FEAST OF TABERNACLES – Day 7 – 2004

Fred Coulter – October 6, 2004

And greetings, brethren. Welcome to the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which is technically the last day of the feast because the Feast of Tabernacles is seven days long. However it is eight days because of the Last Great Day. And so there is still a whole lot more that we can learn. But let’s understand something as Christ has said, there’s a beginning, there’s an ending. So just as we started the feast and we went down through every day, now there is the ending of the feast, and then we have the finale with the Last Great Day.

So let’s continue on and let’s see how important that this is and what this day represents. And we’re going to ask some questions as we go along. We’re going to answer those questions and find out a little bit more about what the millennium is going to be like as it’s revealed in the Word of God, and what we need to be doing, and how we need to be doing it. But brethren, you know, we all need to be thankful because of the Word of God that gives us the understanding. Now in order to understand these things it’s not that we’re anything great, it’s not that we are more intellectual than other people or whatever it may be. No, it’s because the calling of God, the Spirit of God, and the Word of God. So let’s continue on with it. We’re going to also understand and realize that not only is this so but also that when we come to the end of the millennium there are going to be a couple of things that it’s very difficult for some people to grasp and understand, so we’ll see if we can do it this time.

But in the mean time let’s pick up where we left off on day six and let’s come to Isaiah 32. And we are going to see how the millennium is going to be. Now we know the Spirit of God is going to be available. We know that salvation is going to be given to everyone at that time all during the millennium. And we know that it is going to be absolutely (in human existence) nearly the greatest time that has ever been. And I say “nearly” because we don’t know what it’s going to be like for the one hundred year period that follows the millennium, which is interesting – the one hundred year period is actually a tithe of the thousand years, is it not?

Alright, let’s come back here, Isaiah 32:15. It says: “Until the spirit be poured [out] upon us from on high…” Now doesn’t that sound a little bit like what happened in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came? Yes. Well the Holy Spirit’s going to be available to all people. “…And the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace…” (Isa. 32:15-17). So here again we’re not talking about just the physical place, but we are talking about the work of conversion all during the millennium. Just like we have the parables of the sower in Matthew 13 and the parallel columns that we have in Mark and in Luke. Very important to understand. This is talking about that spiritual harvest that is going to take place. So it’s really saying that it’s a universal salvation that is going out to all people.

Now notice: “…And the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” See, no more fear. No more crime. No more - none of this. “And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places…” Now those resting places are typical of living during the millennium. And it says: “When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass” (verses 17-20). In other words, so that there will be plenty of that. But it’s very interesting here. We can tie in … just put in your margin there Psalm 1, concerning: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners … But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season…” (Psa. 1:1-3). And that’s what’s going to happen. All during the millennium every one is going to bring forth fruit (spiritually speaking) in season. And God is going to harvest it. It’s going to be the greatest harvest. The greatest thing that has happened since the creation of the world. Just think how many billions will be converted and added to the kingdom of God.

Now, we need to also understand that God did not create the universe in vain. He created that in purpose, for a purpose. And the more that they get out and study into the universe, the more they are awed by the very power of it. So in the final analysis God is going to need billions, and billions, and billions to help to produce what God wants to produce with the vastness of the universe that He has created. So as I said before, we need to not only think big, we need to think gigantic.

Ok, let’s come back here to Isaiah 25:6. This is going to be really quite a wonderful time for everything here. And here’s what God is going to do for all people. He says so right here. “And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts…” Now “the mountain of the Lord” is where? In Jerusalem on Mount Zion. “…The LORD of hosts [shall] make unto all people a feast of fat things [that’s all the good things that you’d ever want], a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.” I mean that is a time that we could say the greatest and the best will be produced. There will be no more Thunderbird wine. There will be no more Andre Champaign. There will be no more hard, tough steaks. There will be none of this. Plus, everyone is going to be converted. It’s going to be quite a time. A sinner, as we’re going to see a little bit later on, they’re not going to be allowed to be around. They’re either going to repent, or they’re going to have to face the consequences.

Now notice verse 7: “And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.” See, so they’re going to have their blindness removed. See, God has got to do this at the beginning of the millennium. And we’ll see that when the beginning of the Last Great Day starts, He also has to do that with those people. “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces [He’s going to]; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it” (verses 7-8). Now this is really quite a thing, isn’t it? That’s what’s going to happen all during the millennium.

Now verse 9: “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” So that’s a tremendous thing, brethren. Just think of this attitude all through the millennium, all people. Just think of the things that are going to be taught. How right, how good, how pure, how lovely. Every kind of description that you would like to give. It will apply. And so God is going to have an increase. God is going to produce. The whole world is going to learn. And we are going to be the ones who will be teaching them.

Since we are here in Isaiah let’s come over to chapter 30 and let’s see. Here, this describes part of our job. And you know, God is going to have us active and busy all during the millennium, all during the one hundred year period, and all during the rest of the ages of eternity. So God has called us to a tremendous and absolutely mind-boggling calling. Whereas most religions in the world, what do they do? They have things set up so that you can get along a little better in this life. But you ask them, “Why were you born? What is God doing? When is Christ returning? What are these things that are going to happen?” They don’t know. They don’t even believe in the resurrection in most cases, though they mouth the words. All of their so-called immortal souls go to heaven. And if you don’t have the book Primitive Christianity in Crisis by Alan Knight, well you make sure you get a copy of it. We do have a few copies here in the office. But let me tell you something: you cannot understand how those false doctrines came into the church unless you have read his book. How did it happen? Well you see, during the millennium none of this is going to happen. Everyone is going to know God. Everyone is going to know who their teachers are. Everyone is going to know who their rulers are. Everyone is going to keep the Sabbath, keep the holy days. And they are going to work and produce, and life is going to be the way that God wants it to be. And let me tell you something, it’s going to make this modern world look like an absolute conglomeration of insane idiots.

Now here, Isaiah 30:18: “And therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you…” That is, that’s why He’s not bringing the millennium now. In His set time it will come, you see. “…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.” Now that includes us who are now waiting. But let me tell you something else: everyone during the millennium is going to be doing the work and the will of God the way God wants it done. So they’ll be waiting on God, as it were. “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). Now it says in another place that He is going to really do some fantastic things. He’s even going to answer right while you’re asking. And that ought to help us to be able to have more faith in prayers that we have to God. I’ll tell you one way to never have a prayer answered. That is go pray your heart out, be as fervent as you can, get all done and say “Amen,” and then stand up on your feet and say, “I wonder if God will answer this prayer?” You’ve just undone everything that you’ve asked for.

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, [that is in the past to bring them to the point of conversion], yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more…” No, it’s not going to be like it was in the past. There are not going to be those trials and tribulations. “…But thine eyes shall see thy teachers…” That will be our jobs. Isn’t that going to be fantastic? Verse 21: “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” (verses 20-21).

Now, let’s stop and think on this for a minute. Let’s look at the three existence of converted people who are resurrected. The first existence is in the womb right after conception. And now they’ve been able to take 3-D pictures, which show babies as young as 12 weeks old who are able … and they see them doing things in practice so when they are born they will have all of these things down pat. They practice walking. Their legs are going like this. That’s to build and strengthen the muscles. Their arms are going like this. They suck their thumbs. They open their eyes, but they can’t see because it’s totally dark in the womb. They smile. They’re disturbed at outside noises coming in to them. And remember, water is a great conductor of sound. So it’s very incumbent upon mothers to be careful what kind of sounds that they have coming upon them. And it just makes me wonder, all these people who are involved in some of these awful things called music today, and all that sound coming into their ears, to the body, into the unborn. But never the less they also yawn, they smile, and they are getting ready to be born.

Now there’s a set time for them to be born. And when they have been born they come into this world, and they do something for the very first time – they breathe and they are no longer dependent upon the umbilical cord to be fed. But in the process of growing, right after being born and so forth, they have mother’s milk, which is the best thing, and should be. All mothers should nurse their children. God designed it many ways which are totally beneficial to the mother and to the child. This is not the place to get into it. But anyway if someone is not cut off because of an untimely or early death, they live in this physical life.

Now if God calls them then God’s plan is still working, isn’t it? He’s given us minds. He’s given us understanding. He’s called. He’s given us His Spirit. And now He is teaching us. And what are we doing in this life but in loving God and keeping His commandments, and learning of His Word, walking in His way, repenting and changing and growing – what are we doing? Well, we are practicing for being born again, are we not? Yes, indeed.

So when we die and are put into the grave, or we’re still alive and changed when Christ returns, we are born into the kingdom of God. Then all of a sudden we are spirit beings, correct? Now we have another form of existence, don’t we? Yes. So we’re going to be doing things for the first time that we have never ever done in our whole lives. Just like when a newborn is born and starts breathing, then it’s doing that for the very first time. And isn’t it interesting because “breath” is likened unto “spirit.” So just as the newborn takes a first breath, so when we are born into the kingdom of God we are going to be spirit beings. So as it were, our breath will be the fullness of the Spirit of God. Now likewise with all of those that we are teaching in the millennium, they will know this. They will know who God is. They will know who we are. We are going to be teaching and training them. It’s going to be an amazing thing indeed.

Now let’s come over here to Micah 4. (Hosea, and hold it at Amos because we’ll go back to Amos here in just a minute. Amos, Jonah, and then Micah.) Now let’s pick it up here in verse 4. I just want to cover this. After not learning war anymore … and just stop and think about it: God is not going to have any more exploiting corporations to exploit people and control them, and destroy their lives. No. Verse 4: “But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid…”, all during the millennium. It says: “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end…” (Isa. 9:7). “…For the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it” (Micah 4:4).

Now back here to Amos 9. Let’s see what kind of thing that they will have, what kind of agriculture it is going to be. It’s going to be something. Just like we read earlier. God is going to make them a feast of all the fat things. Well it’s going to come, and come, and come. The produce, the food, the things that are produced, as well as then you can also understand all the things that will be produced in making clothes, making shoes, making things, making whatever machines that we will need at that time. It’s going to be an amazing thing. But here it starts with the agricultural base.

Amos 9:13: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.” It’s just going to be an overflowing abundance. Now you compare that with what is in the world today with the war and the famine and starvation and so forth. Verse 14: “And I will bring again the captivity of My people of Israel [and this means bring them out of their captivity], and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof…” Now all you tea-totelers listen up. Now sure, there’s not going to be alcoholism. You can be guaranteed that. But it’s going to be used in the right way, and the best of it “…They shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God” (Amos 9:13-15). Now think of this starting out the beginning of the millennium where there’s still some wars going on as we saw, and then coming all the way down through the millennium.

Now let’s come to Isaiah 60 and let’s see something here, how it’s going to be. Economically we’ve seen how it is for agriculture. Now let’s see how it’s going to be for commerce and industry. Verse 16: “Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings…” That is symbolic language that you’re going to receive the best of everything. So will all of them during the millennium. “…And thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.” So you see, as great as the coming new world order is going to appear in the eyes of men, what God is going to do during the millennium is going to pale into absolute insignificance this coming great new world order of Satan the devil.

Let’s see what He’s going to do here, verse 17. Here’s how rich they are going to be: “For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron…” Now there’s going to be a lot of industry going on using all of these things. And we’re no longer going to have these counterfeit notes, which most currencies are today. They are counterfeit notes put out by fake banks which say they are central banks. No more. God is a god of real wealth. God is a god of real power. God is a god of real righteousness. And that’s how it’s going to be. Now notice: “…I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.” So that’s going to be us. They are going to be able to give their tithes and offerings and so forth. God is going to bless them because of obedience. God is going to bless them with His Spirit. God is going to bless them with conversion. Amazing.

“Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise” (verse 18). This is an amazing thing, brethren, what God is going to do. And when we leave this Feast of Tabernacles, which we will do after the Last Great Day, I want you to keep these things in mind. Because this is the vision that God has given us so that in the times of trouble and difficulty that we are going to face after the feast (which all of us are going to face one way or the other because we’re still living in the world) keep your mind focused on these things.

Now let’s come back to Isaiah 33 please. And this will be really quite a wonderful thing when we see right here in the Word of God it talks about it. Let’s begin here in verse 20: “Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers…” That’s just likened unto God’s Spirit. Remember, as we will see tomorrow, that the crystal clear waters will flow out of the throne of God (Revelation 22). So this is likened unto it. “…Wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us” (Isa. 33:20-22). So that’s really quite a description, isn’t it? So just like the world today is all focused in and is going to come to the point of worshiping Satan the devil, so likewise in the millennium all are going to be focused in on worshiping God and His way and His truth and His righteousness.

Now come over here to Isaiah 35:1. “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” Now you tie that in with Amos 9 there again. “It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God” (Isaiah 35:1-2). So it’s going to really be a tremendous thing that’s going to happen.

“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees [that’s what we’re going to do]. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance [He already has. This is coming into the millennium], … and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing…” (verses 3-6). That’s going to be our job. Can you imagine what it’s going to be like to heal blind people? To heal those who cannot speak? To heal those who have had limbs destroyed? It’s going to be an amazing thing because if the lame is going to leap as the hart, that’s what it’s talking about.

Now notice verse 7: “And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.” Then it talks about: “…[the] highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean [person] shall not pass over it…” (verses 7-8). No, we’re going to see in just a little bit that during the millennium there’s going to be a division between the righteous and the sinners. And God is going to make that division and they’re going to have to choose. God is not going to let the wicked prosper. Now we’ll talk about how God will deal with them in just a little bit.

Let’s continue on here just a minute. “No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon [no, the lions are going to be the pets back at home as we saw there in Isaiah 11], … but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (verses 9-10). So there’s the whole mission statement for the thousand years.

Now let’s look at Psalm 145. See, it is amazing, isn’t it? Let’s think about it for a minute. The key to understanding the Bible is what the religionists in the world do not want to do. And that is: obey God and love Him. For example: as I tell people who want to know about the Sabbath and what it’s for, and so forth (and they are really serious), I say, “Ok, you do this: you go ahead and keep the Sabbath. And on the Sabbath day study about the Sabbath. And you do this for several months, you will understand the Sabbath. But if you don’t obey, you’re not going to understand.” So likewise with the holy days. We don’t understand them unless we obey and keep them. And then with God’s Spirit and God’s Word, He opens up our understanding so we can realize what it really is.

Now here, Psalm 145, listen to this. This is a fantastic description of what it’s going to be like all during the millennium. Verse 1: “I will extol Thee, my God, O king; and I will bless Thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name for ever and ever” (Psa. 145:1-2). Just think of this: every day people are going to be praying to God. Every day they’re going to be thanking and blessing God. It’s going to be an amazing place. It’s going to be an amazing thing. And we, brethren, are the ones who are going to administer this with Christ. That’s what’s so fantastic about it.

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts.” So all during the millennium this is what is going to happen, isn’t it? “I will speak of the glorious honour of Thy majesty, and of Thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of Thy terrible [awesome] acts: and I will declare Thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness, and shall sing of Thy righteousness.” And here’s what they’re going to be singing: “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (verses 3-8). And you wonder in the midst of all of this, why would people choose to sing? We’ll talk about that in just a little bit.

“The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O LORD; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations” (verses 9-13). In other words not only during the time of the millennium, but down through all eternity because there are ages of eternity.

Now let’s look at a couple things here and begin to ask some questions and see what’s going to happen. Now human nature is this way: once you get used to something because you’re born into a certain set of circumstances in society… And for example: I doubt if there are any children today who even have a thought that there was never a time when we were using electricity, and had lights and cars and all the things we have today. Now, they get used to it. And what happens when children have everything? They get spoiled. Now just think what’s going to happen to human nature as we progress down through the millennium. They’re going to be taking these things for granted. They are going to be able to see their teachers and they’re going to take it for granted. And also, there’s going to be enough human nature around that there are going to be some who are going to want to sin. So let’s look and see two things. Number one: How long are people going to live during the millennium. Number two: What happens to the righteous? Number three: What happens to the sinner?

Now let’s come here to Isaiah 65. Now I know that we apply this to the one hundred year period, that’s true. And it’s probably going to be exactly the same for the millennium and for the one hundred years of the Great White Throne Judgment period.

Now let’s pick it up here, Isaiah 65:17: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying” (Isa. 65:17-19). So that applies all during the millennium, doesn’t it? That also will apply during the Great White Throne Judgment too, without a doubt.

“There shall be no more thence an infant of days [that is an infant of days who does not fulfill his life], nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old…” That means live to be a hundred years old. And we’re all destined to die, with the exception where God makes the exception, and we will see it. “…But the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed” (verse 20). Now, let’s look at it this way. You can read the rest of it and it shows, again, the millennium setting.

Let’s come to an unusual circumstance that we find in the New Testament and let’s apply that to us. Let’s come here to I Thessalonians 4. Because there is a time when those who are truly converted at the return of Christ and are still living – now it says they don’t die. Now, I’ve gone back and forth in trying to understand this, which is this: Hebrews 9:27 (paraphrased): “It’s given to man once to die. After that the judgment.” Now it says here in I Thessalonians 4 concerning those which are alive when Christ returns. So let’s read that and let’s think about this for a minute. Is their change kind of… I don’t know how to phrase it. Let’s read it first and then we’ll think about it here.

I Thessalonians 4:14: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thes. 4:14-17).

Now, they are changed instantaneously, aren’t they? Now how this works, I don’t know. Is this change considered an instantaneous death and transformation to spirit. Death of the human body. I mean it’s going to be transformed because it says there in Philippians 3:21 (let’s go back there)… In talking about when Christ returns: “Who shall change our vile body [bodies], that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.” So we don’t know the exact process. But it does say in Isaiah 65 that “the infant shall die a hundred, and the sinner dying at a hundred shall be accursed.”

Now then, what would it serve for those who are righteous, for those who have (as we shall say) through the process of God’s salvation been qualified for salvation, what would be the purpose for them to die and be buried? Well, they’d have to be resurrected. Well then let’s tie that in to what we have at the end. What purpose would it be for those who are righteous at the end, to die and be buried, but rather, shall be changed and transformed as Paul said: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:…we shall [all] be changed” (I Cor. 15:52). Just like those being resurrected out of the graves will be changed. So is it that at that point of a hundred years, that the righteous when they are changed, there is a death of the physical body and they have it converted into a spiritual body.

Now, I suggest this: that we all wait until we see how it happens when we are ruling and reigning with Christ. Then we will know for sure. Otherwise these are just some thoughts to help give us some understanding.