FEAST OF TABERNACLES – DAY 2 – 2005

Fred Coulter – October 19, 2005

And greetings brethren, this is Day 2 of the Feast of Tabernacles for the year 2005. And the amazing and fantastic thing is that God’s calling for us is to be in the first resurrection and rule and reign with Christ during the one thousand year millennial period, and also to reign with Him forever into the ages of eternity.

Now there are some people who will say, “Well, I don’t want to be a king. Well, I don’t want to be a priest.” Well, we’re going to see there are kings, which you could also say are rulers. And let’s understand this: In the flesh it’s very hard for us to imagine what a fantastic thing that it’s going to be when we are Spirit Beings. Now let’s look at it this way. Just like when you were children as Paul said, when he was a child he thought as a child, he acted as a child, he behaved as a child, but when he became a man he put away childish things. So likewise with us. We are flesh human beings and until the resurrection we’re not going to be able to fully comprehend or have the capacity or ability to do the things that God wants us to do. However, we are in training for that right now to develop the character of God.

Now let’s look at the character of Jesus Christ and let’s see that that’s an example for us. And then we’re going to look and see what are the requirements so we can prepare spiritually the way that God wants us to so at the resurrection then He can use us to the maximum and full capacity that He intends.

Now let’s come to Hebrews 1. Hebrews 1 also tells us, as we know as we have gone through the series in the book of Hebrews, and Hebrews 1 is very much like the Gospel of John, the first chapter. It is an important and profound writing, directly God-breathed to Paul. And as we know this is probably a sermon that he has given over and over and over again. So that’s why it is so well structured and it is so well put together. Actually from the point of view of Greek, this is the highest level of all the books in the New Testament. And I think it was because Luke was with him and he had a really high level knowledge of Greek, and Luke was the one who perfected this through the different sermons that Paul gave. Of course Paul had to approve all of it before it was sent out.

And here’s another thing that is important too: the timing of the epistle of Hebrews is very similar to what we have today. Just before the events that ended with the destruction of Jerusalem this epistle was written to go to the Hebrews and subsequently all the churches. And so that when we see trouble and stress coming upon us that we can know we can receive strength and help from God the Father and Jesus Christ. And we can know that God has called us to a mighty and a great purpose so that we don’t get worn out, so that we don’t become lackadaisical, so that we don’t become slack. And as we have covered there in Hebrews 12 having our minds focused and fixed on Jesus Who is the beginner and finisher of our faith.

Now here in Chapter 1, this tells us about Jesus Christ. And we want you to understand this: that He is the firstborn among many brethren. So there are many things that we can learn here. Verse 1: “God, Who spoke to the fathers at different times in the past and in many ways by the prophets, has spoken to us in these last days by His Son, Whom He has appointed heir of all things…” Now we’re going to jointly share that inheritance. That’s what Paul wrote of in the Romans 8. “…By Whom also He made the worlds…” And that not only means the physical things that were created, but the epics of time or the ages within the span of eternity.

Now notice His character, His glory, His brightness, what He is. Verse 3: “…Who, being the brightness of His glory and the exact image of His person…” Now we’re going to be the children of God as well. When we are resurrected it is going to be a fantastic change. And we are then going to have the ability and the capacity to work with Christ. That is provided that we now develop the character that God wants us to have.

Continuing now: “…And upholding all things by the word of His own power…” And the first very important character is this: you must always be guided by the truth in everything. And there is also a little bit of caution with this: there are things which may appear to be true in the way some people may present it, but it may not be true in fact. So that’s why we have to prove everything as we are going along. But truth does not lie. Truth does not contradict. Truth never becomes old. And that’s the focus of everything that we have to do in our lives. That’s the focus of everything that we need to do in writing whatever material we do, publishing anything that we do, understanding the doctrines that we understand, how we view everything. See, one of the very character things of Christ is this: He always stood for the truth and obeyed the Father under all circumstances. And that’s why He has the power through His Word to uphold the universe, because He will NOT misuse it or abuse it.

Now notice: “…When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…” Now for all you Laodiceans out there, let me tell you this: Revelation 3 says that if we repent and become zealous and do the things that God wants, we are going to sit down in Jesus throne as Christ came and sat down in His Father’s throne. So in the final analysis the repenting, converted, zealous Laodiceans are going to be at the right hand of Christ, just like Christ is at the right hand of the Father. So there’s hope for the Laodiceans. We need to understand that. So if you feel you’ve been beat upon because you are a Laodicean, all you have to do is repent, all you have to do is be zealous, all you have to do is be right with God – and you do that in your personal prayer and study, and by your actions and the way that you live.

Now notice: “…Having been made so much greater than any of the angels…” Because, see, a lot of people believe that Jesus was either an angel or He didn’t exist before the worlds began, etc., so Paul again is making it clear – much greater than any of the angels: “…inasmuch as He has inherited a name exceedingly superior to them.” Now God is going to give us a new name, isn’t He? Yes. Christ is going to write on us His name, isn’t He? Yes. He’s going to write on us the name of the city of Jerusalem, isn’t He? Yes. He’s going to write upon us the name of the Father, isn’t He? Yes, showing that we belong to God the Father. So we’re going to have a new name and inherit that, which will also be superior to the angels, but not exceedingly superior as Christ is.

“For to which of the angels did He ever say, ‘You are My Son; this day I have begotten You’? And again, ‘I will be a Father to Him, and He will be a Son to Me’?” Now that’s exactly what category we are going to be in when we enter into the family of God. See, that’s a tremendous thing for us to really lock onto and to understand, because we will have the greatest jobs, the greatest challenge, the most satisfying thing that we can ever do in helping straighten out this world from the beginning of the Millennium all the way through to the end of it, and then on into eternity and living in New Jerusalem.

“And again, when He brought the Firstborn into the world, He said, ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’ Now on the one hand, of the angels He says, ‘Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.’ But on the other hand, of the Son He says, ‘Your throne, O God, is into the ages of eternity…’ ” Now God is going to give us thrones as we saw yesterday, isn’t He? Or we’re going to sit down in the throne of Christ, aren’t we? Or we’re going to assist the twelve apostles, aren’t we? Or the apostle Paul, and help bring the truth of God to the world. So we will have a throne. That’s a sign of your authority. “ ‘…A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.’ ” As compared to the kingdom of this world – Babylon the Great. It is a scepter of lying, and cheating, and deceiving, and murder, and conniving, and Satan worship.

Now here is a character quality that we need. Now this does not take away from mercy. And don’t use this in a wrong self-righteous way. Verse 9 says of Jesus: “You loved righteousness and hated lawlessness…’ ” Now that’s a very profound statement. This is why you can go back to Matthew 7 and understand why Jesus said to those who used His name in lying and cheating and doctrines, and though they did things in His name He tells them, “I never knew you. Depart from Me you that work lawlessness.” See, so we need to understand and really grasp: Don’t look out here to these Protestant religions and look to the great numbers of people that are going into them, like this Osteen who has the largest church in America – 16,000 attending every Sunday. They are not Christian. They are not preaching the truth. Oh, they think they are, but they love lawlessness and hate righteousness. So we have to be as Christ – love righteousness and hate lawlessness. “ ‘…Because of this, God, even Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions’ ” (Heb. 1:1-9, FV). And so that’s what God is going to do with us. He is going to anoint us, or ordain us into the office that He wants us to do and to perform. And of course all of that will happen on the sea of glass right after the resurrection.

Now let’s look at some of the qualifications for a king, because you say, “Well, what can I do?” All right, let’s look and see “What can I do?” Let’s come to Deuteronomy 17 and let’s read God’s instructions to a king, what he was to do. And I think the only king that really did this was David, yet he still had his sin with Bathsheba. Solomon started out this way but look at how he ended up. So you see, remember this: it’s not how you start, because the lesson of Solomon teaches us it’s how you end. That’s why Christ has said you have to endure to the end.

Now here are the instructions so that you can become a king or a priest. This will apply to both as we will see. This is how you train. And you are going to see this is why Bible study and knowing the Word of God is so important. Now Deuteronomy 17:14: “When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; thou shalt in any wise [in every case, that is] set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose…” Now God has chosen you. You are called personally by Him, as we have seen. “…From among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.” Same way here. No one is going to come into the Kingdom and receive the reward if they are lawless, if they are not the true children of God, because then they are strangers.

Now verse 16: “But he shall not multiply horses to himself [that’s building up a lot of wealth], nor cause the people to return to Egypt…” A very important thing because what is Egypt? Egypt is the epitome of the religions of this world which are of Satan the devil. So here is a command for, and we could say also to ministers, but to future kings, to every one of us, that today we are not to lead people back to Egypt and isn’t that exactly what has happened in the church? I’m going to tell you something: Evangelical Protestantism is going down the tubes fast, and they are going back to Egypt.

Now notice: “…to the end that he should multiply horses…”, or we could also say since we are not dealing with horses, to increase the number of people that follow him, because you see you can get a lot of people to follow you if you teach lying good things. Now: “…forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself [and look what Solomon did – 700 wives and 300 concubines], that his heart turn not away…” So here’s another thing here: don’t get all involved in the religions of the world because those are other women. “…Neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.” In other words doing what he’s doing just to make money, and heap it up for himself, and spend it on himself. No, let God’s blessing be God’s blessing. Always faithfully obey God and do the things that God wants to do. And you see, part of that requires giving of the blessing of God through tithes and offerings. And I’ve also seen this: that when people do not do that and they, as it were, try to multiply their money to themselves, boom – it doesn’t work. Please understand this, this is important: there is no blessing at any time that comes from God when you do not love God and follow Him and keep all of His commandments. You are not going to get blessings for commandment-breaking. It’s just that simple.

Now let’s go on, here’s the thing: “And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book [had to have his own personal copy] out of that which is before the priests the Levites…” So this also applies to the priests. Not only were they to handle the law, but they were also to teach the law. So if you are going to be a king in the Millennium with Christ, or you are going to be a priest in the Millennium with Christ this same thing applies.

Now notice verse 19: “And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life…” Now that’s how we prepare to be a king or priest or ruler. “…That he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them…” Now let’s also understand something else – let’s include then everything in the New Testament on top of it. See, because the Old Testament was obedience in the letter of the law, New Testament is obedience in the spirit of the law. So here we have it.

Now notice another thing that’s important, verse 20, do not become vain, and conceited, and lifted up, and self-righteous as Solomon did and fell into great abominable sin. Notice, he’s to do that: “…that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren…” Now every single minister, elder, and teacher needs to read that and understand about the brethren of God. The brethren of God belong to God and God expects every one of us to be teaching the Words of God to all the brethren that they can grow and develop. Like Jesus said, it’s sufficient that the disciple become as the teacher, and Jesus is the teacher, and Jesus is our goal as we saw back there in Hebrews 1. “…And that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left…” Now what happens in any church when the ministers get lifted up and they start bringing in false doctrine? They go to the right and they go to the left, don’t they? And soon they’re on a different way, aren’t they? Yes indeed. And soon, as the whole thing concerning unleavened bread – a little leaven leavens the whole lump – and given time what happens? False doctrines come in. And they are lifted up in their vanity and conceit thinking how great they are instead of thanking God for the blessing of understanding what they have and to become all that much more of a servant of God to love God and serve the brethren and teach them and uplift them, you see.

Now that’s what we are going to have to do as kings and priests in the Millennium, aren’t we? We are going to have to take people who have gone through the shock of the most traumatic times that have ever been in the history of the world, and they will have survived. Now unless we have the character of God, unless we understand the love and mercy of God along with this then we’re not going to have the kind of character qualities that we need to love and serve those people. And it’s going to be a mammoth job. “…Turn not…to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel” (Deut. 17:14-20, KJV). Now we can just say this: that we may attain to the resurrection and live on into the ages of eternity, right? Ok.

Now let’s look at some other things concerning how we become kings. Now let’s come to the book of Proverbs. Now we can apply this in everything that we do today because what we are in, we are in training to become kings and priests. And here are some of the things that will help us in our training. And isn’t it ironic, and I’ve just been writing on this in the book, Halloween And The Other Occult Holidays, we changed the title of it because we’ve expanded it into a full book, which is going to explain about all the holidays in the world that they are all occult holidays. But isn’t it ironic that Solomon had every blessing; God appeared to him twice; God made him the wisest and the richest man in the world and he turned around and corrupted himself. You can say that Solomon was a Laodicean par excellent, meaning that there is no greater Laodicean than him. And there is no record that he repented either, because if he had repented it would have been there.

Now here, Proverbs 20:28: “Mercy and truth preserve the king…” So we always have to have mercy and we always have to be guided by truth, and that preserves the king. In other words they will preserve our spiritual life and standing with God. “…And his throne is upholden by mercy” (Prov. 20:28, KJV). That’s what we are going to extend to the people in the world who survive on over. Yes, we are going to have to correct them. Yes, there are going to be some that are still be going to be fighting Christ, but when they repent we extend the mercy to them.

We’ll look at a few Proverbs here which are very important. Proverbs 25:5: “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.” Now you just think about your church experience, and you think about how many wicked people got around leading ministers and they lost it. So likewise: “Take away the wicked from before the king…” In other words don’t spend your time with wicked people. If you love righteousness and hate lawlessness don’t be spending your time with wicked people and then say, “Ah, I wonder what’s happening in my life.” See, well that’s what’s happening. “…And his throne shall be established in righteousness.”

Let’s come over here to Proverbs 28:15. These are some good proverbs to teach us how we are to become the kings. “As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.” That’s a profound proverb, isn’t it? And haven’t we seen that so? Haven’t we heard a wicked ruler say, “Oh, you people are a bunch of dumb sheep” to hide and cover up sin? Yes.

Now verse 16: “The prince that wanteth [is lacking in] understanding is also a great oppressor…” Have you been in a church that has been oppressive? Yes. Well, there it is right there. Lacking in understanding of love, and mercy, and truth, and competence, and faith in God – becomes a great oppressor. Now notice: “…but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days” (Prov. 28:15-16, KJV). And one of the greatest sins of covetousness of those who are leaders in the churches of God, be they ministers or teachers or elders or whatever, is the lust or covetousness for power and control. Where as God wants it this way – God wants you to come to Him. God wants the elders and teachers to teach you to come to Christ and be filled with the Spirit of God so that you have the understanding. That way there is no oppression. I mean think on it. Isn’t that marvelous? You can take these two verses, verses 15 and 16 and you can go back and analyze recent church history and understand what happened. You don’t necessarily have to know all the sins or all the problems and difficulties but you’ll understand what happened. Now let’s apply this to us. Are we conducting our lives in this way? Or, are we conducting them in the way that God wants?

All right, let’s go on. Let’s come back, since we’re here in Proverbs, let’s come down here to Proverbs 29:12. We’ve also seen this. You can see this in a church, you can see this in government, you can see it anywhere. Notice: “If a ruler hearken [listens] to lies, all his servants are wicked.” Now that means they are all on the take. There are all corrupt, and that will destroy any organization, be it a business, be it a church, be it a family, or whatever it is.

Now let’s look at one more Proverb here. Proverbs 16:12. Now we can also look at the life of Solomon as we examine this Proverb: “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness…” Now go back and study the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. Did not God judge them for all the wickedness that they did? Yes, yes He did. Here’s a key: “…for the throne is established by righteousness.” And that goes right back to what we read there in Hebrews 1, right? So how are you going to establish your standing with God so that you can have a throne, that you can sit down on the throne with Christ, that you can rule and reign and judge with Christ as a king, or priest, or ruler, or whatever by righteousness. Now notice verse 13: “Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right” (Prov. 16:12-13, KJV). And that’s what’s important. Whatever you tell people, make sure it’s right.

Now over here, Chapter 15:28. Here’s another, very profound, which ties in with Deuteronomy 17. So you see, don’t worry about the fact that you’re going to be a king or priest under Christ and ruling in the Millennium and think that’s an overwhelming task for you. It won’t be. But you take the time now to prepare. And these are the things that we can use to prepare. And these will bring the help, the love, the character, the Spirit of God. And let me just mention this: while it is today. And I mean by that, while we still have enough peace and security to do it. Because the time is coming when there won’t be the peace and time to do it. And there’s going to be the time coming when persecution comes and we find ourselves in jail, or whatever the situation may be. And then we are going to wonder: “Why didn’t I do what I should have done and know what I should have done but didn’t do it when we had peace and safety?” You know, that sounds a little bit like the parable of the ten virgins, doesn’t it?

Ok, Proverbs 15:28: “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer…” That’s how we know. But it shows you have to put forth the effort. It shows you have to put forth the diligence in studying. “…But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” Isn’t that so? Now understand this: not every evil thing sounds wicked. So you have to discern right from wrong, truth from error. Verse 29: “The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.”

Now here’s another one, verse 32: “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul…” What a living proverb that is. Let’s just take one example: what about smoking. Does that not apply here? On every package of cigarettes that anyone buys it says “Warning” and then lists all the diseases that this could cause. But they refuse instruction, take it out, light it up and smoke it, and then get addicted. And then others get on drugs. And what happens? They destroy their lives just like it says here – despises his own soul. “…But he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility” (Prov. 15:28-29, 32-33, KJV). And so there are the qualifications that we need to be rulers and kings.

Now let’s look at some other things that are important concerning this. Let’s come to the New Testament, Luke 13, and let’s see how Jesus talked of this. Let’s see how Jesus talked of the Kingdom and the things that will affect us, and also showing how we’re going to be there. Let’s pick it up in verse 23: “And one said to Him, ‘Lord, are those who are being saved few?’ ” The answer is, yes, of course it is. “Then He said to them, ‘Strive with your whole being…’ ” Now that’s how we’re going to do it. Every fiber of your being: “ ‘…to enter in through the narrow gate…’ ” Don’t give yourself a lot of fudge factors for your sins. “ ‘…For many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, but shall not be able. Once the Master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside the door and knock, saying, ‘ “Lord, Lord, open to us” ’; then shall He answer and say to you, ‘ “I do not know you or where you are from.” ’ And you shall begin to say, ‘ “We ate and drank in Your presence [Oh, well we were in the church of God], and You have taught in our streets.” ’ And He shall say, ‘ “I tell you, I do not know you or where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness.” ’ There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are cast out. Then they shall come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.’ ” And that’s us. So we want to be in this second category, not the first category, you see. “ ‘And behold, there are the last who shall be first, and the first who shall be last’ ” (Luke 13:23-30, FV). Amazing isn’t it, how much Jesus talked of this.

Since we’re in the book of Luke let’s come to Luke 19 and let’s see another parable, and let’s see that now this shows that there are going to be rulers over cities too. Let’s pick it up beginning in verse 12. They wanted to know because they thought the Kingdom of God would appear immediately. Well we can apply this to our day today, can’t we? It hasn’t occurred in the way and the time that we have thought of, has it? No. And of course in preparing for the series of Daniel and Revelation I bring out some of the things and some of the mistakes that have been made in the understanding of prophecy. And it’s taken a whole lot longer. Who would have thought that we would be keeping the Feast of Tabernacles – 2005? Now you see, that is thirty years past the day when many people believed the Kingdom of God would be on the earth.

Let’s read this here beginning in verse 12, because they wanted to know when it would be. He said: “Therefore, He said, ‘A certain nobleman set out to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and to return [that’s Christ]. And after calling ten of his servants, he gave to them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘ “Trade until I come back.” ’ ” Now that’s what God wants us to do. The King James says “occupy” but trade, or occupy, or work, or increase until I come back. “ ‘But his citizens hated him [now there are some people who really hate Christ] and sent an ambassador after him, saying, ‘ “We are not willing to have this man reign over us.” ’ ” Now here’s a key, something to profoundly understand, which is this: If Christ does not rule in your life, and you are led by the Holy Spirit of God, and you are growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and God the Father then no man is going to get you into the Kingdom of God. If Christ can’t rule in your life the rule of any man or woman over you will not get you there. That’s important to understand. We’ll see it here as we go.

Verse 15: “ ‘And it came to pass that when he returned after receiving the kingdom, he directed that those servants to whom he had given the money be called to him, in order that he might know what each one had gained by trading. And the first one came up, saying, ‘ “Lord, your pound has produced ten pounds.” ’ ” Now you see all of it belongs to God. Isn’t that true? If you develop character and righteousness, if you grow and overcome and develop the character of God in you by God’s Spirit, who’s work is it? It’s God’s work in you with your cooperation. And that’s the way that it is. We have our part to do. We have to do the work. We have to do the trading, but it all belongs to God. It’s nothing that we have of ourselves or any great intellect that we have where we are so good or anything like that.

“ ‘Then he said to him, ‘ “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little…” ’ ” That means faithful even in the very little things. Now I want you to stop and think: what are the things that you are not faithful to God in doing? What little things do you think that you can just slack off and let it go, and so forth. Well, maybe you better shore that up. “ ‘ “…Because you were faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.” ’ ” Now let’s understand something about the Kingdom of God and Christ and the rule of the saints under Christ, which is this: Just as God gave the rulership of the world to Adam and Eve and all their descendents to rule the world – now they disqualified themselves, didn’t they? And so Satan came in, and he’s the god of this world and the ruler of this world. All right, now let’s understand something: when we enter into the Kingdom of God and are going to rule and reign with Christ we are going to rule the world. And it’s going to be our responsibility. And that responsibility has to be based on the character of God, and the love of God, and the laws and commandments of God, and everything that we do.

Now verse 18: “ ‘And the second one came, saying, ‘ “Lord, your pound has made five pounds.” ’ Then he also said to this one, ‘ “And you be over five cities.” ’ ” Quite an amazing thing, isn’t it?