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The Eighth Day – The Last Great Day
October 7, 2023

During the Feast of Tabernacles, we have looked at the Kingdom of God through the lens of righteousness. We know that God and Jesus Christ Who are righteous and Who in the beginning were the Family of God will establish the Kingdom of God in righteousness. We know that unlike governments of today, the government of the Kingdom of God will be founded in righteousness and that equity will be found throughout. Looking to the Kingdom of God as recorded near the end of the Bible, we know that God’s creation in us is complete in through eternal life and the creation of righteousness within each of us and that love is an essential part of our pathway to the Kingdom of God. That brings us to the final Holy Day of God’s calendar, the Last Great Day, a day that is recorded for us in the book of John. It was on this day that Jesus stood and cried saying that if any man thirst, he could come to Jesus and freely drink, adding that out of his belly would flow living waters.

John 7:37-39
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

The living waters that Jesus spoke of is the Holy Spirit and it is through the Holy Spirit that we are comforted and become more and more like God and Jesus Christ. It is through the Holy Spirit that righteousness can be developed in each of us, as we yield to what is of God and Jesus Christ and resist what is of Satan and this world. It is the Holy Spirit, the living waters, given through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that gives us comfort in this life so that we can seek first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness. The waters of this world will physically keep us alive, but the living waters that Jesus spoke of us will spiritually keep us alive, and we are kept alive through righteousness.

The Last Great Day, like all of the Holy Days of God’s calendar, marks a pivotal event in God’s plan for mankind. Everything that God does on earth has a perfect plan and place and when anything happens, it is according to God’s will. There are separate and unique times for everything God needs to happen for the salvation of mankind so the most number of people possible will have the opportunity for salvation. On the Last Great Day, it is the time of peace.

This future Kingdom of God will be a time of peace like we have never known before. When we think of peace we tend to think in terms of the absence of war, just like when we think of good, we contrast it to evil. Imagine what peace would be like if there never would be any possibility of war. Imagine what good would be like if there was no concept of evil. This future incredible time of peace is coming and this Holy Day looks to this future time in terms of the finality of God’s plan for us. During this future time, there will be a new heaven and a new earth and life as we know it will no longer exist.

Right before the crucifixion of Jesus, he told the disciples of the Holy Spirit which would serve as a Comforter and bring peace to the believers, and not the type of peace as the world gives. What we experience today through the Holy Spirit is just a down payment of the peace that everyone will have in the Kingdom of God.

John 14:25-27
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem will be extremely happy places with a joy and happiness, and peace, that eludes our life today. Because we base happiness as a contrast to sadness and joy to sorrow, we can only understand the joy and happiness that will come as if we are looking through heavy fog barely and barely able to make out shapes in the distance. We have an idea of what is coming but can’t fully grasp how wonderful the Kingdom of God will be.

During this future time, sadness will not exist as pain and suffering will be no more. For all of us who have ever suffered pain or loss when there is a new heaven and new earth, the pain and loss we know today will be no more. All who work will enjoy the result of their efforts without fear of loss. All who work will benefit from their work. No more will work result in only benefits to others.

During this time, all who want to know God, will know God as even animals that are considered natural predators will live peaceably with the animals they once hunted to eat.

Isaiah 65:17-25
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 forever 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. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

During this future time, God will be praised through songs to celebrate the new heaven and new earth. It is easy to see how the words of the ninety-eighth psalm could be used. This psalm speaks of the marvels of what God does and how victory has been obtained. This psalm speaks of the righteousness that has been shown to non-believers and how God has been faithful to His people. All will celebrate with joy, whether these be the angels, the spirit born children of God, or the creation. All will celebrate the victory that came through God and the righteousness that is established forever.

Psalm 98:1-9
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Today when people are taken to court to face criminal charges, they have every reason to fear corruption. The police who arrest people are not always honest. Prosecuting attorneys frequently have political motivations and seek a higher office. Judges are sometimes elected by the people where they live, and so their very job depends on keeping voters happy. Statistics show certain segments of society are sent to prison more often than other segments of society. The rich can hire the best attorneys who can solely focus on their rich client and the poor rely on public defenders who are overwhelmed with caseloads. Judging with righteousness and equity is today a fleeting ideal that one day will be reality.

It is on this Last Great Day we consider the fate of all who have ever lived, knowing there is a prophecy of the valley of dry bones that have been parched under the sun in the valley after being there since the start of mankind. It is in this prophecy that God shows us that these bones will once again live, meaning that the people who once died are not in hell fire being tormented forever and ever. In Ezekiel we are given a vision of people being resurrected to live again in their physical bodies, and that is a totally different concept than the view of the majority of Christianity. Bones are joined to bones and muscle, tendons, and skin are added before the breath of life is given to them.

Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 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. So I prophesied as I was commanded: 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. Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, 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, 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.

From the writings of Peter, we know that with the eternal nature of God comes a different view of time for God. Our physical time on earth is very finite, and we know our physical life as we know it will one day come to an end. God is not constrained to our physical nature and because of this for God a day and a thousand years for all practical purposes could be the same amount of time. When we wonder where the weeks have gone, God could wonder where the millennia have gone. Even with this different perspective with time, God remains faithful with his promises to us, and anything that seems like a delay to us is God giving people more time to repent so that all can have the opportunity for eternal life.

When God determines it is the right time for the return of Jesus Christ, the return will happen at that right time without any delay and will surprise many. The return of Jesus Christ will rapidly bring about many events that we rehearse through the observance of the Holy Days, including the Last Great Day when a new heaven and new earth will come into existence when the universe is purged of all sin through fire. Peter wrote about this future time in his second epistle.

2 Peter 3:8-13
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

We recently looked at the exile of Satan to the bottomless pit and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. Because Satan will no longer have evil influence over the earth, the Kingdom of God will be a time of incredible peace and happiness that mankind has never known. The peace and happiness we know today is only a contrast to what is evil. The peace and happiness of the Kingdom of God will be a peace that comes with reconciliation with God our Father through Jesus Christ and a happiness that comes from the absence of evil. We’ll start by reviewing a few verses which we looked at on the Day of Atonement.

At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be given one last opportunity to steal eternal life from people who were resurrected to live a physical life during this future time. Before that time, the righteous of today who are called and submit themselves to God our Father and have the faith of Jesus Christ will reign with Jesus during the Kingdom of God. Then we are given a glimpse that the rest of the dead will not live again until the thousand years were finished. This time when the rest of the dead will live again at the end of the thousand year period is what we are looking at today on the Last Great Day.

We who are called today who endure to the end will be part of the first resurrection over which the second death will have no power. By enduring to the end today, when Jesus returns we will either be resurrected from death to eternal life or if we are alive will be changed at that moment in time to live eternally. We will be priests of God and of Christ and reign with him a thousand years.

On this Last Great Day, we look forward to this time in the future after the thousand year period of peace when those who were not part of the first resurrection, are resurrected. If we have ever wondered what will happen to a person who never was called, who never knew God or Jesus, they will have their opportunity during this future time when happiness and peace is all that is known. We know these people will be resurrected to a physical life because Revelation implies that the second death will have potential power over these people if they reject God during the temptation of Satan, and from Revelation, it seems like Satan will have some success in deceiving some of the people as armies will try to fight at this time. These people will be consumed with fire and be no more. The fire will vaporize them. After this final deception Satan will be cast into the lake of fire.

We know that all who were not called are part of the second resurrection, and yet the beast and false prophet go directly to the lake of fire, the fate of all who commit the unpardonable sin. Logic would indicate that the beast and false prophet are not stooges duped by Satan to do his bidding, but are also people who have committed the unpardonable sin, meaning logic shows they likely have purposely acted against God having known better. Exactly who these people are and the level of understanding they have will be revealed when it is time.

Next we are given a scene of the great white throne judgment where people are resurrected. All who were not part of the first resurrection will stand before God regardless of what position of importance they previously had. Because these people will be subject to death in the lake of fire, these people are resurrected as physical humans. Those who are found unworthy of eternal life are consumed by the lake of fire and will never live again. Finally, the last enemies are defeated, death and the grave.

Revelation 20:1-15
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 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 found no place for them. 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. 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 into the lake of fire.

At this point, evil will no longer have any influence over anyone who is part of the Kingdom of God. Think of any type of evil that you have ever seen and know that at this time, it will be no more. No more will a person in the name of God oppress another person. No more will a person in the name of justice suffer injustice. No more will a young person with all of their hopes and dreams ahead of them die too young. In the Kingdom of God, there will be no more evil. Whatever evil we can imagine, and all of the evils that are so evil we can’t even imagine it, will no longer be. Instead the Kingdom of God will be a time of peace, the peace that comes to us now through the Holy Spirit and that will fully engulf the world during the Kingdom of God. Sadness will be replaced with joy and happiness, the kind of joy and happiness that comes through God and not in contrast to what is sad and depressing. The Kingdom of God will be an incredible time when people throughout the ages first understand the truth of the Bible.

Moving on to Revelation twenty-one, we see a vision of a new heaven and a new earth with New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. With the new heaven and new earth, and New Jerusalem, God will begin living on earth with His people. Pain and suffering will be no more and only the righteous will be part of the Kingdom.

The city of New Jerusalem is described as a fantastic sight having the glory of God, perfect in its design and beauty. The city will shimmer with the beauty of different precious gems and stones of the highest grade and clarity. This city will be huge, with an approximate measure of one thousand five hundred miles by one thousand five hundred miles. For those using the metric system, that’s two thousand four hundred by two thousand four hundred kilometers, bounded by walls that are two hundred feet, or about 60 meters, tall. In each of the four walls are three gates, one each for the twelve tribes of the children of Israel, and the city will have twelve foundations, one for each of the twelve apostles of Jesus. New Jerusalem will be bigger than any city ever known by mankind, and it will be a city of peace and happiness where there is no evil to be found. The city walls will shimmer like precious gems and each layer of the foundation will have a different color, each with perfect clarity, without imperfections and impurities. Incredible, beautiful precious metals and stones will be the building blocks of this city created after a time when Satan is exiled forever. It was Satan who when created was created and covered with these previous gemstones, metals, and perfect in his creation until he rebelled. This New Jerusalem will be of perfect workmanship and be eternal in its beauty.

Each of the gates of the city will be twelve pearls. These have to be very large pearls to be a gate in a large wall. Within the city are images of gold so pure it looks like glass. New Jerusalem is a city without a temple because God our Father and Jesus Christ are there giving direct access to all. The light of the city does not come from the sun or moon, but from the glory of God our Father and Jesus Christ. It will always be daylight in New Jerusalem because there is a never a time for the glory of God our Father and Jesus Christ to cease.

Revelation 21:1-27
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away 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. 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 I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, 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. 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. 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, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a 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. 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. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 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 anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The river of life flows from the throne of God and Jesus Christ with the tree of life bearing fruit all year long, and the leaves for the healing of the nations. No more will there be times of trouble or any type of curse as all will have access to God our Father and Jesus Christ at all times. The righteousness of God and Jesus Christ will radiate from New Jerusalem and be brighter than the sun.

The faithful are told what we have read will come to pass and John was told to make his writings available to all as these events would transpire soon, remembering that with God a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day.

Revelation 22:1-21
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. 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: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: 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; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no 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. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, 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 without 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. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

With the Eighth Day, The Last Great Day of the Feast coming to an end, we come to the end of the annual rehearsal for God’s plan of salvation. God’s Holy Days are given to us each and every year to remind us of God’s plan of salvation. And, even though we are coming to the end of our observance of the Holy Days, it does not take away our responsibility to live a life that is worthy of salvation, to be part of this future new heaven and new earth and New Jerusalem.

Each and every day as we live our life, we have this incredible responsibility to make our calling and election sure before God by choosing to live a life of righteousness as we are led by the Holy Spirit. We see this incredible vision of this time of peace, happiness, and joy, and as we live our life in the present world that is filled with evil, we can take comfort in this future time, what we know to be the Kingdom of God. We can use this future time as inspiration for us to continue serving God so that in the future, when it is God’s time to call all of mankind, that they are able to consider the example of righteousness that we set and accept the calling of God. How wonderful it will be in the Kingdom of God with the extinction of evil and with righteousness flourishing everywhere with God as our Father, Jesus Christ as our elder brother, and all of us together as the Family of God, a family of righteousness.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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