In the past, we have covered the spring holy days, what they mean to the first stage of the plan of salvation for mankind, in a lot of great detail. God has put into place a wonderful, marvelous, and diligent series of events which will culminate in the reproducing of Themselves. The Father and the Son have laid the foundation and form work for this great event. We have seen how the Passover, Days of Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost depict the first phase of this grand plan, the birth of the Firstfruits, Christ rising from the dead, having chosen life as offered by the Father. He became the second Adam. It was God's pleasure to see Him become fruitful and multiply. But in order to do this, He needed a help mate, just as the first Adam did. So thus, His Bride is born of the Spirit from His body, just as Eve was of the first Adam. So the second Adam and second Eve become one at Pentecost, at Christ's coming in the air, on the sea of glass. We see these events culminated in Rev. 19:10. Look at verses 7-10:

7: "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.
8: And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9: Then he said to me, Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! And he said to me, These are the true sayings of God.
10: And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

So there we find the end of the first phase. The first part of the plan of salvation. The first part of the task of God reproducing Himself. The Father has overseen the marriage of His Son to the Bride who has been chosen by Christ from the many.

From verse 11 on, phase two begins and is culminated in Rev. 22:5. During the Feast of Tabernacles, in 1998 some of you learned about the Bride and the Husband, through a study of the sacrifices offered during the Feast of Tabernacles. We learned that the fall festivals were in perfect sequence as to the 28 day cycle of the woman, talking about reproduction. I encourage us all to go back and review those tapes. They are key to understanding what the fall festivals mean, as to the activities of Christ and His Bride. These are the times when They will become fruitful and multiply on the earth. These are the times when Their oneness will produce offspring, the children of Christ. This is when the prophecy of Christ becoming a father in Isaiah 9:6 comes true.

6: "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

In phase one, God the Father calls a Bride who is of the same kindred or seed as He for His Son, just as Abraham did for Isaac. This phase is completed when They become One, when They are married. Those who are accounted worthy from the first and second covenants. Many are called, but few chosen. Here we have the Patriarch of the family God the Father, rejoicing at the union of His Son and His Bride. Now the Patriarch stands back to see His Son carry on His family name as He becomes One with His Wife. They produce children and the family grows. These events are all typed and patterned throughout the pages of the Bible. We have covered that many times. Those who are faithful and wise servants, will be feeding the master's household good food in due season. Or better translated, at the right time. God says, "Blessed is that servant whom his master when He comes will find so doing." We are to be doing that brethren. We have a job to do. It is short and simple. Not a lot of flash and pomp but humble service doing the job entrusted to us all. We are rapidly approaching the fall festival season, so let's prepare for it as never before. Let's ask God to help us be more aware of our part in it and what is expected of us, what we will be doing, in the incredible events depicted in the Bible. Let's start in Lev. 23:23-44:

23: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
24: Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.
25: You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.
26: And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
27: Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.
28: And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God.
29: For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people.
30: And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people.
31: You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
32: It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.
33: Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
34: Speak to the children of Israel, saying: The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD.
35: On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it.
36: For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.
37: These are the feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day--
38: besides the Sabbaths of the LORD, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the LORD.
39: Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest.
40: And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.
41: You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
42: You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths,"

It is important that we understand about native Israelites dwelling in booths. It is important because of what it depicts about the millennium and the importance, significance, and message as to what the reality of it is all about. The millennium is really all about native Israelites tabernacling with God. We can't forget that. It's very, very significant. And we are going to cover that later on. Verse 43:

43: "that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
44: So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD."

Lets turn to Deut. 16:13-17:

13: "You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress.
14: And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates."

We have done an extensive study in the past on who the mixed multitude was, all four categories, and who this particular stranger actually is. It is the one who accepted the ways of Israel, the laws of the God of Israel. If not they were not allowed to attend the feast. It is as simple as that. So this stranger just doesn't mean anybody.

15: "Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice. [You see, this is a very individual thing. It's a one on one, personal thing.]
16: Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty. [What does He mean by that?]
17: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you."

Many of the organizations have turned these tremendously important scriptures into a time of extortion. They have made an art, a religion of extracting as much money and time serving themselves from those who keep these commanded days as they possibly could. All who have called themselves brother have participated in these things in the past in one form or another. I only hope, now that this is changing. Yes, the feasts are a time of giving, but not as taught by the organizations as we will see. The offerings on these holy days are to be tamiym, without blemish. As Christ came as a lamb without blemish, so are we to do, also. There is a physical application and a spiritual application. What does God expect of us since Christ fulfilled the physical law of the offerings? How true is Isaiah 55:8?

8: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD."

This giving is so private, so intimate, so one on one with God that it is overlooked by most who keep these days. It is not a routine. It is not a time to fatten the wallets and bellies of men. It is a time to give of yourself to God, to give as He has commanded. He tells us in Hosea 6:6:

6: "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

Micah 6:8:

8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"

Proverbs 21:3:

3: "To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."

Deut. 16:16-17 has been used and abused by many, myself included, in the Church of God. For one, we are the temple of the living God. He has placed His name in us, Not in some geographical location declared by an organization of men. We read in verse 16 "And they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed" (NKJ). Empty handed here is the Hebrew word reyqam, 7387 in the Strong's. It says of it,

"from 7386 [worthless]; emptily; fig. (obj.) ineffectually, (subjectively) undeservedly: - without cause, empty, in vain, void."

This word has nothing to do with money when used here in the context of appearing before God during the three festival times. It is talking about our presenting ourselves to God in an unworthy manner. Ineffectually, undeservedly, without cause, in vain. In other words in a worthless manner.

Verse 17 in most translations helps to distort the truth of what is being stated in verse 16 by God. The translators think it is about money and add the italicized words, "shall give."

These verses should read "three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses; at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord without cause or in a worthless manner for every man as he is able [to do so] according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you."

God said He desired mercy and not sacrifice, and knowledge of God more than burnt offerings, righteousness and justice more than sacrifice.

Have we grown in these things since we last came before God at these appointed times of meeting?

How has God blessed us? Are the Holy days a time of buying off God? No, they are a time of giving of ourselves, as to the understanding God has revealed to us. How do we approach these days? In the manner in which the great ones have taught us to do after them, or as the word of God teaches? Do we offer ourselves without blemish or do we think we can buy our way past this? There is a time coming, when all that has been done in secret will be revealed. Deut. 16:16-17 has been turned into a grinding stone by the great ones, to crush every last cent out of you, to take care of their wants and their desires. The festivals of God are to be a time of giving of one's self to God, in as pure and unblemished a state as we can. Only then can we truly come to the understanding of the totality, the oneness, of these great epic events.

By the time we come to the fall festival season, we have witnessed the greatest event in the history of mankind. We have seen the selfless acts of Christ, in crucifixion, death, and resurrection. We have seen a loving Husband, sanctifying and cleansing His wife, with the washing of water by the Word, that He may present her to Himself, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing. But that she is Holy and without blemish. She is arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is her righteous acts. She has also, selflessly, done His will. She has visited the spiritual orphans and widows and kept herself unspotted from the world. She has defied the wisdom of the great ones and followed the Lamb wherever He goes. We have read Matt. 11:29, many times, where Christ says of Himself, "I am meek and lowly in heart." Christ unleavened here and then married her at Pentecost, the Feast of Firstfruits.

So let's pick up the beginning of the fall festival season in Rev. 19:11 and follow it through 'til it's completion, keeping all these things in mind, so we can gain a deeper understanding of who and what we are, and how we should be acting at this time. Lets pick up the second phase of God's plan of salvation. Rev. 19:11-13:

11: "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12: His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
13: He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God."

Lets just take a look at that first. There is no doubt that this is Jesus Christ who appears in the heavens on a white horse. He is on this white horse because this symbolizes He is about to take action Himself. This is a much later time than Rev. 6:14-17, when the sky recedes as a scroll, when Christ appears sitting on the throne. Lets take a look at that. Lets look at Rev. 6, not taking anything for granted here. Verses 12 through 17:

12: "I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.
13: And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.
14: Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
15: And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16: and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17: For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

We know that this takes place at Pentecost. That's when He appears, the beginning of Pentecost. We have proven and traced this pattern back through the scriptures often. It is discussed at great length and detail, in the study, "Pentecost & All Its Fullness." Here in Rev. 7:1-8 we pick up the pattern.

1: "After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth," [This is telling us the sequence of events here.] holding the four winds [Back up here in chapter 6, how did He appear? What does it say? The face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb. He's not on a horse is he. No, he's on a throne. There's a reason why, and we've covered that in the past, but going down here.]

1: "After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. [So here's the angels about to reek havoc.]
2: Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,
3: saying, Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.
4: And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:" [And it goes down through verses 5-8 and tells us twelve thousand of each tribe were included.]

Here is the day of Pentecost, the Feast of Firstfruits. Here is where Christ returns. He is on a throne remember, and here the angels are the ones who are about to strike the earth. This is totally and absolutely different from what we are reading over in Rev. 19. Don't be confused by it. It's very, very, very different as we are going to see. Rev. 19:11-13; it's talking about the Feast of Trumpets. We saw Pentecost in Rev. 6 and 7. In Rev. 19:7-8, we can clearly see the wedding has taken place, in between Pentecost and Trumpets is where the angels reek the havoc on the earth, as the scriptures tell us, and as we have studied in the past, but we won't go into that detail now. But verse 11 here, is when Christ Himself is going to do the destroying. No longer is He sitting on the throne, watching the angels. He's on the horse. He's the one who's going to do it. He's ready to go into action now. And look at verse 14 of Rev. 19:

14: "And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses."

This is a tremendous symbol brethren. Those who also ride white horses, are those who are clothed in fine linen, white and clean, who followed Him. That's His wife. Verse 8 up here, absolutely identifies her. Look at verse 8:

8: "And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints."

Rev. 14:4 states ". . . these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. . ."

So, here is His wife with Him when He is coming down to the earth. This is Trumpets. Pentecost is already past. The marriage is already done. Here's His wife with Him on white horses. Angels don't ride white horses, brethren. This is Christ and His Bride, leaving the throne on the sea of glass, descending to the earth. Rev. 15:1-2 is just one of the places in scripture which confirms their being there.

1: "Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
2: And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God."

Continuing in Rev. 19:

15: "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. [That word there is poimaino, in other words; pastor, shepherd.] He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [He's doing it Himself now. Not the angels.]
16: And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

I mentioned quite awhile ago in a study, we would get into this and I didn't, so now we will. Why is His name written on His thigh? Do you remember how Abraham's servant had to place his hand under Abraham's robe, on his thigh? Genesis 24:1-4:

1: "Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
2: So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, Please, put your hand under my thigh,
3: and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell;
4: but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac."

That was exactly what God the Father has done for His Son under the second covenant.

That type is now fulfilled spiritually. Here in Rev. 19, Christ is married to His wife. She was of the seed of God, of His kindred, because she was called of the Father and watched over by Michael the archangel. It's all there even down to the name the servant swore to on the thigh. You see these things are not coincidences brethren. They are all part of the great mystery and we the poor of the flock are recognizing them and understanding them. Verse 17:

17: "Then I saw an angel standing in the sun;"

By the way, this is what angels do. They are doing angel things, standing in the sun. They didn't ride a white horse. Where do you see angels riding white horses? You don't. We read in Rev. 6 about a false Christ coming on a white horse with a bow in his hand. These are false prophets inspired by the devil to conquer the faith of men and turn them to doctrines of demons. Do not be deceived, Christ comes with a sword not with arrows or fiery darts. So you folks who are running around saying that these people in fine linen here on the white horses, are angels, are in error. I am not mocking anybody, because there was a time I thought the same thing. Back to 17.

17: "Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice [Now what angel do you think this is?], saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,
18: that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.
19: And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
20: Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21: And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh."

Here we see that judgement by Jesus Christ was just given at that time to who? To the beast and the false prophet. They died the second death, right there. They don't come up in the resurrection. They are dead! This is the second death for them. So they knew exactly what they were doing and they were not repentant of it. There is no resurrection for them. In they go! Notice back up in 17 once again. Angels are not riding white horses. They do angel things, like standing in the sun and so many other things. Christ does His own killing here. He Himself is treading the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of almighty God. Yes, He is doing it with His Wife at His side for They are at one at this time. This is the Feast of Trumpets. His trumpet of war is blown and He sees to it Himself. He doesn't need someone else to do it. Between Pentecost and Trumpets the angels do it, just as it was prophesied. Revelation, chapters 8, 9, the last part of 12, much of 13, most of 14, 15, and all of 16, 17, and 18 happen between Pentecost and Trumpets. It is the angels waging these things in that time frame. But now, Jesus Christ Himself makes war on all those who have taken the mark of the beast, of the free and the slave, both small and great. We can read about that time between Pentecost and Trumpets in Matt. 13:36-43. These shouldn't be strange things. This is explaining the parable of the tares.

36: "Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. [Now watch the answer. This can be assigned to the Church in type, but it's not in this instance.]
37: He answered and said to them: He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38: The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
39: The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are [Who?] the angels.
40: Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
41: The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, [The age of man is still on them, because He has not returned to the earth yet.]
42: and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43: Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

These people in Rev. 19 who are with Christ on white horses, are all part of the mystery of the Bride of Christ. In Eph. 5 we are told:

30: "For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. [We come out of Him, just as Eve came out of Adam.]
31: For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. [This is the oneness that has to be there. You can't defile that. We covered that on a tape on marriage and divorce. You are not to defile that oneness, with anything.]
32: This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33: Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

We've just seen the activities which take place at Trumpets, now we are going to see Atonement. We could go into a lot of the various scriptures and prophecies back in Jeremiah, Zechariah, Micah, and Ezekiel, in looking at that, but we have done that so often in the past. I hope those things are familiar to us. Rev. 20:1:

1: "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand."

This angel here is Michael. He is the one who has always contended with Satan as we have seen through scriptures. He is the one who looks after the children of Israel. As you read in Daniel 12, Michael is used for this type of work, where Gabriel is used to announce things. So when you see a great angel announcing things, that's probably Gabriel and we could go into a study of that but it is not a big point but just a point we should be aware of. Everybody has their own responsibilities. Rev. 20:2 -3:

2: "He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
3: and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, [This is not the lake of fire. This is the bottomless pit.] so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while."

After the thousand years, it says. It doesn't say during it. It says after it and then it says he must be released for a little while. It doesn't say the last ten years of the thousand years. It says after it. That's been an error of many in the past. It also says his purpose after being released is to deceive the nations. This is a very important point in the plan of salvation.

The Greek word used here for nations is #1484 in the Strong's. It says of it,

"Probably from 1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan)."

Vine's says of it,

"Ethnos 1484, originally 'a multitude,' denotes (a) a nation or people . . . (b) in the plural, the nations as distinct from Israel. See Gentiles."

So here in Rev. 20:3 we are told that Satan will be released after the thousand year reign of Christ to specifically deceive the Gentiles. Israel is not mentioned among them. Why? We are going to find the answer to that and clear up a lot of confusion about the meaning of the Fall Festivals and their depicting the events of the second phase of the plan of salvation.

Satan's influence over man is bound up so he cannot deceive the nations during the millennium. Now man will witness what it is to be at one with God almighty. He can witness what it is to be a part of the family of God. The nations will have the opportunity to be the offspring of the union, between Jesus Christ and His wife. But it is not going to happen quite yet. It is very important to understand that Jesus Christ will have His firstborn after the pattern of creation. What a tremendous opportunity has been given to those who are chosen to be the Wife of Jesus Christ. They will be a vital part in the creation of the children of the family of Jesus Christ, in the household of God the Father, the Patriarch of all. Yes we do understand about the God Head by the things which are created. We must have been blind, brethren, not to have seen these truths. Yes, we all slept and slumbered. No one is without excuse.

Now we come to verse 4 in chapter 20. The start of the Feast of Tabernacles. A time when God will tabernacle with men. A time of such tremendous peace and prosperity. A time when the Wife will be about her Husband's business, as never before, preparing the household. A time of triumph, brethren. A time when she will be teaching mankind as a mother does her children. She has been trained for this moment and she eagerly goes about it. Lets take a look at Isaiah 11:1-16 just to see this moment here, just to get a little bit of a grip on it.

1: "There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, [Have you ever wondered why this rod comes from the stem of Jesse? Why it is numbered from Jesse? That's another study we will do some time in the future. Very important. It doesn't go all the way back to Judah, but right here with Jesse.] And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. [See, it is very important.]
2: The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
3: His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
4: But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, [And that's what Christ does at Trumpets.] And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
5: Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
6: The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them."

The nature of animals was changed after the flood. Why do you think the animals were all able to walk into the ark? Go back into Genesis and read it yourself, after the flood the nature of animals changed. They became aggressive against mankind. Thus comes the old savior Nimrod who used that as a pretext to collect people to himself. To be their protector, their provider, their great one, their benefactor and thus their head!

That's why they built their fortified cities. Nimrod told them, Oh, I'll help you build these and keep you safe. You just stay within my walls. Don't go outside and forget about anybody else out there, just look to yourself and I'll take care of you, he says. That's a lot different from Christ.

7: "The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8: The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den.
9: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea."

Now notice, the sea is still in place here and this is going to become significant as we move through this study. A lot of questions that some of you have asked are going to get answered today as to Revelation 21. So remember the sea right here is still in place during the millennium.

10: "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.
11: It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, [This is very important. It's the focus of the millennium, brethren.] From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea.
12: He will set up a banner for the nations, [Who's the banner going to be? It's going to be Israel.] And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth.
13: Also the envy of Ephraim shall depart, And the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, And Judah shall not harass Ephraim."

Finally they are going to get it. They are going to put it all together.

14: "But they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines toward the west; Together they shall plunder the people of the East; They shall lay their hand on Edom and Moab; And the people of Ammon shall obey them."

They are not talking about plunder as in killing here and pillaging: We are going to see that as it is portrayed in the prophecies.

15: "The LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; With His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River, And strike it in the seven streams, And make men cross over dry-shod."

Isn't that interesting. Coming back for the second time, called out of Egypt. Dry-shod, talking about the Red Sea when it was parted.

16: "There will be a highway for the remnant of His people Who will be left from Assyria, As it was for Israel In the day that he came up from the land of Egypt."

So that's what we are talking about here, during the Feast of Tabernacles. Very important to understand these things if we are to understand what the Feast of Tabernacles is about. Rev. 20:4:

4: "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."

What a tremendous event. We right now are qualifying to be sitting on those thrones. No we are not qualifying for the gift of eternal life, but to be the Bride of Christ. Yes, our righteous acts will determine that as Rev. 19:7-8 clearly tell us. So yes, works are very important brethren. You cannot earn salvation but you can certainly, very clearly, earn a position of being the Wife. Look at verse 5 now:

5: "But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This the first resurrection."

It does not say, "This is the first resurrection." Is does not appear in the original text. That distorts what is being said. It reads, "This the first resurrection." That statement applies to those who live and reign with Christ during this 1000 year reign. Those are the ones who have rejected the deceit of the devil throughout time and who qualified as the few under both covenants to be the Bride of Christ which are the Firstfruits as we studied from the scriptures in the study "The Two Covenants and The First Resurrection". Here we see Christ and His Bride who accompanied Him on white horses setting up the Kingdom of God on Earth.

But what dead are we talking about here, in verse 5 brethren? Is this talking about all those Christ and the angels before Him killed? If it is, it is totally out of context. Those who are sitting on thrones are the first resurrection, the only ones, the firstfruits. Verse 5 says, "but the rest of the dead." What dead is he talking about?

These "rest of the dead" are those who were called of God but did not qualify to be numbered among the Bride yet suffered death for following Christ. We have studied this group in the past. They are an innumerable multitude. We can read about some of them in Matt. 25:10-12.

10: "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11: Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
12: But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'"

That's the first resurrection. It clearly tells us that as well as who's in it. That's the Wife. That's the Bride. She's qualified to be kings and priests, in that sense. God says of the Bride of Christ in Prov. 31:29:

29: "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."

Over the past six thousand years, there have been those who have lost their lives for their witness. 1) To Jesus and 2) For the word of God. Do you see how he says it here. They did not worship Satan's way or anything to do with it. Some of these daughters of God the Father, did not cut it however. They did well but did not excel as the Wife is to do.

They however, have a very special role to play in the second resurrection. They will be the Firstborn of the family of Christ. He will be their Father as Isaiah tells us. Lets take a look at Jer. 3:14. Lets put some of these things together here so we know where we are going and where we have been.

14: "Return, O backsliding children, says the LORD; for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion."

He is talking about Pentecost right there. The whole kit and caboodle isn't going to make it are they. He says here, "one from a city." Out of a whole city, He is just going to take one. And two from an entire family. Many are called, but few are chosen. We've got to understand that. This isn't a puffed up thing, this is the word of God. He continues to talk to all of Israel after making a statement about who will be in Zion.

15: "And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16: Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days, says the LORD, that they will say no more, `The ark of the covenant of the LORD.' It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore.
17: At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD, [So what time frame is he talking about here?] and all the nations shall be gathered to it, [That certainly hasn't happened and it won't during the age of man, will it. We're talking about the Feast of Tabernacles here, but prior to this, He has selected His wife, as verse 14 tells us.] to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.
18: In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together [And we already read that in Isaiah.] out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers. [Now in verse 19 he shows us a vital prophecy brethren.]
19: But I said: `How can I put you among the children And give you a pleasant land, A beautiful heritage of the hosts of nations?' . . ."

Remember He was married to her. He had laws He had to live by that pertain to this marriage. He couldn't marry her again. Deut. 24:1-4. We have studied those things in divorce and re-marriage. So notice here, He has a quandary on His hands. He wants to give them this land, this heritage. So look what He says:

19: ". . .And I said: `You shall call Me, My Father, And not turn away from Me.'" [This is Jesus Christ talking here. They're not married to Him anymore. They are going to be His children.]

Remember they had been His wife as He tells us from verses 1 through 13 and as He tells us right there in verse 14 that He was married to all Israel, but only a few cut it. Only a few excelled them all, but many had done well. Now they are to be children and call Him Father. Remember the prophecy in Isaiah. "Everlasting Father" is a name Jesus Christ, Himself, will have. Remember we are talking about a patriarchy here in the family. God the Father is the Patriarch. Jesus Christ is a Patriarch, under Him. Look at Rev. 14. We are going to read the same thing right here. We are going to see the same sequence spiritually. Rev. 14:1:

1: "Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, [Here we are on Mt. Zion. In Jer. 3:14 He is bringing His wife to Mt. Zion one from a city and two from a family.] and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. [He's already married them. He's already given them the family name.]
2: And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
3: They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed [or bought] from the earth.
4: These are the ones who were not defiled with women [or Egyptian images, or gods], for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed [or bought] from among men, being Firstfruits to God and to the Lamb."

The Firstfruits are resurrected at Pentecost as the scriptures clearly depict. Now we read about the time after Pentecost, the time between the Feasts of Firstfruits and Trumpets.

Rev. 14:6:

6: "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--- . . ."

The marriage has already taken place. Don't forget there are others who are of the same seed. You read that in Rev. 12:17:

17: "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Remember many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. All of them aren't taken. That isn't talking about going to a place of safety. It is talking about the marriage. Rev. 14:6:

6: "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth----to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people"

This is what's going to take place from Pentecost to Trumpets for a specific reason.

7: "saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.
8: And another angel followed, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9: Then a third angel [Very significant.] followed them, saying with a loud voice, . . ."

Here is a warning. Here is a supernatural warning to those who are left. The remnant of her seed, who the devil is going after with incredible vengeance.

9: ". . . If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,
10: he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. [Remember the sea of glass is right there, it shows up at Pentecost.]
11: And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

This is when the angels now are gathering up tares, etc... This is where the angels work is being carried out.

12: "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. [This is the remnant of that seed.]
13: Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write: `Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

So they physically die. This is a major key, brethren, to who these people are. These are part of the rest of the dead that we read about in Revelation 20:4-5:

4: "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5: But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This the first resurrection."

Those who have done well did not excel enough to be the wife, will qualify to be something else in the family. The marriage is over as Rev. 14:1-5 show. The ones who excel them all, are there. They're at Mt. Zion. Not very many of them, as the Bible clearly shows. Over all the age of man, it says 144,000. The other daughters who have done well are not there, but held fast to what they had and in the final analysis, are willing to give up their lives for the right reasons. They will not take the mark. They will not worship the image of the beast. They won't do it. But the marriage is over, so where do they fit in? Not in the first resurrection as it says in Rev. 20:5, "but the rest of the dead did not live." The rest of what dead? The rest of the dead who died for the name of Christ, who died for the word of God, and the witness of Jesus Christ.

5: "But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. . ."

The saints who reign during the 1000 years, are the Bride of Christ. Remember they are the ones who excel them all. Many are called, but few are chosen. But these others will have a special designation or distinction, in the second resurrection, when the children of Christ are born into the family of God. They died in the Lord as in Rev. 14:12-13. These verses in Revelation 20 tell us the first resurrection is over until after the thousand years. But what about all of those who are left and populate mankind during the millennium? What is their purpose many ask? Lets find out.

The one thousand year reign will be all about Israel, brethren. It is a time when the Bride of Christ, who became spiritual Israel, will teach all who live the history and the folly of man. Look at just some of the things which will be taught and which will happen during this time period. Lets look at Zech. 14:16-20: We can read about the events leading up to the millennium, in the beginning of 14. Lets just see some of the things that will be taught during the Feast of Tabernacles, the millennium which is pictured by this festival.

16: "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
17: And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. [Of course that's a curse. They are being taught though. This is a time of teaching.]
18: If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
19: This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
20: In that day HOLINESS TO THE LORD shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
21: Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts."

That's significant. Remember the servant of Abraham was not to take of a wife for Isaac of the Canaanites but of his kindred. All these patterns and types brethren are throughout the Bible and there is tremendous significance to them all. If we could only lump them together in our mind and pull them together all at once. We can only do that by constantly reviewing them and reading them and asking God that He help us in our study. Isa. 60:1-22:

1: "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2: For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.
3: The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
4: Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
5: Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, [Once again the sea is still in place.]The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
6: The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.
7: All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you, The rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; They shall ascend with acceptance on My altar, And I will glorify the house of My glory.
8: Who are these who fly like a cloud, And like doves to their roosts?
9: Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first, To bring your sons from afar, Their silver and their gold with them, To the name of the LORD your God, And to the Holy One of Israel, Because He has glorified you."

Remember when Israel came out of Egypt. They plundered the Egyptians. It's fascinating when these children of Israel return. They are going to have the wealth of the nations coming back with them. Types and patterns run throughout the Bible.

10: "The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls, And their kings shall minister to you; For in My wrath I struck you, But in My favor I have had mercy on you.
11: Therefore your gates shall be open continually; They shall not be shut day or night, That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles, And their kings in procession.
12: For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, And those nations shall be utterly ruined."

This is the time of Israel, during the millennium, brethren. We have to understand that in order to understand what's taking place and what's to come in the plan of salvation.

13: "The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, The cypress, the pine, and the box tree together, To beautify the place of My sanctuary; And I will make the place of My feet glorious.
14: Also the sons of those who afflicted you Shall come bowing to you, And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; And they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15: Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, So that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, A joy of many generations.
16: You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles, And milk the breast of kings; You shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17: Instead of bronze I will bring gold, Instead of iron I will bring silver, Instead of wood, bronze, And instead of stones, iron. I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness."

No longer will they be ruled by tyrants with dominion and cruelty.

18: "Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, And your gates Praise.
19: The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.
20: Your sun shall no longer go down, Nor shall your moon withdraw itself; For the LORD will be your everlasting light, And the days of your mourning shall be ended.
21: Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.
22: A little one shall become a thousand, And a small one a strong nation. I, the LORD, will hasten it in its time."

Lets go to Isaiah 2:1-22, and take a look at that. These are wonderful prophecies, just tremendous prophecies. And just think, those who are chosen, will play a vital role in their happening.

1: "The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2: Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD'S house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it.
3: Many people shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4: He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.
5: O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of the LORD.
6: For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob, Because they are filled with eastern ways; [Fascinating. Babylon, the eastern religions. It's throughout society.] They are soothsayers like the Philistines, And they are pleased with the children of foreigners. [In other words they are committing fornication with them.]
7: Their land is also full of silver and gold, And there is no end to their treasures; Their land is also full of horses, And there is no end to their chariots.
8: Their land is also full of idols; They worship the work of their own hands, That which their own fingers have made.
9: People bow down, And each man humbles himself; Therefore do not forgive them. [They make their own gods with their hands.]
10: Enter into the rock, [And who's the rock? Jesus Christ.] and hide in the dust, [It's not talking Petra.] From the terror of the LORD And the glory of His majesty.
11: The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
12: For the day of the LORD of hosts Shall come upon everything proud and lofty, Upon everything lifted up--And it shall be brought low-- [There's only one Head. That's Jesus Christ, folks. Be it in the physical government or be it in the Church.]
13: Upon all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, And upon all the oaks of Bashan;
14: Upon all the high mountains, And upon all the hills that are lifted up;
15: Upon every high tower, And upon every fortified wall;
16: Upon all the ships of Tarshish, And upon all the beautiful sloops.
17: The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, And the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; The LORD alone will be exalted in that day,
18: But the idols He shall utterly abolish.
19: They shall go into the holes of the rocks, And into the caves of the earth, From the terror of the LORD And the glory of His majesty, When He arises to shake the earth mightily.
20: In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver And his idols of gold, Which they made, each for himself to worship, To the moles and bats,
21: To go into the clefts of the rocks, And into the crags of the rugged rocks, From the terror of the LORD And the glory of His majesty, When He arises to shake the earth mightily.
22: Sever yourselves from such a man, Whose breath is in his nostrils; For of what account is he?"

In other words, you latch yourself and yoke yourself to Jesus Christ. He says you undo your harness from any man.

22: "Sever yourselves from such a man, Whose breath is in his nostrils; For of what account is he?" [He's a human being. He has no dominion over you.]

Over and over again the scriptures tell us that the millennium will be a time of Israel learning who she really is. No longer divided but united and blessed of God. All the nations will see this and learn what has been lost to history. Physical Israel will take up her rightful place among men and learn that she has only one God.

Tremendous lessons brethren. Lets look at Isaiah 66:1-24:

1: "Thus says the LORD: Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? [He's asking a question here to the mucky mucks, those who think more highly of themselves than they should.] And where is the place of My rest?
2: For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist, Says the LORD. . ."

All those things exist because of me, He's saying. You didn't do it. It's God the Father who calls the brethren. Not some man. Not some organization.

2: ". . . But on this one will I look: . . ."

The great ones run around professing to be doing the work of God as His chosen envoy. "We're going to build the house of God." God says, phooey to you. He says you're dreaming if you think you're doing it.

Who is God working with?

2: ". . . On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles [Or has deep feelings.] at My word.
3: He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; [There's no difference. What does God require? Sacrifice? No.] He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog's neck; . . ."

What they do is so vile in the name of God. It's disgusting. You bring your offerings on the Holy days and you try to buy off God. What you're doing is buying off the mucky mucks, the great ones. He says that's about as good an offering as a man breaking a dog's neck.

3: ". . . He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine's blood; He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol. Just as they have chosen their own ways, And their soul delights in their abominations,
4: So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; [Oh yes, the cafeteria is drying up. They are going to have to feed on themselves. It's all happening everywhere.] Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke they did not hear; [He's talking about these leaders, these shepherds.] But they did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight."

What did they emphasize? Give me, give me, give me, give me. It's your fault that this ain't growing! "You're the reason why we have a decline in the income and of the membership!" Yes, they chose, "that in which I do not delight." They went after the physical instead of emphasizing and teaching the spiritual and leading brethren to Christ as their teacher.

5: "Hear the word of the LORD, You who tremble at His word: Your brethren who hated you, Who cast you out for My name's sake, said, `Let the LORD be glorified, That we may see your joy.' But they shall be ashamed."

They thought they were doing God's work, but they were doing the work of the great ones of the organizations.

6: "The sound of noise from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the LORD, Who fully repays His enemies!
7: Before she was in labor, she gave birth; Before her pain came, She delivered a male child.
8: Who has heard such a thing? [You are supposed to have travailed before you deliver the baby.] Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? [He's asking questions here.] For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children. [Remember Zion here.]
9: Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery? says the LORD. Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb? says your God.
10: Rejoice with Jerusalem, And be glad with her, all you who love her; Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her;
11: That you may feed and be satisfied With the consolation of her bosom, That you may drink deeply and be delighted With the abundance of her glory.
12: For thus says the LORD: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, [On the sides of Mt. Zion.] And be dandled on her knees.
13: As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14: When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, And your bones shall flourish like grass; The hand of the LORD shall be known to His servants, And His indignation to His enemies.
15: For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire.
16: For by fire and by His sword The LORD will judge all flesh; And the slain of the LORD shall be many. [That's the Feast of Trumpets right there.]
17: Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, To go to the gardens After an idol in the midst, Eating swine's flesh and the abomination and the mouse, Shall be consumed together, says the LORD.
18: For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory.
19: I will set a sign among them; [Remember the banner.] and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles.
20: Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the LORD out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, . . ."

All those who don't even understand that they are part of Israel are going to understand that they are, and that they have a birth right and that they are going to receive it during the millennium, during the time frame that the Feast of Tabernacles depicts.

20: ". . . as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
21: And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites, says the LORD.
22: For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me, says the LORD, So shall your descendants and your name remain. [It's as steadfast as that. It will happen.]
23: And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me, says the LORD.
24: And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."

There are many other scriptures we could turn to which describe the events which lead up to the one thousand year reign and its specific time frame. Over the years we should have become very, very familiar with them. These are just some of them. The whole point here is that God is going to teach mankind that He has set Israel as His chosen people. He had given them His lot. He had entered into a covenant with them. All this is going to be done without the influence of Satan for we read where he was cast into the bottomless pit and shut up, in Rev. 20:3 Lets take a look at Eze. 34:23-31:

23: "I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them--My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd."

David the root of Jesse will once again shepherd Israel. He is going to take the place as the shepherd over physical Israel during the millennium. This is very important to remember.

24: "And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.
25: I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; [See the nature of beasts changes just as we saw back in Isaiah.] and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.
26: I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.
27: Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them.
28: And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid.
29: I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore.
30: Thus they shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people, says the Lord GOD.
31: You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God, says the Lord GOD."

Look at Eze. 36:16-38:

16: "Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
17: Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity.
18: Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it.
19: So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeds.
20: When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name--when they said of them, `These are the people of the LORD, and yet they have gone out of His land.'
21: But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.
22: Therefore say to the house of Israel, `Thus says the Lord GOD: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.
23: And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when I am hallowed in you before their eyes."

See what He's going to do here. He's going to have Israel come back, understand where they have been, what they did, understand who they are, as they are scattered throughout the nations and then they are going to glorify God and nations are going to be in awe of this.

24: "For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.
25: Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; [They will be offered God's Spirit. We don't find the nations mentioned here do we.] I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27: I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
28: Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.
29: I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you.
30: And I will multiply the fruit of your trees [These are physical people.] and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations.
31: Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.
32: Not for your sake do I do this, says the Lord GOD, let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!
33: Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt.
34: The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by.
35: So they will say, `This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.'
36: Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it.
37: `Thus says the Lord GOD: I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock.
38: Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the LORD."

Lets look at Eze. 37:15-28:

15: "Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
16: As for you, son of man, take a stick for yourself and write on it: `For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions.' Then take another stick and write on it, `For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.'
17: Then join them one to another for yourself into one stick, and they will become one in your hand.
18: And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, `Will you not show us what you mean by these?' --
19: say to them, `Thus says the Lord GOD: Surely I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.
20: And the sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.
21: Then say to them, `Thus says the Lord GOD: Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;
22: and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.
23: They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
24: David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.
25: Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children's children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.
26: Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.
27: My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
28: The nations also will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore."

Physical Israel will be exalted first. She will be taught her rightful place and the Gentiles will see all this. If they imitate her, they will be blessed. If they don't, they will be cursed. This thousand years is all about Israel tabernacling with God, about the wayward children, being taught right from wrong and turning in peace without the devil influencing them. A distinction is made, brethren. Now comes a very important event after the one thousand years are over. That time depicted by the festival of Tabernacles concludes. Rev. 20:7-9:

7: "Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison
8: and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
9: They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them."

Mankind had just lived an incredible thousand years of peace and prosperity, unprecedented in the first six thousand years. Israel was exalted among the nations. Their record was set straight. God had given His children an opportunity to do it over again, without Satan's influence for His name's sake. This is not a time of technology and advancement, but a time of teaching and learning. A time where Gentile nations observed and received of the blessings as they followed the example of Israel, and if not a time of cursings until they did. Now comes the time of testing upon the Gentiles, brethren. They have their opportunity to hold fast to what they have been taught or follow the way of Satan. They have a choice here. They have that opportunity just like Israel did, like physical Israel, like spiritual Israel. Now is the time for the vast majority of mankind when the Gentiles will have that opportunity after having lived and observed the right way for a thousand years. Brethren, these are patterns which run throughout the Bible, which we should be becoming very familiar with and able to pick out. Isa. 28:9-10 remember:

9: "Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?
10: For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little."

He has patterns throughout the Bible. Rev. 20:7-9 again:

7: "Now when the thousand years have expired, [Remember after the thousand years have expired, not before they have ended, but after.] Satan will be released from his prison
8: and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
9: They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them."

Notice, "and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them." Who are Gog and Magog? Lets take a look at the ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). Lets see what it has to say about it. "Magog; named as a son (or descendant) of Japheth in a list that includes Gomer, Tubal, and Meshech, (Gen. 10:2; 1Chron. 1:5). In Ezekiel's prophecy Magog is the kingdom of Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (Eze. 38:2; 39:6) [which we're going to see shortly] and an invader of Israel. Josephus identifies the Magogites with the Scythians [Wrong!], who were a sinister military power in the sixth century B.C. A resemblance between the names Gog and Gyges (Gugu) king of Lydia, right around 600 B.C., has led to the suggestion by some scholars that Magog is Lydia; others, however, urge that Magog is probably only a variant of Gog [which is true, or land of Gog]. The LXX understands Magog as a people, not a country; [which is true] and if the identification with either of the Scythians or the inhabitants of Lydia is tenable, it is difficult to see Magog as simply an eschatological figure for challengers of the divine supremacy over mankind. In the book of Revelation, Gog and Magog represent all the heathen opponents of the Messiah, Rev. 20:8. In this sense these names recur frequently in Jewish apocalyptic literature."

And it gives the name of some of those, etc. and where you can look for other references to this. Lets look at Eze. 38 and 39. Lets see about this Gog and Magog. Eze 38:1-39:20:

1: "Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2: Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
3: and say, `Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. [And we can follow where they are in the Bible and see who they are today.]
4: I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.
5: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
6: Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you."

So here they are coming up to Jerusalem. They are coming up to take a whack at God. This is after Satan has allowed them to think that they can do this. Just like he did with the angels in the original rebellion and has done so throughout history.

7: "Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.
8: After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, [This is not talking about those in physical Israel today.] which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. [They don't dwell safely over there now.]
9: You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.
10: Thus says the Lord GOD: On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, [This is the key here.] and you will make an evil plan: [Now notice here, this is very significant.]
11: You will say, I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates."

Now that isn't talking about Israel today. This is talking about after the end of the millennium, after Satan is released, and puts these thoughts "that arise in their minds" to make an evil plan. The prince of the power of the air is back. This is the time of testing of the Gentiles.

12: "to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, [Now when does that take place? That was during the millennium.] and against a people gathered from the nations, [When did that happen? During the millennium.] who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land."

Notice the whole precept of Satan here. He likes to take and go after helpless things. That's why we have a responsibility to the widow and the orphan and to the stranger. Satan loves to put evil thoughts into people. They become prey! To someone who's deceived by Satan, when he looks at someone who is helpless, he sees an easy picking. He doesn't see someone he can go help he sees something he can prey upon, that he can get something from, that he can use and abuse. He doesn't see something that needs to be helped and strengthened and needs a legal defender. Big difference between the mind of God and the mind of Satan, huge difference and it's fruits will show you who's it is, that leads you.

13: "Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, `Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?
14: Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, `Thus says the Lord GOD: On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it?"

They are going to be so deceived by Satan that they are going to forget about the miracles God has done over the thousand years before. They are going to forget about everything. Satan deceives them into that. Boy are they going to get whacked after the pattern.

15: "Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.
16: You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. [Remember as an innumerable multitude, as the sands of the sea.] It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes. [He is going to use Gog, so everybody else is going to figure it out.]
17: Thus says the Lord GOD: Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?
18: And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel, says the Lord GOD, that My fury will show in My face.
19: For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: `Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, [After the pattern of the first one.]
20: so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.' [Now this isn't talking about when Christ returns at Trumpets, brethren that took place long before this occurrence.]
21: I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains, says the Lord GOD. Every man's sword will be against his brother.
22: And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
23: Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD."

Now, who is the point being made to? The point is being made to the nations, not to Israel anymore. God didn't have to make the point to Israel anymore. This is talking about after the millennium when Satan is released. He is making a point now to the nations, to the Gentiles. Eze. 39:1-20:

1: "And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, `Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal;
2: and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel.
3: Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand, and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand.
4: You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5: You shall fall on the open field; for I have spoken, says the Lord GOD.
6: And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.
7: So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
8: Surely it is coming, and it shall be done, says the Lord GOD. This is the day of which I have spoken.
9: Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years."

That's a lot of equipment isn't it. All burning up. This isn't talking about machine guns. This isn't talking about nuclear bombs. This isn't talking about anything of that sort. That all took place when He returned over 1000 years before at Trumpets. Remember they beat it all into plowshares and everything else. Well Satan at the end of the millennium, has now talked them into making weapons again, but weapons that existed long before the technologies that were available before. This isn't a time of technology. This is a time, of, "just as it was in Israel in the beginning," and the weapons are the same and that is why they can burn them up and use them for fuel.

10: "They will not take wood from the field nor cut down any from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; and they will plunder those who plundered them, and pillage those who pillaged them, says the Lord GOD.
11: It will come to pass in that day that I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea; and it will obstruct travelers, because there they will bury Gog and all his multitude. Therefore they will call it the Valley of Hamon Gog.
12: For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land.
13: Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified, says the Lord GOD.
14: They will set apart men regularly employed, with the help of a search party, to pass through the land and bury those bodies remaining on the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search. [These are people who, do this for a living. Going around picking up these bodies, and burying them. The search party will bury so many of them.]
15: The search party will pass through the land; and when anyone sees a man's bone, he shall set up a marker by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog.
16: The name of the city will also be Hamonah. Thus they shall cleanse the land.
17: And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, `Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: [Here comes another feast.] Assemble yourselves and come; Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you, A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, That you may eat flesh and drink blood. [Now remember this is on the mountains of Israel. This is not in the valley of Hinnom. This is not Armageddon. We have to get that straight. So many people have messed that up in the past. That's already taken place.]
18: You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, Drink the blood of the princes of the earth, Of rams and lambs, Of goats and bulls, All of them fatlings of Bashan.
19: You shall eat fat till you are full, And drink blood till you are drunk, At My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you.
20: You shall be filled at My table With horses and riders, With mighty men And with all the men of war, says the Lord GOD."

Now God goes on to recount what He did for Israel. How He set His glory among the nations, how He called back Jacob from captivity and had mercy on the whole house of Israel and how the Gentiles would know it. There is definitely a sequence to learning about these events.

Gog and Magog are the names given to all the Gentiles who will defy God at this time. They discard that which they have been taught and observed and will fall prey to the deceptions of Satan the devil. All this was done once again, as a vivid example of the error of man in the first six thousand years. Remember first of all, it showed the error of Israel, now the error of man in the Gentiles. The patterns are all there. God is preparing a lesson, which will shortly be observed during a time depicted by the last of the fall festival seasons, of the Holy days. Lets take a look at Rev. 20:10. This is all sequential!

10: "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."

The false prophet and the beast, were dead. They're burned up way back at Trumpets. Back before Atonement, they were thrown in. As we read in Rev. 19:20:

20: ". . .These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone."

So they've already seen the second death. So here's Satan now being cast into that same lake of fire. But when? After the end of the millennium. Rev. 20:11-15:

11: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
12: And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
13: The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.
14: Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15: And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

This time is a time of awesome splendor and bewilderment, brethren. The earth is prepared and made the very throne of the universe, of all God's creation. Rev. 21:1:

1: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea."

This here clearly tells us, it is not during the millennium, brethren. It is not at the beginning of it and not at the end of it (as some have been teaching, and some of you have questioned as to whether it is true or not) but after it. Look here and as we've seen during the millennium, the sea was still there. Ships are coming across it, remember. And read up here in verse 13.

13: "The sea gave up the dead who were in it, . . ."

Now this is after the millennium. The sea's still around after the millennium. At least at the beginning of the White throne judgement, the sea is still there. It is at this time, that all whoever lived will have the opportunity to receive the Spirit of God. Jesus Christ will beget them, through His wife. She will resurrect the dead. First those who have done well as the firstborn of Christ and then those who will follow. It is Christ, who through His wife does it, just as God the Father, through Christ, did it to the Firstfruits. It's a pattern that we're going to follow. Look at verses 1-7:

1: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. [So the sea's gone. So this is not the millennium.]
2: Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

Why? Wasn't this already taking place during the millennium? Of course it was, but not prepared like this. Remember, it's a new heaven and new earth now.

3: "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God."

This is talking about the time during the white throne judgment. And who's going to teach them? The Bride. Christ will have His Firstborn by His wife also.

4: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
5: Then He who sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful.
6: And He said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
7: He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son."

And these very things are played out, back in Rev. 7:9-17. That's exactly what's taking place there.

9: "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
10: and crying out with a loud voice, saying, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!
11: All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
12: saying: Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.
13: Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?
14: And I said to him, Sir, you know. So he said to me, These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

These are those who had died, who did not qualify to be the Bride, but yet were daughters who had done well. These are going to be the firstborn of those of Israel, of the Bride, of the marriage of Christ and His Wife. These are those that are going to be the firstborn of the second resurrection, but they're physical. They have an opportunity here. They're going to serve at the temple, and then they are going to be receiving of eternal life. Look at the sequence here.

15: "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
16: They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; [Same language you read in Revelation 21.] the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
17: for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

They come up physically in the second resurrection, at the beginning. They're going to be the firstborn, the Firstfruits, of the union between Christ and the Bride. Back to Rev. 21:8, look what happens here:

8: "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. [It's the same pattern over again. That is the same lake of fire spoken of in chapter 20.]
9: Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."

So he's not saying that this angel now has these seven bowls still filled. He's saying this is the one who did have them filled. He recognized him. He's coming and talking to him.

10: "And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11: having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
12: Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
14: Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15: And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.
16: The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal."

And he goes on and talks here about how it's adorned, etc... Verse 22:

22: "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
23: The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
24: And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
25: Its gates shall not be shut at all by day
26: And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.
27: But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

First Israel and then all the nations are offered sonship, just as it had been patterned so long ago. The Bride of Christ consists of both, the stock of Israel and the nations, and that is also the pattern of sonship in the white throne judgment. Verse 22, once again:

22: "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple."

Look at 1Cor. 3:9:

9: "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building."

Verses 16-17:

16: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17: If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."

And we can read that in other verses like 2Cor. 6:15-16; 1Cor. 6:19, and go to show that this is all typed, physically and spiritually, before and after. Take a look at Rev. 22:1-5:

1: "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb."

By the way, God the Father at this point is here on the earth. The earth becomes the center, the focus of the universe at this point, to begin the next stage of His plan.

2: "In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3: 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.
4: They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
5: There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever."

So the family of God at this point is completed and you can go on and read the rest of the scriptures here. There are a lot of significant things we can learn from them, but the fall festival season depicts the second phase of the plan of salvation. It is the time of Christ and His wife. A time of tremendous growth in the family of God. We have an obligation to ourselves and untold billions of human beings who have lived and died and for that matter are alive today, to learn who and what we are, to accept the calling, to clothe ourselves in righteous acts, to be preparing for our marriage and for our ability to lead and teach the children of God. We who are called are to be one with God now. We are not to be defiled or to be defiling ourselves, willingly or through the treachery of men. We are to be spiritually alert and diligently learning how to carry out our responsibilities in the household of God. It is very humble. We are being prepared by our Husband. It is He who washes us with water by His Word. It is He and no other. We must use the gifts He has given us to help edify the body of which He is Head. We are all members of it. We are to serve with humility and diligence, not with dominion and privilege.

Our Father has patterned everything He is doing in His plan of salvation. Everything is in there. It is very important that we understand what He is telling us. We have had many parts to the puzzle in the past. Now we have more and should be acting upon them.

We have the Passover of the Lord. Christ shed His blood for the firstborn. We then see the seven days of the firstborn removing leaven from themselves. Then we see Christ the wave sheaf accepted by the Father on the first Sunday during these 7 days and thus the count of 7 weeks of harvest until Pentecost at which time the harvest of the Bride is complete and the door to the wedding closed. We then see Christ return to Mt. Olive with His Bride at His side on Trumpets and He strikes down those who warred against Him. Then we see Satan put away on Atonement and the start after that of the Feast of Tabernacles. A great harvest of physical Israel dwelling with God and finally knowing who they are. Then we see the Great Last Day starting with the release of Satan and his deception of the Gentile nations. It is their time of judgement as to the captivity of Satan's influence. Once again we see them come against Christ and Israel and once again He destroys them who did this. Satan will be then cast into the lake of fire and destroyed. God the Father will then come down to a new Earth and He and His Son and His Wife will begin to grow Their Family after the pattern of creation so that none will have excuse as to the knowledge of this eternal power and Godhead.

We are being scattered, so that we can learn to stand on our own two feet, yoked to our Husband, one on one. Don't be discouraged when you see these things, but rather, be very encouraged, for as we see these things, we know the day draws near. Serve where you can serve and prepare yourself as the diligent wife does her household. Lets end this study with the very specific instructions in Proverbs 31. We need to be fulfilling these resume duties at this time. Proverbs 31:10-31:

10: "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
11: The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
12: She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13: She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
14: She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
15: She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
16: She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17: She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
18: She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. [Remember the parable of the talents, brethren. It's tremendous. She keeps multiplying.]
19: She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
20: She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21: She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22: She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23: Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
24: She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25: Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
26: She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27: She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28: Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
29: Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.
30: Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31: Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates."

We do not seek the cave, of the place of safety. We do not run to the cave and have a pity party as to us being the only one. We do not lock ourselves into an organization of men who look down on others. We are to be about our Father's business, just as our Husband showed by example. Lets grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ, not of the great ones of the organizations of men. Learn to dine with Christ one on one, and be willing to serve all brethren who are willing to accept your peace.

Our peace we give to you.