Now, let’s continue on here with verse 27. “For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Rom. 11:27) So when is He going to do it? Now we’ll see and it’s a great and wonderful thing. “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election,” because of God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob “they are beloved for the father's sakes.” (vs. 28) And the father here you’ll notice then is plural, meaning Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (vs. 29) In other words, God isn’t going to repent of what He is doing as well as to us. The gifts of God and His calling are without repentance. You can’t change your mind on it. “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” (vs. 30-32) And we will see when in just a minute. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (vs. 33-36) And brethren, that’s a tremendous thing. Paul died with this knowledge, but he didn’t have it complete because John was the one who wrote for us the keys to understanding this.

Now, let’s come back to Revelation the twentieth chapter. And let’s continue on with what John was inspired to write here. And we’ll put it together with the other scriptures, so that we will know exactly what’s taking place here.

Now let’s pick it up beginning in verse 4. We’ll review just a little bit. “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto 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.” (Rev. 20:4) That’s the whole millennium. Verse 5. “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” (vs. 5) That’s a key and important thing. Now let’s understand also what else it’s telling us here concerning the rest of the dead when they are raised. And that is found beginning in verse 6. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power…” Now this is telling us, as we will see verified with other scriptures, that those in the resurrection at the end of the millennium, which is the second resurrection, the second death has power. Now, if the second death has power that means that they have to be raised to a fleshly existence, because spirit cannot die. So they have to be physical human beings as we will see and we’ll it see verified here in just a little bit.

Now, we’ve gone through the rest of the scriptures and we have come down here to, let’s come down to verse 11. And then let’s understand something here very important. “And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was not place found for them.  And I saw the dead [that is the rest of the dead], small and great, stand 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 those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Rev. 20:11-12).  Now this tells us an awful lot here brethren.

Let’s see if we can understand this now.  First of all we are dealing with people then who have had their eyes closed, their ears stopped, and their hearts hardened and God did it.  Now in that then there has to be an understanding concerning sin, because not all of those who are raised will be raised for an opportunity for salvation because there are two phases to the second resurrection, as we will see.  The first phase will be for those who have sinned but have not committed the unpardonable sin, therefore their lives are worthy to be raised in the second resurrection for an opportunity for salvation, which God did not give them during their first life.  And as we will see concerning the wicked, they will be raised to be cast into the lake of fire because there will be no forgiveness of their unpardonable sins.

Now let’s look at two things to understand this first of all.  Let’s come to Romans 2 and let’s understand concerning those who have done some of the things according to the laws of God in their lifetime but they were never called.  And if God did not call them and they have not committed the unpardonable sin, then God is going to give them an opportunity for salvation as the rest of the dead who are raised after Satan is cast back into the lake of fire.  And remember, as I said yesterday, all of those who come up in the second resurrection will not have to live their lives again under Satan the devil.  As I’ve said before, once is plenty enough, don’t you think?  And you just look at your life and you look at the world and you can say yes, amen, that is true.

Now let’s pick it up here in Romans 2:14.  “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law [God never gave them the law], do by nature the things contained in the law [so even though they are sinners of Gentiles, they were not sinners in sinning the sin unto death], these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the law written in their hearts…” Now that’s a very interesting phrase, isn’t it?  And it’s the only place in the whole New Testament where in the Greek it is “the works of the law”, showing that it has to do with basically the Ten Commandments of God and it does not have to do with works of law, which then were those things which the Jews did, those temple things which were done, and works of law which other religions have in their own way.  So this is the works of the law, “…written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (Rom. 2:14-16).  Now how is that going to be?  Ok, we’ll see.

Let’s come to Matthew 12 and let’s see that they will be raised.  Let’s see that this fits right in with the rest of the dead living after the thousand years.  This also tells us about the unpardonable sin which we covered yesterday, but let’s understand it a little bit more.  Let’s come here to verse 31.  “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy [Spirit] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”  Why?  Because the Holy Spirit comes from God the Father, and when you blaspheme what God the Father is doing there is no forgiveness because you have blasphemed the highest authority.  God the Father who reigns supreme and sovereign in the whole universe.  There can’t be any forgiveness of that.

Now notice, “And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy [Spirit] Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come” (vs. 32).  And the Greek is “the coming world”, and the coming world is the Kingdom of God.  “But the rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years are finished” (Rev. 20:5).  So this is telling us that there are two parts to it, as we will see.

Now then He told the scribes and Pharisees who accused Him of casting out demons and healing the sick by the power of Beelzebub, He says to them, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.  But I say not you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereon in the day of judgment” (vs. 33-36).  Now for us that Day of Judgment is now, cause Peter says, “Now is judgment on the house of God.”  It’s on us brethren.  God is judging you day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month, year-by-year.  That’s why we have to live under the grace of God, and we walk by faith, and we grow in the love of God, and grow in the relationship and fellowship with God.  And that’s why when we repent our sins and our iniquities are removed from us and forgotten.  And that’s profound and very important for us to maintain this relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father.

Now for people in the world who are going to be raised in the second resurrection, they have not yet been judged on any of this.  Now if they have not committed a sin unto death, that is eternal death, the unpardonable sin, then they will be raised back to physical life and we’ll see that here in just a minute.

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from Thee.  But He answered and said unto them, an evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (vs. 38-40).  And brethren, that’s a profound thing and absolutely true.       

Now verse 41, “The men of Nineveh…” Now let’s understand the time setting here.  “The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation…” Now they were separated by nearly 1000 years in time.  And because it says, “…they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.”  Now this is telling us that the men of Nineveh did not sin sin unto death.  They will be raised.  They will be given a second physical life.  Now notice, “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation…” Now here we are many hundreds of years removed again.  “…And shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here” (vs. 41-42).  And so this shows that they are going to be raised.

Now then, since there is the book of life for us today, of eternal life, then there has to be a part in the book of life where God records those people who are going to be worthy of the resurrection for an opportunity for salvation.  That’s why the books were opened.  And then the book of life was opened, and we will see what’s going to happen when the book of life is opened for them.  It says they’re going to be judged according to their works.  Now then let’s understand something.  Since all are sinners and the wages of sin is death, if God would judge them solely on their first physical existence they would be condemned to death, condemned to the lake of fire.  There would be no opportunity for salvation because they were not called, they were never given an opportunity for repentance, God did not lead them to repentance, and as a matter of fact, He closed their eyes, and He closed their ears, and He hardened their hearts.

Now let’s come back to Ezekiel 37, and here is the other part of the answer.  And this is how we put the scriptures together in a proper way to understand them.  And Ezekiel 37 tells us an awful lot.  Now keep in mind that Paul wrote, “so all Israel shall be saved.”  When?  Ezekiel 37 answers it alongside with Revelation 20.  At the end of the millennium the rest of the dead shall live again.

Now we find that right here in Ezekiel 37.  This is the valley of dry bones.  And Ezekiel saw this whole valley of dry bones and God caused him to walk around in it.  God said to Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  And he said, “Lord you know, you know.”  Now if you’ve ever seen a human skeleton or even a picture of it say on television, or in a photo, or in a book, or something like that, you ask the question, Can these bones live?  So then God told him… let’s pick it up in verse 4, “Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.  Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: and I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezek. 37:4-6).

Now let’s understand what this is telling us.  If there are bones there, that means they already lived once, correct?  Otherwise there wouldn’t be any bones, right?  Now they’re going to live.  And what kind of life are they going to have.  Flesh, breath, sinew, and skin.  A physical existence, correct?  Yes.  Can flesh die?  Yes.  That’s why in the second resurrection the second death can have power over them if they don’t repent.  Now let’s continue on and see this and let’s understand, all through the scriptures it shows us this: to Israel first and then to the Gentiles, or all the rest of the nations.  So what happens here with the children of Israel happens also to the Gentiles, as we saw in Matthew 12, that the men of Nineveh, who were Gentiles, will rise in the judgment with this generation.  And the queen of Sheba shall rise with this generation.  So they will all be raised together.

Now let’s read it. “So I prophesied as I was commanded…” It doesn’t say that Ezekiel disbelieved God, but it shows that Ezekiel really didn’t understand what was going on here.  And so God had to tell him as it occurred.  “…And as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.  And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.  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” (vs. 7-10).  Now they have a second life, don’t they?  Because they were dead once, now they are alive.

Now let’s read it and get the proof of it.  Verse 11, “Then He said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel…” And didn’t Paul say, “so all Israel shall be saved.”  Yes, here’s the answer.  “…Behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.”  In other words they died because of their sins.  But they weren’t sins unto death to the lake of fire.  “Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O My people, I will open your graves…” Now you’re only put in the grave if you are dead.  Now if you’re put in the grave while you’re still alive, know for sure it won’t be long until you’re dead.  “…And cause you to come up out of your graves.  And bring you into the land of Israel.  And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put My spirit in you, and ye shall live…”.  Now that is the Spirit of God for salvation because they were already raised to the second physical life and they lived and they were talking and saying that they were cut off of their part.  In other words they had remembrance of their former life.  That’s what it’s telling us.  “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, saith the LORD (vs. 11-14).  So there we go.  That’s really something, isn’t it, to understand it.  That answers the question of Revelation 20, what is going to happen when the rest of the dead are raised at the end of the millennium.

Now then let’s understand what’s going to happen there with them.  Come to Isaiah 65.  Now we’ve covered this several times but let’s go back and let’s just review that again.  Because we’ve covered it and seen how it applies to the millennium.  Let’s see how it applies to the great white throne judgment, the second resurrection.  And for these people when they come up, it’s going to be a new heaven and a new earth, isn’t it?  Yes it will be.  “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 just understand the joy that’s going to take place then.  That is going to be something.  All of these dead resurrected to life.  And of course one of the greatest sins that has to be undone is to raise all of those children that have been aborted, because you see the only difference between newly conceived life and a full-fledged human being is the maturation in the womb, and growing to be a physical life.  Now that’s something.

Now as I’ve said before and I’ll say this again, that I believe that God is going to resurrect all of them, because if not then Satan will have defeated God in His purpose for those human beings.  Now what’s He going to do with all of them.  Well, let’s read here.  “There shall be no more thence an infant of days [that is which will not live out it’s life]…”  And of course at this time during the great white throne judgment, you cannot have any more babies come into production.  And that’s why all of these babies who have died of abortion or pre-mature death, or children who have died early in life will be raised back to life and there will be plenty of adults to take care of them.  There will be plenty to give them a full life.  No doubt about it.  So the question is: how is God going to resurrect these infants which were aborted.  Well I think it’s very simple.  Resurrect them to what would be the equivalent of a full-term baby.  In other words one that would be the equivalent of being born on that day.  And I think that God is going to give them back to their mothers.  What a thing that is going to be. What an absolute healing that is going to be.

You talk undoing every evil.  You talk about women who have died in child-birth.  Babies that have died in child-birth.  You talk about going down through all the history of the world and all those who have been killed in wars.  All of those who have been slaughtered, all of the innocent victims who have been killed, all of those who have died from the plagues and sickness and disease.  And just think of the Black Plague that hit Europe.  Think of those that were disintegrated at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Think of all of those who have been killed in the wars in whatever nation and whatever time of history.  God is going to resurrect them and give them life.  And all the babies will live, and live to be 100 years old.  Of course now at this time then they won’t die.  They will be changed if they accept eternal life.  And if they live this 100 years and receive the salvation of God then they will be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye.

Now the sinner who then does not repent, then he is going to die accursed.  And that accursing is going to be the second death from which there is no resurrection.  And we’ll see that here in just a little bit.  Ok, then they’re going to live a normal life, they are going to have 100 years which to be judged according to their works.  Now let’s go back to Revelation 20 and let’s pick up where we left off and then we will look then at the second part of the second resurrection, which will be the judgment of the wicked.

Now let’s read again verse 12.  “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand 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 those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”  Now this means according to the works that they have during the time that they have a second life in the flesh.  Now some, almost all Sunday-keepers get real mad at this when they hear this the first time, because they say, “Well God is giving them a second chance for salvation.”  No, that’s not true.  It is a first opportunity for salvation, but a second physical life because God never called them in their first life.  See, so please always understand that.  The reason that Sunday-keepers don’t believe this is because they believe they are going to heaven.  And you better be saved now, or you’re going to ever burning hell.  They don’t understand the scriptures. Now, God is no respecter of persons, as we have seen, and they have this opportunity and most of them are going to take advantage of it.

Now then here is the continuation of this.  “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast in to the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:13-15).  That is the second death.  And then what’s going to happen?  The whole earth is going to then be consumed, just like Peter said in 2 Peter 3, that the heavens and the earth will melt in fervent heat and all of the wicked will be burned up.  That is their judgment.  And God has given His judgment on it.  If they are not found written in the book of life it’s going to be to the lake of fire with weeping and gnashing of teeth.  And they will be burned up.  And they will become dust under the feet of the righteous.

Now it’s necessary that that happen, that the whole earth be consumed to prepare the way for now the final new heaven and the final new earth for all of those who have received salvation.  And let’s pick it up here in Revelation 21.  And Revelation 21 tells us the finality of the plan of God.  Revelation 22 brings us into the understanding of how we’re going to live with God and dwell with God forever and ever.

Now let’s pick it up here in Revelation 21:1, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth [totally new]: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”  Meaning that all who live here now are spirit beings, because only flesh and blood human beings need a sea to keep the temperature on the earth moderate.  Temperature won’t affect spirit beings.

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”  As a bride, not the bride.  “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them…”  Now this is men made perfect.  Men now living forever as spirit beings.  “…And they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful” (Rev. 21:1-6).  That’s why we have them brethren, so we can know the plan of God.  And God has opened our minds, and opened our hearts and given us the understanding of His word.  And this is a tremendous thing for us to realize brethren.

“And He said unto me, It is done.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  He that overcometh shall inherit all things…” And all things is equivalent to the inheritance of Jesus Christ, who rules over all things. That’s the equivalent of the universe.  “…And I will be His God, and he shall be My son.  But the fearful [and the fearful means those who do not have the courage of their conviction to stand for the truth], and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (vs. 6-8).  And this is given here as a warning so that we will not fall into those things.

“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying , Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”  Now he’s not going to show exactly the bride.  But he is going to show where the bride will live, which is in new Jerusalem as well as the apostles, as well as all the twelve sons of Jacob, and Abraham, and Isaac, will all dwell in new Jerusalem.  “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God…” (vs. 9-10).  Can you imagine what that was like to see this in vision?

“Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like jasper stone, clear as crystal; and had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: on the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (vs. 11-14).  So that’s a fantastic thing, brethren.  And that is showing how great that the city is going to be.

“And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.  And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs [which we would say 1500 miles square].  The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal” (vs. 15-16).  Amazing city, composed of spirit, but not as spirit beings because you see spirit, God makes things of spirit.  And let’s see what it is here.

Verse 18, “And the building of the wall was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.”  Now I can’t feature pure gold as clear glass.  But nevertheless, I want to be there to see it, and I know you want to be there to see it.  “And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones” (vs. 18-19).  And then it lists every one of them.  That’s why…now I want you to notice, tie this in with 1 Corinthians 3, that we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ, gold, silver, precious stone.  And look all of that is used here in the holy city.

Now let’s come down here to verse 21.  “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was on one pearl…” Can you imagine a pearl that big for a gate?  “…And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”  Now that must have been an awesome sight.  And when he wrote this I imagine he had a difficult time really comprehending what it really was.  You know, just like we started out, we see through a glass darkly.  Here the darkness is lifted a little bit for him to see a little bit more.  Now notice, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (vs. 21-22).  And that’s the whole story beginning going clear back to Adam and Eve and the garden of Eden that God wanted to dwell with His people, and it’s taken this whole program coming down now to the ultimate fulfillment of it with the spirit sons and daughters now ready to move into and live in new Jerusalem, and be there with God the Father and with Jesus Christ.  And they bring the light, and they bring the truth, and we are to dwell with them brethren.  That is something, that is exciting, and only those in the first resurrection and the bride of Christ will be living in new Jerusalem.  The rest of those who are saved are going to be the nations who are saved, and they will live on the rest of the earth, but not in new Jerusalem.  They can come to it but they won’t live there.  That’s why Christ said that, “I will write upon you the name of My Father, and the name of new Jerusalem, which comes down from out of heaven.  And I will write upon him My new name.” So we can dwell here.  and that’s what Christ said, when he said “I go to prepare a place for you.”  And this place is in new Jerusalem.  And He’s going to give us spiritual garments, spiritual clothes, a spiritual place to live.  Now that’s going to be magnificent brethren.

Let’s read on.  “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it [not live in it]: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it” (vs. 23-24).  and who will be the kings of the earth?  We will be.  Ruling over those nations which have been saved.  And the glory and honour means all the spiritual substance…  Now I don’t know what kind of light we’re going to be living, in the sense that what are we going to be producing, what are we going go be making.  How are we going to be active and productive through all eternity and the entirety of the universe?  That’s the unanswered question.  But here it gives us just a little inkling of it.

Now notice, “And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.  And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (vs. 25-27).  And all of the rest, as we have seen, whosoever was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.  This meaning then, all of those who enter into the new heaven and new earth and new Jerusalem will have the perfect spiritual character.  None of these things will ever be done.  Satan will have been removed forever to inherit the blackness of the darkness forever, and ever.  And that will be something for us to always understand.  That we will never rise up against God.  That we will never go against God.  But we will live in perfect harmony and perfect love, and perfect unity, and we will have a whole eternity to grow.  Think of that brethren.  What a marvelous thing that God is doing.

Now chapter 22.  “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb…” Now this is showing what we will be doing during the millennium.  This shows that there is always a maintenance of eternal life and receiving of the Spirit of God through all eternity.  “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month…” In other words month-by-month, year-by-year, all through eternity we are going to constantly be partaking of the tree of life so that we will constantly grow in the knowledge and the understanding of God.  Constantly have all the things that we need to maintain eternal life.  “…And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:1-2).  The Greek there is therapeuon, which then is the continuous maintenance of the nations.

“And there shall be no more curse [because there will be no more sin]: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: and they shall see His face…”  Isn’t that a marvelous thing?  I wonder what it’s going to be like when we first see Jesus Christ and God the Father face to face.  And this means this depicts our relationship forever, that it will be forever that He is our Father, that we will come to Him and see Him face to face. And Christ face to face.  No more estranged relationship, no more cutting off, but direct with God the Father and Jesus Christ.  “And there shall be no more night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.  And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to shew unto His servants the things which must shortly be done” (vs. 3-6).   Now this brings us back to the very first part of the book of Revelation, correct?  Yes. So there we have the beginning and the ending.  And let’s see how profound this is, brethren.

Let’s come down here to verse 12.  Jesus says, “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For [excluded] without…” Again to let us know, no more sin. “…[Excluded] are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.  I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely” (vs. 12-17).  And this is the universal salvation that will be given to all during the millennium and the great white throne judgment.

Now let’s come back to Ephesians 3 and let’s finish here brethren, so that we understand the greatness of God’s plan.  The tremendous thing that God is doing.  And that God has planned this, and this is His purpose, and this is what He has given us to understand, the greatest and most fantastic knowledge in the world, which cannot be purchased with money, which cannot be understood by the use of the mind, which cannot be understood by reading the great writings of men.  But can only be understood from the word of God and the power of His Spirit and the opening of your mind.  Brethren, understand the great riches that God has for you, the great life that God has opened for you to take and to receive, and to live, and to be with God the Father and Jesus Christ forever.

Now let’s come back here to Ephesians 3:11, and brethren this is the whole purpose of the gospel.  This is the whole reason why we live and breathe, and eat, and sleep, and draw breath, and grow and overcome.  “According to the eternal purpose…” And we’ve seen it, all through the holy days beginning with the Passover on down to the Last Great Day.  “…Which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him” (Eph. 3:11-12).  And I want you to resolve, even right now today, as we are going through this that you and when this feast is over, and the Last Great Day is done and you go back home, and when the next Sabbath comes that you will resolve to grow, to change, to overcome, to draw close to God, to really let God’s Spirit stir you up to develop that relationship.  To grow in loving God with all your heart and mind and soul and being, that you can be filled with all of these things that God’s purpose in your life will be fulfilled in this tremendous and awesome way.  You can have that boldness, you can have that confidence.

“Wherefore…”, Paul said in his condition while he was in prison.  “…I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”  So he looked upon them entirely differently, didn’t he? And I want you to look upon the trials and tests and difficulties that you will experience in this coming year, that it’s for your good, it’s for your glory, it’s for your eternal life, and help God to help you understand the purpose in them.  “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is name, that He would grant you…” And this is my prayer for you brethren, this is Paul’s prayer for you, this is Christ’s prayer for you.  “…That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory [right from the very power of God], to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man…” (vs. 13-16).  That Christ dwells in you, that you have the heart of David and the mind of Christ to be strengthened.  Brethren that is so great.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,” Built upon that love of God, built upon that with all your heart, and mind, and soul, and being.  That you “May be able to comprehend…” And brethren it is my prayer every year that we understand more of God’s way so we can comprehend because only God can give it to us to know, that you may know, that you may comprehend, that you may understand.  Notice, “…With all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height…”, that is of God’s plan, of what God is doing with you.  “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge…” That means it passes all human knowledge.  There is nothing on this earth that it can even compare to the love of Christ and love of God the Father.  Now notice, “…that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God”(vs. 17-19).  To be that spirit being, to be that son and daughter of God.  To be filled with strength and power and radiance and glory, and to be in new Jerusalem, to love God, to love Christ, to see them face to face, to talk to them personally, to understand your part and your plan in it.  That you be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now here is a promise, verse 20.  “Now unto Him that [that has the power] is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…”  That’s how great God’s plan is for you.  That’s how marvelous it is brethren.  “…According to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen”  (vs. 20-21).  That brethren, is the meaning of the Last Great Day.

God bless you, have a save trip home, stay close to God, love Him in truth, and I hope to see you sometime this year as I travel.