering the kingdom of God on earth under Jesus Christ, and under David, and under the twelve apostles, as we will see, there’s going to be a lot of work to do because this earth is going to be in the worst condition that it has ever been since the beginning of the creation. And it’s all going to have to be rehabilitated for all the people that survive through it all because there will be a lot of people that will survive through all the, as we can say tribulation and holocaust at the end. Now just how many that will be we don’t know. We can speculate on it, but we’ll just have to wait and see what it is when the time comes.

Now let’s begin with Christ. Just as we have been prepared for this work, Jesus Christ was prepared for this work. Now let’s look at some of the prophecies and how Jesus was prepared for it. Let’s come back here to Isaiah 9 and let’s see the whole thing that Jesus had to go through in order to be prepared. Now lot’s of times we think, you know, “Well, we’ve got a lot of work to do, but it was easy for Christ.” No. His preparation was difficult as well. And He actually had to do more to qualify and prepare then we did.

Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born,…” Of course the prophecy over in chapter 7 says, “And a virgin shall conceive” (Isa.7:14). But the Hebrew is, “the virgin shall conceive,” meaning one particular virgin, not just sort of a virgin that God selected right at, you know, a virgin. “Well here is a virgin.” No, it was the virgin, and she shall bring forth a child. And here’s the prophecy of it. So in order for Christ to qualify He had to divest Himself from being God and be born of the virgin Mary. And then He had to grow in knowledge and wisdom and everything as a human being, as well as the Son of God. So He had double duty there, didn’t He?

“…Unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder:…” Now He’s going to be the King, the head, the ruler, and we’re all going to work under Christ. And we’ll probably all work under some of the apostles and the others. Of course there’s going to be Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob and you know King David and so forth. So we’re all going to have a place, we’re all going to have a part to do, and we all will have a work to do. So it’s really quite a magnificent thing that we’re able to keep these feasts and to have this knowledge and understanding. Just think about it. How many people in this world have any knowledge or understanding of what God is going to do? Hardly any. Of the billions and billions of people God has called us, God has selected us, God has chosen us, as well as all of those that He has chosen wherever they are. And so this is a tremendous thing. God hasn’t called us to sort of a modified version of salvation of the Cahtolics or Protestants. Instead of going to heaven, we stay on earth. No, He’s called us with the greatest calling, with the greatest work, with fantastic responsibility, great authority which then is going to grow, and grow, and grow, and grow, and grow through the millennium and through all time. So we need to understand that. God’s calling and God’s salvation is absolutely just a fantastic and a marvelous thing.

Now let’s continue on here. “…And His name shall be called Wonderful, [now these are all names of God], Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Because only Christ can bring peace. Look at this world today. Striving, striving, striving for peace and what do we have, war, war, war, war, killings, murder, debauchery. He’s the Prince of Peace. He’s going to be an everlasting Father because the marriage of the Bride and Christ will produce children, and those children then will be the children of that union. So that’s when He becomes an everlasting Father. And God the Father will always be our heavenly Father, and He also is an everlasting Father. So if you understand father and son, and then son with children, you still have the father who you could now say is a grandfather to those coming into the millennium. So we will have a special relationship with Jesus Christ, and a special relationship with God the Father through all eternity. You know, this is something so huge, so big that it’s hard for our minds to really grasp it. So let’s see if we can get a little inkling of this.

Now notice verse 7. “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end,…” It goes on for all eternity. Now if you think the plan of God now is fantastic, well I just wonder what it’s going to be when the end comes and the new beginning, the new Jerusalem comes? Then that’s really going to be something. And not only that brethren, we are going to grow in grace and knowledge and understanding forever and ever and ever. It’s not going to be like this life where sometimes you can get bored and you don’t know what to do. You know this is going to be absolutely marvelous and a tremendous challenge as spirit beings. So, I don’t know about you but I’m looking forward to it.

Now notice this, “…upon the throne of David,…” Now we’ve seen that there are thrones for the saints. Now here’s a throne for Chirst. It says, “…upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it [now here’s how He’s going to do it] with judgment and with justice…” Now I think this past summer we have seen how judgment and justice is turned and twisted, when the United States was sodomized in one week. Of course it’s been building, building, building, building for a long time. But what is the thing that destroys a society? Wrong judgment, sinful judgment, lack of justice. So it’s going to be established. Christ is going to establish it. He’ll set that forth for us. “…From henceforth even for ever.” Now notice how it’s going to be carried out. It’s not going to be an oh-hum kind of thing. It says here, “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isa. 9:6-7). And that’s why we need to have zeal and enthusiasm and have our minds open to really understand what God is doing and providing for us.

Now let’s look a little bit more here concerning the throne of David going to Jesus. Let’s see a prophecy of this in Psalm 89. And of course when this was given to David, he didn’t really understand it. And Psalm 89, when you read the whole Psalm, it is a Psalm that was written after they came back after the Babylonian captivity, and the Psalmist here for Psalm 89, which was by Ethan one of the Ezrahites, that is one of those that worked with Ezra. And they came back from Babylon and there was no king. There was no descendant to sit on the throne. And so he was lamenting, “God You promised. God, You said.” And yet he couldn’t see it. Well you know the rest of the story was that the daughters of Hezekiah were taken by Jeremiah to Ireland and subsequently the throne was preserved that way.

Now notice, let’s begin right here in Psalm 89:34. “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips.” It’s sure. It’s going to happen. “Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David.” Now how sure is this? Absolutely sure. “His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah” (Psa. 89:34-37). And then he went on to complain, “Well, how’s this going to happen?” Well, that’s what we are talking about today – how’s it going to happen? Well, Christ is going to take it over.

Let’s come back here to Luke 1, and let’s see how this theme of the throne of David follows all the way through. And right at the time, as we see here in Luke 1 where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary what was going to be, let’s see what the words were, and let’s see what it is. Because now remember, when you read through the account of Luke there are several places which says, “And she pondered all of these things and kept them in her heart.” Now the pondering means she thought on them frequently and kept them in her heart. It says it here in chapter 1 and also toward the end of chapter 2.

Now here’s the announcement that was made for her. Let’s pick it up here in verse 30. “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour [that is, grace] with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father [which means forefather] David: and He shall reign over the house of [Israel] Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:30-33). So this ties those prophecies of the Old Testament together with this. And the prophecy carries right through. So Mary knew right from the beginning exactly what this was. Now I’m sure she didn’t have some of the understanding that we have today, but let’s remember this, it’s a very important thing that you’ll read about in the commentary in the New Testament. Elisabeth was Mary’s aunt. And Salome was the sister of Mary, which means that Mary was half Levite, and half Judah. Her father came from Judah, which means that her genealogy is reckoned with Judah, but there is Levitical blood in Mary, which means that she undoubtedly had gone through the scriptures. And going to wherever they went, probably the synagogue, and heard these scriptures read, and here an angel comes and tells her that “You are going to be part of fulfilling these prophecies.” No wonder she would think of these things, you know, ponder them. And I imagine she would think about this very often. You know, I’m sure that all during the time that Jesus was developing and growing before birth that she thought on this many, many times. And then you go read all the prophecies that happened here after that.

Now let’s continue on here. Let’s come to Acts 2, and let’s see right when the church began, right when they were preaching on the Day of Pentecost. The very purpose of the church then is also stated in that it is going to be under David, and that Christ is going to sit on the throne of David. So you see, all the way through, this comes all the way through.

Acts 2, and let’s pick it up here beginning in verse 29. Peter is speaking and he says, “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, [now that’s what we just read in Psalm 89 – his seed – it’s talking about Christ], according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;…” (Acts 2:29-30). So you see there is going to be the throne of God right on the earth. Now tomorrow we’re going to talk about will there be a temple, and will there be sacrifices? Well, we won’t get into that this time. We’ll go on from here.

Now let’s see some other things here concerning this, and how all of this comes together. Let’s see what it’s going to be with the apostles. We have the throne of God established, Christ is going to sit on it. Now let’s see some other things concerning the apostles. And this likewise was also prophesied back in Psalm 122. So let’s go back there and see this. See, because with rulership in the kingdom of God… Now it’s not going to be a democracy. It’s not going to be an oligarchy. It is going to be a kingdom, and Christ is the King. And all of those who, as it were, are going to be under Christ, are going to be as it were, subordinate kings. He’s going to be the King, and there will be subordinate kings.

Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:…” Now I wonder what new Jerusalem is going to be like on the earth. Now, new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven is another story. It says, “Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. For there are set thrones of judgment,…” Now this has to do with Revelation 20 – thrones were set. These were thrones of judgment. “…The thrones [now notice, plural] of the house of David.” Now what do you mean “thrones” plural, of the house of David. Well, we’re going to see these are the thrones that were promised to the twelve apostles. And also Jesus told them that. Let’s come back here now to Luke 22, and let’s see that Jesus promised the twelve apostles that very thing. So this is, you know, Jerusalem is going to be quite a place. Jerusalem during the millennium, it’s very hard for me to picture and to understand about it yet, but I’m sure that we’ll understand a little bit more, but nevertheless I think it’s a good thing here.

And in this Jesus also taught another lesson. This shows not only how the apostles should have served during their ministry, but it shows how they are going to serve when they are in the kingdom of God, and it also is a lesson for us in how we’re going to serve. Now let’s see it here. Let’s pick it up here in verse 24.

“And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” Now the thought just occurred to me: how many times have we heard sermons in the past, “Well, so and so’s going to be here, and so and so’s going to be here, and so and so’s going to be here. And this one is going to be greater, and that one is going to be greater.” And yet here’s a verse which shows us that if we sit around and try to analyze all that, who’s going to be the greatest, Christ doesn’t want any of that because that’s not the basis of how to serve. And even as a king, Christ is going to serve. And even as kings we are going to serve. But notice He tells how not to serve.

“And He said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them;…” And that means that they lord it over with power and just, you know, all the force and brutal dictatorship kind of thing that kings and dictators are noted for. “…And they that exercise authority…” Now those are the religious ones, that exercise authority like Simon Magus, like the Pope today. “…Exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so:…” So here’s the basis of how the apostles were to serve during their ministry, how the apostles are going to serve in the millennium, and likewise how we’re going to serve. “…But he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth [to eat] at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth [to eat] at meat [greater]? but I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:24-27). So Jesus set the example, and that’s the example we are to follow.

So yes, though we’ll have all power, and all authority that we need to do the job that we need, we are not going to exercise that power and authority unless it’s really needed. We’re not going to use it for the whims of our own lusts, our own self-centered satisfaction or anything like that. No, it’s going to be of serving, of teaching, of helping, because we are going to be working with God to increase the family of God all during the millennium so that there can be billions, and billions, and billions in the kingdom of God, because you know, we need to think big, huge, gigantic. Meaning that what is God going to do with the whole universe? And how many spirit beings in His family, and in His kingdom does He need to accomplish the work that He’s going to do? Going to be an awful lot, isn’t it? So you know, God knows what He’s doing.

But here He shows the way that we are to serve. So he says here verse 28, “Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me;…” Now we just read about that – prophesied and so forth. “…That ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones [those thrones of David we just read about in Psalm 122] judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (vs. 28-30). Now that’s why they are called the thrones of David, because you have Christ sitting on the throne of David, then you have the apostles sitting on the thrones of David, subordinate kings ruling and judging over Israel. Now David is going to be right there with Christ, you wait and see. So it’s going to be quite a fantastic and marvelous thing that’s going to take place. I hope we can really grasp what God is doing and how He’s going to set this forth.

Now then, what about the saints? What about us? We saw that thrones were set, ok. Let’s look at some of these things. Let’s come back to Daniel 7. And here’s a prophecy of what we are going to do. We are going to be directly involved in carrying out the administration of the kingdom of God. Daniel 7:9. Now notice how similar that this is, and how there are shades of what comes later in the book of Revelation, that we read.

Now verse 9, “I beheld till the thrones were cast down [or that is, placed down], and the Ancient of days did sit [now that’s God the Father], Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousands thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened” (Dan. 7:9-10). So this goes not only to the beginning of the millennium, but it goes clear through to the Great White Throne Judgment because the books were opened. Now all of those who live into the millennium and are born during the millennium, they are going to be under judgment for eternal life at that time. So the books will be opened there. And then we have when the millennium comes to an end and the Great White Throne Judgment begins…so see every time we have an ending we have a beginning…then the judgment books will be open for them.

Now let’s come down here to verse 13. “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (vs. 13-14). So that’s quite a thing. So you talk about being in on a tremendous and big time project. This is it.

And you see, that’s why the holy days are so important. Just like God wanted them to know concerning the prophecies what was taking place, He wants us to know and understand what His plan is, and how we fit into it so that we can have the encouragement, the hope, the love, the drive, the zeal to continuously perform what God wants us to, and to realize that when we come to the end of our lives and are buried and wait the resurrection then we look forward to that new beginning, which will be participating right in these very scriptures that I’m reading to you now. This is not some fairy tale anymore than it was a fairy tale when Gabriel came to Mary and told her about Jesus being born and sitting on the throne of David. This is exactly the same thing we’re talking about here, brethren. God is going to give us the kingdom.

Now let’s see it right here. Now we’re going to have to fight against some things. And it talks about the system of this world, and especially as it’s coming at the end. And it’s going to happen. Verse 25, “And he shall speak great words against the most High [that’s the one who will be the anti-Christ], and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws [that was already done once]: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit [now notice how many times it says, “the judgment shall sit”], and they shall take away his dominion,…” (vs. 25-26). Now who is “they”? That is, Christ and the saints. This great, huge, gargantuan Babylon the Great at the end that we see now developing right before our eyes, all that power and everything that they build up and develop for this great end-time Babylon the Great is going to be stripped away from them. And we’re going to see it’s going to be given to us.

“And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (vs. 27). Now that’s something. You know, I don’t know about you, but many times I get frustrated trying to watch the news. And the news this year has just been almost hardly any better than the national enquirer. And they really don’t give you the news, and they really don’t give you the truth. And it’s all a bunch of propaganda confusion so that they can control people more, and more, and more. But you see none of them realize that this is going to happen to this world. And you know, you can almost imagine this: suppose that someone was on Larry King Live and told Larry King, “This is what’s going to happen – God is going to take over the rulership of this world, sit Christ on His throne. The great resurrection is going to take place of the saints, and they’re going to sit on thrones, they’re going to have authority, and they are going to rule in this kingdom. And furthermore it’s going to be a permanent thing.”

“Well, where do you get that?”

“Well, that’s in the Bible.”

“Well, I never knew that.”

See. I just wonder how many religionists would get all upset hearing that, if that thing would happen.

Now let’s see another prophecy concerning us and what we’re going to do. Let’s come to Isaiah 61. And this also gives us a description of what we are going to do, and what we will be called. See now, because part of the thing, as we saw on Pentecost, is that we’re going to receive a new name. And we’re going to have a new job. Now here, Isaiah 61:6 tells us about it. “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD:…” Now that ties right in with where we began in Revelation 20:6 – be kings and priests and reign with Christ a thousand years. “…Ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” So not only is there going to be the reward to do these things, but it’s going to be a continuous ongoing thing all during the millennium, and then on down into the rest of eternity. So this is really quite an amazing thing that God has laid out here for us, isn’t it? Yes. We shall be called the Priests of the LORD, and Ministers of our God.

Now let’s come to Isaiah 30, and let’s see what we’re going to do. We are going to teach the people. We are going to prevent all crime. We are going to be able to intervene in a special and particular way as spirit beings that cannot be done today. And it’s not going to be left in the situation that we have today where that crime can take place and no one know about it. It’s not going to be like this Lacy Peterson thing, that who knows who did what? I don’t know if many of you have heard it but they found ninety miles from Modesto, where this crime supposedly took place, that there was a man that had a van that was driving around and they found body parts in it. And who knows how Lacy Peterson was killed. Who knows where her head is, or her feet are, or her arms are. You know, those things won’t take place, because first of all the rule of the government of God is going to be based upon love. And it’s going to be obedient love. And children will be taught in such a way that they are not going to be programmed into being evil, demonic monsters that they are today. And we’re the ones that are going to help do the teaching. And we’re the ones that are going to ensure the safety and peace.

Now it tells us right here. Let’s pick it up in verse 18. “And therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee” (Isa. 30:18-19). So when He hears, He’s going to answer. And we’re going to be the ones who will be right there to fulfill the answer, won’t we? That’s why we’ll be there.

“And though the LORD give you the bread of adversity [and so there may be some trials and difficulties], and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more [now we’ll be right there, right on the spot], but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:…” (vs. 20). Now that’s all a part of the responsibility of being over cities, being over countries – helping, and teaching, and serving. And as those cities and countries grow in population then so our responsibility will grow proportionately.

Now notice, here’s how we’re going to do it, “…and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left” (vs. 21). So that’s going to be quite a wholly different administration than what we understand today. And yet it’s going to be done in love. And it’s going to be done in truth. And it’s going to be done in mercy with judgment and understanding, and to help and serve, and to prepare more people for the eternal kingdom of God. So this is a gigantic, huge, almost mind-boggling concept and understanding of what God is going to do. Now can you imagine if human beings had this power with the carnality and evil that they have in their minds – why it would be an absolute dictatorship that would be totally unbearable. But you see, since we are going to be qualified, born into the kingdom of God, working under Jesus Christ, working under the apostles, doing all of this in love, and truth, and understanding, this is going to work magnificently.