THE LAST GREAT DAY

The Last Great Day is also known as the 'eighth day' in Leviticus 23:36 as it follows immediately after the end of the Feast of Tabernacles. This final Holy Day commemorates the final judgement of God and some major events that follow after the Millennial Rule of Christ on earth. Some of these events include the Second Resurrection, the Third Resurrection, the New Heaven and the New Earth. All those who are called in this church age and qualifies in the First Resurrection will be rulers  (Rev 3:21) and priests (1 Peter 2:9) in the kingdom of God. They will be the pioneers who will assist Christ to govern and turn the hearts of rebellious mankind to be reconciled to God the Father.

The prophet Ezekiel in the book that bears his name states the vision of the 'Valley of the Dry Bones' (chapter 37) of physical resurrection (Second Resurrection) of all who had ever lived but are not already in the First Resurrection. Starting with the Israelites, all people who had died will be resurrected to flesh and blood physical beings to learn of God's truth and plan of salvation - to be lead and taught by Christ's called and chosen saints (Rev 17:14) in the First Resurrection who will become immortal spiritual beings (1 Cor 15:51-54; Rev 20:4-6). These saints will be members of the Family of God (Hebrews 2:10) and will be 'kings' (1 Tim 6:15) and 'gods' (Ps 82:6; Micah 4:5) to bring in the great harvest for the kingdom of God. They are currently being trained and judged by God in this present age for the great task ahead (1 Pet 4:17).

Only a small percentage of the world's population will survive to live in the millennial age - the large majority having perished in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord preceding that. They will be given the full truth of God's grace, mercy and Plan of Salvation for mankind. Just before The Last Great Day, Satan will be let loose on earth to deceive the people (Rev 20:7-10), and many will fall away. Subsequently, Satan and his demons will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:10) and they will never again influence humanity.

Then comes the Second Resurrection or the Great White Throne Judgment - not sentencing - where all of humanity who have ever lived will be physically resurrected as flesh and blood beings to experience the life of peace, joy and prosperity since Satan and his demons were put away for good. This group of people will include all those who lived during the Pre-Flood era. Regardless of their age from infant to the elderly, they will live for another 100 years and be given all of God's truth for salvation (Isaiah 65:20-24; Acts 4:12). They will be judged on how they live their lives during the last 100 years of the millennial age and not their past life before the Return of Christ. All their works post resurrection will be recorded in the book of life (Rev 20:12) and judgment will be meted out based on post resurrection living.

Christ taught this in John 7:37-38, 'In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood up and cried, saying "If any man thrist, 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.' His mesage was given probably on the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles. In Christ's teaching, the living waters refer to partaking of the Holy Spirit, which God will pour out His Spirit upon ALL flesh (Joel 2:28) during the Last Great Day to give eternal life on all those who will accept God's way of life - the way of giving rather than Satan's way of getting.

The physical resurrection of all human beings during the last 100 years of the millennial age is not a second chance for salvation, but for all who have never had the opportunity to know the Creator and the truth of God. Their judgment will occur during the time of Christ's rulership when earth will be a paradise, after booting out Satan as god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) and as a great deceiver (Rev 12:9). The vast majority of the resurrected will have the opportunity to learn, experience and grow in God's way of life and have their names inscribed in the book of life. All those who refused to accept  God's way of life will experience the Third Resurrection. They will be those living during the 6,000 year period of Satan's rule, the millennial age or the last 100 years before the end of the millennial age. The merciful God will put them out of misery, casting them into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:15) to be annihilated (Malachi 4:1, 3) in the 'second death' (Rev 20:14)  as if they have never been born and with no possibility of resurrection - they will not have eternal life in 'hellfire'. The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23) - not eternal life in any form of 'hellfire'!

All who qualifed for eternal life are either those who lived during the 6,000 years of Satan's rule, during the millennial age or at the last 100 years before the ushering in of the New Heaven and the New Earth. Even the inhabitants of ancient cities of Tyre, Sidon and Sodom, which angered God for their depravities will find mercy on the day of judgement and probably many will be saved and reconciled to God (Matt 11:21-24). God the Father will come down from the third Heaven to reside in the kingdom of God (headquarters will be in Jerusalem) and dwell with mankind (Rev 21:3). Man's destiny is to inherit the earth (Matt 5:5) where the throne of God (kingdom of God) resides. All who accept God's way of life will be born again as immortal spirit beings and be part of God's divine Family. But that is only the beginning - the universe needs to be transformed to conform to God's purpose for eternity!

 

FEAST OF TABERNACLES

The Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23: 27,34) is a seven day festival commanded in Scriptures to be celebrated for which no servile work is to be carried out. This festival is celebrated by looking forward to 'when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord ' - Acts 3:19. God's plan for mankind involves restoration, and this Feast symbolises the restoration process when Jesus Christ will return to earth - represented by the Feast of Trumpets - and the banishment of Satan - represented by the Day of Atonement. Once all these have taken place, the foundation is set for the 'restitution of all things' (Acts 3:21), including the restoration of peace and harmony with God for the whole earth - with Jesus Christ reigning as the King of kings and Lord of lords!

The Feast celebrates the Good News of the coming Kingdom of God which Christ came to preach as the Gospel at His first advent. It also reflects the weekly Sabbath 'rest' (Hebrews 4: 1-11) when all of humanity will be resurrected to be given the opportunity to learn of God's truth and perfect laws and be reconciled back to God. It was meant to be so at the beginning of creation, but Satan's deception and man's disobedience led to sin and depravation of mankind.

Christ's return will begin the one-thousand year rule - the millennium reign (Rev 20:4) - with God's law as the foundation of His Messianic rule. 'For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem' - Isaiah 2:3. King David echoed this in Psalm 119:165, 'Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them'. By then, even the nature of wild animals will be changed, 'The wolf  also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them' - Isaiah 11:6.

Deserts will bloom and great physical healing will take place during the Millennial reign of Christ. 
'The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.' - Isiaah 35:1. 'Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.' - verses 5-6. Of even greater miracles will be spiritual healings, with six thousand years of human sufferings and injustices reversed. The Lord Christ and His saints (those resurrected from the First Resurrection) will become rulers and priests to help minister to all in need. Christ promised all true disciples 'that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations' - Rev 2:26. In the church age, they are being trained by the true church for times such as these!

The Feast of Tabernacles is also known as the Feast of Ingathering (Exodus 23:16). This Feast is a time of celebration of abundance which God has given. In type of the spiritual harvest, the former rain spring harvest is moderate (before Christ's return), while the latter rain fall harvest will be an abundant spiritual harvest during the Millennium - Joel 2:23-24. It will be the time when 'every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' - Philippians 2:11 and 'The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea' - Isaiah 11:9.

In the New Testament, Christ kept the Feast (John 7:8-14), despite threats to His life as the Jewish religious leaders sought to kill Him. It was only in the middle of the Feast that His presence became known. Similarly, the Apostle Paul kept the Feast of Tabernacles as it was celebrated in the fall (Acts 18:21). The Millennial rule of Christ will be the time of peace, happiness and prosperity that mankind has been waiting for after six thousand years of wars, conflicts and misrule that plagued mankind with no lasting solutions to all the problems of humanity. Indeed, it is the Good News of the 'world to come' - Hebrews 2:5 - that Christ came to proclaim for all mankind. Christ said to His hearers -'know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32) - free from the bondage and deception of Satan. Let all who have ears hear the Gospel truth!







 

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

The Day of Atonement (Lev 23:27) is the fifth of the seven holy days of God's Master Plan for the salvation of mankind. In the feast of trumpets, Christ will return to earth to stop total destruction of mankind by establishing rulership over the whole world. Following from that, the next step of God's Plan is to put away Satan and his demons who are the primary instigators of all the sins of this world. Although the Passover is the forgiveness of sin for mankind, only those who are called before His return have appropriated the Blood of Christ and are saved. The rest of mankind will have to wait till the time of the Millennial Age for salvation.

Satan is so powerful that he blinds the world of God's truth, for he 'deceives the whole world' - Rev 12:9. The Apostle Paul reminded us that those who are called once ' walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience' - Eph 2:2. For Satan can transform himself as an angel of light, and his ministers can be transformed as ministers of righteousness to deceive the naive and gullible - 2 Cor 11: 14-15. Christ plainly taught this to those who are antagonistic to his teaching, ' Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it - John 8:44.

True Christians are called to be in spiritual battle to resist the devil and his demons. We all have to do our part to resist the devil and temptation of the flesh to sin against the righteous laws of God. The Day of Atonement looks forward to the time when Satan and his demons will be put away and mankind will be free from their deception and influence (Rev 20:1-3). It will be the time when all of humanity will be given the chance to know the truth and be reconciled to God the Father. Babylon will become the habitation of Satan and the demons (Rev 18:2).

In Leviticus chapter 16, the Scriptures describes the Old Testament typology of Christ as the sacrificial Lamb that was slain and Satan as the 'scapegoat' that escaped into the wilderness. Although since the death of Christ, animal sacrifice was no longer necessary, nonetheless it reveals God's Plan for the salvation of mankind. Two goats were chosen and Aaron the high priest would cast lot to select 'one for the Lord' to be offered as a sacrifice (Lev 16:8-9). This goat represented Jesus Christ who would pay the penalty for the sin of all mankind. The high priest would confess all sins of the Israelites upon the head of the other goat ( the 'scapegoat' ) to be set free into the wilderness. The Hebrew word for 'scapegoat' is Azazel, which is a name for a demon - namely Satan. The term is a misnomer as the word 'scapegoat' is one who wrongly takes the blame of others and not one who was set free! The sending off of the sin-laden goat into the wilderness signifies the removal of all sin from the people and handling them over to the evil spirit where it belongs.

The term 'ye shall afflict your soul' in Lev 23:27 is to humble oneself through fasting on the Day of Atonement in a repentant state of mind. Fasting helps to remind us of our dependence upon God who alone is our source and sustainer of life. The early church kept the Day of Atonement and so did the Apostle Paul who observed this day of fast as recorded in Acts 27:9. The Day of Atonement is to be observed by all true believers as it is a prepatory step toward the Feast of Tabernacles when Christ and His saints will reign over all the earth.





 

THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS

The Feast of Trumpets (Lev 23: 23-25) introduces the autumn festivals during which period of time God will send Christ back to earth to govern all the nations of the world. This coming establishment of the kingdom of God - the very heart of the gospel message of Christ - will commence the Millennial Age when God will intervene in the affairs of man throughout the whole earth. Satan will be put away for a thousand years under the restraining order of God. This Holy Day will commence the turning point in the history of mankind as the good news of the establishment of divine government on earth where peace, prosperity and righteousness based on God's law will prevail.

This Feast celebrates the heralding of the final prophetic trumpet that depicts the return of Jesus Christ to earth as the ruling King. It is the good news for this sin-filled wretched world that will finally see Satan dethroned as the god of this world and Christ enthroned as the King of the whole earth (Rev 11:15)! Hence, the Feast marks the future fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah coming as the King who will rule with power and authority.

In His earthly ministry, Christ did make a distinction between His first and second coming. Before Pontius Pilate at His trial, Christ told him that He had not come to rule at that time. ' My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world then would my servants fight (indicating at His second coming the angels will come with Him to destroy those who oppose His rulership), that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence... To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.' (The truth is that His first coming was to deliver the Gospel message of the kingdom of God and to build the church that will form the Family of God to help govern the kingdom when He returns).

Just before Christ was to ascend to heaven, the apostles last question for Him was when is He going to establish the kingdom of God. Christ told them that 'It is not for you (the disciples and true believers) to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power' - Acts 1:7. Instead, Christ told them to focus on spreading the Gospel of the good news of the coming kingdom. Note that just two verses earlier, Christ told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, which is at Pentecost -' not many days hence'. Pentecost is the birth of the Christian church in 31 A.D. Yet traditional Christianity largely believe that the kingdom of God is synonmous with the church - which is contrary to what Christ taught!

The Feast of Trumpets also signals the resurrection of the dead. It is recorded for us in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 'For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.' The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth and all true believers will be with Him on planet earth with the Headquarters of His kingdom in Jerusalem - not in heaven! The Apostle Paul initially believed that Christ would return in his lifetime, hence the use of the word 'we'. This is the first resurrection mentions in Revelation 20:5 for which the second death (at the lake of fire) has no power because those resurrected will be changed to immortal spirit being.The writer of Hebrews term this 'a better resurrection' - Hebrews 11:35. This is the blessed hope of all true believers who understand the Master Plan of God.

Paul wrote in Romans 8:18-23 that all creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God as all are in bondage due to sin of corruption. Although tragic events lie ahead of the cataclysmic events of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, what lies beyond is the good news that Christ will return to restore mankind and the whole earth into God's abundant way of life, with the establishment of His perfect government on all the earth. The Feast of Trumpets is also a time to remember Christ command to pray, 'Thy kingdom come' - Matthew 6:10.





 

THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

The Feast of Firstfruits or Pentecost is the third annual Sabbath described in Leviticus 23:9-22. It is commanded by God to be observed forever (Lev23:14,21). The New Testament church keeps this Festival every year, so did Christ and His chosen disciples. It is also known as the Feast of Weeks with its name derived from seven weeks plus one day to make fifty days - Pentecost. The Jews remember this festival as the 'shavuot' in Hebrew, and revealing of God's law at Mount Sinai. However, Pentecost is not just about keeping of the letter of the law, but the spiritual intent of God's laws. Only a clear understanding of the seven feast day will enable one to understand the purpose of human life.

God chose the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Christ ascension to heaven, to pour out His Holy Spirit on the 120 believers gathering at the upper room to pray and wait upon God (Acts 1:15). The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them when thy began to speak with other tongues (languages), as the Spirit gave them utterances (Acts 2:1-4). The crowd of visitors who gathered at Jerusalem hear the speech of the disciples in their native tongue (language) - demonstrating the presence of the God's Spirit upon His chosen disciples. God shows that His true church are those whom He has called and are empowered with the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of God's Spirit on His disciples made it possible for the church to express God's commandments of love to the sick and dying world (John13: 34-35).

In the ancient land of Palestine, there was an early small 'spring' grain harvest and a larger 'fall' harvest - signifying that God is now calling a small group of people (represented by the spring grain harvest) to form His church. The larger fall harvest to come will be when Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth and all of mankind will learn of God's truth to be given the opportunity to receive eternal life. God is now dealing with His true church - for judgment must begin with the house of God (1 Pet 4:17) - to prepare them as the royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9) to teach the multi-billions living and resurrected during the Millennium.

The Day of Pentecost signifies the founding of the church of God in A.D. 31 and the gifts of God's Holy Spirit to the church to empower those who are called  as the firstfruits (James 1:18). The purpose of this is to train a small group of those who are called in the church age and be empowered with God's Holy Spirit to do His work on earth and later to assist Christ in reaping the great harvest (the 'fall' harvest) during the Millennium. Those who obey and do His will will be amply rewarded (Rev 3:21; 22:12).

The smaller spring harvest did not begin until the high priest offer the wave sheaf offering for God to accept. Similarly, the harvest of the firstfruits did not happen until Christ was accepted by God as the First of the Firstfruits ( the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep - 1 Cor 15:20). The Ten Commandments was given by God on  Mount Sinai on the Feast of Pentecost. Although it was written in stone (Exodus 31:18) when first given to Moses, the New Testament church is commanded to have the spirit of the laws written on the tablet of their hearts (Jer 31:33).

Make no mistake, only those whom God has called and who obey His commandments will be given the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32) to be empowered for transformation within and even to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). They that were called and obeyed (chosen) will be given to rule over cities when the Jesus Christ returns to set up His kingdom on earth (Luke 19:12-19). True believers are commanded to pray 'Thy kingdom come' (Matt 6:10).



 

THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD

The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8) follows immediately after the Passover - the next step toward the fulfillent of God's master plan for mankind. During the time of Christ, this seven-day feast was sometime called the Feast of Passover because of the proximity to the Passover. The purpose of the Holy Day is to stress the importance of removing sin from our lives. It first started out when God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. God told His people that 'Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread' - Exodus 12:5. Since being driven out of Egypt, the Israelites neither had the time nor the provisions to bake leavened bread. Although they were instructed to do so for seven days as a symbolism, God's commandment is for His people to do so as an ordinance forever (Exodus 12:17).

Many presumed that the Feast of Unleavened Bread is meant for the Israelites of Old since Christ has "nailed the commandments to the cross". But nothing is further from the truth. Christ Himself kept the feast as a child and as an adult (Matt 26:17; Luke 2:41), and so did the early church during the time of the Apostle Paul. In fact, he instructed the Corinthian church to keep  the ordinances, as I delivered them to you (1 Cor 5:6-8; 11: 1-2)

In one occasion, Christ taught His disciples about the leaven in the bread. After performing two miracles on feeding the thousands with a few fish and loaves of bread, the disciples and Christ had gone around on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, they forgot to bring bread with them. Then Jesus said to them, 'Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.' - Matt 16:6. Christ's disciples thought that He was referring to the lack of bread. But the Lord used the incident to teach them to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees (Matt 16:12)  and not the leaven in the bread per se. For many religious figures in those days appear honourable but are wolves in sheep's clothings!

The main purpose of keeping this Feast is the spiritual intent - that believers through proper understanding and God's help must expel and avoid sin. True believers must take stock of our attitude and behaviour through soul searching and reflection and seek God to help us overcome our shortcomings (2 Cor 13:5). The seven day Feast is a time for self examination and reflection to help us get back on track in our walk with God. The ancient Israelites were delivered from enslavement to Egypt and so we ought to be delivered from our enslavement to sin (Rom 6:12-18).

Not only Christ observed all the Festivals, so did the Apostle Paul whose ministry showed an importance to observance of the Holy Days in his missionary itinerary. He arranged his travel schedule to accomodate the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 20:16; 1 Cor 16:8). He told the Ephesians, 'I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem' - Acts 18:21. In Acts 20:6, it was recorded that Paul remained in Philippi to clebrate the week-long Festival of Unleavened Bread and set sail to Jerusalem after that. Paul and the other apostles taught a consistent message of Christian's obligation to observe the celebration of God's Holy Days in the footstep of Christ. It is necessary for Christians to observe them today (1 Cor 5:7-8).





 

THE PASSOVER

There are seven steps in God's Master Plan of Salvation for mankind. In Scriptures, seven denotes completeness and perfection with a total of seven vital steps to fulfilling God's Master Plan. First on the list is the Passover to be observed by all true believers for all times with an annual feast celebration. "These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover" (Leviticus 23:4-5). Passover is the first feast and it precedes the First Day of Unleavened Bread. A Holy Day is a feast day for a convocation of God's people to accompany with an offering for which no servile work is to be done.

Christ's death at the cross was the fulfillment of the first step on God's Master Plan of Salvation for mankind. Much more work needs to be done by those whom God has called - like the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom of God and equipping the saints now for greater tasks ahead when He returns to set up the kingdom of God on earth. When Christ said 'It is finished ' - John 19:30, He meant His role as the sin offering for mankind has been accomplished. He had finished His part of God's Master Plan whom the Heavenly Father had commissioned Him to do (John 17:4). But the work for those whom He had called to form the church has just then begun! His sacrificial death (and subsequent resurrection) made possible for all the other six steps to follow thereafter.

The Passover is significant because without the death of Christ - perfect and without sin - mankind has no hope of salvation. This was foreordained by God the Father before the foundation of the world - 1 Peter 1:18-20. Those who are called of God are covered by the Blood of Christ and the death penalty for their sins are done away with. The rest of mankind will have their chance of salvation when Christ returns to set up the kingdom of God on earth. During the time of Moses, who was called upon by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, the command to smear the lamb's blood on the doorposts for the angel of death to pass over the house is a forerunner of the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) to come to take away the sin of the world.

Christ's parents kept the Passover feast and so did He, even as a Child (Luke 2:41-42). As an adult, Christ kept the Passover feast (John 2:13, 23) and also together with His disciples (Mark 14:16; Luke 22:14-16). In John 13:1-17, Christ washes the feet of His disciples, setting an ordinance for all who are called into His true church to follow -'For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you' (John 13:15). As foot washing is usually done by the lowest of servants, it is a symbol of denial of self importance and to strip oneself of pride. For whosoever is humbled shall be exalted in the life to come! The purpose is to develop the disciple to have the right attitude of humility and strength of character in the 'give way of life' through serving others.

The memorial of Christ's death is to be observed on an annual basis, as it is done in rememberance of Him (1 Cor 11:25-26). The Greek word 'pascha' in Acts 12:4 was mistranslated as 'Easter' when it was correctly translated as Passover  in 25 other instances in the New Testament. Scriptures show that Christ and His disciples observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month and so do all of His true disciples down the centuries as church history bears testament to this fact. Polycarp, the trusted disciple of the Apostle John refused to compromise on the observance of the commanded feast of God, and so do Polycarp's disciple Polycrates, all observing the rule of faith.